Let’s face it, sometimes traveling isn’t as easy as we wish it could be. Things get in the way- work, funds, err.. a global pandemic. We may not be able to be hike through Machu Picchu right at this second, but luckily we live in a time where technology exists!
We no longer have to let our wanderlust get the best of us, because the good news is, it’s possible to incorporate travel into your life without ever leaving home. Here are 15 ways to travel the world virtually. Seriously! You can explore the art within the Louvre and even teleport yourself straight into the streets of Vietnam- all while sipping Chardonnay on your couch!
Want to learn how to become a virtual traveler? Many of these options are free and can help you plan for future trips, learn about different cultures, and fill your day with travel related activities. The best part is, you don’t even have to change out of your pajamas!
Here are 15 ways to travel the world virtually:
Table of Contents
1. Take a virtual walk anywhere in the world on Google Maps
One of my favorite ways to virtually travel is to pick a random location on google maps. Literally pick anywhere, the world is your oyster!
By clicking on the yellow man icon in the bottom right hand corner, the streets of the map will light up blue. You can plop the him on any blue street. Pick wherever your hearth desires! You will now be transported to that area as if you were standing right there. How cool is that?
Tip: Sometimes I’ll even click forward and walk down the streets. If you’ve never done this before, try it out! It’s such a cool way to experience many parts of the world from home. I even love to do it for places I’ve been before. It’s like taking a stroll down memory lane.
Oh look, a pie and pint for only 6.95!
2. Write down your travel bucket list
According to a recent study by psychology professor Dr. Gail Matthews, you become 42% more likely to achieve your goals by writing them down on a daily basis. Now, let that sink in. FOURTY TWO PERCENT! There’s something to be said about having to physically sit down and think about what you want to experience in life. Check out my personal bucket list!) Putting pen to paper and dreaming up your short and long term travel goals can quite literally make your dreams a reality one day. Plus, day dreaming about these experiences will make your goals feel more attainable. Put those dreams out into the universe!
Need some ideas to help get you started? Read The Ultimate Travel Bucket List After Travel Bans are Lifted to get ideas from each continent!
3. Get cooking!
The best way to travel the world virtually is by taste. Bring another country to your home by having a themed dinner night. Always wanted to try pho but may not make it to Vietnam any time soon? Get creative in the kitchen and try making it yourself!
Food is an easy way to experience a different culture from any where in the world. The saying is true- food is the way to the heart.
Here are some mouth watering recipes from around the world:
- Ramen (Japan)
- Street Tacos (Mexico)
- Pizza (Italy)
- Gumbo (Louisiana)
- Fried Rice (China)
- Pad Thai (Thailand)
4. Take a virtual tour around the world
Today, there are more virtual tours than ever before. Take advantage of it! Want to go to a museum? A themepark? How about a national landmark? There are so many options out there!
Here are some of my favorite virtual tours around the world:
- See a 360 degree view of the Vatican
- Join an online tour and see some of the most famous artworks at the Louvre
- See the spectacular views from the top of the Eiffel Tower
- Visit Universal Studio’s The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
- Walk through Machu Picchu
- Watch live feeds of the sea otters at the Monterey Bay Aquarium
5. Decorate your house with travel inspiration
Surround yourself with travel related items and decorations! Buy a globe, scratch map or blow up some of your favorite images from a past trip to help remind you of all the great times you’ve had.
Creating a space that reflects your personality and love for travel will help brighten your day and keep you in a positive headspace. Plus, seeing your travel photos on a regular basis will keep you grateful for the experiences you’ve been able to have.
6. Listen to music from around the world
I don’t know about you, but sometimes when I listen to a song I’ve heard during my travels, I am transported back into that moment. Every trip I go on I try to remember a song I’d heard playing and I’ll make a mental note. At this point, I have a “theme song” for every country I’ve been to and listening to them make me feel comforted.
There’s nothing like a little ‘Africa’ by Toto to remind you of your incredible safari on the Serengeti!
If you aren’t like me though and can’t remember a specific song, try listening to authentic music from a specific country. Even finding a channel on Pandora or Spotify is a great way to engulf yourself in the culture. Now turn on that Mexican playlist while you make those authentic street tacos!
7. Play travel related board games
Game nights are more popular today than ever before, and I’m not mad about it! Add some travel related games into your game night, and make for a fun filled evening of virtual travel.
Ticket to Ride is one of my favorite games ever. I mean, figuring out train routes to connect from country to country is what I do for fun. Add in some competitiveness and count me in!
Monopoly, Risk, and even travel trivia can also be great ways to “travel” the world virtually tpp.
8. Have a wine tasting
Have yourself a wine tasting and buy a bunch of different wine varieties from all over the world. I find it facinating how different wine can taste depending on the region it was created in. Nothing will transport you back to your girls getaway to Napa like that Cab Sav! My favorites wines are Sauvignon Blanc’s from New Zealand, what’s yours?
