How you satisfy your wanderlust when you’re at home
- Bethany Pike
- Jul 26, 2020
- 4 min read
I’m a big advocate for getting out there, travelling and experiencing what the world has to offer because it’s such an eye-opening experience! However, with the world still in uncertainty, I know a lot of people are choosing not to travel. Now for some people, this is such a minor thing to give up, but for those of us who love travelling, especially in my case, it has driven us a bit crazy.
Since all my summer travel plans were put on a hiatus, I had to find other alternatives to make me at least feel like I was somewhere other on my couch, eating chocolate and watching TV with maybe an exotic trip to the kitchen here and there.
A lot of places are beginning to open back up to the public and life is returning to this “new normal” everyone keeps talking about, but I know there are still people who are nervous about well essentially re-joining society after these long months of isolation and social distancing.
So, here are a few ways you can travel the world from the comfort of your home:
Virtual Tours
Have you always wanted to visit The Louvre? The Vatican? San Diego Zoo?
Well you’re in luck! These places (and more) offer virtual tours and live webcams of their exhibits! And, quite possibly the best part, there’s no queues or crowds!
Cultural experiences are one of my favourite parts of travelling, I love wandering around museums and galleries and thanks to the wonders of the internet, this has still been possible!
Here’s a little list of the ones I’ve personally used over the last few months:
Guadeloupe (since my trip was cancelled ☹ )
Travel TV shows
If any industry has benefitted from these lockdown periods, it has to be Netflix and other streaming sites. I know I bought into it and started a subscription to Disney+ and Amazon Prime. So instead of watching the best of Netflix has to offer for the 2nd time, why not stick on a travel show??
My favourites have been:
Our planet – Everyone enjoys a bit of David Attenborough
Travel accounts on Instagram
If you’re like me, you’ll have spent practically all day everyday scrolling through social media and being online in general (I’ve managed to rack up a daily average screen time of 7 hours a day).
So instead of looking at what your friend Becky had for lunch, why not follow some travel pages? That way you can spend your day gathering inspo for your next destination or even just escape from daily life for a minute!
Here are some accounts I absolutely LOVE:
@Lovenortheastengland (love for my home county and they featured me tehe)
Plan your next trip
We’re not going to be stuck at home forever and there’s nothing more straightforwardly obvious than planning your next trip!
Why not get a head start by creating a bucket list for places you want to go, (I posted mine a few weeks ago here.) as well as creating boards on Pintrest for that ultimate collection of dream destinations. Or begin looking at flights, hotels and things to do in areas you would like to visit so when the time comes to hop back on a plane, you’re ready to book! I’ve had a little browse on Skyscanner and the flights have been soo cheap, I managed to book myself flights to Portugal for £14!!
Explore your hometown/ Staycations
Everyone is probably wishing they were elsewhere right now but we have to make the best of a bad situation! Get out the house and go for a walk in your hometown! Push past the maybe not so nice parts and release your touristy self! I bet there are a few tourist attractions where you live which you’ve taken for granted so go out there and act like you’ve never seen it before. Maybe it’ll become your new favourite place?
Since lockdown has eased, why not visit somewhere else? If you’re struggling to decide where to have your little staycation, make a list of the top 5 things you’ve wanted to do in your country, whether it’s a specific beach, museum or bar (who doesn’t love a good cocktail) and start ticking off that list as the weeks go on!
Buy new travel accessories
At the beginning of lockdown, I was doing quite well saving my money and not impulse buying. However, that all went out the window as the possibility of having a summer arrived.
Over the last few weeks, I’ve started to buy myself some new clothes, looked into new backpacks and suitcases, passport covers and other miscellaneous things I definitely don’t need e.g. a mobile plug in fan lol all for my upcoming trip! Let’s hope it doesn’t get cancelled…
Read travel blogs
There are so many travel sites out there, but I do prefer to read blogs! I think it can give off a more personal insight to each place and more often than not answers the questions people actually want to know! They also write about possible hidden gems in a specific country or place which can encourage you to go off the beaten path! There is also a more mixed review of places from different travel bloggers rather than a one travel agent telling you how amazing everything about that place is!
I've recently been reading
I know these tips are in no way a substitute for real travel, but I hope it was helpful and well at least it is a start to curing your wanderlust!
So, tell me… What have you been doing to contain your need to travel?
Are you planning to travel soon or are you holding off? Let me know!
𝒰𝓃𝓉𝒾𝓁 𝒩𝑒𝓍𝓉 𝒯𝒾𝓂𝑒
Bethany x
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