Finding the Universe

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Travel books how to travel from home

20 Ways to Travel From Home

Last updated: December 16, 2023 . Written by Laurence Norah - Leave a Comment

We love to travel. But it’s not always possible to travel all the time. Sometimes world events conspire against us to restrict travel, other times our budget might not stretch to cover travel. All is not lost however! There are lots of ways to travel from home, which I’m going to cover in this post.

These options, many of which are free, will let you get some of the thrill of travelling even when you are at home. They can inspire you for future trips, help with your trip planning, teach you about a destination, or simply fill some time with travel related activities.

If you have children, some of our tips for travelling from home can be a great way for families to virtually learn about the world, different cultures, history, animals, and more.

One of the great things about armchair travel is that you can do it from home at any time! And it generally requires little, if any, planning or money to do it.

Whilst nothing can entirely replace the wonder of traveling to a new destination, we hope these ideas on traveling from home will give you some ways to explore the world from wherever you are.

How to Travel from Home

Whether you’re planning a trip that you want to get more excited about, want to research a potential destination, or just want some travel themed ways to entertain yourself or your family at home, we hope these ideas for traveling from home inspire you to do some armchair traveling or your own!

Laurence and Jess blanket

Guided Virtual Tours

When we travel, we love to take guided walking tours. They’re a great way to get to know a destination or specific attraction, and learn about what it is we’re seeing.

One walking tour company that we often use and recommend is Context Travel . We’re delighted that they also offer virtual guided tours. These tours can be a great way to learn about a location in advance of your visit, or even just as a way to explore somewhere you might not have thought of visiting. If you’re at home with kids, you can think of one of these tours as a virtual field trip!

Context offers a range of tours from home. These are divided into courses and private virtual tours. The seminars are pre-scheduled events which are open to all, you just need to sign up and pay the fee.

The private tours are more expensive, but are designed to give you a private and more detailed tours on a specific subject. These are similar to the real-world tours they offer.

The other nice thing about Context is that if you don’t see a private tour that suits your particular interests, you can drop them a request for a tour that does.

We also have an exclusive discount code for Context’s virtual tours and seminars, which is travelcats . Enter the code at checkout to get 15% off your first order.

Of course, there are several other tour companies offering virtual tours as well. See some of the options available here on Viator  for an example of what else is out there.

home travelling

Books and Audiobooks about Travel

As Anna Quindlen said in How Reading Changed My Life , ““Books are the plane, and the train, and the road. They are the destination, and the journey. They are home.”

We would have to agree. Books are a wonderful way to take a journey without leaving your house, be that on a voyage to fantasy worlds, or on an adventure through our own.

They can be educational, entertaining, and informative, and you can enjoy them almost anywhere. You can choose a specific destination to explore through a travel writer’s eyes, or you can read a travel themed work of fiction. You can read a book for armchair travel, to inspire and help you plan a possible future trip, or as an activity as a family.

Here are some of our favourite travel books, which cover a whole range of travel related subjects. Most of these are also available as audiobooks so you can have someone read to you while you do other tasks.

Non-fiction travel writing

  • Any of Bill Bryson’s travel books which are filled with funny anecdotes about his travels, particularly around the USA, UK, and Australia
  • Paul Theroux is another well known travel writer with many books to choose from
  • A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle – British couple moves to Provence
  • The Silk Roads  by Peter Frankopan – history of the Silk Road and the countries it runs through
  • Train by Tom Zoellner – great book about train history and riding trains around the world
  • A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway – a memoir of Hemingway’s life in 1920’s Paris, published posthumously
  • Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert – a travel memoir chronicling the journey of the author through India, Italy and Indonesia

Fiction travel writing

  • The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams – Laurence’s all time favourite book. Definite escapism, with a vague travel theme
  • The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho – a book about the journey of a young Andalusian shepherd
  • The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown – this book about mysterious symbols, ancient societies and hidden clues pave a trail across Europe, with a particular focus on Italy. Definitely a fun read.

Travel Inspiration books

  • You Only Live Once – This Lonely Planet book has a massive list of experiences to kindle your excitement for all kinds of things, many of which are travel related
  • 1,000 Places to See Before you Die – awesome inspiration for future travels. There is also a United States and Canada version of this book for those traveling around North America.
  • Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 of the World’s Greatest Trips – another one for those of you looking for inspiration for planning future adventures

Children’s Travel Books

  • The Travel Book: A journey through every country in the world – aimed at kids, this book takes the reader on a journey through 200 countries, with fun facts on all of them

If you’re looking for more travel reading inspiration, check out this comment thread in our Facebook group for lovers of travel.

Travel Themed Films

Of course, books aren’t the only medium which allow us to travel from our own homes. Film is another way we can explore the world, and there are some fantastic travel themed films as well, which make for great viewing.

Some of these are based on true stories, whilst others are entirely fictional. Regardless, there are some great options in here which can serve as inspiration for a future trip, or just provide some travel based entertainment.

Here are just a handful of the movies we love:

  • Midnight in Paris – we love this story of an American who travel back to 1920s Paris and meets many of his artistic heroes
  • Eat Pray Love – film version of the popular novel by Elizabeth Gilbert
  • Lord of the Rings – this film trilogy inspired me to spend a year exploring New Zealand. It’s a stunning showcase of the beauty of the country, as well as an epic story.
  • The Secret Life of Walter Mitty – this story of a man searching for a more adventurous life features some stunning travel scenery, including beautiful scenes shot in Iceland
  • The Beach – the film (based on a novel by Alex Garland) that inspired thousands of travellers to travel to Thailand
  • The Bucket List – the movie that spawned the phrase tells the story of a terminally ill patient trying to accomplish a list of things to do before he dies
  • The Way – a bittersweet story of a man walking Spain’s popular Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage after the death of his son
  • Out of Africa – an epic romantic drama based on a true story about a Danish woman who moves to Kenya, and the challenges and adventures she faces as a result
  • A Walk in the Woods – a movie version of Bill Bryson’s novel of the same name, about his attempt to walk the Appalachian Trail
  • Up – if you’re looking for a lovely family movie about travel to watch with your kids (or even without!), this tale of a senior adventurer setting off on a fantastical voyage with a young traveller should hit the spot
  • The Lion King – Beautifully remade in glorious 3D in 2019, this coming of age story of a young lion will take you on a beautiful journey through the African wilderness, and might inspire you to head off on safari

As you can see, there are no shortage of movies about travel to inspire your wanderlust!

Travel Podcasts

If you like the idea of learning about travel by audio, you might want to subscribe to a podcast. These are usually regularly updated shows that you can listen to on any of your devices.

There are podcasts across a whole range of subjects, including travel. And of course, within travel, there’s a whole range of podcast topics and shows to choose from, including family travel, budget travel, solo female travel, long term nomadic travel – the list goes on.

As you would imagine, there’s a huge number of travel podcasts to listen to, and they’re also free. So you have nothing to lose by trying a few of them to find one you like. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

  • Rick Steves Podcasts – Rick Steves is one of the best known US based travelers, with his own range of guidebooks, products, and tours. In addition to his popular TV series and radio show, he also has a series of podcasts, covering a number of travel topics, including tips for travel in Europe, and interviews with travel authors and experts.
  • Amateur Traveler – hosted by Chris Christensen, this podcast interviews expert travellers from around the world. It’s been running since 2005 and runs weekly, so as you might imagine, pretty much every destination in the world has been covered.
  • Rough Guides Podcast – Rough Guide is a popular series of travel guidebooks, and they also offer a number of travel themed podcasts.
  • Armchair Explorer – Aaron Miller hosts this popular travel podcast series which features some of the world’s greatest adventurers telling their favourite story from the road. It’s done in a documentary style, which makes for a gripping and immersive experience
  • The Travel Diaries – Holly Rubenstein hosts a weekly interview series where she talks to special guests about their travel experiences around the world.
  • Y Travel Podcast – Australian couple Caz and Craig have been blogging about travel, with a specific focus on family travel, for about as long as we have. They’ve recently launched a travel podcast, which covers interviews, family travel and travel tips.

As you can see, there are plenty of podcasts to choose from, and there are thousands more out there to discover!

Live Webcams, 360 views, & Virtual Visits

If you want to explore a location at your leisure rather than on a tour, you have no shortage of options. There’s a huge number of live webcams and virtual tours available at destinations around the world.

These range in what they offer, from 360 degree interactive tours of existing locations, through to webcams, virtual renditions of past locations, and more. You can visit natural wonders, museums, wild animal locations, zoos, parks, observatories, and more!

Here are a few options to consider, all of which are free.

  • Google has a virtual tour of the  Pyramids of Giza
  • Take a wander around a virtual rendition of Angkor Wat in Cambodia right  here
  • This is an excellent interactive  virtual tour of Stonehenge  by English Heritage
  • Take a walk inside the Colosseum in Rome thanks to  this tour from Google
  • Lots of museums have virtual tours as well. Check out  this tour of the Louvre ,  this one of the Vatican Museum ,  this tour of the British Museum  and  this one of the Metropolitan Museum of Art  to get you started
  • A series of live webcams of wild animals across countries in Africa
  • Live farm animals from a farm in the UK

As you can see, there’s something here for most interests!

Decorate your House with a Travel Theme

If you love to travel, one great way to get a travel vibe even when you are at home is to decorate your home with a travel theme.

There are a huge number of travel themed home decor items out there, and you can go as crazy or understated as you like. The list of what is available is long, but just to get you thinking, there’s travel themed bedding, wall art, throw pillows, globes, custom photo frames, tea towels, mugs, and more!

Maybe it’s just a few items to remind you of a trip, or perhaps you want to theme a room in a travel style. Or, you really love travel and want to give your whole home a travel makeover!

Whatever direction you want to go, we think you’ll find some products to suit.

We have some favourite travel themed items we decorate our own home with. We love our wall map pinboard for example, which lets us plan future trips and remember past trips. We’re also big fans of these travel themed wall decals , which add a cool travel theme to the wall of any room, and Jess loves her French inspired trinket dishes .

For more ideas, check out our comprehensive travel inspired home decor post, which has over 75 ideas for home decor items covering every room in your home!

Travel themed coasters

Through Cooking

For many travelers, experiencing the food of a country is one of the highlights of a trip. Whether it’s pizza in Italy, curries in India, or the comfort food of the USA’s southeast, food has a way to transport us to a destination. Sometimes, just eating a dish we’ve experienced in a place can take us right back there!

If you can’t travel to a country, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy its food. You can do this either by going out to a restaurant, or by learning how to recreate some of your favourite food experiences from your travels yourself.

Learning how to cook different dishes from around the world can be a really fun experience, and one you can involve your whole family in. You get multiple benefits – a new meal to add to your cooking repertoire, a fun experience everyone can join in on, an opportunity to learn about a culture through its food, and of course, a tasty meal to eat at the end of it all!

Traditional Seychelles Food

There are lots of ways to learn how to cook different dishes from around the world. To start with, there’s no shortage of cookbooks focused on the foods of different destinations. Some of these provide recipes from around the world, whereas other may focus on one country or region. Here are some to consider.

  • This cookbook features 450 dishes from around the world
  • This cookbook covers 1,000 foods you need to eat before you die, from all around the world
  • Love comfort food? Check out this recipe book featuring comfort food from around the world
  • This cookbook has over 500 recipes focused on the Mediterranean region

You can also check out Youtube cooking channels or TV shows about food . If you have cable or a streaming service subscription, you probably get at least one channel focused on food and cooking.

