For people like me, who simply adore travel, the lockdown has been difficult for more than the usual reasons. While the hospitality industry appears to be getting back on track somewhat, there are still problems with the actual travel: negative test results to be submitted, post-travel self-quarantine etc. So what is the solution? Well, why not take a staycation instead of a vacation?
One way to enjoy a staycation (stay + vacation) is to enjoy a day outing close to home – may be a picnic in a park or wooded area that doesn’t require overnight stays. Another way is to simply stay at home and do all the things you could on holiday: enjoy time with family playing a game, maybe set up a portable pool, visit local attractions and so on. Or you can enjoy a vacation without the travel. Check into a good local hotel for some R&R without travelling.
Right now, the actual travel is a problem: contact with strangers, the need to furnish test results, the apprehension of a possible quarantine etc. So taking a few days off to just be looked after and pampered in a good hotel sounds awesome to me. You don’t have to actually book tickets or organise too much; after all you don’t have far to go.
Firstly getting out of the house would be a welcome change. Meals, housekeeping are looked after, you get to enjoy aesthetic environs, maybe a pool or other activities where available. Some spa treatments, a massage or a session in the Jacuzzi could be other ways to relax and rejuvenate.
Right now, hotels in Delhi are offering great deals, even the top properties. Many of these deals include breakfast and in some cases all meals for some very reasonable prices. Most hotels have reopened the pool and fitness facilities so a staycation can include some fitness as well as fun family time. You can get great last-minute deals as well, so you can literally take off at a moment’s notice --- no tickets, remember?
Hotels are taking great care to maintain safety and hygiene standards. Screening, deep cleaning, distancing and limited numbers of people being allowed in the restaurant/ pool and so on, are some routine measures undertaken.
You save a lot of the time and the money you would have spent travelling out of town. Since you are close to home there is no acclimatisation required: it’s the same weather, and altitude so you need to carry less luggage. If you have fish to feed or if you forgot something at home, you can literally pop across because home is close by. If you decide on a weekend staycation, you may not even need to take time off work, or in a pinch, you can ‘work’ while still on staycation! So a staycation seems to be a great idea to me --- while at it, I plan to check out some of the attractions of Delhi that I’ve missed even though I've lived here for years now!
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