Going on vacation isn’t always possible. Whether you are too busy with work, the flights are too expensive, or you’ve already used up all your vacation days for the year, sometimes you just can’t get away. But even if you have to wait until next year before departing on a luxury cruise from Boston or jetting off to the Bahamas, that doesn’t mean you have to be glum! There are a bunch of things you can do to make every day feel like a vacation, some without even leaving the house! Take a look at these tips for bringing your dream vacation to wherever you are, right now!

Make ice lollies

Nothing says ‘vacation vibes’ quite like an ice lolly, and they are ludicrously simple to make at home. Pop some juice into a mold, stick it in the freezer for a few hours and pow! Delicious, ice-cold summer vacation treats. Now all you need is a little sunshine…

Hit up a rooftop bar

Watching a gorgeous sunset with a cold drink in your hand is one of the best things about being on vacation, but you don’t have to miss out when you are stuck at home. Find your nearest rooftop bar and get yourself a decent seat before night falls, and the atmosphere will transport you to your happy place. Squint a little and you could even be by the sea…

Turn your backyard into a beach

This takes a little more effort, sure, but it will leave you and your family smiling all weekend. Fill up the paddling pool, drag the kids’ sandpit from the back of the shed and break out the deckchairs, then pop on your favorite swimming costume and a pair of shades and sunbathe in your own backyard! There’s nothing quite like building a sandcastle or dipping your feet in cool water to get you fully in vacation mode.

Have a themed party

You might not be able to make it to an exotic foreign destination right now, but you can bring the color and excitement of another culture into your home with a themed party. Grab your brightest Hawaiian shirt, a few leis, mix up some Mai Tais and cook some Kalua pork in a crock pot, and you’ll feel as if you are right there on Maui. Well, almost…

Take the dining table outdoors

Eating outdoors is a great way to enjoy the summer sunshine, and the mouthwatering smells of a woodfire grill will bring back great memories of vacations from years gone by. For some reason we tend to stay indoors when we are at home, but taking the dining table outdoors and having an al fresco lunch or dinner can be a fantastic way of conjuring up a vacation atmosphere in your backyard…or even in a local park!

We aren’t always in a position to go away on vacation, but with these simple tips and tricks you can feel like you are vacationing all year round, wherever you are in the world!

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