There are also lots of  specialist food blogs, such as this one focusing on the food of the Seychelles , or this one focusing on Italian dishes.

Localbites Class

We’re fairly sure that you’ll have no trouble finding information to recreate delicious meals to take your taste buds on a journey!

Plan a Future Trip

Just because you aren’t traveling right now, doesn’t mean you won’t ever travel again. So one way to fulfil your wanderlust might be to spend some time planning a future trip.

Planning a trip, especially one of the independent trips we enjoy the most, can be quite a lot of work, but also a lot of fun. You have to figure out exactly where you want to go, everything you want to see, any transport requirements, and plan where you’ll be staying. Then there’s what you’ll likely do each day, and of course, you’ll probably want to start thinking about potential dining options as well!

If you’re planning on travelling with others, perhaps friends or on a family trip, then you’re also going to want to discuss their interests and priorities for the trip as well. In our experience, group trips work best when everyone is involved in the planning from the beginning.

The trip you choose to plan can either be a real trip you plan to take in the near future, or you can have fun and put together a fantasy trip.

When it comes to trip planning, obviously we’re a little biased and would recommend you check out a travel blog to help. We have two, this one and Independent Travel Cats , both of which have content on number of destinations around the world, whether you’re planning a city break or a road trip.

Of course, travel blogs aren’t the only option when it comes to trip planning. We also love to use guidebooks, including the Rick Steves series, Lonely Planet and Insight Guides .

When it comes to the logistics of planning a trip, we like to use Google Drive for collaborative documents, Google Maps for putting together trip routes and sightseeing lists, and we have an extensive list of other tools we use for travel planning here .

Trip planning

Travel in Video Games

Not all travel has to be in the real world. You can take a virtual adventure in a video game, either to explore a representation of a real world location, or to tackle entirely different realities.

I’ve been playing video games since I could hook up a game console to a TV, and have spent thousands of hours in virtual worlds. There’s truly a video game for everyone, whether you want to visit distant galaxies, or take a virtual walk in a walking simulator (yes, this is a thing).

Here are some suggestions to get you started:

  • The Civilization series . The first entry in the Civilization Series launched in 1991, making this one of the world’s longest running gaming series. The goal of the game is to build an empire, from the dawn of civilization through to the modern day. Along the way you’ll compete with historical world leaders, build structures like the pyramids, and if you’re lucky, take your civilization into space. A fun title that is also somewhat educational, and a great family gaming option.
  • Assassin’s Creed series .  If you prefer your games of the cut throat variety, check out the Assassin’s Creed series. These games have your protagonists generally trying to save the world from evil, whilst you explore a number of wonderfully rendered real world locations. If you’ve ever wanted to throw yourself around the 15th century rooftops of Florence, colonial Boston, or one of many other locations, this is a great way to do that.
  • No Man’s Sky . If your ideal means of travel is a spaceship with which you can explore the galaxy, you might want to try this vast space exploration simulator.  This has you attempting to survive as you explore literally quadrillions of planets across hundreds of galaxies.
  • Watch_Dogs 2 . This third person game is set in a fictionalized version of the San Francisco Bay Area, and has you playing as an elite hacker out to thwart an evil corporations privacy invading plot.
  • Lost Ember . If all the above sound a bit like hard work to you, then you might enjoy Lost Ember. Set in a post-human world, this has you exploring a series of stunning environments as a wide range of real world animals. There is a story to follow, but mostly it’s about just exploring the world and relaxing. Another good family entertainment option.
  • World of Warcraft . If you are looking to explore a fantasy adventure land on an epic scale in real time with millions of other players, then look no further than World of Warcraft. This game has you picking  a race and faction, and setting out to make your name in a massive world consisting of a number of lands.
  • Minecraft . If you prefer the idea of building your own world, then you might like to try Minecraft. If you do, you won’t be alone, as Minecraft is the world’s best selling video game of all time. You can build your own world, tour virtual recreations of real world structures and locations, and generally have a block filled adventure. Another great family option.
  • Planet Coaster . If you love to visit theme parks, then you might want to give a theme park simulation game a go. These started back in the 1990s with Theme Park , which had a number of spiritual successors, including the RollerCoaster Tycoon series . Game play is similar, but the graphics have improved over the years. The overall goal is to build and manage your very own theme park, including ride construction as well as staff and concession management. The most recent and widely acclaimed version currently available is Planet Coaster .

Of course, this is just scratching the surface of what’s available when it comes to video games that can take you on a journey, but hopefully it gives you some inspiration and a good starting point for your search.

Revisit Old Travel Photos, Videos, & Memories

When we travel, we often take a lot of photos of our trips. Sometimes we collect souvenirs as well as mementos.

A fun way to go on a virtual trip is to revisit an old adventure you’ve had, and a great way to do that is to look through the photos, videos or travel travel journals you have from past adventures, as well as the items you bought when traveling.

This can be a really nice way to feel a little like you are traveling without leaving the house. Looking at old travel photos and videos, which are often collecting dust (be that real or digital!), is a lovely way to transport you back to a trip.

If you went on the trip with someone else, you might like to connect with them and go through the memories together. This way you’ll remember the moments you experienced together.

This can also be a good opportunity to consider turning some of your digital memories into physical mementos of your adventures, which can make for a fun home based travel themed project.

One easy way to do this is of course just to order prints, but there are lots more ways to turn your photos into physical items. From personalised mugs to custom throw blankets , there are loads of ways to turn memories into reality. See some more ideas in our guide to travel home decor .

Photo Collage

Virtual Reality

If you want a more immersive travel experience than can be achieved via a computer game, movie or TV show, then you might want to check out a virtual reality experience instead.

There are two main types of virtual reality system that you can get. First, you can get a specialized virtual reality headset like one of the Oculus systems . Some of these work standalone, whilst other require a high end PC to get good results. This will definitely get you the best VR experience.

Another option is to get a headset which supports your smartphone like this or this . Since most of us already own a smartphone, and these tend to have motion sensitivity and high resolution screens, this can be an inexpensive way to experience virtual reality content.

However, the experience is definitely not as good as a dedicated system. The quality will be lower, there are no cameras to support interacting with real world environments, and you don’t get the advanced controllers that you get with a dedicated VR system. Support for these is definitely waning as manufacturers focus on the dedicated VR headset market.

Whatever option you go for, when you have your virtual reality solution you are going to need some content to view.

If you have a dedicated headset, then a good starting point is Google Earth VR , which will let you explore the world through Google Earth using your headset. Almost as good as being there!

If you have a smartphone solution, check out Google Street View which includes support for smartphone based VR.

Of course, there’s lots more content you can explore in VR, from rollercoaster rides on Youtube to the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City . You can even take a virtual vacation in the Vacation Simulator game for VR!

Google Earth VR

Backyard / Home Camping

Taking a camping trip is a popular vacation option, and is particularly popular as a family travel option. Sometimes though, we might not be able to travel to our favourite camping spot.

All is not lost though! You can recreate the fun of a camping adventure in your own home.

If you happen to have a yard or outdoor space, then you can definitely take advantage of this area to pitch a tent, have a BBQ, and generally take part in all the fun camping activities you would do at a real campsite. In some ways it’s even better – you have access to your own bathroom, and if the weather turns bad you can always just go inside!

Even if you don’t have your own outdoor space, you can still recreate your own camping experience. Just set up one of your rooms as a campsite! You might have to be creative with your tent construction as most home floors don’t work so well for pegs, but as it’s unlikely to be windy indoors you can probably get away with a slightly less robust solution. And if you don’t have a tent, you can make a DIY camp out of some sheets and blankets!

We appreciate that camping at home might not be exactly the same as camping at a remote wilderness location, but this can definitely be a fun experience, especially if you have kids.

Travel TV Shows

There’s no shortage of TV shows for you to enjoy and get a travel fix from. These range from spectacular wildlife documentaries, through to television dramas that will make you fall in love with a destination, through to stories of adventure.

So whether it’s travel inspiration you want, a good story, or just to explore far flung corners of the globe, there’s a TV show for you. Here are some to think about.

  • Planet Earth – This is an epic documentary series, narrated by Sir David Attenborough, which took four years to make. It will take you on a journey across some of the world’s most awe inspiring natural wonders. There’s also a sequel, Planet Earth 2 .
  • Long Way Round – In 2004, actor Ewan McGregor and his friend, TV presenter Charley Boorman, set off on a quest to travel from London to New York by motorcycle. The series covers the 19,000 miles they covered, and the challenges they faced along the way. It has since been followed up with an overland journey from London to Cape town called the Long Way Down . A third iteration called the Long Way Up, from Argentina to California, is due in 2020.
  • Parts Unknown – hosted by the late Anthony Bourdain, this travel and food show spans 12 seasons and 104 episodes, and takes the viewer to less visited parts of the world to explore both culture and cuisine.
  • Rick Steves’ Europe – Hosted by Rick Steves, these half hour episodes will take you on a journey across a number of European destinations, as well as a number of other countries.
  • Outlander – There’s no shortage of fictional TV shows set in stunning locations, but Outlander is perhaps one of the most well known. This time travel shows features locations around the world, but is best known for the stunning Scottish landscapes it depicts
  • The Amazing Race – this competitive reality TV game show has couples competing in challenges in locations around the world, as part of a wider challenge to race around the world. It has been filmed in locations around the world, and there have been over thirty seasons to date! The American version is the original, but a number of other countries also have versions of this popular show.
  • Places to Love – hosted by Samantha Brown, this lovely travel series focuses on the emotional heart of travel, and the people who make up the places she visits
  • Dora the Explorer – If you have younger kids, they will likely love the adventures of Dora. Whilst the show doesn’t visit real world locations, a live action movie released in 2019 does.

Naturally there are thousands more shows to choose from that include elements of travel, allowing you to explore the world from the comfort of your own couch. Many TV shows are also family friendly and educational, so your kids can learn as you watch as well.

Learn a New Skill for Travel

One great way to spend your time in anticipation of a future trip is to learn a new skill that you can use on the trip. This is also a good stay at home activity that you can involve your whole family in together if you wish.

Learning a language for example is a great way to prepare for a trip. This might be a language you started learning at school but have since let lapse, or a language that you know will come in useful on a trip you are already planning. French and Spanish are popular options, but there’s no shortage of languages in the world you can learn.

There are plenty of different ways to learn a language. There are free platforms like Duolingo (ad-supported, paid version available), and more known language programs like Rosetta Stone .

As well as a language, there are other useful skills you can learn to enhance your trips. We all love to take photos when we travel, so learning how to improve your photography can help you capture better memories of your adventures. It’s also a useful skill for all sorts of other events, from family gatherings to events.

Again, there are lots of way to improve your photography while at home. For example, we have lots of free content on our blogs all about photography. Get started on our photography tips page for a range of photography articles.

If you want to take your photography to the next level, then you might prefer a more structured approach to learning. We run a comprehensive online photography course which will teach you everything you need to know about photography across 10 weeks. We’ve already helped over 2,000 people improve their photography, and would love to help you do the same. You can see that here .

Laurence camera

Set up a Relaxation Zone

Many of us travel to get away from it all and relax, and spa holidays are a very popular option for achieving this goal.

