Ultimate Guide to Vacation at Home

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Ready to stare down the ocean with a drink in your hand? Me too. When you vacation at home you can go anywhere!

Just because you don’t have time off and you might not have the money, doesn’t mean you can’t experience the world like an avid traveller.

A vacation at home on your couch is probably the exact thing you need! 

With my tips you will feel like relaxed and indulged without all the extra hassle of actually going somewhere. 

Set a weekend budget and get to planning. You’re not physically getting away but mentally you will have a fantastic adventure even though you are having a vacation at home.

When you’re in your own bed at home and you pull the covers up to your nose and snuggle down, that bed could be anywhere in the world. After you close your eyes, you can transport yourself.

Use that to your advantage! 

1. Choose a Theme For Your Vacation at Home

Pick a place you would like to really experience. Do you want a tropical paradise or do you fancy a winter getaway?

Personally, I’m in love with France and Europe. Through movies you can go anywhere in the world. Visit China? Walk the big cities surrounded by skyscrapers?

Hangout in the country with bunnies and cows? River rafting trip? Mountain lodge get away? Margaritas and toes in the sand?

Movies make all of it possible.

2. Choose a Movie

Pick a movie that will inspire you! Do you want to travel? Do your kids need something to do? Just need to getaway? A vacation at home is set with these movies in the background. 

My Foreign Favorites in English

• Lost in Translation
  
• In Bruges
  
• The Science of Sleep
  
• Under the Tuscan Sun

In a Different Language

• Amelie- French, France
  
• La Vita è Bella (Life Is Beautiful) – Italian, Italy
• Pan’s Labyrinth- Spanish, Spain
  
• Spirited Away- Japan, Japanese
  
• Delicatessen- French, France
• Jean De Florette- French, France

Themed Fun/ Adventure/ Kids

• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Aladdin
  
• Homeward Bound – The Incredible Journey
  
• Jurassic Park
  
• Babe
• A League of Their Own
• Ratatouille
• Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
• The Goonies

3. Your Vacation at Home Starts With the Mood

Now that you have the perfect movie planned, how do you let that take over your life for a few days? What are the most important attributes of your vacation spot adventure?

Do a quick search online for traditions, daily routine, music, smells, favorite foods, style etc. Let these bits of information be your inspiration for your trip away at home.

If you are forgoing a vacation it’s important to still make this fun. You know that I’m a big proponent of saving money…. but sometimes when you spend a little money you are actually saving big money. In essence, by staying at home and fabricating a fabulous weekend, you are saving tons of money.

The dollar store and thrift stores are perfect places for costumes, jewelry, glassware, table runners, candy and food.

Go to a party supply store and grab some props, the dollar store is also a great place to get cheap themed items. 

• Prop umbrellas
• Hula Skirts
• Coconut Bras
• Paper Pop ups- Eiffel Tower, Trees, Flowers,
• Plastic Champagne Flutes
• Pirate Gear
  
• Streamers
  
• Paper Lanterns
  
• Table Runners
  
• Paper Umbrellas
• Wigs

There are tons of different options at the store. Pick your movie or setting and go nuts.

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4. Choose a Dinner

Dinner is your chance to bring everything together during your vacation at home. With a little help from the internet you can research classic recipes that hail from the chosen country of origin.

If you are able to find an instant pot recipe use that! It will completely transform your house with smells of foreign lands. Make your entire home smell like a different place.

Food is so important to many cultures, but it’s also a fun way to explore different flavors in a setting your kids might enjoy.

Feeling out of your element can make you more accepting. This might be a great time to sneak a new food onto your kids plate. 

If you already have an instant pot you aren’t using, for goodness sake watch a youtube video and get some confidence. We use ours everyday and it’s transformed how and what we cook. The healthful options are endless. This is my favorite Instant Pot Recipe Book. 

5. Treat Yourself

Go hog-wild. Buy the more expensive bottle of wine, splurge for the truffle oil, get the prosciutto. Visit an authentic pastry shop. Buy candles and a pretty table-cloth.

Part of vacation is the relaxation isn’t it? No matter where you are pretending to go, make sure you give yourself a little luxury! Maybe this is the weekend that you get your hair or your nails done, make more of an effort to pamper yourself.

