It’s been 9 years since our last proper holiday (our big blowout honeymoon) and I have been desperate to plan even a small weekend break. But other priorities has put holidays firmly at the bottom of the savings list (thanks a lot cozzy livs). Since I used to be a travel blogger, not going on weekend breaks every month took some getting used to. But, I’ve got quite good at just trying to add a little bit of ‘holiday’ to my weekends and half terms, injecting some extra joy here and there. Here’s how I’ve tried to do this without spending as much as an actual holiday…

1 / Try something new in your area
You’ll think you’ve been there done that with your town and neighbouring towns, but there’s bound to be somewhere you haven’t visited – find a new restaurant, bakery or café to explore.

2 / Go on a photography walk
Grab your camera and spend the day taking photos somewhere peaceful and pretty. You can even get gorgeous sunset shots in your own backyard!

3 / Take a ‘day trip’
You don’t even need to go that far to explore. Hop on the train or bus for a couple of stops and take a day trip to the next town or city. The rest of the world is literally a few miles away.

4 / Write postcards from where you are now
I love writing postcards while I’m sat on a balcony or by the pool, so why not write some lovely random notes for friends and post them from where you are?

5 / Fancy up your bathroom
Your own bathroom can be like a 5* hotel with a bit of fancying up. Get twice as many bubbles in the tub, light a bunch of candles and make sure there’s a chilled glass of wine within arm’s reach.

6 / Go out for ice-cream
Even if it’s winter, ice-cream can still be the perfect treat. It’s not just for holidays either! You could find a dessert place to treat yourself, or you could get a tub of ice-cream in the shopping and add the fancy bits like chopped nuts and strawberry sauce.

7 / Join your local library
Excuse the cheese, but there are whole other worlds to be found inside books. Join your nearest library and you can escape to them in minutes.

8 / Watch some travel documentaries
If books aren’t your thing, then films could work. Head over to Netflix and watch all the travel documentaries and destination films to quench your wanderlust.

9 / Eat local street food
Let your tastebuds do the travelling for you and make it feel like you’re on holiday with street food treats – tacos, curries, samosas, pizza, yum buns and roti.

10 / Get familiar with your backyard
There’ll be 101 fun things to do in your own town, letting you explore culture and history just feet from your own front door. Get out there and check it out.

11 / What’s wrong with the humble beer garden?
Part of travelling is sitting in the sun with some booze! Head over to your local beer garden and order yourself a little gin and tonic. If you put your sunnies on it could feel like you’re in Santorini (perhaps close your eyes too then.)

12 / Find all the free stuff that happens in your area
No doubt there’s loads of free stuff to do in your town too – open parks, museums, exhibitions, concerts. We tend to look elsewhere when we’re bored, but I guarantee there’ll be something happening in your town that won’t even cost you a penny.

13 / Attempt your own cocktails
Fancy cocktails aren’t just resigned to the beach bar! Invite a few friends round, get the booze in and start creating your very own cocktails in the kitchen – glacé cherries and mini brollies galore.

14 / Have an indoor picnic
When you’ve recovered from your cocktails, pretend your living room is a pretty park in Italy (actually, the booze may help with this.) Grab a blanket, make some finger sarnies, pour the lemonade, and sit back and chat. Posh picky tea bliss.

15 / Start that TV show you’ve been banging on about for ages
Not travelling this year makes your spare hours the perfect time to start that series you’ve had your eye on for so long. Never got round to Succession? Missed Ozark the first time? Press play.

16 / Get the bus to a random stop
In the spirit of exploring areas you don’t know, why not hop off the bus in a village or town you’ve never been to before? You could do some research before, or totally take your chances and play bus stop roulette.

17 / Cook something you haven’t before
Travelling with your tastebuds again, but this time taking a bit more skill and research. Try your hand at foods you’ve eaten on holiday – tapas, cuban sandwiches, fish tacos, gyros, meatballs…

18 / Learn a language
Download Duolingo and have a go at learning Spanish, French or Italian, so that when you do get to travel you’re already well versed!

19 / Staycation in a swanky hotel
If you’ve got some savings but can’t afford to travel abroad, a little staycation will help keep that itch to travel at bay. Book into a swanky hotel and have a night away from home. You’ll be surprised at how much fun it is!

20 / The classic ‘spa at home’
Give yourself a pamper session as if you’re on a lovely city break – pop on a face mask, wear your best pyjamas, crack open the bubbly and orange juice, and light some sweet-smelling candles. Perfect.