You Took the Staycation. Now What?

So you did the staycation.

You checked into a hotel in your own city.

You slept in crisp sheets.

You wandered without a to-do list.

You remembered what it feels like to step out of your routine.

And now… something’s awake again.

That’s the travel bug.

It doesn’t show up as urgency. It shows up as curiosity.

The question becomes:

Okay. Where to next?

Your first trip back doesn’t need to be ambitious

This is where people overshoot.

They go from “one night away” straight to:

• International flights

• Complicated itineraries

• Too many cities

• Too much pressure to make it “worth it”

That’s how travel becomes exhausting instead of energizing.

Your next step should feel like a gentle expansion, not a leap.

What makes a trip feel easy (and enjoyable)

Look for low friction:

• A direct flight or a simple drive

• A city that’s walkable or has obvious transit

• English widely spoken

• A hotel in a neighborhood that feels alive but not chaotic

You’re not chasing novelty yet.

You’re building confidence through ease.

Comfort counts

This is not the trip to prove anything.

Choose:

• The centrally located hotel

• The room you actually want to come back to

• The restaurant that looks inviting, not intimidating

Travel doesn’t have to be uncomfortable to be meaningful.

Plan less than you think

One anchor activity per day is enough.

One great meal.

One long walk.

Leave space to sit, wander, people-watch.

That’s where enjoyment sneaks in.

The real goal of this trip

Not photos.

Not bragging rights.

Not “checking a box.”

The goal is this thought:

“I could do this again.”

Because once you feel that, the door stays open.

Big trips come later.

Longer trips come later.

Bolder trips come later.

First, you let travel feel normal again.

Be right back