It’s been a tough year for travellers and the transformation to ‘the new normal’ isn’t going to happen in a hurry. Although many keen vagabonders will be focusing on domestic jaunts this year, lots of us will still be dreaming about adventures in far-flung lands. We don’t have too many problems when it comes to maintaining our motivation for travel. However, an injection of inspiration doesn’t hurt every now and again. There are an abundance of ways we keep the travel flame stoked in these unprecedented times. Here, we’d like to share a few ideas of how to stay inspired when you can’t travel.
Re-Visit Past Trips
Looking at old photographs and reading journals from past trips
It’s always good to remind yourself of past adventures. Not only does it motivate you for future travels, but it can be quite fulfilling to remind yourself of all the great trips you have taken in the past. We love to read through our old journals and it’s surprising how much we wouldn’t have remembered had it not been for recording our adventures.
Binge on Travel Movies
Watch travel & adventure movies and documentaries
We have watched a wealth of travel-orientated films and documentaries recently. From ‘Into the Wild’ (for the tenth time!) to a TV series about epic trails around the world, we have found it a great way to keep the travel juices flowing. We have already added about ten new hiking trails to the list which we hadn’t been aware of before!
Discover New Travel Blogs
Check out travel blogs for an endless source of inspiration
There are so many excellent travel blogs out there, that it would be amiss not to delve into the best of them. Whether you are into road trips, luxury travel or hardcore adventuring, there is something for everyone. It’s so inspiring to read about people who are out there in the world doing things that we aspire to be doing. In our case we are particularly inspired by van-lifers as one of our dreams is to own a camper van one day!
Lose yourself in a Great Book
Transport yourself to the African deserts or the Himalayan Mountains
There’s nothing like being totally absorbed by a good book. We devour travel literature and many of our adventures have been sparked by books. Alastair Humphreys, Jonny Bealby, Sam Manicom, Laurie Gough and Elspeth Beard are just a few of our favourite authors. Books can transport you to another world and provide a form of escapism which has been much needed recently.
Explore the World Virtually
Take your pick of virtual experiences around the planet
Virtual travel has really taken off since COVD-19 emerged. You can virtually visit practically anywhere in the world, whether its national parks or museums. It’s possible to go on safari, thrill in a white-water river experience or ride a roller coaster. Ok, it’s not quite the same as being there in person, but it can be fun, fascinating and inspiring at a time when our own travels are limited.
Discover your Own Backyard
Enjoy getting to know the country you live in
Of course, we may not be able to venture abroad right now, but many of us haven’t explored very much of our own backyards. The current situation could be an opportunity to see more of our native land than we ever have before. Although we have travelled all over the world, embarrassingly neither of us have ever been north of Blackpool in the UK!
We have been in lockdown in Eastbourne on the south coast of England since March. Already, we have a coastal walk of Norfolk planned for later in the summer and who knows where else we may venture to?
Some great tips there, thank you.
I can’t wait to explore your author recommendations! I am always on the lookout for a good travel book!
Such a nice tips
Thank you.
These are all very good ideas. We are finding RV travel is possible in the states, albeit many places remain closed. I will look into your book recommendations. – Thanks
Thanks so much for your comments. RV Travel sounds fantastic right now. Hope you enjoy the books. Safe travels.
Great tips, thank you! Love hiking (some would call our low-intensity hikes more of a stroll!) – whether it’s exploring a new city, or a forest, we do it on foot. Since the mid-March shut down, we’ve been finding conservation land with new hikes and trails within a 20 minute drive. Still finding new trails in our little town! Just keep looking – there’s beauty all around.
Thanks so much and for your inspiring comments too.
Low intensity hike, what a great name. This us what I am going to call our strolls from now on! Thanks for the idea!
Thanks for getting in touch and enjoy your low intensity hikes!
Norfolk is gorgeous. I think all, but especially your tip of getting local, going slower is a great one. Enjoy!
Thank you.
This is a wonderful blog to remind us of all that is still possible. I am honored that you chose to read my blog as well; I will follow you with interest.
Hi, thank you for your kind words. Your blog is beautifully written and very informative. Look forward to following your future travels! Take care.
Great blog and very informative information i am glad i show your post
Keen to hear how that Norfolk Coastal walk goes. I hope to engage in a sabbatical post covid and a walk like that would be brilliant. Thanks for the blog.
Thanks so much. We will probably blog about the Coastal walk so will let you know. Happy walking.
Thanks for reading my blog. I will try to keep up with your adventures as you resume your travels closer to home. I love England and have fond memories of my visit to Devon and Cornwall in 1989.
Thank you so much. Happy travels soon.
Love the photos and I’m sure the accompanying text is also great but I have wet macular degeneration which makes reading on your site very difficult so I’ve had to give it up. It might be worth your while thinking about grey text on black background, sophisticated though it may be as I may not be the only person put off by this. Good luck with the travels.
Great ideas. We like Expedition Unknown with host Josh Gates on the Discovery channel. We have gone to several places after seeing the locations on his show.
We love that show too! It’s so inspiring. Our favourite was when he went to Mustang in Nepal – it looked incredible and so remote.
it was really very nice.😊
Thank you!
Great tips – even when I ‘can’ travel I’m usually doing all these things too lol 🔆🤗
Thanks! HaHa – yes – I know what you mean. To be honest, we probably do too!
Very beautiful blog post.