Travel Plan Information

Staycations?A trend here to stay

Loosely defined, a staycation refers to a vacation spent at home where, instead of going away, you do short day trips—typically within three hours from your residence. The concept itself has enlightened many to the tourist “treasures” quite literally in their backyards. 

“We get so hung up on traveling to far away places that we really do overlook gems that are pretty close to home—like those places you might see in a brochure or flyer at a rest area while you’re traveling. A staycation makes it possible for you to schedule mini-vacations to those kind of places and keep your costs down,” said Peter Hans, president of Resort Maps, creator of customized travel maps in more than 90 cities and towns across the U.S. and U.K.

So, what can you do on your staycation? That’s the beauty of it, you can do anything. Some easy, low- cost ideas include:

Visit a local water park – In most parts of the country, you can find a water park within a three-hour drive of your home. Pack a picnic basket or, better yet, take some coals and barbecue. Many of these parks have barbies you can use. Hike and picnic at a state or national park – Be a little daring and venture off to one you haven’t visited before. Outdoor music or film festivals – Free outdoor concerts are in abundance during the summer. For many, you can just spread out a blanket or prop up a lawn chair. Also, more and more areas hold film festivals. Foreign Cuisine Night – Maybe a trip to another county is not in the budget. A night out to sample some foreign cuisine can be the next best thing. For example, have a “Mexican night” at a nearby Mexican restaurant, “Indian night” at your local Indian establishment, etc. If you’ve never tried that kind of food, even better. Museum Day – You’ve probably got several within a 45-minute drive from your home, yet how many times have you been to one of them? Take one day and hit as many museums as you can. Family Game Night – Lest you think it’s mandatory to go somewhere for your staycation. Hosting a family game night can be fun and relaxing—whether it’s a Wii golf tournament or board game marathon. Camp out in your backyard – Young kids especially will love the adventure of pitching a tent in the backyard.  Plus, you’ve got the conveniences of your home without the expense of a campsite.

Added Hans, “Staycations provide a viable alternative to a vacation, allowing similar adventures you might experience on a vacation without the big expense. Who knows, you may even like them better. Especially when you can put your head down on your own pillow at the end of the day.”

Resort Maps offer a number of ideas on possible local excursions for your staycation. Colorful, hand-drawn maps of resort cities and towns across 20 states, as well as parts of the UK, Resort Maps advertise restaurants, accommodations, retail stores, factory outlets, recreation and attractions, real estate and other local services. With landmarks prominently displayed on the maps, Resort Maps are an easy and fun way to find your way around town whether you are visiting, new to the area or you just want to know what’s happening around your town.

For more information on Resort Maps or to inquire about ownership of a Resort Maps franchise, please visit www.resortmaps.com or call 802-496-6277.

About Resort Maps

Headquartered in the Green Mountains of Vermont, Resort Maps has been creating and publishing advertising maps in the northeastern U.S. since 1986. In 1993, Resort Maps expanded its reach by creating a franchise model for distribution of its colorful, hand-drawn maps of resort towns and cities. Today, that network of franchises grown to nearly 90 Resort Maps in publication in the US and the UK, with several more in the process of being published. Nearly 20 million Resort Maps will be printed and distributed in 2009.

For more information on Resort Maps the company and/or the franchise opportunity, visit www.resortmaps.com or call 802-496-6277.

As more and more Americans struggle to find affordable ways to travel, attention has turned to the niche market of recreational vehicles. But is it possible for eco-minded travelers to reduce their carbon footprint”"or tire tracks”"when driving these behemoths?Welcome to the world of green RVs. The good news is that the RV industry is adjusting to the demands of a more environmentally conscious public. Vehicles are offering more efficient fuel usage and improved design, while providing spacious accommodations that can fit realistic budgets. Modern motor homes use fuel-efficient diesel engines that get about 15 miles per gallon as opposed to the industry standard of 8-10 mpg. Manufacturers are building RVs with lighter composites [similar to the material found in golf balls], experimenting with new design, combating wind resistance by making sleeker front ends that improve overall fuel efficiency, changing the look of trailers to a more European design, with an aerodynamic front that conserves energy. Innovations hitting the RV world include units powered by solar and wind turbines, which generate electricity, power gourmet kitchens, full bathrooms, and home entertainment centers. According to the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association, a coalition of nearly 500 manufacturers, suppliers, and dealers of recreational vehicles, up to 20 percent of RVers use solar panels to power on-board systems. Meanwhile, manufacturers like Winnebago and Fleetwood are introducing newer hybrid models that incorporating diesel engines and batteries. Like hybrid cars, these RVs rely on battery power for city and slower driving, and both the battery and diesel engine at higher speed [which charges the battery at the same time]. That means a hybrid vehicle can travel up to 700 miles without refueling, using approximately 12 miles per gallon. Then there is the option to simply downsize. While most people still associate RVs with the lumbering giants of years past, smaller, lightweight vehicles are growing increasingly popular. Just look at the San Francisco-based Lost Campers USA [lostcampersusa], which has converted American minivans into camping vehicles that feature bed, storage, awning, and camping necessities. The small, sleek vehicle provides a creative, budget-friendly option”"rates start from as little as $31 a day. A recent independent study by the Department of the Environment in Britain showed that, on average, RVs released 4. 58 pounds of CO2 per mile versus 1. 39 pounds per mile for an average car. But an important factor to consider is how RVs reduce our carbon footprint through conservation and efficiency. Essentially a home on wheels, RVs are a one-stop shop that transport, feed, wash, and entertain traveling groups. There’s no need to worry about the carbon output of flying, staying in a hotel and eating in restaurants. In fact, according to PKF Consulting, a research firm specializing in travel and tourism, families of four taking RV vacations generate less carbon dioxide than families traveling on a plane, renting a car and staying in a hotel. This study analyzed the CO2 emissions of vacations varying in length, and included car/folding camping trailer, SUV/travel trailer, Type C motorhome, and Type A motorhome [diesel]. Using the carbon calculator methodology developed by Conservation International, an organization promoting biodiversity conservation, PKF found that in each case, RV vacations had a softer environmental impact than the typical airline/rental car/hotel vacation. In even better news, according to the Office of Transportation and Air Quality, a branch of the Environmental Protection Agency, modern RVs currently meet top emission standards across the board. The EPA has implemented a lengthy process of testing and enforcing standards, which means that all RVs in the United States face a rigorous process of certification by the National Vehicle Fuel Emissions Lab in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Bottom line? RVs are poised to make a positive impact on travel. It’s time to get into gear and get moving.