Armchair Travel: 45 Fun Ideas to “Travel” Without Leaving Home

Last Updated on September 11, 2024

Sometimes travel isn’t an option — whether that is due to illness, financial issues or personal circumstances. 

Right now, it’s a global pandemic that is sweeping across the world, putting a halt on travel. Whether you are stuck at home in a lockdown or a self-imposed quarantine, there are some creative ways to feed your travel addiction. 

From joining online travel communities to taking virtual tours of UNESCO sites, here are my armchair travel recommendations to help you “travel” without leaving your home.

How to Travel Without Leaving Home

Explore Museums Virtually on Your Laptop

Many of the world’s musuems have been forced to temporarily shut their doors. But that doesn’t mean that we’ve lost access to the countless treasures housed by these great museums.

Thanks to the extensive Google Arts & Culture project, we can now access more than 2,500 art spaces from around the world online, and many offer virtual tours. This is the perfect armchair travel activity for museum buffs.

Remember that COVID-19 still poses a threat while you’re surfing the web at home. Hackers are creating thousands of fake pandemic sites to steal your personal information. Make sure to use a COVID-19 scam site checker before going to any suspicious sites.

Here are some museums worth checking out virtually:

• Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam —  View over 164,511 pieces of artwork from the revered art museum in high-definition. The museum’s most famous art pieces include Vermeer’s The milkmaid and Rembrandt’s Self Portrait.

• The Tate, London —This respected museums houses the foremost collection of British art dating back to the the Tudor era and including a large holding of J.M.W. Turner’s work.

• Guggenheim Museum, New York — This contemporary art and architecture museum has over 200 works viewable through Google’s portal.

• The MET (Metropolitan Museum of Art), New York — One of America’s best museums has 26 virtual exhibits and over 200,000 documented works of art from nearly any era.

• Musée d’Orsay, Paris —Check out the virtual exhibitions and 278 pieces of art from 1848 to 1914, including include Van Gogh’s Bedroom in Arles.

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Take a Digital Hike around America’s National Parks

Google Earth has rolled out virtual tours of some of the most beautiful national parks in the United States. The map and satellite imagery masters at Google Earth have put together a series of guided virtual tours of 31 national parks around the country.

Now you can literally travel without leaving your home and take a digital hike on Google Earth. It may not be the same as lacing up your hiking boots and inhaling the crisp clean air of the wilderness, but they’re pretty neat nonetheless. Here are the national parks offering virtual tours:

• Acadia National Park
• Arches National Park
• Badlands National Park
• Big Bend National Park
• Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
• Bruce Canyon National Park
• Canyonlands National Park
• Channel Islands National Park
• Cuyahoga Valley National Park
• Death Valley National Park
• Denali National Park
• Dry Tortugas National Park
• Everglades National Park
• Glacier National Park

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Take Virtual Tours of the World’s UNESCO Sites

Not just that, Google Earth has also recently launched Heritage on the Edge, an online experience that uses 3D maps to showcase a handful of UNESCO World Heritage sites facing the looming threat of climate change.

The goal was to digitally preserve the legacy of the landmarks. For now, you can enjoy a zoomed-in view of the moai on Rapa Nui (Easter Island), the ancient city of Chan Chan in Peru, and the coastal city of Kilwa Kisiwani in Tanzania.

Not only will you be able to interact with 3-D models and 50 exhibits, but you’ll also have access to expert interviews and information on how to conserve these historical sites – an important lens, self-isolating or not. Check out this list of best virtual tours around the world.

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Read Travel Books

The best travel books are often the ones that have the power to transform you as much as a journey does. My love for travel books was probably the reason why I became a travel blogger and writer.

I have always been obsessed with travel books, especially biographies of adventurers who have embarked on extraordinary journeys. Reading George Orwell’s Burmese Days when traveling in Myanmar made the trip all the more special. And reading Escape from Camp 14 before my trip to North Korea definitely piqued my interest in the hermit kingdom.

If you have a long list of books you’ve been wanting to read but never had the time for, this is the best time to hit that list. Check out my massive list of 50 best books on travel.

• Escape from Camp 14 (by Blaine Harden)— One man’s remarkable odyssey from North Korea to freedom in the West.

• Desert Flower (by Waris Dirie) — A true story of Waris’ escape across the dangerous Somali desert to London as an internationally renowned fashion model; and ultimately to New York City, where she became a human rights ambassador for the U.N.

• The Kite Runner (by Khaled Husseini) — A fictional book about the struggles of a young boy Amir amidst the backdrop of an unstable Afghanistan.

