Four reasons why a staycation is still the best holiday idea for dog owners

Collette May Author

Staycations in the UK were all we could talk about a few years ago. And for good reason too - with the COVID-related travel restrictions and quarantine rules there wasn’t really much choice when it came to booking a holiday.

Now that things are back to normal, it feels like staycations have fallen off the radar. People are eager to travel far and wide again. After being stuck at home for so long, there’s this huge desire to get back to exploring new places and cultures.

Adverts on social media are always popping up with alluring exotic destinations, making us believe that we need to be holding a cocktail on a remote white-sand beach to fully relax.

But we don’t always need to travel far, or abroad, to have a good time and escape the daily grind. A sense of inner peace and calm, along with awesome experiences, can be found much, much closer to home. Like right here in Mid Wales.

So, if you are planning your next trip, here are some reasons why a staycation with your dog is still the best holiday idea, whether you are looking for a romantic couples retreat, an active adventure, or a family-friendly getaway.

Your dog can come with you.

Taking a dog abroad can be a challenge. If you live in the UK, you will need to talk to your vet to make sure your microchip can be read internationally. Your dog will also need to have had a rabies vaccination, an in-date pet passport, and a valid Animal Health Certificate from your vet.

Each country also has its own entry requirements, and some destinations might require your dog to have extra vaccinations, blood tests, or even be placed in quarantine.

While all of this is possible, it can seem like a lot of work and added expense for a week or two away.

This is why most people end up putting their pets in kennels or boarding facilities when they go on holiday. Some might have friends or family look after them, but that’s not always an option.

For our dogs, though, this is certainly not a holiday. Kennels can be pretty stressful even for resilient dogs, especially if they’re not used to being away from you or their home or around strange people and other dogs all the time.

That’s why staycations remain the best holiday option for dog owners. You get to enjoy your time away, relaxing and exploring, without leaving your dog behind.

There is no need to deal with the logistics of kennels, and you won’t spend your holiday worrying about whether or not your pup is getting the care it needs.

Plus, your dog gets to be part of the fun. You can find dog-friendly activities (like gundog training - more on that later) and places to visit, making it a real memory-making vacation for both of you. It’s just so much more relaxing knowing your dog is right there with you, enjoying the time together.

Working from a holiday home

In the UK, employers have to give employees a minimum of 28 days of holiday each year. This includes public holidays, but some employers might offer more than that.

If you're self-employed, it's a bit different. You don’t get holiday pay because you're your own boss. You have to fit your time off around your work, which can be tricky since no work means no income.

If you already work from home or have a job that offers flexible remote working, and you want to escape the daily routine, then a staycation is a perfect opportunity to get a change of scenery without dipping into your limited holiday allowance or negatively impacting your business turnover.

At Mid Wales Holidays, we have installed Starlink recently. This means that even though we are in a remote and tranquil setting, surrounded by countryside, rolling hills and valley views, the holiday cottages (even the barn and caravan) have access to reliable, fast internet speeds.

You can work remotely during the day and then dip into holiday mode in the evenings. The longer summer days mean there is plenty of time to enjoy our private dog training grounds, get some much needed downtime and discover new places nearby, all wile keeping up with your work. It’s the perfect work-life balance between taking a break and staying productive.

Weekend getaway warrior

If you're thinking about a Friday to Sunday weekend getaway, a staycation in the UK can be so much easier and more relaxing.

Sure, flights to European cities might seem cheap, but there’s a lot more to consider.

First, you have to travel to the airport, which can take a while, especially with traffic or public transport delays. Then there's the time you spend at the airport - checking in, going through security, and waiting to board. After the flight, you still have to collect your bags and possibly deal with customs. All this can eat up a lot of your weekend.

If you finish work on a Friday and have to go through all this, it might be quite late by the time you reach your destination. And on Sunday, you'll need to head back early enough to deal with the same process in reverse so you’re ready for work on Monday. It can end up feeling rushed and exhausting rather than relaxing.

A staycation, on the other hand, is much simpler, especially if you choose somewhere fairly central and accessible, like Mid Wales.

It’s easy for many people to just hop in the car and get here without too much hassle. You can leave after work on Friday and be at your destination within a few hours. No need to deal with airports or long travel times. Plus, you can bring whatever you want with you without worrying about luggage limits.

By staying in the UK, you can maximise your time away. You’ll have more of Friday evening to relax, a full day on Saturday, and plenty of time on Sunday before heading home. This way, you can enjoy a proper break and feel refreshed, all without having to take any time off work. It’s a great way to make the most of a weekend!

Indulge in your hobbies.

A staycation can be a fantastic choice for indulging in hobbies, especially if you have lots of equipment to bring along.

Imagine you love photography, painting, playing an instrument, or cooking and baking - unless you’re driving to the south of France, packing up all your gear for a trip abroad is going to be pretty impossible. With a staycation, you can bring everything you need without worrying about travel restrictions or baggage limits.

For photographers and artists, Mid Wales offers stunning landscapes, picturesque villages, and beautiful wildlife. You can spend your days capturing breathtaking scenes or finding the perfect spot to set up your easel and paint. You don’t even have to leave our grounds. There are plenty of visible vistas on your doorstep or from your bedroom if you’re staying in Penrhyllan!

For those who love cooking and baking, our self-catering holiday cottages come with fully equipped kitchens. You can bring all your favourite gadgets and ingredients to create delicious meals and sweet and savoury treats, just like you would at home.

And if you have a gundog breed and enjoy training, Mid Wales Holidays has something extra special for you, too. You can book one-on-one gundog training sessions with your host, Collette May.

Gundog training holidays at Mid Wales Holidays

As well as running Mid Wales Holidays, and sharing her home with five Labrador Retrievers, plus a cheeky Chihuahua-cross, Collette is also the proud owner-founder of Completely Gundogs.

Over the last decade, Collette has dedicated her life to learning about science-based, reward-based gundog training in order to teach her students to train their dogs in a fun, force-free and effective way.

Before starting her first dog training, walking and sitting business, Lead & Listen in Surrey, she completed extensive theoretical and practical training with world-class trainers, including Chirag Patel.

Collette has a particular interest in how we can communicate more effectively with our dogs by reading their body language and also by being more aware of our own. Understanding our canine friends is the secret to increased cooperation and general obedience.

Passionate about gundog breeds, Collette regularly takes her own dogs picking up throughout the season and is an accredited Gundog Club instructor and assessor.

An avid competitor too, taking part in gundog working tests and field trials, Collette has achieved numerous awards in working tests and is proud to have reached these high standards using positive reinforcement methods of training.

She believes that training should always be fun and enjoyable for both the dog and the handler, regardless of the end goal. Collette finds it rewarding to help owners train their dogs, improve their relationships and reduce problems both at home and out in the field, whether working or competing.

Private one-to-one gundog training sessions with Collette can be booked during your stay. For more information, please send your questions via email to info@midwalesholidays.com

For current availability, click here: https://www.midwalesholidays.com/book-now