Staycation or Holiday?
Barafundle Bay taken form the coastal path
I’ve been wondering lately - since when did a Holiday become a Staycation?
When I was growing up a Staycation was typically a vacation spent sleeping in your own bed but going for ‘days out’ to nearby beaches and attractions. And a holiday in the UK was, well a HOLIDAY!
Fast forward more years than I’d like to admit and the term ‘Staycation’ now seems to be the word used to describe any ‘holiday’ spent in the UK.
This term has disturbed me somewhat. Perhaps even offended me. When I was growing up, holidays were few and far between and staycations were the norm. I’ve felt a little dismayed that a holiday in the UK could be downgraded by the term ‘staycay’, a sort of apology for it not being abroad!
Stone steps leading down onto Barafundle Beach
However, perhaps I’ve been a little hasty. There is no denying that a ‘Staycation’ sounds more exotic than a holiday. I suppose having thought about it quite a bit, I’ve come to realise that perhaps it can only be a good thing to elevate the sights and delights of the British Isles in this way.
After all, some of the most spectacular views and vistas can be found in our own backyard and it’s an obviously positive move for the UK holiday industry.
Dunes at Freshwater East
We are fairly new to West Wales, which of course has some of the most beautiful sights to offer. Some of which are utterly exotic. Not to mention the hidden gems that, so far, seem to have escaped the notice of the summer hordes. Less frequented than other parts of the country, but no less stunning, Pembrokeshire is definitely worth adding to your bucket list.
I will never forget our first trip to Pembrokeshire. I couldn’t believe that in just a couple of hours from home we could be sitting on a beach not unlike those we enjoyed abroad years before. In fact there are plenty of incredible beaches to enjoy in Pembrokeshire.
Sunset skies over Manorbier Castle
Pembrokeshire has so much to offer anyone wishing to have a Staycation. We’ve had a fantastic time exploring the beaches and tourist attractions and thought it might be useful to share with you what we’ve discovered these past months. A sort of travel journal or guide to the area. We haven’t exhausted the list of attractions on offer yet and likely will not for many more visits, possibly not for years to come. But in the next few posts, we are more than happy to share what we know.
Being a family of six with a variety of needs and wants for entertainment you can be sure there will be something for each age group and taste. From thrill seeking coasteering junkies to promenade wanderers, from frequenters of tea shops to animal loving little people I’ll do my best to share what we’ve discovered.
View from Pembrokeshire Coast National Park coastal path
So ‘Staycation’ or ‘Holiday’? Perhaps it doesn’t matter!
Are you planning a Staycation this year? Where are your favourite spots to adventure? Is there anything you would like to see featured? Let us know