From Seattle all the way down to Orlando, sickness is sweeping our country. Clubs and bars are closing their doors. Parties, funerals, and even weddings are being canceled. The toilet paper shelves are empty and the flights have dropped down to the price of a tank of gas! While I’m sure I’m not the only one tempted to buy a $79.90 round-trip flight to Puerto Rico (I’m REALLY tempted, guys), it’s safer and more mindful to stay indoors and self-quarantine until this whole thing blows over.
With that being true, the travel bug is still biting me in the behind like crazy! I need to feed my wanderlust, and so do you. So, let’s go on a journey. No packing, no busy airports, and no germs! Here are 6 ways to travel the world from the comfort of your own home.
1. Take a Virtual Tour
One of the cool things during this time is that our favorite places – from museums to even aquariums and zoos, are making their attractions more accessible to enjoy from home! With the advancement of technology and 3D photography, we have the opportunity to travel through our own devices now more than ever. Here’s a list of places that you can tour at your leisure for the free! Where will you venture to first?
National Parks (Compliments of Google Arts & Culture)
Kenai Fjords, Alaska
Rappel down glaciers, kayak through frosty waters, and dodge icebergs!
Hawai’i Volcanoes
Zoooom over an active volcano, peek over volcanic cliffs, and explore lava tubes.
Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico
Explore caves, soar with thousands of bats, and observe rock formations.
Others include Bryce Canyon, Utah (star gazing!) and Dry Tortugas Coral Reefs, Florida.
Museums/Landmarks
Guggenheim Museum, New York (Contemporary Art Collection)
Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam
Smithsonian Museum of Natural History
St. Paul’s Cathedral
Click here for a full list of virtual museum tours offered through Google.
Travel Destinations
Any destination is at your fingertips with Google Earth – last week, I visited the Eiffel Tower and combed the water canals in Venice!
Aquariums and Zoos (Live Animal Feeds!)
National Aquarium
Houston Zoo
Detroit Zoo
Shedd Aquarium
Monterey Bay Aquarium
2. Watch Travel Vlogs
One of my favorite ways to research and explore destinations before traveling is to watch vlogs of other people’s experiences! These are some channels that go above and beyond to show you their experience, taking you along for the journey. Watch their adventures, plan for your own, and let your imagination run wild:
Yes Theory
Passport Heavy
Lost LeBlanc
The Endless Adventure
3. “Travel” With Food
Transport your taste buds across the globe by introducing yourself to a new dish from another culture! Several restaurants are adjusting to the quarantine by offering delivery on apps like UberEats – and some even have free delivery (eats-marissas3291ue for $7 off your first order!). Slurp hot Vietnamese pho, sweat it out with some spicy Indian curry, or enjoy the yummy juices in Cuban ropa viejo.
Not into eating out? Head to your local ethnic grocery store to pick up something new – rumor has it, the shelves are still stocked to the brim!
4. Learn a New Language For Free
There are soo many resources to learn a new language right now. The possibilities are endless! BUT since the best things in life are free, I’ll introduce you to my favorite free resource. Duolingo offers six languages: English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, and Portuguese, with new languages in development as well! I love the teaching style because they separate different words and phrases into easily digestible categorites.
Estás listo para aprender?
5. Take Dance Lessons From a Different Culture
Quarantined at home with family or a significant other? Put your dancing skills to the test and learn a new style! There are so many instructional videos online that’ll teach you how to get active and learn a dance from a different country. Here are some resources – strap on your dancing shoes and get ready! Record yourself for a good laugh later – nobody has to see!
Salsa Lesson (34 minutes)
Afro-Beats Dance Lesson (16 minutes)
Bollywood Dance Lesson (14 minutes)
K-Pop Dance Lesson (13 minutes)
Bachata Dance Lesson (10 minutes)
6. Browse Airbnbs for Your Next Trip
On my list of little-known guilty pleasures is browsing Airbnb for the most extravagant and unique stays I can find on the smallest budget possible. There are SO many international Airbnb’s that are absolutely breathtaking. From treehouses in Thailand to a solar-powered adobe house, it’s easy to find accommodations of your wildest dreams.
One of the cool things about Airbnb is that you can also book experiences such as tours, kayaking, hiking, bar crawls, and more. Build a list of experiences and homes to plan a future trip!
Whew! There’s so many ways to travel the globe without even leaving the comfort of your own home. Are you ready for an adventure!? Where will you go!?
