There's nothing worse than being stuck at home when you've been bitten by the travel bug. The current travel restrictions and uncertainties we are facing due to the pandemic situation leave us wondering when we can go out freely and travel again or go wherever we want to go.
Or, when this pandemic is over and the travel restrictions are lifted, but you had to unexpectedly cancel travel plans, haven't saved enough money yet, or can't seem to get time off from work. Whatever your reason for being unable to travel right now, you don't have to settle for endlessly scrolling through other globe trotter's Instagram feeds.
In this digital age, traveling from home is a new, if unorthodox, option. It might sound a little odd at first, but the internet has provided us with so many surprising ways to connect with people and communities across the globe.
Here are seven clever ways to travel without leaving home, find paradise from your couch, learn about new cultures, and maybe even pick up a few phrases in another language.
1. Escape Into Foreign Films And Travel Shows (And Take Notes)
As travelers, we all have movies and TV shows that either remind us of past adventures or inspire us to book trips. With most people having access to one or more streaming services, there's never been a better time to virtually escape to another city or country and take notes for future trips.
Shows like "Parts Unknown" or "Dark Tourist" present first-person experiences with new cultures, while other reality shows like "The Amazing Race" or even "Bachelor in Paradise" can make you feel for a moment like you're no longer on your couch.
Foreign films, though occasionally tricky to follow if you don't speak the language, can offer an even more in-depth perspective on another place. And if you aren't fluent, they can help you pick up some language skills which can be helpful on that next trip.
2. Cook A Foreign Dish
One of the most profound ways we connect to each other as human beings is through food. In the past, you'd have to travel to a place yourself or get your hands on a cookbook to create recipes from foreign lands. But now, we have all kinds of recipe blogs, Pinterest and even Instagram!
There are plenty of recipes online, and many are accompanied by blogs that give the backstory of each dish. To travel from home via your own kitchen, try picking a new country or a region and doing a different native dish each day for a week, like this Easy Cajun Rice. Cajun cooking is a style of cooking named for the French-speaking Acadian people deported by the British from Acadia in Canada, incorporating West African, French and Spanish cooking techniques, in the region of Louisiana (Wikipedia). If you aren't gifted in the culinary arts, takeout is always an option too!
3. Read Books That Transport You To Another Place
Books have always had the ability to take us to other places, sometimes even more than movies and tv shows. And with books, you have to ability to jump more than just locations- you can go back in time and experience life in another era. It's a great way to do a cultural deep dive.
Whether you're into historical fiction (Spanish castles, anyone?), non-fiction travelogues by inspirational globe-trotters, or everyday novels from another country, books are a great way to let your mind explore a new place.
4. Picture Yourself There
Anyone who loves to travel has favorite photos from trips past. One fun way many people have been re-living those moments of glory is by recreating them from their homes. Imagine a photo of an excited couple in a kayak on the left, and the same couple in bathrobes "kayaking" on an ironing board on the right. The idea is to use items sitting around your house, bringing out your inner creativity.
Another creative way to picture yourself on vacation is through clever use of photo editing software. Some travelers that have had to give up their dream vacations or cancel their carefully made plans have skillfully (and sometimes humorously) edited themselves into iconic shots on their bucket list spots.
5. Learn A New Language
If your dream destination has a bit of a language barrier, use your time between trips to polish up on your speaking skills. Try a tried and true program like Rosetta Stone or check out some free apps that allow users to interact and assist each other.
By the time you go on that next trip, you'll hopefully be able to interact with the locals beyond just "Hello" and "Thank you." This will make your travel experience much richer, as you'll be able to ask for directions, order food, and even have simple conversations, allowing you to immerse yourself more deeply in the culture. For example, if you're heading to Spain or another Spanish-speaking country, using an online platform for Spanish lessons can be a convenient way to improve your language skills. Not only will this make everyday interactions easier, but it will also show respect for the local culture, helping you to connect with people and make your journey more enjoyable.
6. Try A Backyard "Staycation"
If you're a camper, or in any way outdoorsy, you might already have a tent, sleeping bag, or even an RV on hand. Even if you don't have a huge yard, you can use whatever camping equipment you can find to create a unique escape outside.
If you live in a colder climate, or have a balcony rather than a yard, there's always indoor camping. Whether you have kids or just want to bring out your inner child, a tent or blanket fort in the living room is never not fun.
7. Share Your Stories
Most travelers love sharing stories, and while this usually happens in communal spaces (like backpacker hostels) it can also happen from the comfort of your couch. By using platforms like Facebook groups and Skype we can connect with friends from around the world, virtually.
Try joining groups for like-minded travelers on Facebook, or reach out to friends met on previous trips to catch up.
If you've been dreaming about far away places, it can be hard to sit at home watching other people live out their bucket list dreams. Just remember that no matter what your circumstances might be, there are still plenty of ways to escape mentally, as well as meaningfully connect to other people and cultures. Yes, there are tons of ways to travel without leaving home, and hopefully, when your next trip rolls around you'll be that much more ready to venture out and make memories that will last a lifetime.
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Skinly says
Thanks for this!!
Matt Taylor says
These are all great ideas to travel without leaving the home. Watching movies that take place where you want to visit, and eating that kind of food, are my favorite ways. Also it is fun browsing on google different images.
