What if I told you that you can have fun, leisure time off within your own city? Yes it’s easy with a well planned staycation! They are a beautiful way to relax and recharge when you need some time off without going too far away from home, the perfect mix of affordability and luxury, especially for times like this in lockdown when we’re being more careful with spending and travel.
After months of staying home and working from home, you deserve a break from your routine. Here’s how to plan a getaway along with an itinerary of adventures based on my experience in Winnipeg, Manitoba that will transform your next time off escape into a luxury staycation experience.
STEP 1: PICK A PERFECT STAYCATION LOCATION
Just like a vacation, your staycation location is key to having a full luxury experience. Remember, the goal is to relax in a place that is close to home, but it should still be a unique environment.
For my staycation, I found this gorgeous urban penthouse in the heart of downtown Winnipeg with a view of the city through 360-degree floor-to-ceiling windows to check in for a couple of days. This rare find was a beautiful treat, designed with an ensuite hot tub and a Finnish sauna, my stay here was very therapeutic.
From watching the sunrise and sunset to enjoying a noise-free escape while still having access to my favourite places to eat, and explore the city, I was very pleased and I am looking forward to being back in this space soon.
Apart from the Penthouse, here are four other gorgeous spots that promise a luxury stay with beautiful views and amenities.
BOOK YOUR NEXT LUXURY STAYCATION HERE:
STEP 2: RELAX INDOORS
Hire a Chef
Don’t get caught in the staycation trap. You’re already taking a break from work, why don’t you take it a step further and skip the dishes too? A personal chef will make your staycation a little sweeter because they will do the meal planning, shopping, cooking, and cleaning up too! Most chefs can cook a week’s worth of meals in one or two days so you can kick your feet up and just enjoy the meal.
To find a personal chef in Winnipeg, visit Minimum.com, which features over 16 chefs in Manitoba with custom menu proposals. According to Minimum, a Chef cost on average $55 per person, plus a tip, which might be a little treat for your weekend.
Book a Massage
Do you know what goes well with a soak in the tub and a well-planned dinner? A massage! You can hire a massage therapist who makes house calls to bring relaxation to you. You can book a massage therapist through your local spas that do house calls. If your staycation spot is private enough, you might consider having your rubdown outdoors too!
Have a Movie Night
A fun low energy activity you can do on a staycation is a themed movie night. Pick a theme for the evening, set the mood with candle lights, the right aromas and a supply of your movie snacks, turn out the lights, and press play.
Now speaking of movie snacks, switch out your regular movie snacks for some luxe treats. You’re on a staycation, this is the perfect time to get some gourmet popcorn and pour out a nice bottle of wine. For my evening, I enjoyed a bottle of rose from Bodacious Wine, some gourmet popcorn and I even went ahead to order a large pizza from my favourite Italian restaurant and yes, I went with extra toppings!
STEP 3: EXPLORE WHILE STAYCATIONING
Living in a city for a long time doesn’t mean that you have seen all of it. Exploration is about the mind, the desire to want to know more and being open to new experiences. Taking out time to explore the scenic centres in your city, or finding hidden gems in places that you thought you knew can be exciting and rewarding. The best part of it, you don’t have to spend a lot of money, learn a new route, you just have to get up and go.
Visit a Restaurant You Haven’t Tried Before
It might be your city but it doesn’t mean that you’ve eaten everywhere. Check out restaurants near you that haven’t tried before or cuisines that are not traditional to your pallet, it’s going to feel like eating in a different city.
Go Photo Exploring
Mixing sightseeing and a photoshoot and make some memories are some of my favourite things to do when I’m away so why not bring that home to my staycation too! I like to check out the local tourism boards for things to do while in a new city and this staycation was no different.
I wrote about the beautiful Cathedrale de Sainte-Boniface on my first Instagram Guide and I must admit, it is still a great location to explore. Cathédrale de Saint‑Boniface is a major Winnipeg landmark; this popular tourist attraction is filled with lots of history, architectural beauty and great photo opportunities. It’s a must-see location to add to your itinerary when visiting Winnipeg!
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Staycationing is a good way to take a break from a busy schedule and unwind, it is also a good excuse to explore more of your city or state, so spoil yourself with a luxury staycation now.
I hope this inspires your next staycation wherever you are. Check out my last travel guide here where I recap my visit to Los Cabos, Mexico and a breakdown of what I wore while on vacation.
Love,
Anita
