There's no stress about getting to the airport in time, you can do a weekend trip without taking time off work and you can bring whatever you like.
*cough, cough*... a bottle of whiskey
(Maybe even two)
Recently, I visited Lahinch for the very first time.
It's somewhere I've always dreamt of going and I literally look it up on Instagram every day. I grew up in a seaside town so I love to be beside the beach. I knew Clare would be the ideal spot for my next staycation.
I've made it my mission this year to tick off my Irish bucket list and visit the counties and sites I've never been to before but always wanted to see.
My partner recently got a camper van, so a getaway was the perfect excuse to give it a test run.
Down to Clare we went!
What To Do: Surfing
No trip to Lahinch is complete without a surf in the sea.
I'll be the first to put my hands up and say it - I'm not the best surfer, in fact I'm pretty rubbish.
Regardless, it's great craic and something you won't be able to do in many other places in Ireland. The waves in Lahinch are some of the best, so it's a deadly place to try it.
We rented our boards and wetsuits from Ben's Surf Clinic, which is right beside the beach. It was €5 for the wetsuit and €15 for the board, we were buzzed about how affordable it was.
Lessons are extra but my partner has been doing surfing trips for years, so he volunteered to teach me A.K.A watch me make a fool of myself and fall off my board every two seconds while he glided on the waves like some kind of water angel.
I haven't laughed that much in a long time though, it was just so much fun.
Where To Eat Lunch - DODI
Down the main street of Lahinch lies an unexpected Middle-Eastern inspired brunch haven called DODI.
It's a small venue with about six or seven tables but there is a serious buzz in there from the moment you walk in. The café specialises in local, fresh and seasonal dishes.
The menu has about five or six options. It's a small choice but it still covers for whatever you're in the mood for - sweet or savoury, spicy or saucy.
I had the most amazing meal here that I've been craving ever since I left.
You can read the full review here.
Where To Go Sightseeing - The Cliffs Of Moher
An obvious choice, but a must.
The Cliffs of Moher is the second most visited tourist attraction in Ireland and I can see why - It's fricken' incredible!
My inner Geography nerd came out while I was there, serious throwback to the Leaving Cert.
If there was ever a place to get a stellar Instagram, it's here.
Where To Stay - Nagels, Doolin
Why not try something a little different and go camping?
We were lucky to have the camper but loads of other people brought a tent with them and pitched up for the night. The site has a kitchen, bathrooms, a shop and shower facilities so it's ideal.
Nagels is located across from Doolin pier and it has stunning, scenic views out toward the island and the Cliffs of Moher.
It's one of the nicest camp sites I've ever stayed in.
Where To Eat Dinner - O Connor's Pub
Dining options are pretty limited in Doolin but there's no where else I would have preferred.
A simple traditional Irish pub with lots of character. As soon as we walked in we could hear a trad band in the next room, there was such a buzz about the place, it kind of felt like we were in a movie.
I had a huge bowl of muscles while sipping on a glass of vino and that is a moment I will always look back on as being on of my happiest memories.
Irish culture at its finest.
My little staycation might have only lasted for 24 hours but I know that it's one I'll remember for a long time.
Surfing, munching, camping and soaking up Irish culture.
What more could you want?
