12 Amazing Ways to 'Travel' From Home

By Danyale Reed, Mom.com

Your travel goals may seem further away than ever, but they’re actually closer than they’ve ever been, since the entire world is staying indoors, bringing the travel industry inside as well. While the best thing you can do for yourself and others right now is to stay put, check out how you can access the world outside of your door and travel the globe from home.

Slow TV

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Popularized by Norwegian broadcasters, Slow TV is a form of programming that often shows unedited events in their entirety, such as long train rides or scuba-diving adventures. It’s not unusual for programs to average eight to 10 hours in runtime, but streaming platforms like Netflix have consolidated these visual journeys into more digestible segments, with series including Moving Art and Our Planet, shows documenting environments all around the world set to a soothing score.

Virtual museum tours

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If you’re among the many who wish they could be floating through one of the world’s grandest museums, taking in centuries of global history and artwork, now is the time to do it. From the Museum of Modern Art in New York City to the Louvre in Paris, France, museums worldwide have opened their corridors for virtual access. Now you can roam exhibits stationed at these magnificent institutions, sampling works and artifacts while also gaining a feel for their spacious interiors without ever leaving home.

Travel photography

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Travel photography is all about thrusting you into the wilds of nature, showing you the depths of the sea and magnifying everything in between. While well-known publications, such as National Geographic, are still known for their unbelievable shots of the edges of the Earth, Instagram provides a platform where you can browse perspectives of an array of talented travel photographers. Whether you decide to search the archives of the late Ansel Adams, or join the nearly half-million followers of Australian photographer Lauren Bath on IG, you’re sure to be transported to unimagined lands.

Travel TV

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Wander to lands far away without leaving the comfort of your sofa or bed. Escape the small world you’re currently confined to by bingeing on travel shows that encapsulate the best parts of being abroad. Series such as Restaurants on the Edge bond you to a destination by spotlighting real residents, exploring regional food culture, all while displaying stunning nearby natural backdrops. Netflix’s Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner includes intimate conversations with big-name celebrities, such as Chrissy Teigen, who chats with host Chef David Chang over her favorite Morrocan dishes, adding another appetizing element to your virtual vacation.

International radio stations

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Sonically connect with other regions of the world by tuning into international radio stations. Browse stations with apps like TuneIn Radio or Radio Garden, using them to help you navigate a world of music and other programming that you’ve never heard before. Check out J-pop in Tokyo, Japan, or hear what’s popular in Accra, Ghana. Play a game of radio roulette by spinning the virtual globe of stations and letting your ears take you to new places, simply by listening.

Audiobooks and e-books

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There’s nothing like the written word to take you to unknown places, whether it's following a character on a fictional journey through real regions or flipping through the pages of a guidebook to find the “best of” list from a specific locale. What’s better is, now, there’s no need to risk leaving the house to purchase books or waiting days (or weeks) to receive packages when you can download an e-book instead. Take advantage of the endless catalog of virtual materials, including e-books and audiobooks, that will inform and engage you about the extensive universe outside your door without you ever touching your doorknob.

YouTube

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It’s as simple as typing a desired destination into the search box of YouTube, and a flurry of results will return with amazing visuals, including drone shots, ride-throughs, hikes, and walks around town. Follow travel-tubers as they tour the globe, or connect with users who reside in locations you’ve imagined living in. With stimulating visual information combined with the ability to interact with other users and creators, YouTube provides a place where you can be wherever you want to be while staying in the same place you already are.

Learn a new language

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You’ve been promising to add another language to your repertoire for years, but with the demands of everyday life, it’s been a challenge. With free language-learning apps, like DuoLingo and instructional podcasts, including Coffee Break Spanish, there’s no excuse for you to put off learning another language while you’re at home. In learning a new language, you’ll also be opening up worlds of culture, including picking up etiquette, food knowledge, and social norms of other areas of the world. You'll be mastering responsible travel while lingering at home.

Order food

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Bring the world to your door by ordering delivery from restaurants that serve international cuisines. Opt out of your usual order and scan a list of available local restaurants that offer other cuisines outside of what you’re used to. Try a new Thai dish, have some Halal, or eat Ethiopian food on demand, all while supporting food and hospitality workers, the hardest hit industries right now. Theme your days appropriately by watching scenes, listening to music, and feasting on chow from a specific region of the world, bringing your virtual visit full circle.

Zoo livestreams

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Though you can’t take a physical trip to the zoo right now, you can still see what your favorite animals are up to using live-streaming. Peek at baboons and penguins hanging around at the San Diego Zoo, or witness a mama white tiger taking care of her black tiger cubs at the Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Vandalur, India. These precious animals are still carrying on with their lives, so go ahead and take a look at their daily routines as you go about your own.

Stream beach scenery

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There’s certainly no replacement for the scent of the ocean or feeling a breeze blow by as waves wash ashore, but wannabe travelers can still visit sites like Live Beaches to enjoy live scenery from beaches all over the world. With beach cams streaming sun and sand from coastal states and shores, you’ll be able to bring a bit of the beach into your living room.

Google Maps

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If you’re the type of traveler who enjoys roaming city streets, use Google Maps to supplement a stroll. Type in a city, address, or landmark, and use the "street view" option to explore the surrounding area. For specific popular attractions, like the Colosseum in Rome, Italy, you can even experience 360-degree views of the exterior and interior by browsing the photos within the Google Maps overview section. A free photo tour without the wait or cost is almost as good as being there!