However, a spa holiday can definitely be an expensive option, and it might not be something your budget stretches to on a regular basis. And even if it does, wouldn’t it be nice to be able to recreate that experience at home anyway?

Well, why not set up your own home relaxation zone?

This can be a place of retreat for you and your family. It can be a specific room in your house, perhaps a spare bedroom where you can read and relax or a bathroom that you can set up for an at-home spa experience. If you have an outdoor space and the climate is suitable, you can also designate an outdoor space. Consider a garden area with flowers and herbs from different parts of the world.

It’s probably a good idea to have some ground rules for use of the space, and to fill it with some items to make it relaxing. For example, you might consider making it a devices free zone, with minimal talking allowed, and a focus on calming activities like meditation, yoga, or reading. Consider using fragrance candles or reed diffusers to create a calming environment that emulates that which you might find at a real spa.

Participate in Travel Forums, Facebook Groups, and Chats

Just because you’re not travelling right now doesn’t mean you can’t indulge your love of travel with like minded individuals! A great way to do this is online, either in travel forums, in Facebook groups, or in group chats devoted to travel.

There are a number of popular travel forums online. These include the long running Thorntree forum by Lonely Planet, the Rick Steves Travel Forum , and the Travelfish forum which focuses on travel in Asia.

If you would prefer to discuss travel on a platform like Facebook, then there are lot of options here too. We even run our own travel Facebook group where you can talk about all things related to travel, including sharing stories of past trips and helping others plan upcoming trips. You can join that here .

Set up Online Video Chats with Travel Loving Friends and Family

Do you have friends and family who love to travel? Maybe you’ve travelled with friends or family in the past, or plan to in the future. Or maybe you just know folks who love travel as much as you do.

If so, a great way to rekindle your love of travel is to connect with them for a chat. As well as being a lovely way to catch up, this will also give you a chance to talk about travel with a like minded individual. You can talk about trips you’ve been on, discuss potential future trips, share stories, and generally pass an amenable time.

There are a wide range of platforms that allow for free video chats, including Skype , Facetime , Facebook Messenger , Whatsapp , and Google Duo . There are also platforms designed to host more people at once, such as Facebook’s Messenger Rooms and Zoom . Whatever you choose, just make sure everyone on the call can use it (some products like Facetime for example are for Apple users only).

If you are planning on hosting a call with multiple participants, it might be an idea to appoint a host, or come up with a loose agenda, so everyone can get the most out of the call.

Travel Themed Subscription Services

If you want a regular dose of travel themed inspiration in your life, one option is to sign up to a travel themed subscription service of some kind.

These are available across a range of product types, and you might find that one of these options replaces an existing service you use with one that is more travel oriented.

Here are some travel themed subscription services we think you might enjoy. These cover all sorts of things, such as food, art, souvenirs, books, spices, handicrafts, beauty products etc. They cover a range of destinations, and some are aimed specifically at kids to start kindle their curiosity in the world.

  • The Wordy Traveler – This international travel themed book club sends a quarterly box which includes travel themed books, premium tea as well as a limited edition fine art print.
  • Little Passports – This kid focused subscription box aims to give kids across a range of ages a monthly package filled with toys and activities. They have a range of subjects, including a USA and World Travel themed box, which include souvenirs, toys, stickers and collectibles. This is a great option if you have kids and want to encourage a love of travel whilst also teaching them about the world. Based in the USA with shipping a number of destinations around the world.
  • Paddington’s Postcards – younger children in the UK will likely enjoy the Unicef Paddington’s Postcard series. For a monthly fee you get a monthly personalised postcard from Paddington Bear, all about the life of a child in another country. A lovely way to learn how people in different countries live
  • Nomadik – this subscription box service is perfect for lovers of the outdoors. Each month you get a box filled with at least $50 worth of outdoor gear that’s ready for your next adventure.

Always check when subscribing to any of these services where they ship, and be aware that you might be liable for customs and import taxes if you sign up to a service outside your home country. For this reason, we recommend trying to find a local service where possible.

An International Penpal

Travel is often about the people we meet and the experiences we have with them. Learning about different cultures through others is often one of the more rewarding parts of our travels.

The good news is that you don’t have to travel to have contact with people from around the world. You can find a Penpal, and exchange letters or emails with folks in different places.

There are a number of services to help you find a Penpal, such as Penpal International , Penpal World and International Pen Friends . There are also dedicated sites for children and students to find a Penpal, such as Students of the World .

Of course, as with any service like this, always be very careful about who you give your personal information out to, and if you want to get your kids involved, ensure they understand the principles of staying safe online .

Music and Dancing

Have you ever heard a song come on and been transported back to a memory where you heard it playing? Music, like food, has a powerful ability to stimulate our memories.

With this in mind, you might enjoy listening to music that originates in a destination you’ve visited, or of a destination you plan to visit. A good example of this might be bagpipe music , which for me is impossible to listen to without thinking of the stunning vistas of Scotland.

Other songs might evoke a road trip, such as the songs about Route 66 in the USA. You can also get world music to relax to , or music that showcases the sounds of a continent .

It’s not just music of course. Dance is a hugely important part of many cultures around the world, with different types of dance associated with places and people. Learning a dance of a destination you have visited or plan to go can be a fun way to learn more about the culture, as well as potentially connect with other like minded people.

You can learn to dance at studios in locations around the world, or you can do it for free at home using some of the many online dance class videos . There’s also the side benefit of getting a workout whilst you learn!

home travelling

Further Reading

That’s it for our detailed guide to how to travel from home. We hope that some of these suggestions have given you some ideas for how to travel without leaving your house, be that on your own or as a family.

Before you head on, we also have some other resources we think you might find useful for planning future trips.

  • If you’re travelling from home you’ll probably want a good internet connection to take full advantage of the online offerings. See our guide to the best home WiFi routers for our favourite ways to improve your home internet
  • We have guides for how much it  costs to travel in the USA and how much it costs to travel in the UK
  • We have a guide to travel inspired home decor , travel themed jewelry and gifts for travelers
  • Our guide to the  best travel routers for improving your WiFi signal when travelling
  • Our guide to  how to get online when travelling away from home and a guide to choosing the  best VPN for travel
  • You’re going to need to power all your devices when you travel – see our guide to the  best travel adapters
  • If you are heading out onto the road and looking for a laptop to get some work done, see our guide to the  best laptops for photo editing
  • Thinking of buying a new camera? See our guide to the  best cameras for travel
  • Looking to improve your photography? See our detailed  online travel photography course here

And that’s it! As always, we hope you found this guide useful. If you have any thoughts on the policies above, or more tips on how to travel from home, just pop them in the comments section below.

A host of ideas to help you travel from home! Everything from virtual tours to books, movies, travel planning tips, music, creative outlets and more!

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Travel From Home: 14 Ways to Satisfy Your Travel Cravings

Travel From Home: 14 Ways to Satisfy Your Travel Cravings

It’s been a while since you traveled, and you’re craving those nostalgic memories of packing suitcases, the exciting sound of an airplane belt clicking into place, or the wonderful scent of the salty sea in your tropical destination. Although there may be reasons you can’t travel ‘away’, we can travel from home using a few of the methods listed below. So get ready to satisfy your cravings while also getting excited about your next trip!

1. Watch Travel Shows

The best way to travel from home? Traveling to countries far and wide from the comfort of your own sofa! Platforms like Netflix have a tonne of awesome travel movies and shows that can really transport you to another place for an hour or two. Additionally, cooking shows are a great way to scratch that travel itch, showing beautiful countries and giving us an insight into flavors and culture.

YouTube Travel shows

  • Mongol Rally Documentary (from our friends Kinging-It)
  • YesTheory – Becoming Ice-Man
  • Costa Rica Travel Documentary
  • New Zealand – Man Spends 30 Years Turning Degraded Land into Massive Forest
  • Jamalon in Scotland

travel from home tips netflix

Netflix Travel Shows

  • A Life on our Planet
  • Down to Earth
  • Night on Earth
  • Chasing Coral
  • Dark Tourist
  • Dancing with the Birds

Netflix Cooking Shows

  • Somebody Feed Phil
  • Street Food
  • Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown

Tip: All the David Attenborough documentaries are a fantastic way to travel from home, learn about nature, and understand more about the future of our planet and how to live sustainably. (Learn about: sustainable travel )

home travelling

2. Learn a Language 

A great way to prepare for a future trip is to start to learn a new language. Travel from home by joining language learning apps or even taking online classes. For example, if you’re planning a trip to Italy you can learn how to order all the flavors of gelato!

Join a tutoring platform like ‘ Italki ‘, where you can choose a tutor for private lessons in almost any language. Alternatively, apps like ‘ Babbel ‘ or ‘ Duolingo ‘ can help you learn basic phrases.

travel from home best language apps

3. Research a Future Trip

There may be reasons you can’t travel at this moment, however, there is nothing to stop you from planning a trip for the future. Planning a trip is at least half the fun of your trip, getting you excited for what’s to come, and giving you the feeling of traveling, even if you’re still at home. Use Pinterest and Instagram as a way of collating information and images for your trip, choose the type of holiday you want, and even start comparing flight prices.

Read: How to Plan a Trip in 7 Easy Steps

travel from home plan trips

Thinking of moving abroad ? Use this time to inspire your research, working out where your new home will be, and planning your potential career change around this.

Travel From Home: 14 Ways to Satisfy Your Travel Cravings

4. Listen to Travel Podcasts & Music from Around the World

Get your feet tapping and your mind dreaming by listening to travel music or podcasts from around the world. The Big Travel Podcast is the perfect way to travel from home, as you listen to travel stories from celebrities all over the world. Alternatively, transport yourself to fiesta in Mexico with some lively Latin music or to the sunny streets of Lisbon with soulful fado music.

Listen to our:   Salt in our Hair Travel Music Playlist

best tips work from home

5. Take a Trip Down Memory Lane

Travel from home, and back in time, by going through your photos and videos from previous travels. Use your time at home to create a beautiful scrapbook, a photo album, or an epic travel vlog!

Perhaps, you haven’t had time to upload your memories to social media or youtube ? Create an amazing reel to share with your friends and use one of our favorite travel quotes to create a caption. 

Read: Most Inspirational Travel Quotes

travel from home photo scrapbook

6. Redecorate your Home

Doing a little ‘travel-inspired’ home renovation is a great way to travel from home. Perhaps you’ve got some souvenirs or trinkets from your adventures that you could incorporate into your home design? Not only will this look beautiful and unique, but it will also give you that warm ‘travel’ feeling whenever you see it.

travel home interior

Think about the items or styles you want to us from past travels. For example, we repainted our wall in a Moroccan warm tone, bought beautiful ceramics in Portugal , rugs from Morocco , as well as stunning bamboo furniture from Indonesia .

See our DIY hacks on Instagram Stories (click highlight DIY)

travel from home diy

7. Get Creative in the Kitchen

Travel from home through the flavors of international cuisine! Are you missing a certain dish from a country you have visited in the past or do you want to try a specific recipe from a country on your bucket list? Pop your apron on and experiment in the kitchen! Try the Global Vegan or Near & Far cookbook .

