I get bitten by the travel bug quite often. Fortunately for me, I married someone who also craves traveling, and we are dreaming of, planning and saving for our next trip more often than not. However, because of the current situation surrounding COVID-19, traveling to almost any destination poses a risk. In the meantime, I am currently researching and planning an out of country trip we hope to take next year (or the next!) Today I thought I would share a few ways I have gotten my itch to travel to calm down a little! These might sound obvious, but I think everyone can use a good reminder to take joy in the normal sometimes!
Go on a picnic
Preston and I went on a picnic when we were in Italy for a week in 2018, and since then we have decided to make it our goal to go on some sort of picnic each trip we take! We didn’t end up doing one in the UK because it was winter (cold and rainy), but we did take croissants and coffee on a walking tour of Edinburgh if that counts? We have talked about going on a picnic somewhere in Knoxville now to make it feel like a little getaway. I may make this its own post if I can gather a cute spread!
Take a drive
We live right near the Foothills Parkway in East Tennessee but have never done the drive! I really want us to go for a drive there soon- maybe we could even combine the picnic and the drive into one? I need to poke around for a picnic spot on the parkway.
Plan a trip
I have personally put this tip to the test in the past week, and I can assure you, it makes it feel like you’re right on the precipice of a big trip. The trip I am planning is something we wouldn’t go on for at least 1-2 years, but it’s making me feel so excited about it. Try making your itinerary, looking up flights, watching videos, anything to put you in the mood!
Watch a movie from your favorite travel destination
Nothing takes me back to our time in London and Edinburgh than watching Pride and Prejudice or Downton Abbey! Something about the accents, costumes and cultural differences puts me right back there!
Have a friend over for afternoon tea
I have been wanting to host my friend for afternoon tea, and I think we need to use this time as the perfect excuse. Look up recipes for scones, cucumber sandwiches, clotted cream, etc. and pick up a little fancier tea than normal. I think it sounds so much fun, and I usually try to go to an afternoon tea wherever I travel so this applies no matter where you’re itching to travel.
Watch traveling Youtubers
I watch YouTube pretty regularly, and my current favorite channel to watch is definitely Flying the Nest. For some, watching their epic travel videos might evoke jealousy or FOMO, but for me, it totally just makes me feel like I’m traveling without leaving my couch. Their videos are also very active and not something I am going to be doing chores or looking at something else during- which is nice when my attention span has been lacking!
Those are my tips for evoking that travel feeling during social distancing! I plan to do these things in the next few weeks- Preston has been working a lot on a research project for his graduate program, but as soon as he finishes that, we will have a lot more time for activities. Let me know if you do any of these things or tag me in your pictures on Instagram!
