Holidays are an essential part of our lives forming an integral part of the ‘work-life balance’ we hear so much about. In the current economic climate many people will see a foreign holiday as a luxury they simply cannot afford, however the benefits of getting away from it all cannot be underestimated. With more and more people turning away from the package holidays so favoured in the 1970s and ‘80s and holidaying much closer to home, the term ‘staycation’ has been coined and what better way to start than a holiday in Norfolk.
What is a Staycation?
A staycation is any holiday you spend in your own country instead of travelling abroad. It is particularly suitable for those on a tight budget, those who do not want to waste days of their hard-earned holiday travelling and those who find travelling to another country difficult. With the current exchange rate, the pound doesn’t go that far abroad and with the British weather improving year on year, there can be few excuses not to choose a staycation.
Where to Holiday
As Britain’s weather seems to constantly improve, few summers are going by without the Met Office announcing ‘the hottest day on record’. There are many excellent places to spend your staycation but few with the diversity of a holiday in Norfolk. With nearly 100 miles of unspoilt coastline and 280 square miles of Areas of Natural Outstanding Beauty along with countless tourist attractions and historical sites, Norfolk is one of Britain’s most special treasures.
Holidaying on a Budget
Travelling comes with a price-tag and the further you travel, the higher the cost. Travelling abroad is particularly expensive, with everything from flights to airport parking adding to the bill and cutting into your holiday fund. If you have pets then you have the added stress of what to do with them while you are away. If you have friendly neighbours or nearby family then they may be able to drop in to feed the cat, but if you have a dog then you cannot simply leave it at home cooped up all day. Fortunately if you choose a staycation in Norfolk there are a number of dog friendly cottages available. You and your pets can holiday together, saving you expensive bills along with any concerns about whether your four-legged friends are being looked after to your satisfaction.
Facilities
Even though you may have chosen a staycation in order to keep to a budget, you may be surprised by the luxuries you can afford with just a little extra expenditure. There are cottages with swimming pools for when the sea in Norfolk gets too chilly for all but the hardiest among us. What could be more pleasant when the weather is hot than to be able to take a dip in your own private pool?
Self catering cottages are the easiest way to save money as hotels can prove costly and restaurant dining an extra expense. A staycation in Norfolk is certainly not restrictive for dining. You can head down to the nearest town and will find freshly caught seafood available for you to take home and cook. If samphire tantalises your taste buds then you can pick your own on the Wash and boil it up for eating al fresco in your holiday cottage garden. There’s no need for costly gourmet seafood dining with so many excellent traditional fish and chip suppers available using produce as fresh as the finest restaurant can offer.
So there you have it. The staycation is the quintessentially British solution to making the most of your budget. If you are looking for somewhere to try, Norfolk has it all!
