Holidays from Home

The summer holidays can be a really hard time if you’re stuck at home. Everybody seems to be jetting off to somewhere exotic. Postcards keep coming through the door, with “Wish you were here.” Yeah I wish I was too, shame I’m housebound and can’t even begin to think about going away on holiday.

This year the pressure will be even worse, with the world and his wife talking about London and the Olympics. Whether you’re a sports fan or not, London and the 2012 games is going to be everywhere! The way I see it is if you can’t beat them, join them. If you can’t join them, go virtually!

That’s why this summer I’m organising a virtual trip to London and thought you might like to come too. What’s a virtual holiday, I hear you ask? Well I’ve found that with some clever writing, beautiful photographs and a touch of imagination, you can transport yourself anywhere you want, without ever moving a muscle. Think part story, part guided mediation; but much more fun and exciting, because it’s your adventure. You can see an example of a virtual trip at http://holidaysfromhome.co.uk/blog/virtual-day-trip-2/switzerland/

On our virtual holiday we’re going to be doing the classic tourist thing – exploring London, “visiting” the sites through the special virtual guide, as well as web cameras, online museums and virtual tours. The London Eye, Buckingham Palace, the museums are all on our itinerary, plus many more. I’m really looking forward to “going” to see a show in the West End; it’s a great excuse to dress up and with the help of some films to watch at home, it’s going to be a night to remember.

During the virtual holiday there will be things to do both on and off the computer, lots of virtual experience that will help you imagine being in London. There’s also fun trivia, quizzes, crafts to make and recipes to try, as well as an exclusive chat area, to share your experiences with other virtual travellers.

You’ll be able to do as much or as little as you want and still feel part of the holiday. You can share the holiday with friends, family and other virtual travellers, so you don’t feel quite so alone and bored. The holiday can be paced, so perfect for resting. The great part is you never have to leave home to do it, all the holiday contents can be accessed online and downloaded to either print off or listen to on an mp3 player.

I came up with the idea because I was bed bound for six years with severe ME and I’m now house bound. I like to think of myself as a social butterfly, the type of person who would be out travelling, partying and generally having a life if I wasn’t stuck at home with this horrible illness.

My first virtual holiday was to Greece when my family went away and left me and my Mum at home. We did things like ate feta and olives, threw paper plates (safer in a bedroom than china ones) and even paddled in a foot spa, pretending it was the sea. It wasn’t a replacement for a “real” holiday; but it was the closest I could get. I had so much fun and it was such a brilliant distraction I decided to create Holidays From Home, as a social enterprise, doing virtual holidays for other people.

“I adored my trip to New York with Holidays From Home, from the moment I signed up, I was captivated. We ‘flew’ to New York City, went shopping, had cocktails, and went sight-seeing. My mother and sisters went to New York recently and I wasn’t well enough to go. But with Holidays From Home I was able to feel included. I could join in the conversations and discuss my experience of my ‘virtual’ trip.” Grace Quantock, Wales, living with multiple disabilities/ autoimmune conditions.

If you want something fun to do this summer, a way to pass the time and to create some great memories of your own in 2012, then come to virtual London with me. It’s going to be fun and fabulous!

To book your virtual holiday go here…

Tweet