Creative Ways to Get Your Summer Travel Fix
No season makes you want to get your travel fix quite like summer. There’s just something about the sunny weather and carefree energy that makes you want to drop everything and travel to far off places.
If you aren’t able to do much traveling this summer or are simply dealing with a case of wanderlust, don’t worry. Even if you can’t escape to romantic destinations like the French Riviera or tropical paradises like Bora Bora, there are still ways to get your summer travel fix—even from the comfort of home.
1. Read a book set abroad
Reading is a great way to escape reality for just a little while, in order to transport yourself to a place you’ve never been. Luckily, there are tons of books out there covering every destination imaginable. Visit your local library or bookstore and hit up the travel literature section for travelogues and memoirs like A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson and Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. There are also tons of fiction novels set abroad. A great new release is One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle.
2. Try your hand at a new cuisine
Trying new foods is without a doubt, one of the best parts of traveling. If you can’t do much traveling this summer, sign up for a cooking class or try your hand at creating a dish you’ve always wanted to taste. Food is a huge part of any culture and experiencing a new cuisine is sure to satisfy a little bit of your travel fix (and your stomach!). Airbnb offers great online cooking classes taught by locals from around the world.
3. Take a day trip to a nearby destination
Do you have your sights set on far off destinations? You’re definitely not alone. Although the world is full of exciting and beautiful places, don’t forget about the travel possibilities closer to home. This summer, do a little research and take a day trip to a nearby destination. Whether you drive to a neighboring city or explore a state or national park, getting out and experiencing a new place is the perfect way to shake things up. A day trip will make you feel like you’ve done a bit of traveling and also expose you to a new place you may have never visited otherwise!
4. Be a tourist in your own town
When you’ve lived somewhere for a while, it can be easy to overlook the things that make your hometown unique. But it’s all about perspective—take a break from routine and do what the tourists do! Whether it's trying an outdoor adventure activity, visiting a museum or gallery, or dining at a popular restaurant, there’s a possibility you may have never experienced your hometown’s most popular attractions.
By taking a step back and being a tourist in your own town, you’re challenging yourself to look at things just a little bit differently. Chances are, it’ll feel good to reframe that thinking and you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for where you live.
5. Watch a travel documentary or movie set abroad
There are so many incredible travel documentaries, shows, and movies set abroad, that there’s something for everyone. This is the perfect activity if you just want to sit back, relax, and take in some sights while still learning a little something new.
I like to call this “virtual traveling” and although it might make your wanderlust grow even more, it’s a great way to acquaint yourself with a new place when you can’t visit in person. If you want to go the extra mile, plan a fun travel movie night with cuisine from that particular place.
6. Try learning a new language
Maybe there’s a destination you’ve been dying to visit like Italy or Japan. Even if you aren’t able to go this summer, get a head start preparing for your dream vacation by getting to know the language. Try downloading an app like Duolingo. It’s fun, interactive, and you can go at your own pace. If you’re into a more structured class environment, check out your local community college.
I can’t tell you how important it is to familiarize yourself with the local language of a place. Not only will it make you feel knowledgeable and prepared going into your visit, but locals will appreciate the effort, too.
7. Start planning your future travels!
Even if you can’t travel right now, who’s to say that you can’t do some pre-travel planning? Whether your trip is tentatively planned for the future or it remains a bucket list item, it can feel good to do a little research on things to do and where to stay. Plus, planning in advance gives you all the time in the world to plan a trip that’s truly meaningful.
If there’s one particular place you’ve been dreaming about throughout this whole blog post, customize this list of summer travel fixes to that particular destination, and get planning! By the time you finally get to go, you’ll be prepared and ready for the trip of a lifetime.