Tip: You could do an international cooking competition with friends, where you each cook a dish from around the world. Ready, set, COOK!

airbnb experiences cooking class

8. Read Travel Books and Magazines

Losing yourself in the pages of a good book is a great way to transport yourself to another country and ‘travel’ from home. Choose a true story about adventures in the mountains, or let your mind wander with a fictional novel about an alternate universe. Some great travel books are:

  • Shantaram (Gregory David Roberts)
  • On the Road (Jack Kerouac)
  • Eat, Pray, Love (Elizabeth Gilbert)
  • Wild (Cheryl Strayed)
  • Down Under (Bill Bryson)
  • The Kite Runner (Khaled Hosseini)

Tip: Not much of a reader? Travel from home by marveling at beautiful imagery in travel magazines. If you want to continue the journey, take a look at the travel blogs on saltinourhair.com or head over to our Instagram for more tropical goodness.

travel from home best travel books

9. Create a Travel Bucket List

Is there anything better than dreaming of future travels to remote locations and castaway islands? You might not be able to hop on a plane right now, but a great way to travel from home is by making an epic bucket list for the future.

Airbnb Discount Code italy

Do some research and think about the destinations that really get you buzzing with excitement. For example, are you a history buff? Consider visiting some of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites . Alternatively, you might be dreaming of a lazy European summer, so check out the best European city trips .

pyramids giza unesco heritage

10. Play Travel Board Games

Who doesn’t love a good board game during the holidays or at the weekends? It’s a great way to spend time with friends and family, and if you choose a travel game it’s a great way to ‘travel from home’!

Well-loved games, like Monopoly, now have ‘world’ editions and the popular game ‘Ticket to Ride’ has an edition for many countries around the world. This is the perfect way to jump from destination to destination, and scratch that ‘travel itch’ in the process!

travel from home best travel board games

11. Read Travel Blogs

Travel blogs are the perfect way to get inspired, learn new information, and travel from home through beautiful imagery. There are hundreds of destination guides over at ‘Salt in our Hair’, as well as tips and tricks for traveling sustainably, becoming a digital nomad, and setting up your own travel blog. Use these to fulfill your travel cravings! 

Discover all: Guides at saltinourhair.com

travel from home blog

12. Travel around the World with Virtual Tours

Spend an evening traveling from home by taking part in a virtual travel tour! Plenty of tour companies are offering virtual tours of some of the world’s most loved sites. Visit the Great Wall of China , take a history tour around Venice, or explore some of the world’s most iconic UNESCO world heritage sites, all from the comfort of your own sofa.

Travel from home in 3D

You can even check out Google Earth and pick a place at random to explore (click ‘3D’ for an extra cool effect) . So get ready to bring those whirlwind travel experiences to you, fulfilling your travel cravings until you can hop on a plane again!

Read: Best Things To Do in Venice, Italy

travel from home virtual tour

13. Meet People From Other Countries

One of the best parts of travel has to be meeting new people from all over the world! There is a way you can do this while traveling from home. For example, you could join (online) courses or clubs that offer activities from other countries such as a photography course, language exchange, salsa dancing, muay Thai boxing, or a sushi-making course. This can be a great way to meet people in your area who have similar interests or enjoy learning about new cultures.

Sign up at Skillshare to learn or teach any skill you can think of!

home travelling

14. Stay Local and Travel from Home

If you’re able to, consider traveling locally. We’re normally so desperate to jet off to new and exciting countries and climates, that we fail to realize the beauty that’s right under our nose. There might be beautiful destinations on your doorstep you’ve never seen before! Go for a hike close by and see the sun go down, or hop in the car and go on a weekend adventure in nature. 

Read: The top things to do in our home city: Rotterdam!

tulips netherlands

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9 x Travel Home Decor Ideas: Incorporate Travel Into Your Home

How to work from home effectively: 14 tips for freelancers, travel safety: 17 tips on how to travel safe.

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Solo Traveler

Solo travel tips, destinations, stories... the source for those who travel alone.

home travelling

How to Rent Your Home and Go Traveling

Janice Waugh

November 28, 2018 by Janice Waugh

home travelling

Renting your home to go traveling is a great way to make your travel dreams come true.

Whether you live in an apartment as Elizabeth does in the example below, or have a house to offer as I did when I took a 10-month trip, it helps significantly.

In this post we'll explore why and whether renting your home on a short-term basis is right for you. Then we'll explore many ways and many details to consider, so that your experience is a positive one.

Table of Contents

Why Rent Your Home for Travel Money?

Whether it's for a weekend, a week, a month, or longer, renting your home can bring in good money to help pay for your travels.

Many years ago, I did a 10-month trip with my family. We had our youngest with us full time who we home-schooled. Various combinations of our older sons joined us along the way. To help pay for our trip, we rented our home for the ten months we were away. With four bedrooms (two in the basement) that rental brought in $25,000 which, as you can imagine, was significant in helping pay for our trip. This was before Airbnb and we managed the rental ourselves. This DIY method may still make sense for a 10-month rental depending on where you live and because it saves the fees that a rental platform charges.

By contrast, my friend, Elizabeth, has rented her apartment a number of times to go traveling for shorter but equally significant trips. Her longest trip was 9 weeks. The revenue from renting her apartment on Airbnb helped cover the cost of her monthly rent while she was gone, and then some. On her latest trip it covered her rent and her car rental for the month-long trip.

So, renting your place can help pay for your travels. Let's explore how to do it, but first, let's evaluate whether it's right for you.

photo, image, edmundston, how to rent your home and go traveling

Is Renting Your Home Right for You?

Renting out your home is not for everyone. You need to decide if it is right for you.

  • Do you get stressed by the idea of someone living in your home and using your stuff? Then it's not for you.
  • Are you easy-going about your things? If you will travel and not worry about your home, go for it.
  • Are you allowed to rent your home? If you rent or live in an apartment or co-op, you need to ensure that you can legally sublet.

Money is one thing. Peace of mind and operating within the terms of any contracts you may have signed are also important. Consider these questions carefully.

The result of renting my home for 10 months was not perfect. But it was acceptable. We returned from our trip and there was some minor damage to our home. But it was the type of damage that could have easily happened with our family living there as well. My conclusion? Overall, it was a good experience and the $25,000 was very helpful!

Renting Your Home through Airbnb and Other Options

When you want to rent your home and go traveling there are a variety of home rental platforms for you to consider. Some people use them all, which requires maintaining the calendars for them all as well. It can be a bit of a hassle. Elizabeth only uses Airbnb and has found it adequate. Use all or one, that's up to you.

  • Airbnb – Airbnb is to apartment and home rentals as Kleenex is to tissue. It's the number one site for renting your home and for renting a home. Click here to become an Airbnb host.  Airbnb has recently added their Host an Experience feature to their site. This allows you to earn more by offering experiences to your guests as well.  Click here to rent on Airbnb and you'll get a $25 credit .
  • Homeaway and VRBO – VRBO stands for Vacation Rental By Owner. It is owned by Homeaway. They both offer rooms, apartments, houses, and even hotels. The same search on both sites produces the same results. Click here to list your home on VRBO and Homeaway.
  • TripAdvisor and Flipkey  – Like the relationship between VRBO and Homeaway, Flipkey is owned by TripAdvisor.   Click here to list your home on Flipkey and TripAdvisor .

Before posting your own home on one of these platforms it's probably a good idea to try them from a traveler's perspective first. This has two advantages: you get to see what the experience is like for yourself which will help you be successful when you rent your own home, and you will be able to get a review from your host on the rental platform. Reviews are how the system keeps quality up and will increase the number of people wanting to rent from you.

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How To Be a Successful Airbnb Host

Elizabeth has been renting her apartment a few times a year for a number of years. I asked for her best tips for success. Here they are.

  • House rules – Determine your own house rules. You can go onto other listings and see what house rules are being published by others to help you come up with your list.
  • Define your cancellation policy – Again, do a bit of homework and make your own decision.
  • Photography – Elizabeth first listed with her own photos, which produced some results. But once the Airbnb photos were up, interest was much greater. In Toronto, they'll send a free photographer. Accept the service.
  • Pricing – She prices her apartment above the average rate on Airbnb for a similar place. She says that her rate should be $70/night. She charges $99/night and she still receives inquiries. Be prepared to negotiate the price for longer stays, though not everyone does this.
  • Reviews – She gives reviews every time she rents or hosts and requests that the person on the other side of her transaction does the same. Reviews increase rentals.
  • Anecdote: On one occasion she was renting to a single man coming to Toronto for Pride. He looked like a good bet but Pride generally means partying. She told him that she had really nosy neighbors and there should be no one but him in the apartment. He assured her that all would be fine and that he would leave the place cleaner than he found it. And he did.
  • Edit the house –  Before your renter arrives, clear out all personal items, empty a few drawers for people to use, clear out your fridge so that people can store their own fresh food, take personal soaps, etc. out of the bathroom and replace with new product for your renter and make sure there is a first-aid kit in plain sight.
  • Add a welcoming touch . Ask about the people's needs. Do they drink coffee? Would bread and milk be appreciated? You don't have to spend a lot but having a few supplies in for your renter on their first day makes a great impression and results in great reviews. A few chocolates and fresh flowers make a positive impression too.
  • Check-in . If you can't be there to check your guest in yourself, have someone who lives nearby do so. There are a few people in Elizabeth's building who rent through Airbnb now and then and so they help each other with this. By having someone who is nearby do the check-in it will be less of an inconvenience if the renter is held up by a flight delay.
  • Schedule a cleaning person . You can charge for this so always schedule a cleaning person to come after your renter departs. Even people who are really clean and tidy may leave behind subtle messes you don't want to deal with. Elizabeth spoke about one renter who seemed to leave her place immaculate but then she found the woman's long hairs here and there for about a week.
  • For more tips on preparing your home for a tenant, read the How to Prepare Your Home for your Renter

how to rent your home and go traveling

DIY Renting Your Home Starts with Finding the Right Renter

Renting your apartment or house yourself, directly with an individual rather than through a network like Airbnb, is a little more stressful. In fact, after trying to rent our home for months, we didn’t find our renters (we rejected a number of prospects) until two weeks before we left. Fortunately, the renters we found were perfect.

I learned a lot from that experience. Here are some takeaways that may be of help to you. Start by identifying the type of person or people you want to rent your home.

  • Specify your criteria regarding smoking, pets, and any other detail that is important to you.
  • Decide what you will include in your rental, such as utilities or technology.
  • Remove items that you will not include in the rental before showing it to prospective renters.
  • Clarify whether you are willing to rent to a number of people on a short term basis or if you are only willing to work with one renter for the entire time you are away.

home travelling

Once you know the type of person you want to rent your home:

  • Create a mini website that shows off your home. Google “make a free website” and you'll find that you can do this yourself at no cost.
  • Let friends and family know that you are looking to rent your home. Let them know your criteria and share your website with them.
  • Use an online service like SabbaticalHomes.com to list your home. If you want to stay in one place, consider trading places with a service like Home Exchange . It won't bring you in extra money for travel but it will cover the cost of your accommodation. Read Free Accommodation: Try a Home Exchange
  • Post your home with a faculty newsletter or notice board of a local university or college to find academics on sabbatical.
  • Many neighborhoods have websites for local news, shops, and classified ads. Post your listing there.
  • Try Craig's List and Kijiji. They have been successful for some people.
  • If you’re not having success or not comfortable managing the process yourself, find a real estate agent to do the job for you.  Unfortunately, they'll make more from a sale of a house than by renting yours, so they are not likely to work at it very hard.

