Should you opt for a vacation or a staycation?

Let me start by saying that choosing between staycations and vacations is a personal choice and it depends on what you are trying to get out of travelling. If you are looking to learn about a new culture, meet new people and explore a new country, then a staycation is not an alternative to a vacation. However, if you're looking to experience luxury with the least amount of investment, it's the perfect solution for you.

Staycations are basically a practical way of having a change of scene without having all the hassle of travelling - having to pay for hefty flight tickets or dealing with overweight baggage or long lines at airports. No wonder they are popular in a place like Dubai - especially during the summer months when hotels bring the prices down for obvious reasons. The UAE also has no dearth of good options when it comes to leisure staycations - just take your pick.

Personally, I enjoy staycations - it's always nice to have great room service, isn't it? If you are thinking of trying one, here's some advice: choose an area in Dubai (or the UAE) that you hardly ever visit. For example, I live in the Palm so, while I'm familiar with that area, I rarely visit Deira, which is at the other end. One day, I happened to pick Park Hyatt Hotel, by Dubai Creek in Deira, for a day visit and was amazed by the golf course and their Mediterranean restaurant with an amazing sunset view - something I would never have discovered had I chosen an area that I usually visit. So, my advice is to get out of your comfort zone - and be a tourist in your own city.


Sai Ferrera
Is the fashion blogger behind www.thesandgypsy.com. Keep up with her on Instagram @saiferrera or on Facebook and Twitter @thesandgypsy
The great staycation versus vacation debate is truly never ending. Should I explore a new area near my home or travel to an exotic location? While I love staycations, if given a choice, I will always choose a vacation, even if it's a mini vacation. Don't get me wrong, a staycation is an amazing way to spend quality time with friends and family or be a tourist in your own city. However, the thrill of the new and unknown is what really speaks to me.

There are several reasons why travelling outside your home city is a better alternative than a staycation - be it the thrill of the unknown, the wonder in exploring new places or the knowledge gained from learning about new cultures. Travelling not only gives you a source of inspiration, but also broadens your perspective on how our world is beautifully interconnected in many ways. Every place has its own unique stories to tell and ones waiting to be made. Of course, that's not to say that you still have new experiences even if you've already visited a place; sometimes, on a first visit, you may miss details that really make you remember and appreciate your visit.

Not only that, I genuinely think that travelling makes you a stronger person by teaching you to be more self-reliant through all the planning, learning, exploring and getting lost. It is a journey of self-discovery that teaches you to grow as a person and encourages you to have a different perspective on life, people and cultures that once may have seemed quite foreign.

As much as I enjoy going to faraway places, that's not always important. You may not want or need to travel to someplace really distant as this is your story. I'd recommend you start closer to home by travelling to a country close to you with a name you can't pronounce quite correctly yet!

Although the destination is important, so is the journey. So, whether you're a fan of exotic destinations or cosy staycations, this journey is about writing your own story and making meaningful connections and learning to appreciate this beautiful yet small world.


Farida Israil
Is a dental surgeon and the founder of www.faridaisrail.com. You can follow her on Instagram and Twitter @faridaisrail and on Facebook @Dr.faridaisrail