When wanderlust becomes “wander-not” in this age of COVID-19, travelers need to get creative. Satisfy your travel itch by having a travel experience while stuck at home.
1. Cuisine
Take your taste buds on a culinary adventure by sampling the cuisine of a far-away land. Food is a great way to explore a different culture when you can’t experience it in person.
Choose your destination and make a date night of it. Order in or better yet, try cooking it yourself. Whether it’s a fancy herb pizza from Italy or Asari clams from Japan, you can get away without leaving your kitchen.
2. Webcams
You may not be able to visit famous landmarks, attractions, or museums right now, but you can still see them. Webcams give you a live look at some of the world’s most famous sights. Check out the Colosseum in Rome, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, or the Grand Canyon in all its glory in the United States.
3. Virtual Tours
Take it one step further with a virtual tour. Your kids can experience the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Louvre, Machu Picchu, or the Vatican Museum without leaving home.
Google Arts and Culture has thousands of museums and galleries on offer. You can peruse the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and the Musee d’Orsay in Paris. Or do something out of this world with a tour of the international space station.
4. Books
Choose a travel-inspired book to get swept away to a foreign land. Whether you choose a travel guide or a fictional novel, you can explore the corners of the globe from home. “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho and “On The Road” by Jack Kerouac are great places to start.
5. Travel Shows, Documentaries, Movies
Let the small screen or big screen transport you to a new destination. Binge watch a travel series like Rick Steves’ “Europe TV Show” (10 seasons/Amazon, Hulu, YouTube) or Anthony Bourdain’s “Parts Unknown” (12 seasons before Bourdain’s passing in 2018/Netflix). Inspire your wanderlust with a movie like “Into the Wild” or “The Beach.”
6. Podcasts
Podcasts are an excellent way to explore from the comfort of your couch. Try Rough Guides, Amateur Traveler, or Travel With Rick Steeves.
7. Learn a New Language
Use this time while you’re stuck at home to prepare for future travel. One of the best ways to do this is to learn the language of the place you want to visit. Many online programs/apps can help you build your skills.
8. Revisit a Past Destination
Rediscover your favorite travel odysseys with a trip down memory lane. Use photos, videos, travel journals, and souvenirs to remember those trips. Pair your review with dining on the cuisine of the region (see above) to get even closer to being there.
9. Plan a New Itinerary
Now that you’re inspired by trips of the past, start planning a new one. A benefit of more time at home is having more time to plan the perfect trip.
Become an expert-level armchair traveler by using these tips. The destinations of the world await without the travel hassles and maddening crowds. And when you can travel again, you’ll have plenty of picks to visit in person.
