7 Ways to Scratch Your Travel Itch at Home

Whether you're a self-isolating couch potato or are corona-quarantined right now, one thing's for sure: we're all going a little stir crazy.

Maybe you were days away from lazing in Cancun's cotton-soft sands. Perhaps you'd finally resolved the 10-person debate of which group getaway to stay in. Or maybe you'd finally saved up enough for that bucket list trip to Machu Picchu. Whichever the case, none of us are going anywhere (far) anytime soon.

Now, nothing can substitute the sensory and emotional experience that travel brings. But here we are, homebound, stuck in our heads, infected with an insatiable travel bug (and hopefully not COVID-19). Without further ado, itchy footers, here are 7 ways to pacify your wanderlust from home.

1. Plan your next trip

It may seem counterintuitive to plan a holiday amidst a pandemic, but so long as you don't make bookings, you may as well feed your bucket list intrigue (& get motivated to save up!). Not to mention, travel planning is allegedly the most enjoyable part of travel (especially from the couch!). Need inspiration? Check our hotlist of budget-friendly destinations.

If the idea of organizing your own holiday is daunting, fret not. Our easy step-by-step guide to trip planning is great for beginners, and outlines exactly how to choose a destination, create an itinerary, and book your own flights for the best price possible.

Now is also a great time to sign up for a travel rewards credit card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred (our top choice – here's our full review). You can get $750 in points as a welcome bonus, but only after hitting the minimum spend in the first 3 months. So if you want your points in time for when we can travel again, you'll need to apply now. Learn more here.

2. Binge Netflix's best travel shows

As simultaneous Netflix and travel junkies, we completed this task long before strict travel advisories confined us to home. Here are some of our top wanderlust-y picks:

Street FoodDark TouristNight on Earth (new & spectacularBreakfast, Lunch & Dinner (by David Chang, also new)The Kindness DiariesPlanet Earth (1 and 2, of course!)Chef's Table (1 & 2, even non-foodies will be inspired)The World's Most Extraordinary Homes

Psst: sorry Hulu & Amazon fans, but we are longtime Netflix devotees. What are your fave travel shows on these platforms?

3. Start a travel-inspired box subscription

Atlas Coffee Club = our favourite subscription box

In our digitally saturated world, physical mail is a nearly-forgotten pleasure. Here are some wanderlust worthy subscription boxes for an affordable self-care treat:

Atlas Coffee Club: Our personal favourite! Get a box of fair-trade single origin coffee from around the world with info on its origin, flavour notes, and brewing tips. Price: $55 USD/month.Art of Tea: Tantalizing fair-trade, sustainable teas from around the world. From soothing matchas to bold spiced chai, there's something for every tea-fiend. Price: $18 USD/monthThe Nomadik: For the outdoors enthusiast, these boxes are customized to your interests and include the latest outdoor and hiking gear. Price: $30 USD/month.Hiker Crate: Practical hiking equipment & products, from snacks & dehydrated meals to new sleeping bag detergents or innovative headlamps. Price: $30 USD/month

4. Make exotic dishes & cocktails at home

Ever sat and reminisced the sweet gooey goodness of Thai mango sticky rice? The punch of your first Peruvian Pisco Sour? The spice explosion of street-made squishy Hong Kong dumplings? You needn't salivate only by memory!

On our most recent ventures through Asia, I got in the habit (read: addiction) of taking cooking classes. I highly recommend doing this on your next trip, even if you're a novice. The good news is, many favourite foreign meals are simple to make. That's because, poor countries tend to have cheap, easy-to-make recipes. Thai, Vietnamese, and South American foods are great places to start. And of course, cocktails are always quick to make!

Simple meal ideas to start, where the bulk of the work is chopping veggies:

Thai curryStir-fried noodles (from a variety of countries)Pad Thai (yep, I promise it's simple!)Pisco Sour (4 ingredients!)

5. Travel virtually

Ireland's Cliffs of Moher at sunset, now viewable virtually any time

Museums, castles, theme parks, and world-class national parks are some of the places you can “travel” to without leaving the couch! Here are just a few places you can virtually visit:

Sunset at the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland (spectacular!)Google Arts & Culture created tours:>World-class national parksDramatic & ornate stages from around the worldMetropolitan Opera (streaming performances each night)National Museum of Natural History (virtual tours of exhibits)

6. Get a travel-inspired magazine subscription

As a child, National Geographic is what first flickered my curiosity of foreign cultures and places. Today, magazine choices have expanded far beyond the classics, covering all kinds of travel niches. Here are just a few:

National GeographicBackpacker MagazineGet Lost MagazineFood & TravelLonely PlanetConde NastTravel & Leisure

7. Travel & explore locally

The best thing you can do in the current situation with COVID-19 is to stay home, and only go out when absolutely necessary (e.g. getting groceries). But as official restrictions and advisories loosen down the road, local businesses and tourist destinations will need all of our support.

On a whole, local travel is gaining traction, both as a method of responsible travel as well as the collective realization that one's own surroundings are also worth exploring. Consider nearby weekend getaways, cozy Airbnb stays, new camping spots, or reachable national parks. Check Google Maps or your local tourism board for parks or trail ideas.

The Thrifty Gist

Plan your next trip (no matter how distant) to get yourself excited and inspired about that faraway place that fascinates youWatch TV shoes & movies that inspire you to travelSign up for travel-inspired box or travel magazine subscriptions for a special wanderlust-inducing treat each monthVirtually immerse yourself into world-class scenery via Google Arts and independent websites currently sharing web-based “tours” of sites and attractions

The post 7 Ways to Scratch Your Travel Itch at Home appeared first on Thrifty Nomads.

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By: Jen Avery
Title: 7 Ways to Scratch Your Travel Itch at Home
Sourced From: feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThriftyNomads/~3/fcLNJ91SzSI/
Published Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2020 04:44:36 +0000