When you've found a prospective renter, check them out thoroughly. You're going away. You don't want any headaches. You need financial, business, and personal references.

  • Do a credit check. Read How to Run a Credit Check .
  • Confirm that they are employed and talk with their boss. You want to find out how reliable and responsible they are. Don't do this by email. Chat with them by phone long enough that they start to care about you before you ask the tough questions. Leave pauses in the conversation. People tend to fill dead air and you may find out more this way. You should always ask: “if you wanted to rent your home, would you rent it to him/her?”
  • Try to get more than one business reference. Personal checks can be valuable too but friends say nice things anyway. A second business reference is more valuable.

How to Prepare Your Home for Your Renter

Make sure that the lease you sign with your tenant is airtight in terms of which utilities are covered and which are not, responsibilities for repairs, insurance requirements, and more. You will want to keep your insurance on the property and your contents. Editors note: as reader segacs adds in the comments below “… Here in Quebec, things like damage deposits and last month's rent are very, very illegal. When you sublet, you're essentially becoming a landlord for a short period of time; read up on all the local laws and make sure you don't violate them or else you could come home to a nasty surprise in the form of being dragged in front of your rental board.” Now, back to the tips…

  • Take a damage deposit and last month’s rent.
  • Arrange for automatic deposits of their rent payments into your bank account.
  • Arrange for automatic payments for all expenses that you are covering from your bank account or credit card.
  • Check with your insurance broker to ensure that you don’t have to change your policy.
  • Arrange for a local representative to manage problems should they arise. This person should be able to authorize repairs to your home. I chose my brother rather than a professional as I knew I could trust him completely to protect my interests.
  • Divert your mail to a friend or family member.
  • Arrange for someone to take care of regular details like checking to make sure that your mail is not accumulating (which it can do even if you have requested a redirect), cutting grass, raking leaves, shoveling snow… This time, I hired my eldest son who only traveled with us for a couple of weeks.
  • Request a disconnect of your landline phone and a hold on your number so that you can use the same number on your return.
  • Talk to your neighbors. Give them the contact numbers for your local representative to call if they see something amiss.
  • Put away all personal belongings. This is a great time to purge things you don’t really need. Rent a storage unit if necessary.
  • Clean everything.
  • Take photos or, preferably, video of every detail of your home. Keep a copy and give copies to the tenant and your local representative.
  • Make copies of the keys for yourself and two local representatives.
  • Give your representatives multiple ways to get in touch with you in case of an emergency.
  • Introduce your new tenant to a neighbor or two. This can be seen as you being helpful. In fact, it lets your tenant know, subtly, that they have moved into a community that sees what is going on.

There are a lot of details involved with renting your home but the effort is well worth it. It can make the difference between traveling and not.

Sharing is caring!

Publisher Janice: info @ solotravelerworld.com

Editor Tracey: tracey @ solotravelerworld.com

Sales Simon: simon @ solotravelerworld.com

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The content of Solo Traveler and any resources published by Solo Traveler are meant for entertainment and inspiration only. Please note that while we have advertising clients promoting destinations, products, services, trips and tours on Solo Traveler and that we endeavour to only work with companies in which we have confidence, we are not responsible for the delivery or quality of their products or services. Every person and every travel situation is different. Your safety, satisfaction and fun traveling solo are your responsibility alone and not that of Solo Traveler, its publisher, editor and/or writers.

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14 ways to travel the world without leaving your sofa

Samantha Rosen

Have you been stuck inside for weeks? Us too.

Though some destinations are cautiously lifting travel restrictions and people are learning to navigate a new version of normal, it's safe to say this Memorial Day weekend — typically one of the biggest weekends for travel of the year — will look a little different.

If you're staying home this holiday weekend , it's a great time to start planning your next real-life adventure . And, in the meantime, we rounded up some of our favorite ways to travel the world without leaving the comfort of your home. So, break out your comfiest sweats and buckle up for your next virtual trip.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter .

Celebrate summer at Stonehenge

(Photo by Cj Smith/EyeEm/Getty Images)

Stonehenge boasts some of the most popular summer solstice celebrations on Earth, a magical event you'll just have to see to believe. And while you probably won't be able to visit in person this year, the show must still go on.

You'll be able to livestream the summer solstice at Stonehenge this summer. Just tune in to the English Heritage Facebook account , where they'll be broadcasting the sunset on June 20 at 9:26 p.m. BST and sunrise on June 21 at 4:52 a.m. BST. They'll be live for at least 30 minutes before sunrise and sunset — and no matter where you are in the world, you can join in on the fun.

Discover a museum

The Guggenheim Museum in New York City. (Photo by Luis Davilla/Getty Images)

Iconic museums from the Guggenheim in New York City to the Louvre in Paris are available through Google Arts & Culture, a platform that allows you to take digital tours of some of the world's most famous museums. You can browse through all the available museums , and even see some of the most famous pieces of art up close . Historic sites, such as the Palace of Versailles, are also available to tour through Google. The best part? Access is 100% free.

If you want something that sparks your inner child (or keeps your actual children occupied), you're in luck. The Children's Museum of Houston is sharing do-it-yourself experiments, as well as activities and behind-the-scenes exhibit content on YouTube , Instagram and Twitter . You can make a cardboard kazoo, listen to story time and even learn about how the water cycle works. This is a surefire way to pass the time if you've found yourself suddenly homeschooling your kids .

Read more: No travel required: 10 iconic museums you can tour online

Take a cooking class

home travelling

Is there anything better than having a home-cooked meal from an Italian grandma? We don't think so. While Italy will start to reopen to tourists in early June , you can still get your fix of some incredible Italian cooking before your next trip there, whenever it may be.

Nonna Nerina, an 84-year-old Italian grandmother in Palombara Sabina, Italy, has set up a virtual cooking class on Airbnb Experiences. Here , she'll virtually teach you how to make Italian classics such as ravioli, gnocchi and fettuccine. Just note that she only teaches classes on weekends; the weekday classes are taught by her granddaughter. Plus, if you enter your email, you can get 25% off the class for a limited time. Better yet, the classes are on sale, too. For example, her class usually costs $100 but is just $60 right now.

Related: How to plan a bucket list trip to Italy with points and miles

Go on a ride at Disney

(Photo by Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg/Getty Images)

The magic isn't over just because most Disney parks remain closed . You can stream virtual Disney rides from parks around the world, from Florida to France , in the comfort of your own home. How's that for a bargain on a Disney vacation ?

Related: How to take your kids on virtual Disney rides around the world

Explore parks and attractions

home travelling

Take a trip to the great outdoors from, well, indoors. You can virtually explore national parks and famous attractions around the country, all courtesy of Google Arts & Culture . Think: the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore, the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park and Alcatraz Island. Better yet, they're all accessible for free and you won't have to wait in a single line.

Google Earth can even help you enjoy the cherry blossom blooms around the world, though the season has passed. From the Meguro River Cherry Blossoms Promenade in Tokyo to the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. , there's something for everyone here. You could easily spend hours taking virtual tours.

Visit a botanic garden

The Bronx Botanical Garden. (Photo by Hiroyuki Matsumoto./Getty Images)

A handful of botanic gardens around the country are also offering virtual tours for travelers to enjoy. The indoor conservatory at the United States Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C., for example, is temporarily closed to the public. In the meantime, though, you can take a virtual tour of the gardens and soak in all of the beautiful scenery.

Join an art class

(Photo by Dean Mitchell/Getty Images)

A handful of universities are hosting free, virtual art classes , according to Artsy, and many have a global perspective. You can study the history of Japan through images or discover ancient Egyptian art and antiquities. You know what they say: If you can't travel, you might as well spend a few hours every week looking at pictures of places you wish you were. Right?

Listen to live music

home travelling

Did coronavirus derail your plans to travel to a major musical event like South by Southwest (SXSW), the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival or Coachella?

Fortunately, a number of bands and musicians are performing "couch tours," as many of their concerts were canceled. Acording to NPR , travelers can also catch live, virtual jazz performances, electronic festivals, classical concerts and more.

Instead of watching the annual National Memory Day Concert from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, for example, you can catch the event (and a performance from the National Symphony Orchestra) online at 8 p.m. Billboard also highlighted concerts by the Dropkick Murphys (performing to an empty Fenway Park on May 29 at 6 p.m.), and a livestream performance by David Guetta from New York on May 30 at 7 p.m.

Watch a movie

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Give yourself a much-needed break from all the craziness out there and curl up on the sofa with one of these feel-good and wanderlust-worthy films this weekend. Some of our top picks include "Eat, Pray, Love" and "Mamma Mia" — but there are plenty of classic flicks and television series to choose from.

Anthony Bourdain's famous documentary, "Parts Unknown," is coming back to Netflix on June 1. The only catch? It will only be available in the U.K. and Ireland. Here's hoping it's a good sign, though, and will be available to stream in the U.S. and rest of the world soon.

Related: Stuck at home? Stream these 12 movies to cope with travel wanderlust

Live like a royal for the day

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Put on your crown and get ready to take a virtual tour of Buckingham Palace . You can take a peek at the Throne Room, Grand Staircase, White Drawing Room and more. The entire palace isn't up for viewing, but it's certainly enough to keep you occupied for hours.

Related: Using points and miles to get to London

Take a trip to the beach

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In need of some sunlight and vitamin D? Enjoy the sun and sand in St. Lucia. All you have to do is go to @TravelSaintLucia 's Instagram Live to take part. Every Tuesday and Thursday, they go live and show off things like the island's beautiful sunsets, rainforests and more. You might be so inspired, you book a trip there when the island nation reopens to Americans on June 4.

Another option? The beautiful island of Bermuda is also hosting a daily livestream . Put on some Jimmy Buffet, make yourself a piña colada and enjoy your makeshift beach day.

Learn a magic trick

(Photo by krisanapong detraphiphat/Getty Images)

Airbnb recently began offering virtual "travel" experiences, so you can book online activities from around the world right at home.

For just $20, you can take a magic class with Martin, a Guinness World Record-holding magician based in Berkhamsted, U.K. His class will show you magic tricks you can perform with everyday objects, such as playing cards, phones, rings, money, sweets and even fire. Prepare for some mind-reading, too, as well as the psychology that turns a trick into magic. The class is an hour and a half long, and availability is open through the end of June.

Make Portuguese tapas

(Photo by Rob Lawson/Getty Images)

Another Airbnb Experience that's sure to please? This Portuguese tapas class . You'll learn how to make popular dishes such as tuna paté and açorda alentejana — and of course, plenty of sangria. The host, Joana, spent 10 years teaching hotel management before opening her own restaurant in Lisbon. The class costs $17 per person and is available through September.

Related: Vacation rental guests and hosts are all feeling the cancellation crunch .

Hang out with wild animals

(Photo by David Merron Photography/Getty Images)

OK, so you might not be hanging out with real penguins in real life. But for only $12, you can spend an hour learning about the history of African penguins , as well as some little-known facts and insights. You can even build your own penguins from items lying around the house. Your host, Jon, is based in Cape Town, South Africa and his class is sure to be a hit with the whole family. You can check out even more of these virtual experiences here .

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  • Home Health

How to Secure and Prepare Your Home Before Traveling

home travelling

A family vacation is always something to look forward to, but it also requires a fair amount of planning. Before you hit the road, sea, or air, there are a few essential things to do to ensure that your home will be secure while you’re gone. Start planning by creating a checklist of the crucial things you need to prepare before your travel day arrives. With a few simple tips and some thinking ahead, you can stay on top of your home’s security for a fun vacation and peace of mind. 