• Burmese Days: A Novel (by George Orwell) — A story of the waning days of British imperialism, by an Englishman living in a settlement in Burma.

• Into the Wild (by Jon Krakauer) — The remarkable story of a young man’s solo adventure in Alaska.

• Gratitude in Low Voices: A Memoir (by Dawit Gebremichael Habte)— A man’s true story of how he fled his homeland  of Eritrea during the war to find solace and success in America.

• It’s Our Turn to Eat (by Michela Wrong) — The story of a Kenyan whistle-blower

 

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TIP: I recommend getting a Kindle Paperwhite if you don’t have one. You can store a ridiculous amount of books on it and read it at night without ruining your eyesight. You can buy books individually or sign up to Kindle unlimited (first month is a free trial).

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Read Travel Blogs

The pandemic has affected many small businesses, travel companies and websites. I am one of them — my blog’s readership and income have dropped by over 80%. It’s heartbreaking to see all that I have worked hard to build in the past 12 years be reduced to nothing.

Of course I’m not the only one. So many travel bloggers are worried about possibly losing their livelihood. I ask for your support — just read travel blogs and websites whenever you can. There’s no need to make any purchase; just reading and scrolling can help us out at times like this! 

Here are some of my best travel stories:

• World’s Most Remote Islands

• ​Spirits and Spells: Voodoo Culture in Benin​

• ​12 Interesting Facts About Madagascar​

• ​A Photo Essay of Tajikistan​

• ​Iraqi Kurdistan — The Other Iraq​

• ​Travel in the Caucasus: Where East Meets West

• ​Asmara, Eritrea: An Art Deco City in Africa

Other travel blogs and websites with brilliant narratives and inspirational stories:

• Roads and Kingdoms

• Maptia

• Uncornered Market

• Atlas & Boots

• The Candy Trail

• Candace Rose Rardon

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Join an Online Travel Community

Looking to connect with like-minded travelers virtually? There are plenty of online travel communities catering to specific types of travelers, from solo female travelers to extreme travelers who like to veer off the beaten trail.

• Extreme Travel — A Facebook group I set up to connect with curious travelers seeking out the extraordinary in unusual places like North Korea, Iran and Sudan.

• Every Passport Stamp — A Facebook community of travelers planning to travel to every country in the world. They have strict rules and requirements, so please join only if you share the same goals as everyone.

• Travel Community — This massive Facebook group caters to all travelers from different parts of the world. Currently, there are quite a few positive discussions in light of the pandemic.

• Wanderful — This is a leading network for female travelers. The brand is currently giving away 500 free one-year memberships (typically $69/year).

• Girls Love Travel — A Facebook group for female travelers covering all kinds of travels and destinations.

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Take An Online Travel-Related Course

If you have always been interested in travel photography or sketching, this is the best time to sign up for a travel-related online course. There are tons of virtual workshops and courses on Skillshare and Udemy.

Here are some interesting travel-related courses worth checking out:

• Travel sketching — Take an adventure into your imagination with illustrator and children’s book author Mike Lowery.

• Oil painting — A fun and informative course that will teach you basics of mark making, glazing and oil painting.

• Travel street photography — Learn popular street photography techniques, as well as composition, lighting, and photo editing for visual storytelling.

• Drone photography — Up your skills from beginner to professional drone photography with this step-by-step vide guide.

• Travel writing class — Learn to write travel tales readers (and editors) will love and sell your freelance writing to newspapers and magazines.

• Travel poster illustration: Design your favorite city and place in Procreate5. 

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Learn a New Language

I have always had a special interest in languages — they are the best way to connect with locals and cultures when traveling. My first experience learning a foreign language was in college, when I took French and Spanish classes. Eventually I took intensive Spanish courses in Madrid. I also took Arabic classes after that, and recently finished my 6-month Dutch course here in Amsterdam.

Technology has made it really easy to learn a language online these days. Here are some apps and online courses I recommend:

• Duolingo — A language app that helps beginners to build up vocabulary. It is free to use and has many languages available.

• Mindsnacks — Another app that offers free language-learning games to help you learn vocabulary, grammar, practice your listening.

• BBC Languages — Free online language lessons, with crosswords, videos and quizzes accompanied by audio. Courses covering 40 languages, including Urdu, Icelandic and Slovak.

• Verbling — Interactive language lessons with a native teacher over video chat. You can choose the teacher you prefer, schedule the lesson and pay her hour.

• Lingoda — Similar to Verbling, Lingoda also offers video lessons with native teachers. But it offers monthly plans and a free 7-day trial.

