A new voyage or destination gives a traveller the opportunity to learn something new about how people live. Travel offers us an insight into how the world ticks. 

A journey from one town to the next, or between two countries, gives us two points of comparison. It’s difficult not to compare. We notice how quickly cities have developed, especially if we are returning to somewhere we have been before. And one of the top topics to muse about over a coffee in the local café is how life has changed and how development has eroded our sense of community.

I don’t even think you have to leave the airport before the comparison starts. I’m sitting in Belfast airport, feeling a little bit abused. The problems started with my air ticket with a certain orange liveried bird of steel. You may say you get what you pay for, but I had thought that they were operating a business and the focus of any business should be its customers. Forget that.

Move a little further along the airport conveyor belt and you are greeted with several offers to relieve of a few heavy coins. Would you like to buy a plastic “security” bag for your cosmetics? No. Would you like to pay extra to shorten the frisk queue? Not keen on that either. Would you like us to be so inflexible that you think we are taking the …. I’ll leave it up to you to decide.

Above all, especially in an airport, security is paramount. I get that. But I can’t help beginning to feel that it is being used as an excuse to take short cuts and be lazy. I understand that you have an important job and we all benefit from the role you play in the airport game of manoeuvring thousands of people safely from one place to another. But apart from feeling like a pawn on a chessboard, I feel if we all smiled, phrased our requests with a little more respect and offered a helping hand rather than a slap, we would have happier and more efficient airports, and help to stem the community erosion. Rant over. Apparently, for safety reasons I “need to turn the computer off now”. Please.

Now for something to lighten the mood:

Travelling with a young family in tow means that you have to think more dynamically about your trips, whether it’s the destination, the accommodation or just simply the weather and whether you can buy nappies.

And of course, all parents know that it’s more expensive too. You’re limited to school holidays when prices rocket, and of course there are more people to cater for.

So it’s hardly surprising that sometimes, even though you love to explore new horizons, travel can be too overwhelming, too expensive, and too tiring.

Even the most intrepid traveller has to admit that they need a rest sometimes.

So with the holidays on the horizons, why not consider a staycation? With a little creative thinking you can discover, learn and most importantly rest, all while saving money.

Here are our top ten ideas:

1.     Act the part: Before you do anything, you have to act like you’re on holiday. Tell people you’re away, change the message on your mobile phone, put an “out of office” message on your email, and ignore the post and news for the length of your holiday. If it helps pack a suitcase (or a symbolic toothbrush and a pair of knickers) and leave the house, locking the door behind you. Go for a walk and come in to the house via the back door. Of course it’s contrived, but this is all about setting your frame of mind and expectations. It goes without saying – picking up the duster, or plugging in the vacuum cleaner, is not allowed – unless perhaps your staycation is more than a week!

2.     Choose a destination: Fish out all of the takeaway menus from the bottom of the kitchen drawer and spread them on the floor. Get the children involved and create a world map depending on where different cuisines come from. Each day a member of the family chooses a destination, and within a week you can virtually fly around the world. Eat the cuisine from the chosen country and encourage the children to decorate a small area of the house. I know one friend with a play park in their house complete with loungers and fake grass.

3.     Get educated: Add in some research projects for the children. If Italy is the destination of the day ask them to compile a list of facts or claims to fame for that country.

4.     Become a tourist where you live: You might not consider it a tourist destination, but there will be tourist organisations based there or somewhere near. Have a look at tours on offer or buy a ticket for a hop on and off bus. It’s a great way to get a different perspective. Click here for a review of the Dubai Big Bus.

5.     Get a deal: use Groupon or LastMinute for some inspiration, and you could save a couple of notes too.

6.     Remember to relax: Consider getting a day pass to an upmarket hotel, which will allow you to use the pool and kids’ club facilities.

7.     Dress the part: Part 1. Forget the hairdryer, go natural. It really does help you get in the right frame of mind. Grab a blanket, a book and a picnic and go to the park, or simply put up a tent in your back garden. If it’s too hot (hello to my Middle East friends) or wet (hello to my British friends) camp under the dining room table. Travel is all about seeing the world from a different perspective, and you’ll certainly get a different view of your house from there.

8.     Dress the part: Part 2. Put on your glad rags and tour the museums before taking afternoon tea in the most luxurious surroundings you can find.

9.     Feel different: Think about what makes you feel like you’re on holiday. It might be the chance to read your book, so find a corner of the garden, or a room you don’t usually sit in. It might be trying new wines and cheeses, sitting under the stars in the evening. If you feel different about your location you’re less likely to feel guilty about not doing chores, or ticking things off on your to-do list.

10.  Think family: holidays are about being together, so plan cycling trip, walks, a trip to the beach to fly a kite or shell-seek. Just because you’re not somewhere exotic, it doesn’t mean you can’t create the memories and photographs for the future.

And if you still feel the need to escape for the weekend check out our UAE and Oman ideas by clicking here.

Have a tip to share? We’d love to hear from you. Like us on www.facebook.com/expatexplorers and drop us a line.