How to keep your house safe and secure while you’re gone

Before you go, there are some crucial things to do to keep your home safe . Make a checklist, and make sure you complete all of the tasks by the day before leaving.

Inform the right people you’re leaving. Police in certain areas will drive by your home if you let them know you’re out of town. Call your local police , and ask them to keep a watchful eye on your property. Inform the neighbors you’re leaving, and exchange phone numbers just in case there’s an emergency while you’re gone. 

Keep mum on social media. Don’t tell people on social media that you’re going on vacation. Keep your status private until you return.

Install a security system. Consider installing a quality security system you can monitor while you’re away. Look for high-definition security cameras, a doorbell camera, and alarms that will alert you to any suspicious activity. Some of the best home security systems are relatively affordable and are well worth the cost of protection and peace of mind. In the same way, integrating an IoT-based home security system will allow you to control locks, lights, radios, heating, and camera security while you are away. 

Install security lighting: A well-lit home is a protected home , so be sure you have plenty of bright outdoor lighting around the house’s front and back. Motion-activated smart lights are a good deterrent for criminals. Program your outdoor lights to come on at a particular time so that people think there’s someone there at night. Put your indoor lights on a timer so that they only turn on during certain hours to save on your electrical bill.

Use your safety deposit box. If you have a lot of valuables, consider leaving them in a safety deposit box to avoid the possibility of theft.

Hand out spare keys: Give a friend or relative a spare key in case your house sitter gets locked out, or the police need access. Make sure you lock the deadbolt and all exterior doors, including the garage door.

Get the yard in shape. Do a few simple yard decluttering tasks before you leave so that your home looks great when you come back. Mow the lawn, rake the leaves, or hire someone to come and cut the grass and check on the yard while you’re gone. Put your patio furniture away — store it in the garage or shed if you can. If not, cover your furniture with a weather-resistant cover to protect it. Stack chairs and place outdoor furniture together in a corner near the house to blow away or get stolen.

Program the thermostat. Consider installing a smart thermostat that you can program while you’re on vacation. Set the thermostat to a reasonable temperature , so your HVAC system isn’t running constantly. The ideal temperature for an empty home is about 50-55 degrees in the winter and 85-90 

Shut down the house. Before you leave, unplug the TV, computer, and small appliances — anything you don’t need to be plugged in while you’re gone. Use surge protectors for anything you must leave plugged in. Ensure that all doors and windows are locked, and close curtains and blinds so people can’t see inside. Check your smoke alarm and batteries and the batteries of other security devices, or just add new batteries to ensure they’re fresh.

Understanding security systems features for traveling

There are plenty of travel safety tips and having a home security system is one of the most valuable. Having a home security system will give you peace of mind, especially while traveling. Here are some security system basics to remember.

Remote Access

Remote access allows you to see activity in and around your home from any location. Most quality home security systems include an app so you can access this via your smartphone and check in on your home at any time.

Real-Time Notifications

Set up your home security system to alert you of any activity in real-time. This will send an alert to your phone where you can view the camera footage and see what’s going on as it happens. This is especially important if your home is unoccupied. Having real-time notifications set up will allow you to alert the authorities if you see any suspicious activity as it’s occurring rather than later.

Cellular Monitoring

Unlike landline monitoring, cellular monitoring works through a cellular network to provide you with a wireless security solution. This feature isn’t just convenient, but it also allows you to take your home security system with you when you move or if you plan to stay in another home long-term.  

Video Monitoring

Video monitoring is crucial if you want to have peace of mind while you’re gone. Using security cameras, your system will start recording any movement while you’re away. Set up motion-detecting cameras and turn on the real-time notifications alert option so you can see what’s going on in and around your home in real-time as it’s happening.

Home Automation

Home automation gives you complete control over your home, even while you’re away. Use this feature to lock and unlock doors, use your security cameras, and change the setting on your thermostat. Consider adding a home automation feature to as much of your home as possible to give you more control while you travel .

Additional preparation for extended vacations

If you’re planning a long time away, there are some extra things you should do to ensure home safety:

Clean or replace air filters. Replace your HVAC air filter before you leave, so the system runs smoothly while you’re gone. 

Forward your mail. When leaving long-term, it’s best to have your mail forwarded to a safe location. It can be to your hotel or the home of a trusted friend or family member.

Take care of the cars. Store your car in the garage while you’re gone. Give it a little TLC to get it through its idle period — get an oil and filter change, fill the tank, and top off the antifreeze.

Find someone to clean the house. If you’re concerned about dust and grime accumulating while you’re gone, consider hiring a reliable housekeeping company or professional cleaning service to do weekly or bi-weekly cleanings.

Mind the plumbing. If you’re leaving for an extended trip, turn off the main water supply, and drain all faucets until they run dry. Empty the toilet tanks and bowls, and pour a cup of bleach into the toilet bowl to prevent mold or ugly rings from forming.

Finding a house sitter. You might want to hire a house sitter to watch your home while you’re away. Enlist a friend or family member’s help to do the house sitting if you have people you know and trust nearby. If not, use an online referral service so that the house sitter is fully vetted and trustworthy. Here are a few tips to ensure that your house sitter will be comfortable and well-informed about what needs to be done:

Write down instructions for essential tasks. If you have houseplants, leave clear written instructions for watering, fertilizing, and sunlight, so the house sitter knows precisely how to care for them. Likewise, make sure the house sitter knows exactly what to do to take care of your pets. Write down instructions for feeding, and if you have a dog, let the sitter know when and where they like to walk. Leave plenty of pet food on the kitchen counter so it’s easy to find and include some extra cash they can use to buy more food if it runs low. For smaller pets like birds or hamsters, make sure you leave clear instructions on feeding them and cleaning their cages.

Leave contact information. Give the sitter your travel itinerary, your phone number, and the numbers of close family or friends they can call if there’s a problem.

Provide certain information. If you have a temperamental garage door, a coded entry, or anything else the sitter should know to make the job easier and less stressful, write it down.

Tell the sitter to help themself to what’s in the kitchen. It’s best to leave an empty fridge and freezer behind, but instead of tossing it, you can leave some things behind and tell the house sitter they’re welcome to eat whatever they want from the refrigerator and pantry, so it doesn’t go to waste.

Home Insurance: A Pillar of Pre-Travel Prep

As you make your travel plans, your home’s safety should be at the forefront of your preparations. While securing doors and windows or asking neighbors to keep an eye on your property are practical steps, an often overlooked yet crucial aspect of home security is ensuring your home insurance is up-to-date.

Before jetting off, it’s a wise move to review your home insurance policy . Ensure that your coverage limits adequately reflect the current value of your home and its contents. If you’ve made significant purchases or upgrades since your last review, you might need to adjust your policy to include these new assets.

Additionally, familiarize yourself with the ‘unoccupancy’ terms of your insurance. Some policies may have stipulations regarding how long a home can be unoccupied before the insurance becomes void or specific conditions change. If your travels will keep you away longer than your policy allows, inform your insurer in advance; they may offer an extension or a specialized product to cover such scenarios.

Lastly, ensure that your insurance policy covers common travel-related mishaps such as burglaries, water damage from frozen pipes, or electrical issues that could result in fire. By ensuring your home insurance is comprehensive, you’ll have an extra layer of peace of mind as you embark on your journey, knowing your biggest asset is well-protected.

Prepare for the trip

Once you’ve got most of the details checked off your list and it’s getting close to zero-hour, start getting into the mindset of traveling . Keep in mind that avoiding common mistakes will save you a lot of stress.  Here’s what you should start working on the week before you leave.

Go easy on grocery buying. Don’t over-buy groceries before you leave for vacation. Try to keep your food purchases minimal, so you don’t end up having to throw a lot of it away before you go. About a week before you leave, write down a meal plan and only buy the groceries you need. If you subscribe to any grocery delivery services, see if you can temporarily put them on pause. Now is a great time to declutter the fridge and freezer. Look for items that are expired or that have freezer burn and toss them. If there’s good food that you won’t eat before you go, consider giving it to a friend or family member, or let the house sitter eat it, so it doesn’t go wrong while you’re gone.

Plan transportation to the airport. Decide if you’re going to drive your car to the airport and park it, or if you’re going to use a driving service to pick you up and drop you off. Remember that airports charge you by the day to leave your car, so calling for a ride is likely the least expensive option. Asking a close friend or taking a taxi to the airport is the best idea for solo travelers . 

Pause delivery services and mail. Temporarily stop all home delivery services and mail so that it doesn’t pile up on your doorstep. The US Postal Service has a section online where you can temporarily pause mail delivery until you return.

Prepare for different weather conditions. Make a list before you start packing, and keep things as minimal as possible, so you’re not weighed down by too much clothing and too many travel accessories. Here are some tips to help you pack and prepare for various weather conditions :

Cold weather. Pack at least a few extra items of clothing in case the weather gets cold at your destination. Bring a fleece jacket or hoodie for layering during chilly weather , so you stay insulated and comfortable. If you’re leaving a cold climate behind, winterize your plumbing to prevent the pipes from freezing and possibly bursting while you’re away. Look for drafts, and seal them before you leave to keep your home warm. 

Hot weather. When traveling during hot seasons or in hot climates, always pack sunscreen and warm-weather clothing like tank tops, shorts, and a swimsuit. Preparing with the correct travel accessories will make your vacation smoother. To prep, your home, remove all trash and have your home professionally treated for pests. If you’re going on a long trip, hire someone to mow the lawn while you’re away.

Humid weather. Dress in lightweight, breathable clothing when traveling in humid weather to keep you cool and comfortable. Prepare your home by programming the thermostat to a reasonable temperature, so you don’t return to a stuffy house. If someone is house-sitting for you, ask them to open the windows when they’re there to improve airflow and help keep your home aired out.

Rainy weather. Pack a lightweight raincoat or jacket if you’re traveling in a rainy climate. A pair of packable rain boots are also helpful. You can buy an umbrella when you arrive since they’re relatively easy to find at most stores. Prep your home by making sure that all windows and doors are properly sealed to prevent leaks. Have your roof inspected before you go to confirm that it’s in good condition so you won’t have to worry about the possibility of a leak if there’s a heavy rainstorm. 

Are you leaving the kids behind? If you’re planning a trip without the kids, make sure that they understand why you’re going and that it’s only temporary. Make your kids feel secure, and inform them that it’s just a short time that you’ll be away. Choose a babysitter you trust while you’re gone, like a beloved friend or family member, that your children feel comfortable and safe until you return.

Are you bringing the kids along? Make a packing list for your kids’ luggage, so they have everything they need. But don’t stress yourself, flying with an infant doesn’t have to be a challenge. Be sure to bring a few games, their favorite stuffed animal, and some coloring books or puzzles to keep them entertained. When traveling with kids , bring lots of snacks, bottled water, a roll of paper towels, baby wipes, and all the chargers you need for their devices. Keep in mind that being prepared will ensure an amazing family vacation .

Dietary restrictions. Researching your travel destination ahead of time can save you time and money. Whether you are vegan , paleo, or keto, it’s a good idea to seek out meal options before arriving at your destination. In case of a food allergy, we recommend you bring an allergy card and the appropriate medication.

