What is a Staycation? Rather than travelling out into another state or overseas, a staycation is a where you holiday within your own state or area. While it’s important to venture out beyond our borders, there is plenty to see and do right here. You may even discover some hidden gems or your next favourite local holidaying spot a few hours down the road from your home. Another benefit to staycations is that they are very easy to pack for. Since you live relatively close by, you won’t need to guess what the weather is going to be and you will likely have a rough idea of what there is to do there. If you plan on driving to your staycation spot, you can even pack a few of those necessities from home that you normally couldn’t take on a plane. Long Weekend Staycation Checklist Since we are venturing out on a short, one or two-night long weekend holiday, we can keep the packing list simple. That being said, the key to a successful staycation is making sure the clothes we pick are versatile and can work with multiple outfits. Clothes for the Staycation Comfort and ease is the main focus when it comes to packing for a long weekend. Try and choose pieces of clothing that can be used across a few different looks. For example, select a pair of darker chinos in navy blue, grey or black, as they can be easily paired with a couple of different colourful printed shirts. Since you will be on holiday, you don’t want to spend precious time ironing your outfits. Instead, try to pack clothes that you can wear straight out of the suitcase such as chinos, t-shirts and polos, or opt for one of our wrinkle-free, easy care shirts instead. Here is what to pack for a two-night long weekend staycation: 2 pairs of chinos (in a darker colour) 2 easy care shirts 1 polo shirt 2 t-shirts (one long sleeve, one short sleeve) 1 puffer vest 1 rugby jumper or knit 1 weekender jacket 1 pair of swim shorts (if you plan on swimming) 1 pair of track pants 1 pair of casual shorts 3 pairs of socks and underwear Clothes for the Road Trip While it’s important to know exactly what you’re packing away in your suitcase, it’s also worthwhile considering what you plan on wearing en route to your destination. Since we will be likely driving there, we want to wear clothes that are comfortable in the car. If you plan on stopping at wineries, restaurants or other eateries along the way, keep it easy with a basic t-shirt and comfort chino, layered with a rugby jumper or knit for extra warmth. Otherwise, if you’re heading to your destination in one go, a stretch waist jogger and a long sleeve polo is another great comfortable option. Pack Light With Layers While we may get more than 7kgs of luggage into our cars, it doesn’t mean we need to bring everything in our wardrobes. Packing a few different layering pieces such as knits and jackets will make it easy to adapt to the weather at your staycation. For example, if you plan on going for a sunrise walk, you may need a jacket layered over a puffer vest. Then when you head out for brunch afterwards, the temperature has likely increased, meaning you can take off your jacket and just have the puffer vest over your outfit. As the day goes on you can continue adding or removing layers to suit the weather. When packing for a long weekend staycation, try to take a few different layering options, such as: Knitwear like a half-zip or crew neck sweater Jackets and coats such as our 2-in-1 Weekend Jacket Rugby jumpers Puffer vests With a variety of layers, you’ll be prepared for anything the weather will throw at you. Creating an Itinerary Whether you’re driving from one side of the state to the other, or heading an hour or two down the coast, it is a good idea to create a quick itinerary of your trip. It doesn’t need to be planned down to the minute—some of the best adventures are spontaneous— just some general timings of when you are leaving, what the stops are, any pre-planned activities and when you plan on returning home. Giving this itinerary to your friends and family will help give them peace of mind knowing where you are, but also allows you to better plan your days. We suggest creating your itinerary a few days before you leave rather than the night before. Staycation Tips & Tricks Staycations are always a wonderful holiday. You will get the visit parts of your state or local area you might not see every day—giving you a refreshing change in scenery while still staying close to home. Here are some of your top tips for planning a long weekend staycation: Be prepared for traffic: Many other vacationers will also be taking the opportunity to go away over the long weekend. Be prepared that your journey may take a little longer to get to, especially if it’s a popular destination. Take regular breaks: In particular if you are driving for a few hours, take scheduled breaks every hour to ensure you stay alert and refreshed on the road. Don’t forget snacks and drinks: No road trip is complete without in-car snacks and drinks. Just don’t forget to leave room in your stomach for any delicious meals for when you get to your holidaying spot. Keep the accessories to a minimum: Only take accessories you know you are going to use, such as a hat, day bag and belt. There is no point packing a tie if you don’t plan on wearing one while away! Getting ready for your long weekend staycation? 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