In my recent blog post, I shared 12 Ways To Enjoy Being At Home When You’re Not Traveling and as I eagerly wait for my next adventure, I thought it would be good to share with others who are also in between vacations about how to feed wanderlust from home. Because let’s face it, the travel bug is a real addiction and I’m here to help you alleviate those cravings even when you’re not jet-setting.
So how does one satisfy the hunger for adventure from the confines of home? In this blog post, we’ll dive into the art of feeding wanderlust without leaving your doorstep and explore the ways that allow for several creative and immersive ways to do so until your next trip.
1 – Try A Virtual Travel Experience
If you can’t travel in person, trying out a virtual travel experience to explore famous landmarks, museums, and different cities from your home is definitely a good option. You can use platforms like Google Earth to virtually wander through different destinations or use these recommendations of the best virtual tours to explore the world from home shared by Lonely Planet.
2 – Indulge In Different Culinary Adventures
One of the best ways to feed your wanderlust from home is to indulge in different culinary adventures by cooking dishes from around the world using authentic recipes or ordering food to your home and trying a specific country’s cuisine out. You can experiment with different flavors, spices, and cooking techniques to recreate the taste of your favorite destinations or just simply try a cuisine you haven’t yet tried. Who knows, maybe it’ll inspire you to visit that country!
3 – Read Travel Literature
One of my favorite ways to transport myself to somewhere else is by reading. I always thought my imagination when reading was much better than watching movies and if you’re the same way, immersing yourself in travel books or novels set in exotic locations might be an adventure for you. You can also follow travel blogs and read the many helpful guides and destination inspirations that they have. I know for me it’s entertaining and eye-opening at times to get someone else’s perspective!
4 – Watch Movies Based Around Travel
If you’re not much of a reader, watching movies based around travel is always good. For me, even if the movie is cheesy I do enjoy watching the scenery and the landscape that’s shared. Preferably, I’d be able to find a good movie or a travel documentary where I can explore through the lens of others as well as get educated a little more at the same time.
5 – Learn A New Language
If your next travel adventure is still on the horizon, why not kickstart your wanderlust from home by learning a new language? Whether you’re planning a specific trip or simply revel in the joy of learning new languages, you can embrace the convenience of language-learning apps or YouTube tutorials to grasp essential phrases. Another option is to join online language exchange communities to practice with native speakers. For me, I guess I like to do things the hard way because I love to listen to music, decipher the lyrics, and teach myself another language while I learn the song. It’s a rewarding way to fuel your wanderlust right from the comfort of your own space – anytime, anywhere.
6 – Create A Travel Vision Board
Creating a travel vision board is an awesome way to feed wanderlust from the comfort of your home by compiling photos, postcards, and mementos from your dream destinations on a visually enticing board that you may be looking at every day. It’s more than just a collage of pretty visuals, it’s a source of daily motivation and inspiration and every time you look at your vision board it’s sure to keep your travel dreams alive and create anticipation for your next trip. It’s also a fun project you can do yearly as you do your planning.
7 – Plan Future Trips Within A Year’s Timeframe
Planning future trips is an invigorating way to feed your wanderlust from home as you can dive into the excitement of research and meticulously organize your dream itinerary. I like to plan my trips for the next year at the end of every year and only do spontaneous short trips in between as I like to be able to book flights and hotels for a good price with many options still available for the most part, especially if they are one week or longer. (You can follow my Travel Guides to help you plan your perfect trip.) This proactive approach not only keeps the spirit of exploration alive but also provides a roadmap to turn those travel dreams into reality.
8 – Host Travel Parties With Friends
Hosting travel parties with friends is a great way to infuse your home with the spirit of travel and wanderlust while motivating others to do the same. You can share captivating travel stories and memories, choose a travel theme night where everyone brings a dish from that country, have a travel movie marathon, play travel games, or even dress up in clothes inspired by that region. You can foster a vibrant travel atmosphere that transports you all to different corners of the world and you can share your love of travel with others. Plus, it’s nice to do something different once in a while!
9 – Connect With Fellow Travel Lovers
Connecting with fellow travel lovers online is a fantastic way to nurture your wanderlust from home. Join travel forums or engage with social media groups where travel enthusiasts gather from around the globe and share inspiration and tips. You can share travel experiences, seek recommendations, and build connections with like-minded people who share your passion for exploration. Through these types of virtual communities, you can embark on a continuous travel journey even from home while discovering new destinations or meeting new friends you can travel with (of course safety first!). I also shared a reel calling all travel lovers to engage and connect here.
10 – Use Your Photos From Your Travels As Artwork
If you love taking photos when you’re on vacation, this is the perfect time to get some of your favorite shots printed and use them as home décor. Turn your home into a daily retreat by showcasing your own artwork, transforming every corner into a personal haven of creativity and inspiration. Each photograph serves as a timeless window to a different corner of the world that you’ve visited, freezing moments you’ve captured into beautiful pieces.