Prepping for business travel. If you’re planning business travel, your family will likely stay behind. There will be less planning required for a business trip since there should be someone at home to keep the house safe and maintained. Remember to pack essential business items, like your work phone, laptop, and professional attire, so you’ll be dressed appropriately for meetings and other work-related events during a business trip. Bring some street clothes, too, in case you want to dress down for a casual lunch or dinner. Every trip is different and you should pack according to the location. For example, if you are traveling to photography locations , don’t forget to bring all your camera equipment.  On the other hand, if the trip is leisurely, you can leave your work devices at home. 

Business Travel Home Safety Tips: Since most business trips are paid for by your employer, you’ll likely have the entire itinerary already planned for you in advance. Schedule things like mail forwarding, housecleaning, and lawn care around the dates you plan to be away from home. If your family is staying put, they can house sit and take care of pets and plants for you. However, if you’re bringing them along, make sure you follow the same tips you would when leaving home empty on a leisure vacation to ensure that everything is safe and in place before you go. 

Minimize travel stress. Make sure you get a good night’s sleep before travel day . Use an eye mask and earplugs if you want to nap on the plane or train. Stay hydrated, wear comfortable shoes, and eat a healthy breakfast so the day starts smoothly and you’re ready to roll. Your trip will go much more smoothly when you take care of the travel stress .

Prepare for a week, 1, 3, and 6-month trip

Whether you’re going away for one week or six months, it’s important to be sure to prepare the right way:

One week: If you’re just heading out for a week-long trip, you can have your neighbors keep an eye on your home or hire a house-sitter to mind your property. Make sure your mail and the daily newspaper are secure and out of sight. Turn on all motion-activated lights and security cameras just in case. Lock all doors and windows and set your thermostat to a reasonable temperature, so the HVAC system isn’t constantly running while you’re away.

One month: Temporarily deter any curious would-be thieves, asking the post office and newspaper delivery service to hold deliveries. You can also ask your local police department to drive by your home occasionally, making sure everything is safe and secure. Continue to set timers for your lights, set the thermostat for your HVAC system, and activate all security cameras, so everything is being monitored while you’re away. Trips longer than a week should always include a house sitter or a neighbor checking in on your property.

Three months: Hire a landscaping service to mow your grass and take care of your lawn while you’re away. Put the newspaper and mail on hold and consider having someone stay in your home while you’re gone so that it’s always occupied. Before you leave, get rid of food in the fridge and pantry so that it doesn’t spoil, and take out all trash before you lock up the home.

Six months: A six-month trip requires everything mentioned above and some more in-depth preparations. Turn off the main water feed to your home unless you plan to have someone stay there while you are gone. This is a good opportunity to rent out your home on a short-term lease if possible. Otherwise, make sure that all water and gas valves are turned off while you’re gone. Use a timer to turn the lights on and off sporadically and sign up for the local police check-in service if available. Stop all mail and package deliveries or have everything forwarded to your new destination until you return home. Continue all landscaping services, and never mention that you are not at home publicly on social media.

Tips for traveling during each season

Your specific travel plans may vary depending on the destination and the season. Here are some quick tips for preparing your home before you leave during each season of the year:

Spring: Remove all leaves and debris from gutters before you leave. Cut your grass one last time, and ensure that all patio furniture is secure or put away. Repair window and door screens so insects and pests can’t get inside your home while you’re away.

Summer: Cut dead or rotting tree limbs, so they don’t fall onto your roof during summer storms. Make plans for landscaping if you’re going to be gone for longer than a week. Remove all trash from your indoor and outdoor trash cans and empty the fridge if you will be gone for more than a few weeks. Spray the inside and outdoor perimeter of your home for insects.

Fall: Autumn is also a great time to clean your gutters and yard of excess leaves, twigs, and debris before you leave. Keep your patio furniture in storage and put garden tools away. If you have a swimming pool, secure it with a cover before you depart. Make sure all windows and doors are sealed and add new weatherstripping if necessary to prevent drafts.

Winter: Leave your heat on and set the thermostat to around 55 degrees. Turn off the water supply and drain all of your pipes, so they don’t freeze. Let family members know you’ll be away, so they don’t send Christmas gifts to your home while you are not there. Secure loose items outside so they don’t blow around or get damaged if a winter storm hits.

What to do with your home if you are becoming a digital nomad

If you’re planning to become a digital nomad , you’ll probably be away for extended periods of time. If you’re a renter, consider ending your lease early and putting large and valuable items in a storage unit.

Digital nomads who are homeowners can try these tips:

  • Consider renting your home to a tenant while you’re away so that your home is occupied and you’re making some extra money during your travels.
  • Use a rental service app to rent out your home to vacationers for some supplemental income.
  • Designate a trusted friend or family member to be your point of contact while you’re gone so they can check on your property for you.
  • Organize your luggage well and leave enough space to save the best moments of this journey. When packing as a remote worker , you should know that you will be carrying more than just a backpack. Don’t forget to bring your emergency kit or even the charging source for your work devices.
  • Always store valuables in a secure location if you plan to rent your home out while working abroad or in another state.

Snowbird checklist for leaving home

Snowbirds tend to leave their Northern homes for the winter and head to a warmer location like the Caribbean or Costa Rica . If you’re planning on taking your snowbirding journey to another country, make sure you’re familiar with local laws and tax regulations .  Here’s a handy snowbird checklist for leaving your Northern home:

Prepare for leaving your Northern home

  • Set your thermostat for about 55 degrees unless you plan to have someone occupy your Northern home while you’re gone.
  • Forward all of your mail to the Southern home address while you’re away.
  • Store valuables in a safe or a locked area of the home where they can’t be found.
  • Turn off the main water supply and drain the faucets and pipes to prevent freezing.
  • Clean your gutters, check your roof and windows, and do a general once-over to make sure your Northern home is winter-ready.

What to do when you get to your Southern home

  • Open all windows to let your Southern home air out and plug in kitchen appliances as soon as you arrive.
  • Inspect the home to make sure that everything looks good and that it’s free of damage.
  • Contact the utility companies before you get to your Southern home so that the power, cable, etc., are turned on when you arrive.

Prepare to leave your Southern home for the summer

  • Dispose of all perishable foods before you go.
  • Clean the home from top to bottom: dust, vacuum, and wash linens before putting them away.
  • Unplug appliances and electronics while you’re gone.
  • Have your mail re-forwarded back to the address of your Northern home.

Returning to your Northern home

  • Turn the water back on and make sure there are no signs of leaks or damage to plumbing, the roof, or anywhere else in the home.
  • Take all patio furniture out of storage and let it air out to be used for the summer.
  • Keep a snowbird checklist handy, so you can go back through the home and make sure everything is back for the summer season.

Travel hacks

Traveling smart is crucial if you want to have a pleasant vacation, so keep these travel hacks in mind:

  • Stay aware of all the latest safety measures and rules by checking the TSA website frequently.
  • Look for affordable flights to and from your destination to help you save cash . 
  • Pack items using organization cubes, and make sure you create a packing checklist before you leave so you don’t forget anything.
  • There are plenty luggage storage networks to stash your suitcases when you arrive in a city too early to check into your hotel or when you’ve checked out of your room and have adventures planned before heading to the airport.  Secure locations like Vertoe luggage storage NYC offer safer and convenient alternatives to any conventional locker storage while traveling abroad.
  • Sit down and create a budget for your trip in advance.
  • Take extra time to prepare if you are going to travel internationally.
  • Within the travel hacks , there are plenty of online options to help you find everything for your trip. You will get to book a wide range of activities, vacation homes, cars, and flights at low prices. Researching those sites will be key to book your accommodation on a secure website and avoid any unwanted scams. 
  • Come up with ways you can save money for traveling , like cutting down trips to the coffee shop, hosting a yard sale, or selling unwanted items online. Considering traveling by cruise  is a great option for your vacations. This type of trip has become one of the best options to visit several destinations in a single trip, without worrying about going from one place to another with your suitcases.
  • When talking about money, you should consider looking for the best options to transfer money while traveling , in any case, you need to do some payments back home and you´re out of the country, this could save you a lot of headaches when the situation happens.

Tips for traveling with a pet

Traveling with your pet is fun, but it can also be challenging. Follow these tips to keep your pet safe and healthy on your vacation:

  • Make sure you bring enough medication for your pet while you’re away and keep it close at hand.
  • Bring a lightweight, portable food and water bowl so you can feed your pet on the go.
  • Use durable leashes and harnesses, and always make sure you know local leash laws.
  • Give your pet a comfortable way to travel with a roomy carrier. Include their favorite blanket and toy, so they have a scent from home to comfort them.
  • Make sure your pet is microchipped, and bring all of your paperwork with you.

Budgeting House Expenses While You are Away

Aside from budgeting for your vacation , you will need to create a budget for household expenses while you’re gone:

Set your bills up for automatic payments, so everything comes out of your bank account, and all of your bills are paid on time.

Create a house expense budget before you leave to know what you can and should spend on the home separate from your vacation.

Pay for everything in cash or via debit while you’re away, so you don’t end up in debt when you return.

Turn down the thermostat to save on your energy bill and unplug appliances and electronics before you leave.

Consider stopping newspaper and magazine subscriptions to help you save a bit of extra money while you’re away. Ask if you can temporarily “turn off” your cable and Internet service until you return.

Remember to save money for landscapers and house-sitters so that everyone gets paid.

Don’t order anything online that will need to be delivered to your home – there will be time to shop when you get back.

Renting your home while you are away

If you’re planning to rent your home while you’re traveling the world, keep these tips in mind:

  • Use referrals or do background checks to make sure you choose a safe and reliable tenant.
  • Write up a lease and make sure you and the tenant both sign it before you leave and keep a copy for yourself.
  • Lock up your personal belongings and valuables or put them in a storage facility until you return.
  • Ask someone you trust to check on the home occasionally just to make sure everything is going well.
  • Consider using a property management service if you’re a digital nomad or plan to be away from your home for a year or more.

Tips for finding a home rental for long-term travel

If you want to rent a house, condo, or apartment for long-term travel, consider the following information:

Know exactly what you want in terms of size and amenities well in advance to help you narrow down your choices.

Set a budget for long-term rental, so you include the cost in your travel expenses.

Ask friends or family members if they have any recommendations for long-term rentals they may have used in the past.

Use apps like Airbnb or VRBO to help you select the right rental for you.

Try to put a deposit down and secure your rental well in advance to save money and avoid losing it if someone else gets it first.

Research the owner, the location, and the local culture before you make a decision, so you’ll be happy with your choice.

Read the rental contract carefully before you sign it so that you’re familiar with the terms.

Post-Vacation Home Recovery

When you return from your vacation , there are a few things you’ll need to attend to for a smooth transition back to everyday life at home. The first thing is to open the windows, even if it’s cold, to let the stale air out and bring fresh air in. Then:

Do a house check. Do a quick walkthrough of your house, make sure that the electricity is working, the water is running, and the house’s temperature is comfortable. You may need to run the faucets for a while and change the temperature on your thermostat so your home is comfortable again.

Unpack. Throw all of your clothing in the laundry when you return. Put toiletries back in the bathroom, and return medications to the medicine cabinet. Find a place for your souvenirs, and set aside gifts you brought home for your friends. Put your empty suitcases in the closet — clean each piece before you put it away , and pack smaller bags inside larger ones to save space.

