The Coronavirus (or COVID-19) pandemic has not only meant global travel bans, but many of us are also being required to self quarantine or isolate. It’s a bizarre time, we know. But one thing is for sure, if you’re one of the many people having to isolate, you’re absolutely not alone (even though you may feel like it).
You may not be able to travel right now, but there are still many super cool travel-related things you can do from the comfort of home. So let’s stay positive, keep calm and enjoy this opportunity for a bit of self love and rather unconventional exploration…
Here are just a few ideas about what travel lovers can do during your COVID-19 isolation:
1. Take a Virtual Tour
Did you know that museums from around the world are letting you take a virtual tour from the comfort of your own couch?
Google Arts & Culture have teamed up with over 2,500 museums and galleries which include the British Museum, Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul. You can gain exclusive access and .
Not only can you tour some amazing galleries from home, Google maps also allows you to explore a new place via Street View. Have you ever seen a birds eye view of , the beauty of or the man-made wonder of the ? It’s certainly a cheaper, safer and quicker alternative to flying right now that’s for sure…
2.Head Out Into The Outdoors
If you have a car and can drive out into the countryside, or perhaps you are able to walk into remoteness from where you are, then self-isolation doesn’t necessarily mean staying inside.
Getting out into the fresh air; taking a walk, going on a bike ride or heading off camping away from other people, is a great way to lift your spirits. So many of us neglect to explore local to us, so how about taking now as the time to enjoy the nature on our doorstep?
3. Read Some Good Books
If you’re anything like me, getting lost in a good book is ultimate indulgence but I just never find the time to do it. Well, TA-DA! Here is your chance!
Dust off those books that have been piling up or do a bit of online shopping to get your bookshelf restocked. We have heaps of posts on book recommendations such as , , , … I’m sure you get the gist! Just search for ‘books’ on the homepage and you’ll have a whole heap of recommendations to get lost in.
4. Plan Your Next Travels or Read Some Blogs
Just because you can’t travel now, it doesn’t mean you can’t get planning (or dreaming!) about your next trip.
Use the time you have to read about destinations on blogs and forums and look into visas, accommodation and travel insurance. The travel industry is taking a massive hit right now, but as soon as this passes (and personally I’m sure it will soon) you’ll be hitting the road in no time. Bloggers are especially feeling a hit with a drop in website traffic, so your support means a lot.
For some inspiration, make sure you , or you can always have a nosy at the Travelette travel writers personal blogs, which you can often find in their author bio at the bottom of a post.
5. Set Up a Travel Blog
You’ve got time on your hands and a whole heap of wanderlust. How about channelling this into setting up a travel blog or online journal for your friends or family to read?
It doesn’t have to be a professional and expensive website open to the public. There are loads of free resources such as Medium, WordPress and more that you can work on as a little project and only share it with the people you want (or even just do it for yourself).
6. Sort Out Your Travel Photos
So you have pictures on your phone, ipad, cameras and laptop but have you got them all in one place? Have you backed them all up on a hard drive?
Consider getting really organised and filing pictures based on dates or destinations so they’re easy to find and safely backed up. There’s nothing more devastating than loosing a camera or memory card full of photos that you didn’t get a chance to copy. It’s the sort of job I put off for ages even though I shouldn’t!
Of course looking through your photos is a great trip down memory lane. Why not post some to Instagram or Facebook whilst you’re at it?
7. Binge on Wanderlust-Inspiring Movies
Get comfy, dig out your favourite snacks and totally binge out on Netflix. Check out these lists of ours about , or movies to !
8. Cook Up A Culinary Feast
Have you taken cooking classes in Vietnam? Have you been to the food markets of Morocco?
Dig out any recipe books, cast your mind back to your foodie tours or use a website to help you determine what you can use in your cupboards to cook up an international feast. How about some (very easy) homemade pasta, hot pho, an authentic south Indian curry, a hearty Irish stew or or Turkish-style kebab for dinner?
Or, if you’re more of a baker, attempt to recreate those light and crispy croissants, or comforting Dutch ontbijtkoek?
Relive your travels through taste for a little trip down memory lane.
9. Review Your Travel Gear
You may not be travelling right now, but how about reviewing all your travel gear to make sure you have everything you need? Perhaps you need a new backpack or could stock up on shampoo bars before your next trip? You can use this time to research travel products online and get yourself organised.
If you’re aiming to make 2020 a year of sustainable and responsible travel, how about taking a look at this post about ?
10. Journal, Make A Scrap Book or Colour In
Something as simple as writing or colouring in can be a very therapeutic and stimulating way to spend your time.
Perhaps you could write a bucket list, document your favourite travel memories to look back at in years to come, make a scrap book, photo diary or simply colour in!
I’ve been planning on making a coffee table photo book with my travel photography for years but just haven’t yet found the time…
11. Learn Something New
Have you been dreaming about learning a foreign language or doing a skill that you have not yet mastered? Download Duolingo or rinse those free Youtube videos so you can do something productive with your lone time.
run by professionals in the industry and academic lecturers from some of the best universities in the world. Have a look at their course library to find something you want to level up on, or how about something completely new?
You’ll gain a real sense of achievement and just think – it’s also something you can put on your resume.
12. Work out
Nothing shakes away those blues and makes you feel good quite like a work out. Yes gyms and mass gatherings may be banned or not advisable during this time, but how about working out from home?
Keep those feel-good hormones pumping with a Youtube workout, yoga tutorial or follow one of the many fitness apps you can download from your phone’s Android or Apple Store. A healthy body really helps contribute to a healthy mind, which is super important during a time like this.
And don’t forget to pamper and be kind to yourself!
So much time alone can wreak havoc on your mental health. So keep busy, keep your environment clean and tidy, call friends and family, get outdoors if you can, treat yourself to things that make you happy and don’t be so hard on yourself. It’s not your fault!
I hope you’ve found some inspiration in this list. What else would you add to it?
For accurate information on the Coronavirus outbreak, please .
