Can you really not go anywhere and call it a vacation? Even more importantly, can you take time off, stay at home or go away, and unplug from the office? As the Staycation enters its second decade, what’s changed and made it an attractive alternative for many families? Discovery Map, the leading provider of curated guides to top attractions, cities and towns throughout North America, has some pointers for those opting to stay at home for vacation this year.
“The Staycation became a thing after the 2008 crash when many families simply didn’t have the resources to take that trip to Disneyworld or the rental fee for that lakeside cabin or ocean cottage, so they stayed at home for vacation,” said Peter Hans, president of Discovery Map International since 2005. “This year, there are a number of families who didn’t quite get as large a tax return as they had in years past. Consequently, the Staycation is back on the table for some families.”
While the Staycation may be in its second decade, the ground rules for fun and stress-free breaks remain pretty much the same. For starters, no contact with your office allowed. Just because you’re not going away for an extended trip is no reason to be calling in to the office. Time off is meant for you to rest up and recharge your batteries. You can’t do that if you’re never mentally away.
Hans said, “You also want to limit your computer time. Remember, you’re on vacation. Restrict your computer time to researching potential day trips. NO E-MAIL, unless you’re being sent a confirmation or reservation number.”
Hans also recommends not setting an alarm if you don’t have to. Remember, you are on nobody’s schedule but your own. You also want to limit your household chores that week unless you’re specifically taking the week off to complete a project, e.g. painting your house, keep your home chores to a minimum. That doesn’t mean let the dishes in the sink stack up. Just don’t sweat it if the lawn goes a few days without being cut.
Additionally, Hans has a rather bold suggestion for your Staycation: Leave your cell phone off unless you need to use it. Said Hans, “Your phone can be handy if you’re traveling with other families or your group splits off into two’s. So, leaving it home is not practical. Just make sure you don’t take calls from anybody not in your vacation group. If you’re curious or worried about an emergency, just check the voice mail they leave.”
Continued Hans, “If you were on a cruise ship you wouldn’t answer a call from the office. Your Staycation deserves that same respect. Remember, you work hard for your time off and you owe it to yourself — your family and — believe it or not, your employer to come back rested and ready with your batteries fully recharged.”
Discovery Map’s hand-drawn printed maps offer a number of ideas on possible local excursions for your staycation. These colorful maps of resort cities and towns across 30 states, New Brusnwick and Ontario in Canada and Puerto Rico are typically found on display in local stores, restaurants, hotels and tourist attractions.
In addition to the printed map, DiscoveryMap.com offers curated content for visitors and those planning a trip. DiscoveryMap.com offers an interactive map that will be to scale and can be used for turn-by-turn directions as well as to access detailed information about areas of interest, places to eat, lodging and other noteworthy sites including and beyond the printed map area.
Discovery Maps are an easy and fun way to find interesting local businesses that will add excitement and fun to your staycation.
Discovery Map International has more than 130 maps nationwide. More than 9,000 businesses advertise on Discovery Maps across the U.S. One annual ad on Discovery Map reaches, on average, 500,000 visitors. Discovery Map advertisers renew their ads at a very high rate and some of the older Discovery Map locations have businesses who have been advertising on the same map for more than 20 years.
For more information on Discovery Map, visit https://discoverymap.com/.
About Discovery Map International, Inc.
Discovery Map International is the country’s leading provider of curated guides to top tourist destinations, cities and towns throughout North America. The distinctively colorful, hand-drawn maps are a favorite of travelers for navigating local dining, attractions, businesses, cultural experiences, ski destinations – and even the best locations to take selfies. Discovery Maps can be found in local hotels, restaurants, shops, visitor information centers and other participating venues, and at discoverymap.com.
Named by Forbes as “one of the best franchises to buy” in 2015, Discovery Map International is headquartered in Waitsfield, VT, in the heart of the Green Mountains. For more information about Discovery Map, visit https://discoverymap.com/. For information about the Discovery Map International franchise opportunity, visit https://discoverymapfranchise.com or call 802-316-4060.
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