A few days ago, the World Health Organisation declared that covid-19 no longer a global health emergency. However, despite there to be less of a safety need for staycations now, their popularity in the UK still rises. 

A study by YouGov found that when looking into 2023 travel, more than half of UK participants asked were planning to have a domestic trip this year.

The cost-of-living crisis may be an influence on this. Taking a staycation cuts out the cost of flights abroad. As airlines recoup profits lost over the pandemic with higher prices, holidays abroad become very expensive for many.

Encouraging people to stay within the UK will also provide a must-needed boost to the UK economy. 

So, other than affordability, why are people choosing a staycation over a holiday abroad?

Read more: Why you should travel in your 50s and 60s…

Why are staycations still so popular?

There are many reasons why staycations are so popular, with travel options being one of them. It is much easier and often cheaper to book train tickets in advance, and utilising public transport allows everyone to enjoy the relaxation of travel rather than someone being the designated driver. 

Another reason is the length it takes to travel. For most people, the time it takes to travel anywhere in the country is less than it would take to travel abroad. 

This allows you to maximise your holiday time. Going abroad can mean whole days are taken up travelling and arriving in the middle of the night. 

The UK remains popular 

The UK benefits from being comprised of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. There is a huge variety of landscape and culture to explore around the nation. 

Whether hiking holidays across mountains or valleys are your thing, or coastal visits with quaint villages appeal to you, the UK can cater for many holiday types.

Going south towards Cornwall provides stunning beaches, which on some days can even be mistaken for a tropical country. Similarly, Scotland has its share of breathtakingly stunning shores. 

Durdle Door beach, Dorset, England. Photo: Daniel Howe (via Pexels)

We all know the UK has an extensive history, and the abundance of museums and galleries is evidence of that. Wherever you decide to explore, you’ll be able to find out something new about the local history and art.

Are Brits ditching the sun and sea for somewhere closer to home?

Despite a rise in Brits staying closer to home, holidaying abroad is still the most popular choice. In 2021 61% of people were planning to go abroad within the next year according to ABTA. 

When it comes to holidaying abroad, some destinations are firm favourites. Spain remains a strong favourite for holidaymakers, with visitors being attracted by the weather, the beaches and the food. Roughly 18 million people visit each year, with places such as the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands most popular.  

The United States remains a common destination for Brits, with an estimated 5 million people visiting every year. Orlando in particular is a huge draw, with families travelling for the theme parks and family-friendly activities. 

Holidaying abroad is still as popular as ever, but the demand for staycation experiences has grown over the past few years. Since the pandemic and lockdowns more and more people have been discovering just how much the UK has to offer. 

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Enjoying local cuisine is one of the best ways to get to know a new destination, and Italy offers an exciting array of foods. Here’s our quick foodie guide to Italy…

Italy is renowned for its glorious food. Authentic Italian pasta, glossy home-grown olives, fresh Alpine fish, and mouth-watering desserts. Good food is at the heart of Italian culture, bringing family and friends together. The food is as spectacular as the landscape, from the natural backdrop of Italian lakes, to the inspiring coastal views of Sorrento.

Read more: Reclaiming the rail. Why older people are backpacking and interrailing

Before we start

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One of the best things about a holiday to Italy is that you’re guaranteed to eat well, with fine cheeses, cured meats, risottos and filled pastas on every menu, but with so many amazing foodie hotspots to choose from, it can be difficult to pick just one to visit. Italy offers a foodie experience like no other, so to help you choose your next destination. Here’s our top foodie suggestions for each region.

Risotto in Lake Como

When it comes to Italian food, it’s the ingredients that make it so special. The fresh herbs to home-made pasta, Italian produce is unmatched. Every town has its own family recipes and secrets that are passed down through generations. The Lake Como region is renowned for its freshwater fish and one type that is popular with local fisherman is perch (pesce persico) which is a delicate, lean, white and flavoursome fish. 

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Lake Como offers an array of mouth-watering local dishes, but we suggest that you try the Risotto with Perch (Risotto con pesce Persico). This dish is a perfect combination of local resources (perch fish) and the famous Lombard regional dish (risotto). It has a rich, buttery texture and is best accompanied with a dry white wine while you enjoy the stunning lakeside views.

Explore holidays to Lake Como

Pizza in Sorrento

When we think of Italian food, our mind instantly arrives at pizza. Although, Italian cuisine is incredibly varied region by region. You can order a pizza anywhere in Italy, but you’ll experience the best pizza in the Sorrento region.

