Reasons for a staycation this December!

The truth is, as nice as it is to get away from the hustle of everyday life, December is simply not the wisest time to do it! We tell you why, and give you five great ideas to explore Jozi this festive season.

1.  Firstly, Joburg is heavenly in December
There is the great weather, sure, but especially the fact that there is no traffic.  This is the time to get around Jozi and explore the city that you neglect because weekends are too busy and commuting is a nightmare.  Take the time to have a little adventure, and see our suggestions if you are stuck for ideas!

2. The holiday traffic migrates...
Want to go to Cape Town or Durban?  Unfortunately the rest of Gauteng had that idea too!  So why not give peak season a miss and avoid that infamous Camps Bay traffic, rather treating yourselves to a quiet weekend there out of season?

3.  Money stress? 
Don’t add to it.  Stay at home, and do your holidaying out of peak season, when rates are cheaper and you aren’t worried about affording time off, presents, plus travel.  It will make for a more enjoyable experience to stagger your holiday costs, instead of lying on the beach panicking!

4.  Use the time wisely
Catch up on those odd jobs round the house that you’ve put off maintaining all winter. Nothing is worse than coming back from holiday to catch up on chores... do them now, and give yourself the quiet time to adventure later on.

5. Extra days of relaxing – bliss!
There is no wasted travel day on the front and end of a vacation — two more vacation days for fun!  Plus you avoid the post-holiday depression.  You will be ready to see the new year in refreshed and enthusiastic!

The trick to enjoying a staycation is to deviate from daily routines and truly make it a vacation.  If you enjoy eating out on vacations, do the same on your staycation.  Do your chores first, then don’t do any at all!  Relax.  As odd as it sounds, bring discipline to the vacation by not allowing routine or drudgery to rob you of  the fun.  Remind yourself that, while you are at home, you still are on holiday.  If you do so, a staycation can be more relaxing, fun, and certainly less costly than a big travel extravaganza.

THINGS TO DO IN JOZI OVER DECEMBER...

Eureka at Science Bono Discovery Centre
Winner of numerous travel and education awards, the Science Bono Discovery Centre will capture your kids’ imagination and ignite a life-long love of science. Housed in a repurposed power station find it on the corner of Miriam Makeba and President streets, Newtown, Johannesburg. Close to other Newtown attractions such as the Market Theatre and World of Beer. Open 7 days a week.
Cost: free for kids under the age of 3, R25 for kids aged 2-16, pensioners and students and R40 for adults. 

Mountain Sanctuary Park One of the best ways to while away a day is swimming in the natural rock pools at Mountain Sanctuary Park in the mountainous Magaliesberg area. The 1000-hectare property, which has been open to the public for 37 years, is renowned for its hiking trails and is a popular day visit destination for nature-hungry Gautengers needing fresh air. The closest set of natural pools is just a 20-minute walk and the waters flow generously after summer rains.
Cost: R100 an adult and R50 a car
City Sightseeing Joburg
•    Climb to the top of Africa at the Carlton Centre for R15
•    Look up at lawyer Gandhi at the Gandhi Square 
•    Check out the James Hall Transport Museum and look out for the extremely rare collection of steam vehicles for free
•     Go back in time with archeology and rock art at the Origins Centre at Wits for just R37 
•    Learn about South Africa’s history at the Apartheid museum for only R40
•    Walk around Constitution Hill and take in the great art next to the justice court, visit jail cells that held South African heroes and see the old fort built by Paul Kruger for R50. They also have a great restaurant because you should be starving by now!
Cost: R170 adults, R90 for kids.

Take a boat out on Zoo Lake
Take some bread along and have a lovely afternoon on Zoo Lake feeding the ducks and geese. You can also rent out a row boat which fits up to 6 people and have a great time paddling about. The boat club is open from 9.30am to 5pm from Tuesday to Sunday and we recommend you take a picnic (but there is the beautiful Moyo restaurant on site too).
Minimum cost per boat: R10, cost per person: R7.50 and R5 for children.

Catch a thought-provoking flick at the Bioscope Independent Cinema
This Maboneng-based hotspot is close to The Living Room and Arts On Main too, but they regularly host oldies, new SA cinema, documentaries, and award-winning shorts to name but a few cinematic treats.  Look out for their amazing rooftop cinema events here too! Cost: get a ticket, a pizza, and a beer all for R120 if you book online.

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