Vacations at home started to come into fashion even before the corona virus pandemic shook the world of tourism.
Ever since the financial crash of 2008, many travelers have started to save on travel costs by staying closer to home, says Marloz de Vries, senior travel analyst at consumer research agency Mintel.
And it's very likely that millennials will just continue that trend for reasons that have to do with money and lifestyle, she told the BBC.
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This year, Covid-19 has brought us new rules of hygiene and social distancing that we have to take into account, just like the closing of borders and increasing economic uncertainty, so it is very likely that holidays at home will become more popular than ever.
Here are some tips to turn your vacation at home into an unexpected success:
Forget the to-do list
To truly rest, it's important to "get out of your own head," says Claudia Unger, travel analyst at market research firm Focusright and executive coach for work-life balance.
When you're busy thinking about your day-to-day problems, "it's a bit like not seeing the forest for the trees," she tells the BBC.
Let's put it this way: if you were on vacation, you wouldn't be there to do housework or renew your car registration.
That's why you don't do those things even when you're vacationing at home.
Unsurprisingly, research by Barclays last year found that nine out of ten 25-34 year olds in the UK wanted to 'get away from it all' on holiday, with 70 per cent saying they wanted to go on a digital detox .
Put your time first
Lena Schmidt, a yoga instructor from San Diego in the US who writes about personal development, recommends telling your friends you're going on vacation, just as you would if you were going out of town.
Turn off your phone or at least mute notifications. Turn on the automatic notification on your e-mail that you are not in the office - and try not to check your inbox every hour.
Of course, you can still enjoy technology, as long as it's something you really enjoy - play music, listen to podcasts, catch up on your favorite series.
Unger says, "Make sure all of your needs are met before you start saying yes to other people's requests that take up your time."
Look at the old with new eyes
Whether you're in the city or the countryside, chances are you're a person of habit just like most of us.
But vacations at home give you the opportunity to experience new things with fresh eyes.
Psychologists often emphasize the benefits of breaking habits with some simple actions, such as going to your favorite restaurant but taking a different table; or going to the same places but at a different time of day.
Interrupting what you're doing on autopilot is a way to engage your mind with what you're doing, says Unger.
"Just be who you are in that moment, commit to what you're doing."
Take care of yourself
There's no doubt that pampering yourself is a powerful way to relieve stress. "Self-care is the best antidote to stress," says Schmidt.
You can organize a "spa day" using luxury bath products in your own bathtub, if you have one.
But Schmidt says the essence of self-care is never "one-size-fits-all," so exploring your local nature can be just as recharging.
Set a budget for a vacation at home
You are already saving money by not buying plane tickets, paying for accommodation or gas. So why not treat it like a budget to spend on this vacation at home?
Lori Campbell, from the site Good With Money, writes: "Treat yourself to a night out while vacationing at home - just as you would if you were vacationing elsewhere."
If cooking is a chore for you, consider giving it up completely during your vacation. But if you enjoy cooking, use some exotic ingredients and try out complex culinary creations can be a relaxing activity.
Campbell says there's nothing wrong with treating yourself to a new outfit, either — just as you would splurge on a new wardrobe before heading off to a new destination.
"When you have a week or two to yourself, staying at or close to home doesn't mean you won't want to look and feel good," she says.
Book a hotel room… or camp at home!
And if you're particularly adventurous, why not book a hotel room if your budget allows?
"Make reservations for two restaurants you've always wanted to try (one for breakfast, one for dinner), find one or two tourist destinations to visit each day, and carve out enough time each morning and evening to enjoy your own city," Schmidt writes.
If you're a little short on budget, you can try camping… at home. Small children will especially enjoy the "adventure" of throwing the furniture out of the living room and bringing in the mattress.
And if you have a blanket, you can play shadow-making and tell scary stories - just like camping outside!
You don't do anything
But whatever you do, try not to forget that time is precious and there isn't much of it, so maybe it's a luxury to give yourself a breather by spending a little of it for a change.
Don't overload yourself with plans. Do everything slowly. Take the time you have at home for yourself and do nothing.
"It's very important that people find out what works for them," says Unger. "People shouldn't expect that what works for everyone will work for them."
"So go with your instincts on how you like to spend your time, just do it and stick with it."
If you're not going anywhere this year, it doesn't have to mean that your much-deserved vacation is compromised. Moreover, its meaning could be precisely to make you relax more.
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