15 Ways to Keep the Travel Spirit Alive While at Home
Traveling is one of the best ways to experience new cultures, meet new people, and broaden your horizons. I love the upbeat, relaxed mood my whole family gets in when we’re exploring a new place. No one has a care in the world. However, it’s so easy to fall back in a rut when you get home and it is not always possible to travel as often as we would like. Here are 15 ways to keep the travel spirit alive while at home.
Try new recipes from around the world
One of the best ways to experience a new culture is through its cuisine. Try cooking a new dish from a different country and explore its unique flavors. Here are some of my favorite cookbooks that remind me of my travels:
Click here for my blog on 15 Cookbooks that Inspire Travel
Read travel books
Reading travel books is another great way to learn about different destinations and cultures, and to get inspired about future trips. These books will make you want to pack a suitcase.
The Caliph’s House: A Year in Casablanca
By: Tahir Shah
By: Andrew Sean Greer
By: Jess Walter
By: Isabel Allende
Learn a new language
Learning a new language is not only a great way to keep your brain active, but it can also help you when you travel to a new country. We are heading to Italy this summer, and although I took Italian for 6 years, it was a million years ago, so I just signed up for Babble.
Explore your local area
Take the time to explore your local area and discover new hidden gems that you may not have known about before. Click here to get some ideas on how to plan the perfect staycation.
Host an international themed dinner party
Invite friends and family over and host a dinner party with a menu inspired by a different country. When we were in Puerto Rico this summer, we took a mixology class at Bacardi. We had so much fun so I’m now planning a cocktail-making party for my friends where we’ll all create mojitos and pina coladas.
Plan future trips
Use this time to plan future trips and get excited about all of the amazing destinations you want to visit. I always have trip in the works, whether it is something local or a dream vacation I want to do. Need inspiration? Try these travel planners:
By: Claudine Gandolfi
Travel Journal Notebook and Planner
Watch travel vlogs
Watch travel vlogs on YouTube or other video platforms and get inspired by other travelers’ experiences.
Create a travel bucket list
Create a list of all the destinations you want to visit in your lifetime and work towards making them a reality. It’s also fun to talk about places your kids and spouse and parents want to go. It’s fascinating how everyone has different lists. Need some inspiration? Click here to see my
Watch travel documentaries
Travel documentaries are a great way to experience different cultures and destinations from the comfort of your own home. There was a time when the travel channel was full of them, but now you may have more luck on YouTube.
Create a travel scrapbook
Create a scrapbook of your past trips, including photos, tickets, and mementos, and reminisce on all of your amazing travel experiences. Here are some ideas:
Draupnir Vintage Aesthetic Scrapbook Kit
Sunwes Custom Canvas Prints with Your Photo
Personalized Memory Photo Album Book
Try virtual travel experiences
Many travel companies now offer virtual travel experiences, where you can explore different destinations through virtual reality.
WildEarth relies on safari vehicles, guides on foot, drones, balloons, rovers and remote cams to capture some of Africa’s most iconic animals in their own habitats. You can interact with an expert game ranger hosting the safari while you watch.
Attend cultural events
Attend local cultural events, such as festivals or concerts, to experience different cultures without having to travel far.
(I’m dying to bring my kids to the Portuguese Festival in Providence, RI)
Join travel groups online
Join travel groups on social media or other online platforms and connect with like-minded travelers. It’s a great way to plan your next trip, get inspired by their travel, and share travel memories.
Learn about geography and history
Learn about different countries’ geography and history and gain a deeper understanding of their cultures.
Practice mindfulness and gratitude
Practice mindfulness and gratitude by taking the time to appreciate the beauty of the world around you, even when you are not traveling.
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