If you’re anything like me, traveling is what makes you feel free, happy, and alive. I think that all of us travel-lovers can agree that 2020 stole one of our biggest joys away from us. When I look back on the year, I think yes I couldn’t go on a European adventure and yeah it was probably for the best that I didn’t road trip across the US, but I probably could’ve done more to make myself feel like I was vacationing in a different part of the world.
Until traveling is safe and wise again, here are some ways that I’ll be making myself feel like I’m traveling in a different country and I urge you to do the same!
1. Make Food that Originates from There
If you want to feel like you’re traveling, I highly recommend you make a delicious dish from your country of choice! I went to Italy two summers ago and I, along with most people who have been there, can say that I ate some of the best food I’ve ever eaten in that magnificent country. The fresh ingredients, the pizza, the pasta, the bruschetta – I could eat it all day, every day. Just because I’m not in Italy, doesn’t mean I can’t have some delicious homemade Italian food. You best believe the next time I miss Italy, I’m going to make some authentic and gourmet cacio e pepe and no one can stop me!
2. Listen to Music from There
Music is one of the best ways to transport yourself to a different headspace. When I’m happy, I listen to upbeat music. When I’m sad, I listen to music that will have me in my feels. The same can go for when you’re really wanting to be somewhere else. If you’re wanting to be in France, then girl, listen to French music that would be playing at a cute little cafe. Go on a scenic drive or cook a French meal while listening to French music. I guarantee it will make you feel like you’ve just been transported to the Eiffel Tower.
3. Watch a Movie that Takes Place There
One of my favorite movies is Leap Year. It’s a comforting rom com that takes place in Ireland. It inspired me to study abroad in Ireland a few years ago back in college. Now, whenever I watch the movie, I reminisce on my time there and it makes me feel like I’m surrounded by beautiful Irish scenery and friendly Irish people. This method is probably the easiest way to feel like you’re in your country of choice. If you want to be in Ireland, watch Leap Year. If you want to be in France, watch the new show Emily in Paris. If you want to be in Italy, watch When in Rome. If you want to feel like you’re in Spain, heck, watch The Cheetah Girls! If you really can’t find a movie or show that interests you, watch vlogs or videos on YouTube that people have taken in the country you long to be in!
4. Paint or Draw Scenery from There
Get artistic with it! If you miss Scotland, paint a castle from there. If you want to be in Italy, paint the Florence skyline or the Italian coast. If you want to be in Spain, draw the view you’d see from Park Güell. Drink a glass of wine and just paint or draw whatever it is that you want to be looking at right now. Let your creativity flow!
I could go on and on about ways that you can mentally escape to where you want to be. Going into 2021, traveling is still pretty iffy. For those of us who want to be anywhere but home right now, we gotta come up with ways to transport ourselves. I urge you to try one of these methods or combine a few of them at the same time. Listen to Spanish music while making paella for dinner or paint the Arc de Triomphe while watching Emily in Paris. Soon enough, we’ll be able to actually be in the places we dream of, but in the meantime, why not make the most of it?
I hope this helps and that you make yourself a delicious Italian, Indonesian, French, Mexican, or Danish dinner soon!
If you’d like to get more inspired about your next travel adventure, check out my other travel related posts!
