Finally getting out of your own four walls, getting away—and seeing something different. Still, not everyone is struck by wanderlust and wants to travel during their vacation.
After all, a vacation at home can be very relaxing and rejuvenating. The hustle and bustle of the trip, the worry of missing out on something, or the post-vacation blues on the fifth day—these are all things that only happen when you travel. Those vacationing at home can set their own daily routine. No breakfast until 10 a.m., no scheduled excursions, and no group exercises by the pool.
What’s more, our local region often has more to offer than we realize at first glance.
Explore Your Region
Why not use your vacation time to get to know your own surroundings better? Often, your home region is more beautiful and interesting than you’ve imagined it to be for years. It doesn’t always have to be the Mediterranean or the Caribbean. The German National Tourist Board provides a good overview of Germany’s diverse tourist attractions.
Camping in Germany
Camping is currently experiencing a boom. For those who want to avoid overcrowded campgrounds, the Federal Association of the Camping Industry offers endless variety. From small, family-run campgrounds to five-star resorts, from RV sites to rental accommodations for those who don’t own their own trailer or tent—you can find your dream campground using the campground search tool or the BVCD Camping Guide.
Urban Gardening
These days, having a garden is definitely an advantage. But there are other ways to indulge your love of gardening, too. “Urban gardening”: from raised beds on the green strip between two streets to vegetable patches on the lawn—in many cities, green spaces can be used communally. The “Urban Community Gardens” network provides an overview of existing projects.
How about some culture?
They emerged during the COVID-19 crisis: virtual library or museum visits. They offer the chance to view exhibitions, paintings, books, musical pieces, sculptures, films, photographs, and much more that you might otherwise miss or that’s too far away.
Take, for example, a tour of the Louvre in Paris through the halls and corridors of the Petite Galerie: Through virtual museum visits, you can bring a little bit of the world to your home—without the hassle of crowds or hours-long wait times. Or a virtual visit to the German Digital Library: It gives all users access to Germany’s digitized cultural and scientific heritage.
Games, Games, Games
Especially in parks, you sometimes come across groups throwing wooden blocks around. This could be “Viking Chess” or the“game of Kubb.”Kubb is an old traditional game from Sweden that’s played outdoors with wooden blocks and throwing sticks. Two teams face off, trying to knock down the opposing team’s blocks, which are lined up in a row. Check out the video for the rules.
Another game that relies on precise throwing is “boules.” We’re most familiarwith “boules”from southern France, where people gather in public squares to demonstrate their skill by throwing metal balls. In boules, you try to throw your ball (boule) as close as possible to the target ball or jack. This video shows and explains the rules of the game.
And then there are the good old card and board games, which are now also available to play online. On brettspielwelt.de, for example, after signing up for free, you can play games like “Wizard,” “Carcassonne,” or “Settlers of Catan” with others.
