Treating the Travel Bug During Quarantine

Tips for Treating the Travel Bug While Socially Distancing


Self-isolation, quarantine, and social distancing getting to you? Are you dreaming of a get-away? Has vacation and travel been on your mind, but you are stuck at home? Well, this post is for you. We all have been affected in some way by the coronavirus pandemic (or COVID-19). I hope you all are staying safe and healthy. But, even if you are in good health, you are adjusting to the new normal of sheltering in place.

If you are like me, having limitations on where you can go is making you a little stir-crazy. You desperately want a vacation but can't due to restrictions and shut-downs. I've put together some tips on how to alleviate your travel bug symptoms and help you through this quarantine. If you have more ideas you want to share along this topic, please feel free to post a comment.

1. Visit a Museum, Zoo, or Aquarium with a Virtual Tour


Several museums offer free, online tours of their exhibits, that you can watch from the comfort of home. It may not be the complete experience of being there in person, but it is still very awesome to say the least. I compiled a list of a few noteworthy examples, but there are many more. Support your local museums too, and check out if they have any online collections.

The Louvre


The world's largest art museum, in Paris, may be closed to visitors right now, but you can take a virtual tour of a few different exhibits, including an Egyptian collection from the time of pharaohs.

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History


Washington D.C.'s Smithsonian offers virtual tours of current and past exhibits of the Museum of Natural History. I've personally been here, and the virtual tour is very well done. There is lots to see here. Additionally, the National Museum of American History offers several online exhibitions, and you can take a tour of the National Air and Space Museum through Google.

Georgia Aquarium


The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta has several live webcams so you can check out what the marine life are up to anytime.


San Diego Zoo


The San Diego Zoo offers many live webcams to view the animals.


2. Go Somewhere Secluded


If you have to self-isolate for an extended period of time, why not go somewhere more enjoyable. Maybe you are stuck in the city, with very little to-do. A rural destination can offer more wide-open spaces, with less people to come in contact. This can help with the feeling of being cramped while you wait things out.

Be sure to stay within the guidelines of your local and state government, but now may be a great time to backpack, camp, or find a nice cabin, as a retreat from your normal. Even if you only go for a weekend, you can return feeling refreshed in body, mind, and spirit.

3. Plan Out Your Next Big Trip


Let's face it, your social calendar and events came to a screeching halt. Use some of this time to plan a future trip. There may be some uncertainty around booking a trip right now, but doing the ground work and research now will make the rest of trip planning a breeze.

Figure out where you want to go and how you are going to get there. Plan out activities to do on your visit. Look up restaurants you would like to try during your trip. Research to see helpful tips others have given from their experiences. Decide upon your lodging and transportation needs. Make a budget you can stick to for this adventure. Overall, have fun with it. It is really enjoyable to start planning a trip and thinking about all the fun you are going to have.

4. Go Through Photos From Your Last Trip


You may have a camera full of pictures from your last trip that you have been meaning to go through. Take some time to look through these. Maybe do some touch-up to the pictures to improve their quality. Share your favorites with friends and family. There may even be a few you deem worthy of printing, getting framed, and displaying at home. This whole process can be a good way to bring up fond memories from a previous vacation and maybe even spark some ideas for your next trip

5. Get Out on Lesser Used Trails Nearby


Some of your local trails might be closed to the public right now, especially the more popular ones. But there are plenty of trails that get very little foot traffic and would be perfect excursions to still keep your distance from others. Before going out on the trail, let others know you are going, and look up information about the trail. When you get to the trailhead, there will hopefully be postings about any recent updates regarding closures or need-to-know information. Get out and enjoy some nice exercise while taking in the scenery.

6. Evaluate Your Gear


Before you can be ready for your next trip, you need to be sure all your gear is in proper shape. This can mean a lot of different things to different people. If you are camping you may want to check to be sure your tent is waterproofed and the poles aren't too worn. If you are backpacking, you may want to do some trial runs with packing your gear to be sure the distribution is right. Or maybe you got some new hiking boots that you need to break in before taking them out for a long hike. If you take a lot of photographs on your trips, you may want to clear up some space on your memory card for new pictures. Whatever the case might be, you need to be prepared. Do your evaluation now, to save you time closer to your trip. And if you need to order new gear, you can get it well in advance of when you need it.

7. Become More Cultured


Are you stuck in the same routine? Immerse yourself in another culture without leaving home as a way to expand your horizons. Pick a place and learn as much as you can about that area, its people, and their culture. Maybe the locals here speak a different language. This could be a great time for you to brush up on your foreign language skills. Mix up your dinner plan, by including some traditional foods of this culture. Enjoy cooking and eating a different type of cuisine than you are used to. Include a foreign film in your evening plans to break up your binge watching. Read more about the area you've chosen and its important traditions, along with more recent news. Listen to music from this region, and notice special instrumentation they may use.

Perhaps, when this pandemic has passed, you will have the opportunity to visit the place of your choosing and you will be able to more deeply grasp the culture, personally.


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