Last week I took myself on a little trip, it was very much last minutes and spontaneous. Also a lot of fun. Here how to plan a spontaneous trip in your home country.
It all started last week when Richard had to go away on business, so I was left on my own. I was on my way to babysit my niece for a few hours when the idea hit me – maybe I might go away myself. I mean I have nothing to lose and no commitment to anyone. I started thinking about it and thinking about it some more, and before I knew it I have booked train ticket and a hotel in Oxford.
I decided to visit Oxford, partly I knew it was quite easy to get to on the train and also I never been there and it was on my list to visit. I always wanted to see the university up close and it always funs to explore a new town.
Anyway, I booked my train ticket for early afternoon, so I finished my babysitting and went home to pack. I also as a way to save some money cooked a huge big meal for myself, it was a way to sustain myself so I wouldn’t get hungry later. As it happens anyway, I ended up going to Tesco and picking myself up a packed lunch so I could munch on something in the room.
How I got on and what I saw while at Oxford, I’m going to leave for another post.
But I must say, planning a spontaneous trip was a lot of fun. Just the adventure to go anywhere you want too. If you got a few days free, and no commitment to kids or work – then do it. It always awesome to see new places and going to the new location. I suppose that why I’m travelling next year. This spontaneous trip was just a warm-up to what I’d be doing next year.
Here how to plan a spontaneous trip to your home country.
Check your bank balance:
A bit boring but kind of necessary. You won’t be going anywhere if you don’t have the funds. So the first job is to check your bank balance. Do you have enough for train and hotel? Also for food and for shopping? If the answer is yes, then you are good to go. If on the other hand, the answer is no – well can you borrow some money or just wait until payday.
(This next tip is useful for UK residents, there might be a similar service in your home country.)
Look on Trainline for cheap train tickets:
I have been advised that booking any train ticket on trainline is cheaper than the national rail website. So whenever you buy ticket, try to buy them in advance and on that website. If you happen to go somewhere on the day, still use trainline. I have also been told that Virgin Trains also do cheap train ticket.
Look on Booking.com for cheap hotel deals:
Booking.com is my main choice when choosing a hotel anywhere. You can pick a location and the app or website will find you the cheapest hotel. We (Richard and I) have been known to turn up somewhere and just pick a hotel from the app and book it on the dot. I advise you all to use booking.com for all cheap hotel stay.
Have a packed lunch:
For me, on this spontaneous trip, it was very much trying to keep the cost down. So I cooked a big meal before leaving, and once I was there I popped into Tesco and go myself a packed lunch. Something to munch on in the evening while in the room. Those the hotel where I stayed at (more of that coming soon!) did room service and my god I was tempted.
Free Places to Visit:
When going anywhere, look for places that are free to visit. Another way to save money. To my surprise, I learnt that all the museums, the university were all free to visit. In almost any town there always a free place to spend a few hours in.
Most importantly the fun of a spontaneous trip is making it up as you go along, throw out the rulebook and do it on your own term.
Will you now be planning a spontaneous trip in your home country? Where will you go?
Savanna
November 25, 2017What a fun way to do a short trip! I must check out some free things around here.
Starlight and Stories
November 25, 2017So glad you had a lovely stay. Sometimes it’s just as fun to do something locally as to visit somewhere further away.
Vox
November 25, 2017Great idea to explore your own city or area. We are doing more of this in our area too. There are so many gems in our city and state that make for a great weekend trip. Thanks for sharing!
Laina Turner
November 25, 2017Spontaneous is the best!
Rhian Westbury
November 25, 2017I always use thetrainline when I’m looking for train deals and booking.com is the best for booking hotels x
Kelly Jones
November 25, 2017Such a great idea rather than sitting in the house alone I can’t wait to read your post about what you got up to x
Bread // Queer Little Family
November 25, 2017I love going on little trips. Now I have a kid thought they involve a lot more planning than this. A lot more.
Debbie
November 25, 2017Being spontaneous when you’re going on a trip, even if it’s just for a day is so refreshing.
Katie/Celebrating With The Bug
November 25, 2017Sometimes the spontaneous things we do are the memorable! 🙂
Flossie McCowald | SuperMomHacks
November 25, 2017What a great idea, Anna! My hubby is rarely away but when he is, I usually just go visit my mom with my kiddos – but it would be fun to do a little “girls’ adventure” like this sometime instead, now that they’re school-age! thanks for the great ideas! (and I confess, I’m jealous that you got to grab something at Tesco’s – something I love to do when visiting the UK and looking for something healthy/cheap/portable for a day on the go!)
Shelby @Fitasamamabear
November 25, 2017I love taking a trip close by- you sometimes overlook all the awesome things you have near you!
Isabel
November 26, 2017I’ve never been on a trip by myself before but I really would like to, the idea of going off on my own where I want to do what I want sounds really nice.
Emma
November 26, 2017I loved this post! It certainly gave me a few tips!
Lynne Harper
November 26, 2017So glad you had a fantastic time. Sometimes the unexpected trips are the best x
Heather
November 26, 2017Hmm, very odd. I could have sworn I previously commented! Well, I live in the US, but I LOVE the UK…so I am always happy to take a trip in any country. It’s cool in the US because you get something so different in 50 places. I have four states left to visit here – three after next month – so it’s really cool there are a lot of options. Good tips.
Sue Reddel
November 26, 2017Taking a last minute trip is so much fun. No planning, no fussing, sounds perfect to me. I love exploring places that are close by. We often think that we have to cross an ocean to go somewhere when in fact there’s plenty to see and do right near your home.
Vicky
November 26, 2017I’d love to be able to do this more. There’s nothing better than a little exploration. And you’re right that there’s always something free to do, even if it’s just a walking trail or something.
V <3
Roch
November 27, 2017Cheap and reasonable hotel deals are definitely a must whenever we travel. We don’t get to stay in the hotel too long since we spend most of the time outside anyway, so we prefer staying in a low-cost accommodation and pay more for premium and quality food.
Becky Willis
November 27, 2017I would love just to take off on a last minute trip. Visiting new places sounds like a lot of fun! Thank you for sharing all you did.
Monica Y
November 27, 2017I love taking trips on the spot. I am glad you put together this list. So useful. I forget to look for cheap tickets, and it is so important that you check for best prices. Trips near home are the best, so many things to see and you can do it in a way that is affordable.
Jenn and Ed Coleman
November 27, 2017I wish the trains worked better in the US. We are moving to Orlando Florida so I think we can use this basic formula there. We’ll just go to skyscanner and hit the anywhere button. A lot of flights out of Orlando are less than a hundred bucks round trip so we can hit a lot of different cities with cheap flight options.
Rachel
November 27, 2017I am forever on Booking.com when I am looking to get away for just a few days, it is such a good site x
Melissa
November 27, 2017Love this! I have just moved and being able to experience all that our area has to offer has been so much fun. When people come to visit I am able to explore new areas of our new home town and it is fun for both us and our guests! Great ideas and suggestions!
Olivia
November 28, 2017I’ve never been traveling on my own, I’ve never thought of doing it! Definitely important to book train tickets in advance can save so much money 🙂