This also allows you to relive the magic of your travels and infuse your living space with the spirit of exploration. Using your travel photos as home décor also acts as a reminder of the places you’ve been and inspiration for your next trip.
11 – Scrapbook Your Favorite Travel Memories
Not only does scrapbooking your favorite travel memories give you a fun project to do and feed your wanderlust from home, it takes you on a nostalgic journey. You can choose a physical or digital scrapbook that encapsulates the essence of your travel adventures and relive the moments that you can only dream of creating more of on your next trip. It’s also a great way to share your experiences and travel memoirs with your friends and family. It also makes for a wonderful coffee table book.
12 – Dabble In Travel-Inspired Arts And Crafts
If you’re the creative type or want to do something different or fun, you can delve into travel-inspired arts and crafts with creative projects that reflect your wanderlust. Explore your creative side with activities like painting landscapes, embellishing your travel journal, crafting a personalized world map for scratching off or pinning visited places, assembling a postcard collage, establishing a souvenir display shelf, and revamping your home décor with travel-themed items. These are just a few avenues to unleash your creativity and these hands-on projects not only channel your passion for exploration but also offer a unique way to let your creativity out and try new things at the same time.
13 – Get Inspired By Other Travel Creators
As you may be home and between travel adventures, you can continue to draw inspiration from fellow travel creators from YouTube, blogs, Instagram, and other platforms. You can experience diverse cultures, beautiful locations, and hidden gems through the lens of others as well as find a plethora of itineraries and guides to help you with your plans. Learning from others and getting other perspectives can fuel your desire for adventure and offer a wealth of ideas and insights to shape your future travel plans. I love gathering travel inspiration from Instagram as you can quickly find a lot of different locations you may want to add to your bucket list as well as some unique places you would never have found otherwise as more and more content is being shared. You’ll also be amazed at how many itineraries and plans you can make in one day once you gather all the locations you want to visit in one city or country.
14 – Travel-Inspired Gaming
Like virtual travel experiences, you can also dive into video or board games set in locations around the world which allow you to experience the thrill of exploration without leaving your home. These games offer the excitement of exploration without stepping outside of your home. Whether you’re traversing different landscapes or strategizing through global board games, each gaming session unfolds a distinct adventure, providing imaginative and interactive avenues to satisfy your wanderlust. Plus it helps work out your mind and give you something to look forward to in terms of reaching a new level or beating out a competitor.
15 – Create Or Update Your Travel Bucket List
Not until recently, I had never physically written down my travel bucket list. I just always had a list of things I wanted to do in my lifetime and had slowly crossed off a lot of items. I wish I had created one sooner just so that I can look back and quickly see and think, “wow, I did that!”. Moving forward, I’ve now curated a travel bucket list that I’m crossing off (or adding to) and it gives me something to look forward to – like my North Star. This personalized bucket list becomes a roadmap of anticipation, a tangible source of inspiration for your next trip, and a personal travel goal you can look forward to checking off. You can use your time at home to create a comprehensive travel bucket list, set achievable goals to explore new destinations, and use them as a guide to plan your next trip.
16 – Star Mapping In Your Backyard
Dedicate a night or two to the celestial wonders by stargazing and mapping constellations visible from your location if possible and devoid of light pollution! You can learn about the mythology and stories linked to the different stars and forge a deeper connection and experience peaceful time with nature. While some globetrotters venture to countries around the world to witness the mesmerizing Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights), you can infuse a hint of this spectacle right in your own backyard. While it may not replicate the jaw-dropping experience you may get by seeing a multi-colored sky, it’s the unique experience that truly matters and sometimes the best you can do especially from home!
17 – Create A Travel Soundtrack
Listening to certain songs always brings me back to certain memories. One reason I love reggaeton so much is because it uplifts my spirits and makes me feel like I’m on vacation. I’m a beach lover and I love the Caribbean so this kind of music definitely adds to my vibe. Plus I love learning the language! So creating a travel soundtrack where you can craft your own travel playlist that transports you to specific destinations can also feed your wanderlust from home. You can match music genres to the mood and atmosphere of different places you’ve visited where the melodies can evoke vivid memories or use your personalized soundtrack as a gateway to relive the time in your favorite locations all within the comfort of your own space.
18 – Home Spa Days With A Global Flair
Home is a safe haven for most, so why not enjoy relaxing at-home spa days infused with a global flair. Not only will you be able to indulge in much-needed self-care, but you can try the different wellness practices from different cultures, and incorporate beauty rituals and skincare routines from around the world. Whether it’s a calming bath featuring Mediterranean influences or a rejuvenating facial inspired by Japanese or Korean skincare practices, these global spa days can provide a holistic and luxurious escape for you at home. Don’t forget to Shop My Favorites in Skincare to get my best recommendations for your spa day!
The essence of travel can be captured at home – you just need to be creative! Embrace the opportunity to explore and learn even within the familiar surroundings of your home. By incorporating these travel activities into your routine, you can keep the spirit of exploration and wanderlust alive until your next trip!
Visit Destinations for more travel inspiration while you’re at it!