We are now entering week 6 of UK lockdown. Our holidays have all been cancelled, and if you’re like me, then you’re really missing travelling right now. Hopefully we will all be able to jet off sooner rather than later, but until then, here’s some ways you can curb your wanderlust blues.
1. Create a Scrapbook of old travel memories
When you’re feeling down about your lack of travel, sometimes the best thing to do, is to remind yourself of the amazing travel memories you’re already lucky to have. Get creative and print out your favourite holiday snaps, write down your favourite memory, or dig out some old trinkets and souvenirs. If you’ve kept old boarding passes, or attraction tickets, stick those in your scrapbook, along with your photos and quotes. It’ll be a great keepsake and something to look back on in years to come.
2. Read travel blogs & watch travel vlogs
Watching travel vlogs and reading other travel blogs is what inspires me to travel more. I’ve discovered so many new places and unusual destinations through other people’s channels. The most recent was Chefchaouen; the blue Moroccan town. I never would have visited if I hadn’t have seen it on numerous travel vlogs, and it turned out to be my favourite town in Morocco. Blogs are also a great way to find out the tips and tricks of an area, regarding transportation, pricing, and accomodation, so you’ll be fully prepared on your next adventure.
3. Plan your next trip
This will be over soon, and let me tell you, as soon as it is, I’ll be on the first plane outta here. So what better way to prepare for freedom, than to plan where you’re going to go. That’s one of the most exciting parts of travelling for me anyways. I LOVE researching new places, finding out what things there are to do there, where the best places to eat are, and researching the hidden gems of an area. So, next time you find yourself wishing you were on a paradyllic island somewhere, open your laptop and start planning your post-quarantine trip there!
4. Explore your local area
You may not be able to travel more than 2km from your home, but believe me when I say, there are still things to be discovered. Infact, it was only last week that I discovered the variety of wildlife on my doorstep. I live opposite a small lake, and as I walked past it to do my local shopping, I noticed a colony of turtles sunning themselves on the bank. I also spotted a swan keeping her eggs warm, and a female duck building her own nest. If you’re lucky enough to live near the coast, have a walk along the beach; if you live in the countryside, explore some woodland. You can always head to your local park or if you live in an urban area, explore some of its hidden alleyways. You’ll be surprised at what hidden treasure you may stumble upon.
5. Get involved with a charity
Some people travel abroad solely to take part in volunteer work. A few years ago, I visited Bulgaria to volunteer in a children’s orphanage, and I have friends who have visited Australia with the purpose of doing some farm work. So why not take up volunteering in your local area? Farmers in the UK are calling on British workers to fill over 90,000 positions harvesting fruits and vegetables during this difficult time after warnings stocks may run out.
6. Bring the destination to you
Can’t go on holiday? Then bring the holiday to you! Were you supposed to be heading to Orlando? Put on a Disney film, and order food from an American diner. Has your holiday to Italy been cancelled? Order in some pizza, and watch the movie Gladiator. Are you supposed to be in Ibiza right now? Put on your rave clothes, blast out some house music, order in a keg of your favourite cocktail (seriously, you can buy a keg of pornstar martini!) and party in your living room with your housemates. I get it’s not the same, but it’s something fun to help take your mind off lockdown, and for a moment, it may make you feel a little closer to where you’re supposed to be.
7. Watch the sunrise & sunset
You can still appreciate the beauty of the world from your home. Get up early and watch the sunrise, sit outside with a good book and enjoy the summer breeze, grab a drink and a loved one and watch the sunset. The moments you relish on holiday are still there to be enjoyed at home.
If you have any other tips on how to bring travel back into our lives then let me know in the comments 🙂
Love your photos! I think I will plan a trip around my city this weekend, thank you for sharing!