Do you find yourself craving nostalgic memories of over packing your luggage? The hustle and bustle at airports, or the smell of freshly brewed coffee in the waiting lounge hitting your nose like a ton of bricks, welcoming you on the journey you are about to embark on? We certainly miss inhaling the scent of the salty sea, crystal clear water splashing against our feet, and resting in the shade of palm trees. Ah, yes, the love for wanderlust is at an all-time high, but so is the pandemic.
Though you may not be able to travel at the moment, there is plenty you can do from the comfort of your home to satisfy your travel cravings. And to feel refreshed and get one step closer to your next destination. We’ve assembled a list of five super-fun things you can try right now for a quick fix to satiate your wanderlust.
Create a Bucket List or Mood Board
Is there any better way to spend your weekend than daydreaming of visiting the Bahamas? Or sipping tropical mocktails at the seashores of Bali, chair lifting in Switzerland, or relishing in the solitude and inhaling fresh mountain air at Gatlinburg condo rentals rooms? We think not. Whip out a pen and paper and write down all the destinations you would like to visit. Here’s the best part, while your passport or wallet may restrict you from visiting specific destinations, there is just no way stopping you. So, go ahead, jot down any destination your heart desires. So, go ahead, jot down any destination your heart desires, and enjoy living it up at lavish five-star resorts.
If there are specific restaurants, you would like to visit or activities you would like to indulge in, such as canoeing or snorkeling, pen them down too. You can even search for images online for a more hyperreal effect, print them out, and add them to your mood board. Create these for every place you would like to visit and look at them every time you feel the itch to travel.
Enjoy Travel Shows, Documentaries or Podcasts
An excellent way to prepare for a future trip is to watch documentaries, podcasts, or travel shows filmed at your desired location. Since you cannot travel, relax at home and enjoy your new hobby or watching Netflix to the fullest. If you prefer a relatable experience, catch up on YouTube travel show channels. These get into the nitty-gritty of how foreigners travel, where they dine out, and the type of food they enjoy the most.
Devour a Delicious Exquisite Meal
For an authentic traveling experience, you need to view the sights and relish the unique local flavor palette. After all, this is by far one of the most enjoyable aspects of traveling across the globe. If the restaurants are open for dine-in or takeaway in your location, head out and order a cuisine from the country you are hoping to visit. Make sure to stop by eateries where the chef or owner are from the locality themselves. It drastically increases the probability of tasting authentic cuisine.
Suppose the special dishes are not available at your nearest restaurant or you are not in favor of eating out. In that case, we recommend trying your hand at cooking it yourself. Watch a tutorial on how to prepare the meal and get cracking. You can even serve it in fancy cutlery, eat it like the locals would, with a spoon, chopsticks, or hands, and enjoy while watching a travel show. This 3D experience is a surefire way to satisfy the senses and teleport you to your dream destination.
Catch Up On Travel Blogs and Magazines
If you are an avid reader, this is going to be right up your alley. You can Pick up a good travel book, make yourself comfortable and sink your teeth right into it. Books have a way of making you daydream and teleporting you no matter where you are. Additionally, you will be able to immerse yourself in captivating scenic shots and genuinely appreciate the bliss of traveling. In case you do not enjoy book reading, try picking up a travel magazine or catch up on your favorite travel blog. Each one of them serves the same purpose, that is, to fulfill your travel fantasy.
Get Set for a Virtual Tour
Prepare to spend the afternoon enjoying a virtual travel tour of a museum, theme park, or art gallery. Various companies are offering virtual tours of some of the most iconic sites. Here’s the best part, you do not need to wait for hours on end in long queues of tourists to get inside or buy overpriced amenities, and it is way more fun when you have access to a clean bathroom.
Conclusion
The perks of traveling far and wide from the coziness of your trustee couch are that you stay relaxed, never feel homesick, and you do not have to spend a dime on your trip. Moreover, this also means, throughout your virtual journey, you can remain in your comfy pajamas and not have to worry about slathering on sunblock every few hours. Here is the silver lining, take this time to save up, and once it is safe to travel again, you can hop on a plane and splurge generously on your dream destination.
