How can we still explore the world without getting on a plane or train or taking a road trip?
Well, 2020 definitely changed the trajectory of traditional travel. And I don’t need to list the ways that it has. We all know it and are experiencing it in real time. But this upheaval in our lives only reinforced the powerful interconnection between travel and home.
For me and for many travelers out there, we’ve had to redefine, reimagine and restructure how we experience travel. First..
We need to redefine what travel is.
Most of us view travel as “movement between destinations.” This formal definition, however, limits and puts boundaries up. Travel should be viewed as so much broader than this.
Any action we take that entertains and educates us about a different culture and destination should be looked at as travel. Then…
We need to reimagine and explore how to travel without necessarily getting in a plane, train or automobile.
What can we do to gain insight about other places if we don’t actually travel? It is important that we look beyond the traditional avenues. We need to explore and be creative. And…
We need to restructure our travel experiences to not fit into the traditional definition of physically going somewhere.
To me, travel exists in so many forms. Most of us can access it, gain the benefits of it when we are not actually traveling in the most primitive sense.
Interacting with the world without stepping traveling far or leaving our home can be done!
So, let’s explore how!
1. FOOD…
connects home to places visited or places we hope to visit one day. What better way to travel than through your stomach!
Fish in Lisbon 
Ribs in Memphis 
Meatballs in Barcelona
Deborah Cater said it best in this quote:
“You have to taste a culture to understand it.”
And there are many ways that we can accomplish this including:
Try ethnic dishes from local restaurants
In most places, you can find a diversity of ethnic cuisines. So try a dish you’ve never had before. Tantalize your taste buds!
If you live near a city, you may have better luck with finding a variety of ethnic restaurants. But I bet where ever you live, a short drive can uncover a new food experience.
Try your hand at a new recipe
Get creative. Pick a place that you’ve visited or would like to visit, research their cuisine and try to replicate a recipe or two in your kitchen.
For example, my husband and I would love to visit Greece one day. So. we’ve tried our hand at spanokopita! Quite delicious!
Take a virtual cooking class
During 2020, online cooking classes have become extremely popular. Do an internet search for the class that suits you best. Or, have an online class with your friends! Set up a zoom meeting and become the teacher! Just have fun!
To read more about how to get the most out of food and traveling click here:https://followmyyellowbrickroad.com/top-10-food-commandments-for-traveling/
2. READING…
provides a window into new places without leaving our living room or bedroom.
Reading teaches us about the history of places as well as transports us to places we’ve never been.
As a child, reading was an escape to faraway lands, some real, some not. But it lit a fire inside of me to see more of this big world. Read and encourage your children to read as well.
Fiction or nonfiction — take out a book and read! Here’s just a small sampling of some of my family’s favorites that helped transport us to new and exciting destinations:
- Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil — Savannah, GA
- Confederacy of Dunces — New Orleans
- The Alienist — New York
- The Great Gatsby-– Long Island, New York
- Any Jane Austen book — England
- A Year in Provence — France
- The Sun Also Rises— Spain
Of course, you can be more literal in your travel reading. Go to your library and take out a travel book on a specific destination you want to visit.
Whatever you choose to read, enjoy!
3. MOVIES…
have been a form of escape for our society since cinema began.
The list of movies that can inspire us to travel is endless. And we can’t deny that how we view movies has changed in the last decade. Streaming services and cable have risen to the top as a the preferred way that we, as a society, view movies.
How many of us have been inspired to travel somewhere because of a movie? Probably quite a few of you!
Here is a sampling of movies, old and new, that has inspired my wanderlust:
- Summertime — with Katherine Hepburn. Dreaming of Venice, Italy!
- Under the Tuscan Sun — Italian countryside
- Moonstruck –– Brooklyn and Manhattan, New York
- When Harry Met Sally — New York
- North by Northwest — Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills of South Dakota
- Eat, Pray, Love — Italy, Bali and India
- Blue Hawaii — This move with Elvis Presley made me want to visit Hawaii since I was little. Don’t judge!
- Vicky Cristina Barcelona– Barcelona, Spain of course!
- A Hard Day’s Night — London, England
- An American Werewolf in London — London, of course!
- The Big Easy — New Orleans
- Out of Africa — Africa, of course!
- Amelie — Paris, France
- Lost in Translation — Tokyo, Japan
Find your wanderlust in a movie.
4. ART…
and travel are synonymous. How many of us travel to view the world’s most famous pieces of work?
Well, if we currently can’t see art in person, the next best thing is exploring:
Explore Google Arts and Culture
This online initiative makes art and culture accessible to all.
Over 1200 museums participate so there is something for everyone. Visit the Louvre in France or the Whitney Museum in NYC through their virtual tours and explore the world’s most amazing art. The options are endless.
One benefit of this different “art experience” is that you don’t have to deal with a crowd surrounding a piece of art. You can view it as you like and even zoom in to see even closer.
Visit a local museum in person
If visiting a museum virtually is not for you, check to see what museums in your area offer in person tours. If they do, most likely, there is a limited capacity with a timed entry.
Take an online art class
Just like cooking classes, art classes are offered online as well. Check with local art stores for options or of course, do some online searching.
Explore your inner artist
Order art supplies online or in person and get creative. Channel your inner artist.
Remember: No one is judging you. Get your kids involved. And have fun!
5. HISTORY…
comes alive when we travel.
Visiting historic sites puts into perspective what we learned about the events that took place there. But if we can’t physically get there, visit:
Explore Google Street View
Google Street View is a technology featured in Google Maps and Google Earth. It provides interactive panoramas along many streets in the world.
Colosseum 
Washington D.C. 
Moors Castle in Portugal
Read about World History
Of course, you can delve into World history through reading. Then one day, when you get the chance to actually visit the sites, it will be so much more rewarding.
6. LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE…
by trying one of the many language apps and online courses that exist.
Before you know it, you will learn some helpful phrases that will help you in your next travel journey!
Bonne Chance!
7. PLAN YOUR NEXT TRIP!
We will be traveling again in full force one day. The world will reopen and you need to be ready for it!