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Watch Travel-Related Shows on Netflix

Many of us are turning to Netflix to entertain us and feed our wanderlust. Forget depressing series like Outbreak, check out the following travel-themed shows that will sure to uplift you in hard times like these.

You can even use the new Google Chrome extension Netflix Party to watch these shows with your friends online. Just click the extension button to create a “party” and share a link to the event with whoever you want to watch the program with. The extension also allows all party members to group chat about the show in real-time.

• Dark Tourist — Definitely top on my Netflix’s favorites list, this show covers lesser-known areas and unfamiliar cultures. Check out the episodes on Pablo Escobar’s hitmen, vampires in New Orleans, and Japan’s suicide forests.

• Larry Charles’ Dangerous World Of Comedy — Another of my favorite shows (cos I love travel and comedy), this travel show follows film director, Larry Charles, around the world seeking out how comedy is done in war zones, in slums, and beyond.

• Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner — One of the many foodie travel shows on Netflix, this is what I’ve been binge-watching lately. Chef David Chang brings big-name celebrities around the world and dives in local food scenes, from Phnom Penh with Kate McKinnon to Marrakech with Chrissy Teigen.

• Conan Without Borders — One of my favorite talk show hosts, Conan O’Brien, gives a non-traditional and humorous take in this travel series. He lightens up the mood before delving into serious topics, like the humanitarian crisis in Haiti or the war in Israel.

• Our Planet — This nature series is Netflix’s very own Planet Earth, narrated by Sir David Attenborough.

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Watch Travel Vlogs on Youtube

Don’t have a Netflix account? Youtube actually has some high quality videos from vloggers and videographers who are out there doing some great stuff. Here are some of my favorite Youtube channels:

• Drew Binsky — This unique vlogger brings viewers to unique places and he always has an interesting story to tell. Some of his videos are insightful and educational, such as these ones on Equatorial Guinea and Congo.

• Karl Watson — Karl produces quality travel documentaries that are professional and definitely inspirational. His videos tend to cater to younger millennial looking for some adventure.

• Migrationology — Foodie travelers have to check out his awesome food-focused videos. He’ll bring you on street food tours in Pakistan, feast on home-cooked food in Iran, and try top-notch Wagyu beef in Japan.

• WildJunket — Shameless self promotion here: I’m not a Youtuber or vlogger, but I do have some short travel videos on my Youtube channel. Watch me jump off a canyon in New Zealand, drive around Iceland on a campervan, and learn about voodoo in Benin.

• Eva Zu Beck — This girl has interesting vlogs from the world’s least visited places, including Syria, Pakistan and Yemen. She shows us some of the world’s most beautiful hikes, remote islands and delicious food along the way.

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Indulge in Travel Movies

And for movie lovers out there, you are spoiled for choice when it comes to movies about traveling. I have been inspired to go to certain destinations thanks to these travel movies, and I hope they will inspire you too. Check out my giant list of 60 best travel movies of all time!

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• Secret Life of Walter Mitty — Embark on an adventure with magazine writer Ben Stiller (as Walter Mitty) as he goes in search of a photojournalist from the streets of Manhattan to Greenland and the Himalayas.

• The White Maasai — Based on a non-fiction memoir, this German movie sparked my interest in Africa almost 12 years ago. It tells the story of Corinne’s trip from her home country of Switzerland to Kenya, where she met and fell in love with a Maasai warrior and builds a home with him in the savanna. 

• The Motorcycle Dairies — This movie traces back to where it all began for Ernesto “Che” Guevara (Gael García Bernal), whose road trip across Latin America with his pal Alberto Granado (Rodrigo de la Serna) opened Che’s eyes to political injustice.

• Slumdog Millionaire — One of my all-time favorite movies, this Oscar winner tells the story of an Indian Muslim from the Dharavi slum in India. He is a contestant on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?”, and is one question away from the grand prize. 

• Wild — This movie follows the journey of Reese Witherspoon as Cheryl Strayed, as she treks 1,100 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail after the devastating loss of her mother.

• Tracks — Another non-fiction movie based on the adventure of Robyn Davidson, who traverses across the rugged landscape of Australia with only four camels and a beloved dog for company.

• The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel — A story about a group of aging Brits who follow advertisements and arrive in India, with the promise of a second act.

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Start Scratching Your World Map

This is the perfect time to reflect on past travels, and think about how far we’ve come.  Get a scratch map and spend time scratching off the places you have been! It’ll bring back some beautiful memories and get you excited about future travels.

I have a scratch map myself and it’s great fun to come home from a trip and scratch off a new country each time. My friends got me this scratch off world map when we moved to Amsterdam and it’s the best travel gift I’ve ever gotten. I hang it on a cork board with push pins, where I also pin souvenirs or memoirs (like bus tickets) from each trip. It’s such a great way to keep travel memories alive!

