Take a holiday staycation

With the high costs of travel, why not stay home for the holidays? Here are a few high-tech items to bring the vacation to you.

With the cost of gas, food, travel and the general economic condition at present, more and more people are opting for a good old-fashioned vacation at home. While the family room couch doesn’t hold the same thrill as an exotic locale, staying home doesn’t have to be considered the default option.

“There’s so little time in our lives to enjoy living where we are and being where we are,” says Elaine Taylor-Klaus, a life coach and owner of Touchstone Coaching in Atlanta. “Even kids today don’t get a lot of downtime at home.” So get your vacation on at home. With these high-tech gift ideas, you can enjoy walks through European towns, practice spa-quality yoga and even brush up on your foreign languages — all without leaving the house.

European Staycation

Take a leisurely stroll or bike through Europe with VITA Digital Productions. The company offers DVDs ($14.99 to $16.99) that take you on virtual walks and bike rides through some of the most beautiful parts of Europe, such as the Amalfi Coast of Italy and the quaint villages of England. There is no narrator — the guide is your sight and the only sounds are that of the authentic locale. Watch it with the kids or put it on while you’re on the treadmill and let the scenery transport you all over Europe. Similarly, virtual bike tours, designed to be used while on an exercise bike, also are available. The company sells stock footage from the shoots to the History Channel and Discovery Channel, so the quality is cable-worthy.

Are Wii there yet?

Every time you turn around, Nintendo is launching an innovative new way to utilize its Wii and DS game platforms. Visit the spa for some yoga or hit the slaloms for some skiing with workout game WiiFit ($89.99), which utilizes a balance board to actively put you in the game. Over on the hand-held Nintendo DS, “Cooking Guide: Can’t Decide What to Eat?” is an entirely different kind of fun for the family. It includes 200 recipes from around the world that can be searched via region, calorie count, ingredient or by cooking time. A chef talks you through the cooking process and the recipes include step-by-step instructions and photos.

Additional features include a timer, and an ingredient checklist, which you can handily take with you to the store.

Pardon your French

Parlez-vous Francais? Why not brush up on a