How can you travel without actually leaving your home? The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the world on a large scale, hitting the travel industry especially hard. While canceling trips was difficult, I found ways to incorporate culture and “travel” as often as I could into my life. This helped me stay positive and reminded me of the spectacular places around the globe.

Here are some easy and affordable ways to travel without leaving home:

Keep your memories on display

Displaying keepsakes and photos from your travels is a great way to remind yourself of past adventures. Instead of keeping them stored away, display them in areas of your home that you spend the most time in. I have pockets of past travels all over my home and I love being reminded of the memories and experiences from each destination.

Watch movies that take place in a destination you’d like to visit

This is one of the simplest yet entertaining ways to virtually experience a new city. Whether you want to travel to a certain location or perhaps learn more about another country, watching movies can help you get your travel fix without leaving home.

Here are my top picks:

• • Amélie – Paris, France
  • The Way – Northern Spain
  • Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong – Hong Kong
  • Under the Tuscan Sun – Tuscany, Italy
  • Lost in Translation – Tokyo, Japan

Read, read, read

The travel corner in my living room includes memories of trips to Bali, Munich, Sydney, Mexico, Beijing, Santa Fe, and Charleston.

There are so many books set in amazing destinations that teach you about culture, history, and daily life for locals. While the storytelling aspect of fiction can provide entertainment, nonfiction reads can also reveal a deeper insight into a culture.

Here are a few of my favorite unconventional travel books:

• • I bought the book Fruits by Shoichi Aoki in high school after learning about Harajuku street style and becoming fascinated with the quirky fashion sense. The photobook features teens and young adults in playful and exaggerated ensembles and instantly transports you to the streets of Harajuku. Fruits appears to be out of print but there are affordable used copies available on Amazon and Thriftbooks.
  • Destination Wellness: Global Secrets for Better Living Wherever You Are is a new release by Annie Daly that focuses on “wellness” in various parts of the globe. I used wellness in quotes because the term has become so commercialized with the belief that you can “buy” wellness. In Destination Wellness, Daly highlights culturally significant ways people live their healthiest and well-connected lives in Jamaica, Norway, Hawai’i, Japan, India, and Brazil. I’ve already incorporated some of these customs into my life and feel so much better in doing so.
  • Around the World in 80 Cocktails may be a book full of cocktail recipes, but it is so much more than that. It reveals the history of these cocktails, from the origins of the liquor to its cultural relevance today. Aside from just reading the book, you can also make the cocktails at home—which brings us to the next point.

Wine and food night at home

This is one of the easiest and most fun ways to incorporate a different culture into your life. You could, of course, order food from a local restaurant that specializes in a specific cuisine. But if you have some extra time, it is so much more rewarding to learn about a culture through cooking a signature dish. You can also do a wine or beverage pairing to complete your meal.

There are so many virtual classes and workshops for you to cook or experience a guided tasting. During the pandemic, my husband and I did several virtual wine tastings with Matter of Wine that each focused on a different wine-producing country. We learned about the history of wine in the country and tasted different types, a perfect pairing.

Start learning a new language

Learning a new language may seem like a daunting undertaking but there is no better way to become connected to a new culture than by learning the language. I think it is important to learn basic phrases before visiting a non-English speaking destination out of respect and politeness. Learning beyond the basics will provide a greater sense of connection and excitement about using the language in the future.

Redecorate your home

Another fun way to incorporate travel into your home is through design. I was reminded of this by the book, Home Style by City, which features home decor styles in five cities: Paris, London, New York, Los Angeles, and Copenhagen. I wish it featured additional cities from other parts of the world but it provides great inspiration on how people decorate in different cities—and how you can incorporate a new style to your home.

Plan your next trip

It is never too soon to start planning your next trip. The earlier you start planning, the more time you get to spend thinking about your upcoming adventure. Even if you aren’t a plan-by-the-hour type of person, you can still start researching your destination online or with a travel guide from your local bookstore. I like having a physical book to help jumpstart my planning to get a better understanding of the city I’ll be visiting. Travel blogs are also an invaluable resource during the planning process, especially when you are looking for specific information. Need help saving money? Learn seven ways to save for your next trip here.

Keeping my favorite travel guides within reach.

How are you going to travel without leaving home?