Jessie says
I love all of these! My favorite is learning a new language. We have been obsessed with Duolingo for a long time now!
Jessica Collazo says
I love to watch virtual tours and lots of travel YouTube channels. I recoment
Alan X el Mundo
Emman Damian says
I usually mimic foreign dishes so it feels like being in that country. I literally travel for gastronomic experience so that would count I guess.
Rika Livingston says
These are great ideas! I can't wait to travel again. I canceled my trip to Asia, feel so sad about it.
Swathi says
This looks like great tips, during this time travelling is not that easy. I would love to do these rather than getting in crowded plane and travel.
khoingn | The Broad Life says
Haha I like your suggestions. This is all we need while we have to stay home more than going out side
Lizzie Lau says
We've been traveling on our Nordictrack with iFit. This morning I did a bike ride in Japan near Kyoto, it was beautiful!
Melanie williams says
There are some really good ideas and suggestions here especially at times like this when people can not travel x
Emily says
I really like exploring other places and cultures through books. I think it has really broadened my horizons.
The Joyous Living says
I love international cuisines. It might be fun to decorate the table as if you were in the foreign land too, or play some international music in the background.
Kuntala Bhattacharya says
Wonderful tips. We have also done a similar kind of article on our blog. The tips are really helpful, especially when we all are stuck at home.
Heather says
These are wonderful ideas! My kids will have a great time doing these!
Pati Robins says
i so love these ideas !!! i use google cams or hoever they are called to visit places i have never beenn , it relaxes me
Lynndee says
I love food and I love to cook and we love trying new dishes or cuisines so, cooking a foreign dish is def a great idea.
Bolupe says
These are fantastic tips, I have been getting travel-inspired take-away at the weekend and it's made me think of when we can all travel again.
Rena says
Yesterday we had to face the hard truth that we aren't going to take our road trip to Alaska. We had planned for so long, but this is such a great idea!
Subhashish Roy says
Yes these are great ways to divert ourselves from the mental stress after losing our freedom. I am reading a lot of travel blogs, reading travel books. Also looking at earlier travel pictures and remembering good old days.
Sarah M says
These are nice ideas to try especially imagining yourself in a beautiful place. Lockdown is going to be easier in England, I hope things get better soon.
Daynia says
A simple taco night or ordering indian food always makes my household very excited. I quite agree that it can make you feel as if you are travelling. Thanks for sharing your tips!
Toni says
I really love these ideas! Thank you so much!
paolo says
I do miss traveling. Good thing is that i can easily watch a youtube video so i can try to cook my favorite food from the places i have traveled to.
Catalina says
I love travel shows and discovering new places this way, so I can choose my next destination!
Kristine Nicole Alessandra says
Awesome tips. All our travel plans have been cancelled, but we are not losing hope that this pandemic will be over soon. I do read a lot of travel books, and browse photos of places I dream of visiting. It helps ease the frustration of being stuck at home.
Ann says
We have started a series of food-traveling on our blog, that helps calm the traveladdict 🙂
Kita Bryant says
I've been trying some new meals for dinner that are out of the norm. The kids have been pretty thrilled with most of the Asian dishes so far. I try not to get too strange on them lol
Fatima Torres says
I love that you've mentioned escaping through the use of a book. We read often as a family and it's one of the kids' favorite things to do together. Might try the backyard staycation idea
Myrah Duque says
These are fantastic ideas for us who breathe travel! It's a great way to keep busy.
Lisa Joy Thompson says
These are great ideas. On many of our trips, we've had locals teach us how to make some of their favorite recipes. Now whenever we make borscht, we remember our trip to Ukraine. And when we make rice and peas, we're reminded of our many trips to Jamaica.
Christine Weis says
These are all great ideas! I love the idea of reading to take you to that place you dream of. Reading is powerful. My cruise in July is canceled and I am bummed. I haven't been on a "real" vacation in years and I was really looking forward to it. I better grab a book instead!
Tara Pittman says
I so want to travel right now. I guess for now I will have to make the best of it with tips like these.
Tasheena says
These are all really clever ideas. Looking forward to give them a try.
Robin rue says
I have been dying to learn a new language. Now is the perfect time!!
Amy Desrosiers says
I really am still holding out hope that my family can take our vacation this year. We have almost exhausted all our stay at home activities.
Cinny says
Those are all great ways to enjoy time at home. Plus, it allows for some quality family time too.
Amber Myers says
These are some great ideas! We've been doing a lot of virtual tours that have been fun.
melissa chapman says
I do not travel too much because I hate to leave my dogs. I would love to escape with a few foreign films though.
Jennifer Van Haitsma says
Great tips! I love watching shows that take place in different country. I love all the beautiful scenery, and hearing the accents too.
Rog Willis says
These are all great ideas to travel without leaving home. Very inventive. I love the idea of cooking a meal from a foreign land. I used to live in Germany (stationed there with the Army) and loved some German dishes!
Christi (from www.themoxiemama.com) says
These are great ideas. I know I haven't wanted to leave my house lately.
Ashley says
We've been cooking different international foods weekly and having backyard staycations and its been so much fun.
Jenn says
I love all of these ideas. We've been cooped up in the house for weeks. Even a virtual trip is welcome.