There’s nothing worse than coming home from an epic adventure, only to sit back at the same desk, staring at the same cubicle walls, engaging in the same water-cooler conversation with your coworkers…only to be dying on the inside. Your travel bug is still there. If anything, your recent trip just reignited the flame instead of quenching it.
You want to head back out on the open road, spread your wings and discover hidden gems around the world.
But you can’t. Maybe you don’t have the money right now. Or your boss won’t let you take time off. Or you have family obligations keeping you local for the foreseeable future. Believe me, I’ve been there. Every single one of those reasons have kept me from traveling.
I get it. Unless we’re full-time travelers, there’s going to be some down-time. But no matter what your situation is, there are still a few ways that you can scratch the travel itch without leaving your area. Here are my go-to ideas for satisfying your travel bug!
Visit a Museum, Outdoor Market, or Art Show in Your Hometown
How often do you look at your local attractions the same way as you did when you were in a faraway location? Do you eagerly map out a “plan of attack” to hit up all the museums, galleries, and markets the way you do when you travel?
Does your area offer a gallery stroll? Free entrance days to your local museum? Something I like to do when I feel like I’ve “seen it all” in my hometown is to check TripAdvisor‘s Best-of lists. Even the smallest of towns are included, so do yourself a favor: search your hometown/area and see if you’ve been to the top local museum.
Does your town have a farmers market during the summer? Is there a winter market? Does your area have a specialty market, such as a Christmas market? Take a stroll and get lost in the magic!
Read a Book that Sweeps You Away or Stokes Your Travel Bug
Want to travel across the world without having to pay for it? Read a great book set in a foreign country. Get lost in graphic descriptions about faraway lands that you can’t pronounce. Biographies, memoirs, fiction, non-fiction, whatever your choice of genre, you can find some of the best adventures without leaving the comfort of your home.
Many fellow travel bloggers write about their favorite books, and when I’m struggling to find some inspiration, I’ll look into their recommendations. And buy their books. Sometimes. Or you can visit your local library and check out a few before committing to purchase. But keep in mind that everyone has differing preferences. I’ve come to find that I don’t always like most of the recommended books from fellow travel bloggers, but they still transport me all over the world. You never know until you try…and even if you end up not liking the book, hopefully it still was able to transport you to a beautiful place!
Participate in a Cultural Event
Do you live in an area with a melting pot of nationalities? Do you have neighbors from a different state, country, continent? Chances are your area will have some form of multi-cultural event during the year. Houses of worship often host cultural events that educate those who are interested. This past year I’ve attended a German Christmas Market, a Brazilian festival, Greek Days, and the Holi Festival, to name just a few. The best part about attending a cultural event in your town? It’s usually a lot cheaper than buying a plane ticket to that country…
Preserve Your Travel Memories to Satisfy Your Travel Bug
Pining for that tropical island you just returned from? Looking for a way to keep your travel adventures alive? Take some time to go through old photos. Watch those crazy video clips that you have saved to your phone. Sort through the mess of receipts, pamphlets, and fliers that you’ve stashed away in the smaller pockets of your bag. It’s so amazing how a small receipt from a restaurant can bring a flood of memories back.
Eat at an Ethnic Restaurant
Michael Chiarello once said “What keeps me motivated is not the food itself but all the bonds and memories the food represents.” Isn’t that so true? I remember standing in line for a doner kebap in Berlin for over an hour. I’ve driven to another state for a burger. Road-tripped all over Transylvania to find the best papanași (pronounced pop-uh-NOSH). And I’d do it all over again. Chances are, you would as well.
Food has magical powers. We associate food-memories with trips that we’ve taken and finding something close to what we remember stirs up powerful memories. If you’re missing Italy, find an Italian restaurant nearby. Try something new. Read about the culture if it’s completely new to you. You never know if you’ll find your next favorite restaurant…or inspiration for your next trip!
Take a Local Tour
Is your hometown known for something particular? Does it have a famous landmark? Did something significant in history take place you the town? If someone was to visit you and your hometown, what would you recommend they go and see? Try taking a walking tour of your city, tour a historical building, or hop on one of those hop-on-hop-off busses (if available). Be a tourist in your hometown and learn more about where you live.
Plan Your Next Adventure to Fuel Your Travel Bug Itch
There’s nothing wrong with starting to plan your next adventure as soon as you conclude one and keep riding that travel high. If you’ve got the travel bug but aren’t able to travel at the time, why not start planning a trip for the future? Sure, you wouldn’t be able to put dates on the trip, but you can pick a city or country of your dreams, plan out a few itineraries and start saving up!
Here are a few tips to planning your next adventure:
- Check prices for accommodation at various times of the year, without fear of committing. Gathering information will help you know when you can visit.
- Read blog posts written about destinations of your dreams: itineraries, accommodation and activity reviews, round up posts with a little bit of everything included.
- Research main attractions and how much they cost, giving you a general idea of how much per day you’ll need to save up for.
Need some travel inspiration to figure out where you want to go next? Check out this post that I wrote about finding inspiration when you’re in a rut!
What other ideas do you have to satisfy your travel bug when you’re in between trips?
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