When plans are canceled, we need to get creative and find ways to travel from home.
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Since the outbreak of COVID-19, many vacations have been postponed or canceled. That disappointment is real—especially when trips were planned with family or friends. The travel industry slowed dramatically as people stayed home to help limit the spread of the virus.
Dylan and I love to travel. We spend a lot of time planning trips, exploring the outdoors, and visiting new places. Over the years we’ve had plans disrupted by bad weather, illness, car trouble, or missed flights. Right now, like many people, we aren’t traveling in the usual way.
When trips are canceled, we try to find a silver lining by crafting backup plans that bring the spirit of travel into our daily life. While it’s normal to feel disappointment, there are many ways to recreate elements of a vacation at home, with your partner, family, or on your own.
Below are ten ideas to keep your travel enthusiasm alive, explore new experiences from home, and make the most of an unexpected pause.
10 Ways to Travel From Home
Practice Vacation Blues Self-Care.
Planning a trip takes energy, and canceling it can feel just as draining. Between calls, emails, refunds, and rearranged schedules, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Acknowledge the disappointment and give yourself space to feel it.
Prioritize self-care: take naps, enjoy a relaxing bath, or curl up with a good book and a cup of tea. Make sleep, nutrition, and connection with loved ones a focus as you adjust. Small acts of kindness toward yourself help process the loss and restore balance.
Bring Traveling To You.
You may not be able to visit your destination, but you can invite it into your home. If you were headed to Spain, for example, plan a Spain-themed day: watch a film set in that country, prepare a regional meal, and listen to local music. Recreating elements of your destination at home offers a safe, low-cost way to celebrate the trip you planned.
Visit Museums Online.
Many museums and galleries now offer virtual tours and high-resolution image collections, letting you explore masterpieces from your living room. Take time to wander online exhibits and immerse yourself in art and history. Virtual museum visits are a great way to learn and stay inspired until you can visit in person again.
Play Games At Home.
Board games, card games, and new party games are an excellent way to connect and pass the time. Classics like a simple deck of cards provide endless variety. Try strategy board games or family favorites—mix up the rules, invent new challenges, or explore games typical of the culture you were planning to visit. Playing together encourages laughter and lightens the mood.
Cook A Travel-Inspired Dish.
Food is one of the most direct ways to experience another culture. With dining out limited, bring international flavors into your kitchen. Try a new recipe, rotate cuisines through the week, or host a themed dinner that mirrors your intended destination. Exploring ingredients, spices, and regional techniques turns an ordinary meal into a mini culinary journey.
If you enjoy experimenting, collect recipes from different countries and build a small catalog of dishes you loved—these will be great to revisit when travel resumes.
Take A Virtual Field Trip.
Tools like online mapping and street-view features let you virtually visit neighborhoods, landmarks, and natural wonders. Recreate your original itinerary and explore those places digitally. While it’s not the same as being there, a virtual field trip can satisfy curiosity, spark new interests, and help you visualize future travel plans.
Focus On Your Mental Health.
Mental health matters, especially during uncertain times. Many teachers, studios, and wellness creators offer online yoga, meditation, and mindfulness sessions filmed in calming, scenic locations. Practicing breathing, gentle movement, or guided meditation can reduce stress and foster resilience. Do these practices alone, with a partner, or as a family to build a calming routine at home.
Learn A Second Language.
Learning another language connects you to people and cultures beyond your immediate surroundings. Free and paid language apps, online courses, and conversation groups make it possible to start or continue language study from home. Even a few new words or phrases can deepen your appreciation for a place and prepare you for richer experiences when you travel again.
Create A Travel Memento.
Turn memories into lasting keepsakes through photography, scrapbooking, journaling, or simple crafts. Assemble ticket stubs, photos, and notes into a scrapbook, write a reflective travel journal, or practice travel-inspired artwork like calligraphy or sketching. Making something tangible helps honor past trips and keeps their memories vivid.
Plan a Staycation.
If it’s safe and allowed in your area, consider a local staycation. Booking a nearby hotel, B&B, or short rental can give you a break from routine and let you explore your hometown like a tourist. Even a day trip to a nearby park, museum, or scenic spot can provide restorative change and inspiration.
Have you had vacation plans canceled due to COVID-19?
How are you keeping the spirit of travel alive at home?
Share your ideas and experiences in the comments below.