The desire to travel, explore, and head off for a much needed vacation is something that is inherently universal and something that most of us dream about doing. However as much as we really want to get away, there are times in life that hitting the open road or catching the next plane to somewhere exotic is not possible. Whether it is a worldwide pandemic, lack of funds, no time, or other obligations keeping you grounded, the desire for travel is still there.
As someone who is constantly dreaming, planning, writing about, and living for the next adventure, I fully understand the desire to grab the bags and go, and the frustration it creates when life or circumstances have other plans. Since the pandemic hit the world in 2020, I like many people, have had to postpone several trips and the anticipation for when travel restrictions end is like a child waiting for Santa to arrive on Christmas morning. So what can you do to when you desperately want to discover and explore a new place but can’t? Here are a few ideas to that may help to cure those travel blues.
Travel Vicariously Through YouTube
When travel isn’t possible, you can virtually travel the world by searching YouTube for travel destination inspiration. Although not the same as actually being there, watching videos of far away places and learning about what there is to do and see in a particular country or city may be the second best thing to do.
The Expedia channel has some of the best overall travel videos and YouTube has several great travel vloggers, such as Vagabrothers, Mojo Travels, Samuel and Audrey, Wolters World and more that will captivate you with their adventures. Sometimes just watching a few videos and imaging yourself there can make you feel like you’ve gotten to know a new place all from the comfort of your couch.
Relive Your Past Vacations
Break out those old photos or download your digital videos and create a few travel albums or montages. The memories of your past adventures are like a time machine and can transport you back in time to relive your favorite vacation moments. If you have travel videos you haven’t watched in some time, pop some popcorn, sit back and enjoy watching your home or personal videos and relive your trips with family and friends.
Plan A Staycation
If leaving town is out of the picture, how about taking advantage the interesting things that make your hometown unique. Explore the things that you’ve heard about but haven’t yet seen or done. Think of what you would tell visitors would be the best things in your town to see. If you’re not sure what things there are to discover about your hometown, simply visit Trip Advisor and type in “Top Things To Do in (your town/city)” and start checking things off the list.
Your staycation can include activities such as:
- Visiting your town’s local museums
- Visit local hot spots
- Explore nearby towns and villages
- Explore a nearby State, County, or National Park
- Discover a new restaurant or eat at a your hometowns “famous” place
- Stay overnight in a fancy hotel and enjoy the pleasures of not having to make the bed
Devoting an entire day (and night) to explore the fun things in your own backyard can bring a bit of travel exploration back into your daily routine.
Take a Sunday Drive or Day Trip
Short on time, but really want to go on a road trip? A mini road trip, or the quintessential Sunday drive on a scenic road can be an enjoyable day out. If you live near the beach, a drive along the shore line may brighten your day. If you live in the city, a drive out to the country or through the woodlands for lunch or a picnic and give yourself the opportunity to experience something new.
Host a Themed Dinner Party
Dreaming of traveling and can’t, then host a fun travel themed dinner party inspired by your favorite country. Is Italy on your bucket list? Then pick up some gourmet Italian delicacies and create a menu featuring the best dishes from Italy. Add in and a little Italian wine, decorate in Tuscan style, put on some Italian music and create a magical night for your guests.
While it may not technically be traveling, you can bring the experience of the county you love or want to visit home and let your taste buds do the traveling. The possibilities are endless — have a Russian vodka night, pick up some baguettes and French wine for a Parisian night, or take a virtual trip to Mexico with a taco and margarita fiesta.
Binge on Movies and TV Shows Set In A Destination City
What better way to get your travel fantasies going then to lose yourself in a movie or television show set in your favorite city. Think Emily In Paris with scenes that will have you saying “Ooh La La” or The Tourist featuring Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp and the stunning views of Venice.
Here are a few titles that can have you planning your next adventure:
Midnight In Paris (Paris)
Under The Tuscan Sun (Italy)
Lost In Translation (Tokyo)
The Bourne Identity Series (European travel)
Game of Thrones (Spain, Croatia, Northern Ireland, Iceland)
Eat, Pray, Love (Italy, India, Bali)
In Bruges (Bruges, Belgium)
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (Various countries including Iceland)
Read Travel Books, Magazines, and Blogs
If you are in between travels and are looking for ideas for your next vacation or adventure, why not read a few travel guides or travel blogs. The Lonely Planet, Travel and Leisure, and Conde Nast Traveler are a few of the top magazines in the industry that will awaken your inner wanderlust with splashy articles and breath taking photographs of some of the world’s best travel hot spots.
However, if you’re looking for more unique ideas and want to experience travel through the words (and pictures) of regular travelers like yourself, travel bloggers can be another source of inspiration. Travel Bloggers such as Nomadic Matt, Van Life Tribe, Budget Bucket List, Travel Freak, Flying The Nest, The Blonde Abroad, and even this page, Life Traveled In Stilettos, are just of a few of the great pages the internet has for you to bookmark for travel tips and ideas. If you love travel, then then exploring the world through different writers will have you seeing travel with a new unique perspective – budget travel, backpacking, luxury travel, and everything in between.
Start Planning Your Next Trip
All of these non-travel alternative ideas just might give you the inspiration to start planning your next trip. If so, that really isn’t a bad thing. When the time comes and you can actually travel again, you’ll know exactly where it is that you want to go and will have all the homework done on what to see, where to stay, and how much to budget for it.
Although nothing will ever take the place of physically being able to travel, I hope that these little ideas will help keep your wanderlust for adventure alive and keep the feelings of frustration at bay.
Drop a comment in the comments section and let me know how you deal with times when travel is not on the horizon. Please be sure to follow us on our Social Media channels, and “Like”, “Share”, “Tweet”, or “Pin” this article for your friends and family to read.
