It's hard to think about traveling to Europe when you can barely travel to the grocery store. COVID-19 has affected all industries, people, and places, but it's impact on the travel industry in particular is hard to understate. That being said, you don't necessarily need to catch a plane in order to see faraway places. Here are 8 ways to see the world while you're stuck inside. Stay safe, friends.
1. Follow these Instagram accounts
Instagram is where the travel influencers flock, and while some of them are cheesy, there are a few accounts that are sure to inspire your wanderlust. Check out these 10 Instagram accounts to follow for travel inspiration.
- RK
- Mitchell Kerby
- Daniel Kordan
- Jason Charles Hill
- Serge Ramelli
- Andy Mann
- Nat Geo Cappadocia
- National Park Service
- Quin Schrock
- Catarina Mello
Here's a sample of RK's work:
2. Watch these Netflix series
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqaNf0dnfd8/
We made a list of our 10 favorite travel shows, and it just so happened that most of them were Netflix series. If you've got an account, you'll have great travel shows to watch for months. These were our 10 favorite travel shows, and below are our favorite of the 10 that were on Netflix:
-Chef's Table
-Conan Without Boarders
-Salt Fat Acid Heat
-Restaurants On The Edge
-Ugly/Delicious
3. Cook these world famous comfort foods
Oh, we're way ahead of you. Here are our favorite comfort foods from around the world, make them at home and pretend you're abroad.
4. Take in a virtual experience
There are some amazing virtual experiences you can take from your couch, including this epic viewing of the "New Seven Wonders of the World" from the New York Times. Or you could check out:
5. Read one of these inspiring books
These are just a few of our favorite reads about traveling:
-Turn Right at Machu Picchu by Mark Adams
-Vagabonding by Rolf Potts
-On the Road by Jack Kerouac
-Wild by Cheryl Strayed
-Anything and Everything by Bill Bryson
6. Listen to a travel podcast
We're big fans of the Zero to Travel podcast, hosted by Jason Moore. Here’s what the show's about:
“Listen to conversations with adventurous people living life on the road so you can discover new ways to travel endlessly. Jason and his guests share insanely actionable advice and key resources, getting down and dirty on topics like; starting and running an online business from anywhere, travel and work opportunities, gutsy budget travel strategies, surprising ways to earn free travel, the digital nomad life, unconventional travel based lifestyles, fun travel jobs, how to plan epic adventures, backpacking, 4 hour work week inspired topics, and everything in between.“
7. Get inspired by one of these quotes
If you're in the mood to start a Pinterest board take a look at our 3 favorite travel quotes. They're tattoo ready! Alternatively, you could also read through our 24 rules for travelers. We think it will ring true for you.
“The value of your travels does not hinge on how many stamps you have in your passport when you get home — and the slow nuanced experience of a single country is always better than the hurried, superficial experience of forty countries.”
-Rolf Potts, Vagabonding
“But that’s the glory of foreign travel, as far as I am concerned. I don’t want to know what people are talking about. I can’t think of anything that excites a greater sense of childlike wonder than to be in a country where you are ignorant of almost everything. Suddenly you are five years old again. You can’t read anything, you have only the most rudimentary sense of how things work, you can’t even reliably cross a street without endangering your life. Your whole existence becomes a series of interesting guesses.”
-Bill Bryson, Neither Here nor There: Travels in Europe
“Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life—and travel—leaves marks on you.”
-Anthony Bourdain, The Nasty Bits
8. Watch one of these YouTube channels
YouTube is a great place to see the world. Check out these channels if you're just getting started.
Rick Steeve’s channel for traveling Europe.
Africa Travel Channel for traveling Africa.
High On Life for extreme wanderlust.
Summary:
In this guide to armchair exploration, we've compiled eight creative ways to experience the world without stepping outside your home. As the global travel industry grapples with the challenges posed by COVID-19, you can still embark on virtual journeys, discover new cultures, and satisfy your wanderlust. From immersive travel documentaries to cooking international cuisine in your kitchen, these imaginative options allow you to see the world from the comfort and safety of your own space.