If you don’t want to do a wine tasting by yourself, think about inviting a couple friends over or even set up a virtual wine tasting!
Here are some ideas for a wine night theme:
- Wine & Cheese party (charcuterie board anyone?)
- Blind wine tasting
- Learn about wine party
- Wine & Chocolate party
- Pick a location as a theme and involve wine and food varieties from that region only!
9. Listen to a travel podcast
I absolutely LOVE listening to other people talk about their travels. You can learn so much from their stories and tips that can benefit you in your future trips. There are tons of podcasts out there that cover all kinds of topics related to solo travel, adventure travel, couples travel, and more. Here are some of my favorites that I listen to:
- Worldwide Honeymoon Travel Podcast
- Extra Pack of Peanuts
- Zero to Travel
- Travel With Rick Stevens
- The Indie Travel Podcast
- Amateur Traveler Travel Podcast
- Women Who Travel
10. Trace your lineage
There’s nothing like knowing exactly where you came from. When I purchased 23 and Me it was so interesting being able to see what percentage I was of everything. Now that I know exactly where my ancestors have come from, I have more destinations to add to my bucket list! My mom also found her biological sister through ancestry, which is a whole different wild story!
11. Travel in your hometown
Although traveling to Iceland may seem more appealing than your back yard, sometimes getting out and going to a new place in your hometown can ignite your sense of wanderlust. Walk down new streets, visit a local coffee shop, try a place you haven’t before! Being a tourist in your hometown can be fun!
12. Explore the world through Pinterest & Instagram
One of my favorite ways to travel the world virtually is through other people! Find new travel bloggers to follow on Instagram for some of the best photos, and Pinterest for travel itineraries, tips and guides.
Living vicariously through blogs and photos may sting at first. (I mean every time I see someone in a beautiful destination I get a little jealous!) However, take this time from home to do some research for your own future trips. Read itineraries, communicate with bloggers by commenting on their posts, and find experiences to add to your bucket list. Take in all the knowledge you can so that when you travel next, you’ll know exactly where to start!
13. Plan your next travel adventure
Sometimes when I am feeling some serious wanderlust, I like to start daydreaming and thinking of future trips I can take. It’s NEVER to early to start planning. I know travel bloggers who book trips years in advance. Take advantage of those deals you find and updated cancelation policies due to the pandemic!
Here’s what I suggest you do:
- Go to Skyscanner and look up cheap flights. Skyscanner has an option to choose your home airport with a destination of “everywhere” that will show you the cost of flights to countries everywhere in the world. It can be a pretty fun tool to help you start planning! And who knows, maybe there will be a deal so cheap you’ll have to jump on it!
- Browse some fun tours on Get Your Guide. They have the best food tours, walking tours and excursions anywhere in the world. Hey, you might even find something you can add to that bucketlist you’ve been working on!
- Check out hotels.com to find accommodations around the world! (This link takes you to their current deals!)
- Scan through Booking.com to find fights, hotels, hostels, tours and even car rentals around the world. Booking.com is a one stop shop for travel planning!
If you head over to my travel resources page you can see all the websites and companies I use for my own travels. Whether it’s hotels, flights, travel insurance or tours, you can never start planning too soon.
14. Create a scrapbook of photos from your past travels
Take a trip down memory lane by going through all the photos you took on a past trip. Create a photo or scrapbook to collect all the memories. Some day you’ll be so happy you have something physical to look through instead of a cell phone or laptop screen.
15. Watch travel related TV shows
Sometimes binge watching a travel show is the best way to experience the world from home. This way you can see the views of a country, listen to the sounds of the music and learn about a place all at once!
Here are my recommended binge worthy travel shows:
- The Amazing Race
- Planet Earth
- An Idiot Abroad (Netflix)
- House Hunters International (Netflix)
- Down to Earth with Zac Efron (Netflix)
- Extreme Engagement (Netflix)
Check out this article for Eight Movies and TV Shows for Those with Wanderlust
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Listen, I get it. These virtual experiences just don’t compete with real life. Nothing beats the smell of fresh street food in Thailand, or the first gust of warm air that hits your face once you step off the airplane. It’s just not the same.
But I hope these 15 things can help you travel the world virtually while you are not able to physically. Keeping your sense of wanderlust while not feeling sad and disappointed may be difficult, but maybe Mexican tacos for dinner tonight will help cheer you up? (wink wink!)
While we are home (no matter how long that may be) keep adding to your bucket lists! Keep your wanderlust alive, and travel virtually! Just because we can’t go anywhere now, doesn’t mean we can’t start planning for the future.
But for now, virtual travel will have to do. I’m thankful we at least have that!
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I will earn a small commission at no cost to you. I only recommend companies and products I use, and the income is used to keep the site up and running.
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Travelling virtually is not the same as real travel. But I guess virtually is the only way to travel until the pandemic is over.
Oh I 100% agree with you there! Virtual travel will have to hold us over for now though.
I still think some of these resources are great for learning more about the world we live in and to celebrate some of our memories from past trips!