Nowadays, you can order almost anything on a pizza, but a traditional pizza typically has a few, high quality ingredients. In the late 1800s it is thought a Neapolitan pizza maker, Raffaele Esposito, produced the Pizza Margherita, a hot flatbread topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and basil to represent the Italian flag.

it’s how you eat it that really makes for an authentic experience. Pizza is best bought from little street stalls and eaten immediately standing in the closest piazza

The food is as spectacular as the landscape in Sorrento, and often it’s how you eat it that really makes for an authentic experience. Pizza is best bought from little street stalls and eaten immediately standing in the closest piazza. The city has street-side pizza stalls, where you can buy them by the slice, but if you fancy a more relaxed experience, there are also plenty of eateries where you can settle in with a glass of wine and a whole pizza and watch life pass you by.

Explore holidays to Sorrento

Olive oil in Tuscany

Olive oil has always been a popular commodity. The Greeks, the Romans, even the Egyptians cultivated it and appreciated its many uses. In Italy, olive oil is so much more than just something to drizzle over your salad. It’s an essential ingredient for every meal.

Tuscany is considered the classic olive oil region of Italy and the creation of olive oil is almost a sacred process there. Lucca and Chianti have some of the most well-known olive oils of the region. Lucca is located close to the coast and the oils in this region tend to be yellow, light, and fluid. The olive oils of the Chianti regions however tend to have more of a green colour and are often spicy with hints of pepper. Italians drizzle olive oil on pastas, meat and even vegetables to add flavour to their meals.

Explore holidays to Tuscany

Spaghetti carbonara

Spaghetti carbonara in Rome

When in Rome, you should do as the Romans do and try some of the capital city’s traditional cuisine. From the humble trattoria to the grander ristorante, Rome offers a great choice of places to eat and drink. Food in Rome is known for being simple, flavoursome and satisfying. 

If you ask anyone from Rome, they’ll tell you that spaghetti carbonara belongs to Rome

Throughout the ages, chefs in Rome have tried to stick to century old traditions. Most meals are prepared with a few simple ingredients used in creative ways. Roman cuisine continues to be full of character and reflects the Lazio region’s local delicacies. If you ask anyone from Rome, they’ll tell you that spaghetti carbonara belongs to Rome. 

Over the years, other countries have added their own ingredients to the popular dish but the traditional carbonara that originated in Rome is still made with only the simplest of ingredients: fresh eggs, pecorino cheese, guanciale (cured pig’s cheek) and high-quality dried pasta. Contrary to popular belief, there is no cream in the traditional carbonara dish in Rome…so you can afford to eat even more of this tasty dish!

Explore holiday destinations to Rome

Stacked Sicilian cannolis (Image: Pixabay)

Cannoli in Sicily

Sicily produces many beautiful regional dishes thanks to its abundance of fresh seafood and vegetables. It is famed for pasta dishes such as pasta con le sarde (pasta with sardines) but one of its most popular (and scrumptious) dishes is a dessert. 

Sicilian cannoli are tubes of deep-fried pastry filled with a sweet creamy filling, usually ricotta, and dusted with powdered sugar or crushed nuts. They can be bite-sized or even as long as your hand. There are various types of filling and toppings – all delicious and very good with a sharp espresso. It’s thought that cannoli were originally prepared as a part of the Carnevale festival that’s celebrated in the region in February, although nowadays the dessert is enjoyed all year around. The Ballarò market in Palermo is a favourite spot for cannoli and there are many specialty Italian pasticceria that produce the authentic dessert. 

Explore holidays to Sicily

Feeling hungry yet? Explore these foodie hot spots and more with this great range of holidays to Italy. Return flights, accommodation, transfers and excursions are all included on Travel Department’s Italy holidays. Their expert local guides will be available throughout the tour and can provide recommendations for the best sights to see in Italy during your leisure time.

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About Travel Department

Silver Magazine chooses its partners very carefully, and Travel Department is no exception. With nearly 30 years’ experience perfecting tours to around 140 destinations worldwide, Travel Department’s escorted holidays typically include flights, accommodation, transfers, and guided tours. They carefully plan your trip, so you experience the best holiday highlights accompanied by a friendly local guide.

They offer a wide range of guided group holidays from city breaks or solo travel to active and adventure holidays (including walking, yoga and photography holidays) with their sister brand, TD active Holidays.

With multiple departure airports across the UK, you can fly from Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow in Scotland. In Northern Ireland they fly from Belfast (plus Dublin and Cork) and for passengers from the South they depart from Bristol and a range of London airports.

The mood is upbeat, friendly, and inclusive, where everyone feels welcome.

Travel Department’s escorted holidays typically include flights, accommodation, transfers, and guided tours. They carefully plan your trip, so you experience the best holiday highlights accompanied by a friendly local guide. With Travel Department you see more!

Lana Hall

Lana can usually be found spinning her collection of records, or writing odd poems in her phone notes. Her mixer of choice is a ginger beer, and you’ll never find her away from the sea for more than a few weeks.

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