15 Ways to Keep the Travel Spirit Alive While at Home

Buildings in Boston

 

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

Less

By: Andrew Sean Greer

Beautiful Ruins

By: Jess Walter

A Long Petal of the Sea

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:

Clever Fox Travel Journal

Travel Checklist Journal

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

Travel Bucket List.

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.

sunset on the ocean

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