How to Travel when you Cannot leave the House

With the current Covid-19 pandemic, travel is at best inadvisable and at worst impossible.  Here in New Zealand, we are practically under lockdown, with strict instructions from the government to stay home as much as possible.

If, for whatever reason, you cannot travel right now, the following are some ways that you can satisfy your travel bug from the safety of your own home.

Update that bucket list

It might not take long, but this is the perfect time to go through your bucket list and cross off anything you’ve already done, add anything new you want to do, or remove things that you don’t fancy doing anymore. Unless you are super organised and update everything as it happens, this is something that needs doing from time to time.

Or if you haven’t actually written your bucket list down, now’s the time to do so. Probably, you have a mental list of things you want to do some day; let’s make it formal – write it down!

Plan your next trip

Half the fun of a trip is in the planning. You may not be able to travel, but you can create a dream itinerary or make a list of what you would do where. You can’t book anything, or set dates, but you can plan.

And dream.

Read Travel Guides

Travel Guides are brilliant sources of information on different places with a travel slant. Browsing through one is a great way to get a feel for a city or country. This will help you to see what kinds of things there are to see and do there and whether or not it is a great place for you to visit.

I tend to pick up travel guides cheaply at book sales, but if you don’t have any lying around already (and cannot buy one), there is an abundance of blog posts you could check out free online.

Watch foreign TV

With online streaming services, it is so easy to access TV shows from around the world. Watching a TV show or movie with an international setting might give you a flavour for what that country looks like, whereas one made in a foreign country for a foreign audience can give you more of an insight into that culture.

Ask a friend about their travel experiences

Many people who have travelled love talking about their experiences. How often does someone return with thousands of holiday photos that everyone else gets tired looking at? How thrilled would your friends be if you asked about their travels? Look at their photos; listen to their stories, and picture yourself with them in those places.

Cook a foreign cuisine

We all have to eat, right? Why not try a meal from a new country. Or perhaps you might revisit some already loved dishes from places you have already been to. If you can, try looking for international restaurants in your area; if not, there are plenty of recipes online.

For a trip to Italy, try a fettuccine cabonara with pannacotta for dessert. Or how about Khao soi or Pad thai for an evening in Thailand. With a bit of time on the internet, you can find recipes from any part of the world you like.

Learn a new skill

Learning, like travel, strengthens your brain and expands your mind (sooooo cliché, I know). So even if you cannot travel, you can still reap some of the benefits.

I recommend preparing for when you will be able to travel by learning a new language. There are numerous stories out there (usually on travel blogs) of people whose knowledge of the local language has them saved money or gotten them out of a sticky situation. Personally, I have gotten a huge kick out of buying things in French while in France.

Virtual tour

Many popular museums and historic sites have virtual tours allowing anyone with internet to explore their buildings and collections. If there’s something you want to take a look at, try their website, or look for them on Google Arts and Culture.

I’ve recently spent time looking around the Piscine Musée d’Art et d’Industrie in Roubaix, Lille. I could have gone there when I was in Lille in December, but it was a bit far from my hostel. Next, I’m going to tour the parts of the British Museum that I didn’t get to when I was there in February, though I’m sure it won’t be as good as being there in person.

Read a Novel

My favourite of these suggestions, reading is the absolute best way to travel. A good book can take you to any place or any time you like. After travel, I reckon books are the best way to see the world, hence the blog (smiley face emoji).

If (unlike me) you don’t have several large piles of books lying around the house, libraries are great. If you also cannot leave the house e-books can be bought cheaply online; real books are much better than e-books, but e-books are better than no books.

The Ultimate Afternoon Adventure

What about combining some of the above to create your very own home-based adventure? Start after lunch by browsing through some travel guides for the areas you fancy visiting, and create your dream itinerary. Maybe ask one of your well-travelled friends over (or arrange a video chat) and share travel stories.

For dinner, cook an international meal. Round off the evening with a couple of movies set in the country of your choice.

I hope you’re keeping well and are not going insane while you cannot travel. Let me know how you are coping with that travel bug in the comments and stay safe.