• Visit a pool or spa.
• Go to a water park!
• Any water / fish / mermaid movies definitely deserve a trip to the aquarium.

There are oodles of inspiring scenarios right in your reach. Use your imagination and picture the perfect destination spot. 

Do you see palm trees and a beach? Maybe a sunset in Europe? The possibilities are endless.

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6. There Are Endless Possibilities for Your Vacation at Home

This is for fun but every country really deserves their history and heritage be explored. There’s so much to learn from other cultures!

If you decide to watch a movie that’s in a different language, don’t be intimidated. Use English subtitles to help you out. A different language will add to the experience.

You can also download some of the country’s favorite performers and enjoy the music as you cook or eat.

Vacation at Home: Tropical Paradise Ideas

• Buy leis, flowers and umbrellas for all your drinks.
• Start your day with fresh fruit and keep plenty on hand for the weekend.
  
• Ukuleles and bongo drums
  
• Luau music and fake palm trees
  
• Chocolate covered macadamia nuts. (Trader Joe’s and other specialty stores)
  
• Whip up smoothies using yogurt, banana, pineapple, coconut and orange juice.
  
• Kalua Pork is typical fare for your first night on the island this is a quick and easy crockpot recipe you can whip up. Hawaiian Style Kalua pork from Pineapple and Coconut
• Bonus points for wearing a swimsuit while you eat or at least sit on a towel. Haha.

Vacation at Home: France

• Start with a big bowl of strong coffee and milk… known as café au lait
• Fresh french bread is the most typical breakfast or splurge with a croissant
• Beef Bourguignon is a deliciously rich and flavorful meal that will transport you to the heart of France. Beef Bourguignon from The Recipe Critic will delight.
• Create a wine and cheese plate. Soft cheese are my favorite from France, traditionally Brie and Camembert. Fresh fruit and nuts will round out the tastes and traditionally this is served after dinner as a dessert.
• French music, hair in a chignon, heels and a beautiful flowy dress.

Something really cool to check out is the OuiPlease Box! Filled with goodies direct from France. No subscription needed. It’s the perfect surprise for yourself or any francophone.

Related: Ready to live like the French? It might not be a vacation home, but you can change your lifestyle for the better. Check out my post Living a Happier Life Inspired By the French for more fun.

 Vacation at Home: U.K

• Tea start with black tea in the morning
• For a traditional breakfast you will want to cook the following: Sausage, Bacon, Baked Beans, Tomatoes, Toast,
• Fried Potatoes, Fried Mushrooms and Eggs. For an even more authentic taste look for blood sausage (black or white pudding), kippers, and kidneys.
  
• Finger Sandwiches are always a hit. Go for cucumber and cream cheese minus the crusts for a classic, or if you have kids go ahead and do pb&j.
  
• For an authentic experience pretend to pay double for everything (ha) and call the bathroom the “lou”.

Vacation at Home with Planned Kid’s Time

I know if you have kids their desires take precedence don’t they? Sure they do. It’s just as easy to have a fun night or day with your kids that revolves around a movie. Just make it a whole day affair!

When you open up a child’s imagination, you are opening up the world to them.

• Dinosaur Movies- Go to the museum
• Trucks, Trains, Building Movies- Find and watch a building site
• Outdoor Related Movies- Camp out in your backyard
• Animals- Go to the zoo, animal shelter, or pet store

Remember to Have Fun and Make it Memorable

I love to travel, there are so many amazing places that we all want to visit! It’s my 3rd passion in life behind my husband and blogging.

Eating is the easiest way for me to travel to a different part of the world, whatever aspects of travel you enjoy, bring that into your home.

Get yourself in the right place for relaxation and enjoy your own little slice of paradise.

You can wash your sheets, sprinkle some lavender around, layout a robe, and pretend you are in the height of luxury any day of the week.

Life and experience doesn’t always have to be expensive, breakout of the blahs!

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Where do you think you will travel this weekend? Will you make it luxurious or just simply delicious and full of food? I’d love to hear about your favorite movies too! 

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