Staycations vs Vacations

Staycations vs. Vacations In the past few years, staycations have become the most popular alternative to vacation traveling. Staying at home for the holidays is usually less expensive, safer and easier. So, it is no surprise to why back-porch vacations and poolside holidays are becoming the new trend for many middle-class Americans, especially in light of the recent state of our economy. However, there are some very specific reasons why traveling is a better alternative to staycations despite the cost and possible inconveniences.
When considering staycation or vacation, one must consider the opportunity to experience heightened senses, life changing events, and meeting new people while traveling. First of all, traveling involves experiencing places with one’s own senses: seeing, touching, hearing and smelling the new, unusual and unique environments of places that people visit while on vacation. If someone described a new ice-cream flavor using a hundred words, but instead one could choose to simply taste it, most would prefer the actual experience. It is the same concept with traveling.
Unlike watching Discovery Channel or National Geographic, reading about exotic places, and watching even the most exciting and fun podcasts about traveling, actually visiting the place is a much more powerful experience. In addition, one gets to form their own opinion about what was seen instead of just watching it through the eyes of a television director or through the lens of a photographer. Secondly, traveling is possibly one of the best sources of inspiration one could think of. Even if someone has been to the same place a few times, the next visit can leave impressions which are very different.

One may have a new feeling or a fresh hint, since the weather, one’s mood and the people will almost always be different. An impression of a place can change drastically or just become fuller and mor fulfilling. Traveling always brings new discoveries, whether they are discoveries of the outer worlds externally or discoveries within one’s self. Traveling can be the best cure for depression, the feeling of inner confusion and fears for what the future may bring and which direction life is heading. Sometimes, a vacation to a new place or a place one knows very little about can do more than just broaden knowledge and inspire new emotions.
It can change one’s whole life perspective and cause a complete review and revision of life values. So, it’s no wonder that people return from vacations completely changed and never go back to their old lifestyles. Finally, traveling means meeting new people. Unlike staycations, which normally revolve around the same group of people and friends, traveling brings together different people from various cultures and backgrounds. Traveling is always a chance to get to know others better and to learn to adjust to new traditions and other lifestyles.
While on the road, people can meet others that they would never get a chance to meet if they had stayed within their comfort zone, at home or with a group of people they have known for ages. Traveling is always a chance to make new friends and change the cycle of the everyday routine that people have gotten trapped in over the years. All in all, there is always a place for discussion of whether traveling is worth the money that will get spent on it or is it simply better to save up, spend a vacation at home and stay within one’s comfort zone.
Traveling may seem like a challenge; it needs a great deal of planning, a budget, and a certain level of enthusiasm and willingness to welcome new challenges. If there is an overwhelming desire to see a place far away, people should not let the fears or perceived limitations stand in the way. Having once traveled, it will never again be a question whether to spend your vacation at home or travel, staycations will simply not be an option . ————————————————- Top of Form