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Make A Travel Scrapbook

Another awesome thing to do to bring back beautiful memories is to make a travel scrapbook. The scrapbook could be based off one epic trip you’ve done. Perhaps an awesome adventure in Southeast Asia, or a Silk Road overland trip. It could also be a collection of all your travels from the past.

Since Kaleya was born, I’ve been wanting to make a special travel album packed with photos, postcards, brochures and stubs I collected during our trips together. It would be an awesome thing to look back on with Kaleya when she grows up. Perhaps now is the time to start making one!

I have my eye on this vintage style scrapbook album,  but technically you can use any notebook to create an album of travel memories.

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Get a Travel Coloring Book

Coloring is scientifically proven to have countless health benefits for adults. It can help relax the fear center of your brain, the amygdala, and help you stay calm and mindful.

I enjoy coloring with my daughter when I get the chance. It not only soothes me, but also brings back wonderful memories from places I’m coloring.

Here are some excellent travel coloring books designed for adults:

• Lonely Planet Ultimate Travel Coloring Book

• ColorIt — Around the World in 50 Pages

• Travel Between the Lines — Inspirational Coloring for Globetrotters and Daydreamers

• Crayola City Escapes — Color Your Favorite World Cities

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Make Jigsaw Puzzles or Models of Your Favorite Places in the World

Growing up, I did lots of jigsaw puzzles with my family during our free time. It was how we spent quality time together.

You can easily find jigsaw puzzles of all kinds for both adults and kids, whether that’s 3D puzzles of iconic landmarks or traditional puzzles of landscapes. I love making 3D puzzles with my daughter!

• 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle of world’s greatest attractions

• CubicFun 3D puzzle of Notre Dame de Paris

• LEGO built-it-yourself kit of New York city skyline

• ROKR 3D wooden craft puzzle of an airship

 

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Entertain Your Kids with Travel Games and Books

Now that school is closed in many parts of the world, parents who are stuck at home with kids will need as many resources as they can. To keep your kid engaged, here are some travel-related ideas to pique their interest in the world.

• The books from Lonely Planet Kids are educational, interactive and fun. Kaleya has a few of this Let’s Explore series of sticker activity books and she absolutely loves them.

• Inspire your kids with this book, Explorers: Amazing Tales of the World’s Greatest Adventurers, written by yours truly!

• Teach your kids geography with the Beginner’s World Atlas from National Geographic, suitable for kids ages 5–8. 

• An interactive world map is a fun and engaging way to teach kids about the world. It has over 1000 facts about countries, capitals, oceans, and languages, that your kids can learn through interactive quizzes!

• Join online read-alouds and activities organised by your kids’ favorite authors — here’s a full list.

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Create Multicultural Crafts and Activities

Another fun thing to do with kids that can pique their interest in travel is creating art and craft or products from other cultures. My daughter loves making Japanese origami and it always brings back fond memories from Japan for both of us.

Adults can also enjoy making multicultural crafts together — it’s a great way to learn about a culture and engage with it without actually traveling. Here are some other ideas:

• Make Mexico’s Day of the Dead masks

• Make Japanese origami

• Make a Native American rain stick

• Make a Japanese karp kite

• Learn Aboriginal dot painting from Australia

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Cook Exotic Dishes from Around the World

Food is one of the best ways to engage and connect with a culture and destination. Some of my favorite dishes I’ve tried around the world, include the Moroccan chicken tajine (slow cooked stew), Hungarian beef goulash, and the traditional Japanese ramen. I’m not a great cook, but I enjoy making Mexican tacos, Vietnamese pho, and Indian prata from time to time.

But you don’t have to travel to tickle your tastebuds — sometimes you learn even more about a cuisine by making it in your own kitchen. Here are some great websites that provide excellent recipes from around the world:

• All Recipes

• BBC Good Food

• Epicurious

• Tasty

• Serious Eats

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Order Food Delivery

Can’t cook or don’t enjoy cooking? I recommend looking at your local takeaways and trying something brand new. If you live in a multicultural city like I do, there are lots of international cuisine to choose from: from Nepalese to Mongolian, Ethiopian to Peruvian.

Support your local restaurants and give them some business to help you make it through the pandemic! This is seriously armchair travel at its best.

What other things are you doing at home to get that “travel” experience? Share your armchair travel ideas with me in the comments field below!

Disclaimer: Some of the links above are affiliate links. That means I get a small commission when you purchase anything through my links. AT NO EXTRA COST to you. Thank you for your support!

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