Let's face it, sometimes going on holiday is actually quite stressful.
Which is quite the opposite of what I think most people want for a little escape, so when I was planning a weekend away I started looking a little closer to home. In fact, just an hour away. Rhuddlan in North Wales is a tiny town nestled in the shadow of castle ruins and perfect for two days drenched in a beautiful May heatwave.
It is just 50 minutes drive from my front door (without traffic) and for some reason, this made me feel very relaxed about the whole break from the start. I know staycations have been a 'thing' for a while now, but even if you are choosing to holiday in the UK you can sometimes feel the pressure to go as far as possible from your house.
READ MORE: Aldi shoppers 'amazed' by £50 patio heater with built-in speaker
But that can mean you overlook the wonderful area you live in or nearby. With it being just minutes away I was very relaxed about packing, not that I would drive back to get anything, but you know, I could have.
It also, obviously meant far less travel time, which I admit can be part of the fun (sometimes) but this in turn meant the holiday and unwinding could start earlier.
A short drive on a Friday evening and I was already unpacked and forgetting about work as the sun began to set over the Welsh mountains in the distance. And while I love my children, it is also nice to have a break from them, but with being only an hour away I also had the peace of mind that I could travel back quickly should I need to - which helps my anxiety around leaving them although I know others are better at switching off.
Also being so close to home I didn't feel the same pressure to pack the weekend with activities, because I knew if we missed something or didn't have time, we could always pop back. This made the whole experience so much more relaxing and gave my husband and me the time to take the time to stroll through the town at our leisure.
I can not recommend enough going taking a break near your house; it was cheaper, celebrates a place you might otherwise overlook and gives you a chance to get away but not in the huge commitment way abroad can sometimes be.
Who knows where I could go next, maybe even closer to home; a visit to the quiet Thurstaston, the calmness of Formby or perhaps the hustle and bustle of the city centre itself? The Liverpool City Region is my oyster.
READ NEXT:
This Morning hosts finally break silence on Phillip Schofield's exit at start of show
ITV Good Morning Britain viewers baffled as hosts 'ignore' elephant in the room
Gogglebox Siddiquis supported as they give two weeks' notice
Jet2 coming to Liverpool John Lennon Airport with 20 destinations on offer
Pregnant mum found out she was having a baby girl week before she died