Reinstate delivery services and mail. Reinstate your mail delivery as soon as possible, and cancel any forwarding instructions. Start up your subscription services back up, and if your neighbors were picking up the mail, retrieve it as soon as you can.

Clean, if it’s been a while. If you’ve been gone for an extended period of time, you’ll probably want to clean the house sooner than later. Dust ceiling fans, wipe down countertops, and vacuum and mop the floors when you return. Rinse out the sinks, tubs, showers, and flush the toilets.

Whether you’re heading out on a business trip , a girls’ getaway, or planning a fun family vacation, keep these traveling tips in mind to keep your pets, plants, and property safe. You can leave town confident that you haven’t left anything behind or undone with careful preparation — you know the iron is unplugged, and the front door is locked. Start early so you can ease into the vacation mindset and leave home ready and relaxed. 

Read more articles from Ismirelda Forst

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From cooking a dish from your favourite country, to watching a foreign film or binge-watching some travel documentaries, here are some ideas of travel experiences you can have from the comfort of your home..

We’re living in a pretty extraordinary time right now. Coronavirus (COVID-19) is the world’s biggest global health crisis of our lifetime. The virus is affecting our health, our economies and of course, our travel plans.

While I’d love to be able to wave a magic wand and make it all go away, it’s impossible. It’s time to sit tight, be respectful and careful, and plan for the future.

Planning future travels

Working in the travel industry I’m witnessing the effects of the crisis first-hand. My website traffic has halved as people aren’t travelling or planning trips. Hotel and tour bookings are down, and many that were taking place over the next few weeks have been cancelled. Some of my upcoming travel campaigns have been postponed until later in the year. My income is taking a hit, but it’ll be nothing compared to hotels and tour operators in places like China and northern Italy. It’s devastating to think about the businesses that won’t make it through this… and it’s not over yet.

I know a lot of you are also in limbo too. Plans are on hold for the foreseeable future… but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a travel experience of some sort, in your home! I’m not talking about cranking your heating up, putting on a bikini and pretending you’re in the Caribbean (although you could try that!)

The beautiful landscapes of Dominica

From cooking a delicious meal from a far-flung destination, to learning a language and enjoying some amazing travel documentaries, whether you’re self-isolating, or just waiting until travel restrictions are lifted, there are plenty of ways to give yourself a ‘travel experience’ from the comfort and safety of your own home.

Cook a meal from a foreign country

One of my favourite things about travelling is the food. Nourishing bowls of Japanese ramen, silky Italian pasta, spicy Thai curries, Mexican tacos… the list goes on. What better way to enjoy a flavour of a destination in your own home, than by getting busy in the kitchen.

Thai curry night

I’m constantly coming across great recipes online. BBC Food is a great starting point – type in pretty much anything and you’ll find a recipe. Oh, and if you’re in quarantine right now at home, remember you can get your shopping delivered to your door!

For something a bit different, I’d recommend checking out The Spicery – a subscription box website, which delivers recipe kits through your letterbox. I ordered a curry subscription for Macca for Christmas, and each month a box arrives with a recipe and all of the spices to cook up an incredible feast. You just need to buy the main ingredients (meat, veg etc).

The Spicery - set

The thing I love is that they’re not standard dishes you’ll have tried before. Last month we made a curry from a specific region of Northern India, and our next is this potsticker recipe set from China’s Sichuan Province.

Another option is a company like Feast Box , which I’m hoping to try soon (I’ll let you know what I think!). This company specialises in world food recipe boxes, delivered to your door, and includes all of the ingredients (meat, veg, spices etc). Dishes on the menu this week include Indonesian fish in a banana leaf, chicken empanadas and harissa and vegetable flatbreads, so it’s a lovely way to eat your way around the world.

Oh, and if you want to go the extra mile, invite a few friends over, pop up some decorations, or ask everyone to wear an outfit that fits with the cuisine. I’ve got a sombrero you can borrow!

Binge watch some travel documentaries  

Whether you have a Netflix or Amazon Prime subscription, or access to BBC iPlayer, you’ll find plenty of TV shows to satisfy your wanderlust. I absolutely adore the travel series Simon Reeve makes for the BBC. He gets under the skin of the destinations he visits, meeting locals and finding out the real issues people are dealing with. It won’t necessarily make you want to book a trip to where he is, but it’s a great way of understanding the world.  

Other travel TV shows I’d recommend include Planet Earth and Seven Worlds, One Planet (can’t beat Attenborough), Anthony Bourdain’s shows (lots on Amazon Prime) and Race Across The World (BBC – loved series one and series two has just started).

Watch a foreign movie

A feel-good documentary film that I really enjoyed was Craigslist Joe, which follows a guy’s journey as he travels across America living off people’s generosity. It’s all about human connections, but it’s essentially about travel too.

Or if like me, you travel with your stomach, I’d recommend Street Food, Ugly Delicious and Chef’s Table (all on Netflix). Now that list should keep you going!

Print out your favourite travel photos or make a scrapbook

What better way to reconnect with your travels than to go look back through your adventures one photo at a time. I have a few travel journals from my first backpacking trips, which have tickets, photos and mementoes stuck in. As I get older, they’re lovely to flick through and remember all the little details and the people I met along the way.

Travel scrapbook

With everything online, we rarely print photos these days, so choose your fave snaps and pop them in frames or a scrapbook to look back at later in life. You can upload to a website like photobox and they’ll print them and post them to you.

Printing polaroids

Watch a foreign film

South Korean movie Parasite is one of the most talked about films of 2020, and it’s brilliant! Very funny – I found myself giggling a lot of the way through it. The fact it’s in Korean only adds to the experience. It’s transports you into a different country’s culture, and the language only adds to that.

Order a take away

Ok, this is the lazy option for those who want a travel experience at home, but don’t want to put much effort in! I’d recommend looking at your local takeaways and trying something brand new. If you usually order from the same Indian restaurant, how about trying Nepalese or Vietnamese food instead?

Vietnamese pho

I’ve just had a quick check to see what’s available in my area of London and was amazed to see over 45 different cuisines listed! Isn’t that incredible? Everything from Filipino and Turkish, to Iranian, Vietnamese and Syrian. It might not be good for my bank balance, but I guess I’m saving money by not travelling at the moment!

Chinese take away

Read a travelogue or a book that is set abroad

After finally switching from paperback books to a Kindle last year, I’m happy to say it goes absolutely everywhere with me. It’s liberating to have access to so many different books at the click of a button – perfect if you’re in quarantine right now and need some entertainment.

How about reading a travel-themed book? Somewhere that shares an epic journey or is set somewhere exotic? Whether you prefer fiction or non-fiction, here are a few to start you off…

On The Road – Jack Kerouac The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho Anything by Bill Bryson Step By Step – Simon Reeve Shantaram – Gregory David Roberts The Beach – Alex Garland Love With A Chance Of Drowning – Torre DeRoche Dark Star Safari: Overland from Cairo to Cape Town – Paul Theroux Eat Pray Love – Elizabeth Gilbert Anything by Levison Wood Tracks – Robyn Davidson Wild – Cheryl Strayed

Learn a foreign language using an app  

Ever since my first trip to Mexico, I dreamed of learning Spanish. How special to be able to converse with the locals and no doubt it’d help with tricky travel planning too. When I went backpacking I enrolled in Spanish school for a month and learned a lot of the basics.

My first steps in learning Spanish? Via the app Duolingo . I think it’s a brilliant way to start building up some vocabulary and basic phrases. The app is free, and has courses in Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Japanese, Arabic, Czech, Danish, Hindi, Korean, Greek and more!

Learning Spanish using Duolingo

Watch YouTube videos from your favourite travel vloggers

YouTube is a great place for travel inspiration. Before I travel somewhere new, I often watch a few videos to get an idea of what it’s like. Even if you’re not travelling right now, watching videos is a great way to transport yourself to your dream destination.

One of my favourite channels for inspiration is Benn TK. His videos are so cinematic and beautifully filmed. Watching videos like this one makes me want to hop on a plane!

For the perfect mix of travel and food, check out my pal Shu’s channel or for backpacking around the world, Christianne a.k.a Backpacking Bananas will give you some serious wanderlust. I’ve got tonnes of others I could recommend too – so many of my friends are so talented when it comes to capturing a destination on camera, but start with those and email me if you want some more suggestions.

Oh, and don’t forget my own videos, right here on my YouTube channel .  

Immerse yourself in the music of another destination  

This is actually one of my favourite ways to get ready for a trip, but there’s no reason you can’t do it when you’re staying at home too. Did you know that Spotify has top charts for countries around the world?

Spotify top 50 by country

Just go to Browse, then select Charts and you’ll see the top 50 songs in each country. Enjoy the top reggaetón hits in Mexico, find out what’s hot in Thailand, and which artists the people of Poland love right now. Maybe you’ll discover a foreign artist you absolutely love?

Oh, and if the top 50 isn’t doing it for you, I’d recommend Buena Vista Social Club for some Cuban holiday vibes from the comfort of your home.

Musicians in Havana, Cuba

Research your dream trip on your fave travel blogs

So some of your travel plans may be on hold, postponed, cancelled or err, completely uncertain… but we can still dream and plan. With free time on your hands you can spend time researching everything you could possibly need for your next holiday, and be ready to act as soon as things go back to normal. You might even scoop a great deal.

Enjoying the beaches in Muscat

You can check out my Destinations page to find travel guides for all the amazing places I’ve travelled to. I’d also recommend looking at my Travel Inspiration page if you you’re still deciding where to go.

We’ll be heading away on a honeymoon at the end of 2020, so I’m starting to research ideas for that while I have some extra time on my hands.  

Enjoying colourful Tokyo

Visit a top museum or gallery… virtually

Did you know that some of the world’s most famous galleries and museums have virtual tours? Wander the curvy interior of New York’s Guggenheim Museum using Google Street View or take a trip past the mummies and the rosetta stone in London’s British Museum . The Louvre in Paris also has a special virtual tour option on its website here .

The best part? No queues or tourists getting in your way! And you can visit in your pyjamas…

Tour the planet using Google Earth  

When was the last time you looked at Google Earth ? For me it was several years ago… I think when it launched! However, it’s a seriously cool tool, and gives you the opportunity to travel around the world from home.

Click on the ‘Voyager’ tab to see interesting categories in more detail – everything from learning about a specific destination, to taking a tour of literary locations around the world.

Google Earth - Voyager

Alternatively, hit the ‘I’m Feeling Lucky’ button and be virtually transported to random destinations across the planet.

Have a go at making something from a different country

One of the things I’ve loved most on my travels has been creating something to bring home. Whether that was trying batik painting in Indonesia, or learning how to make goat’s cheese in Norwich a few weeks ago. It’s a lovely way to connect to a culture.

If you’re looking for things to try at home (especially if you’ve got kids to entertain), how about one of these…

Buy a sushi kit and learn how to make sushi Buy some masks and decorate them in the style of Mexico’s Day of the Dead Make a Japanese hand fan Try your hand at calligraphy Create your own dreamcatcher

Making sushi at home

Mix up some exotic cocktails

At tough times I often turn to my shelf of Caribbean rums. They definitely help ease the pain! If you want to feel like you’re travelling, without leaving home, how about mixing up some tasty cocktails from around the world?

Lots of destinations have a famous signature drink, so you could try a different one each week! Here are a few suggestions to get you started…

Mojito, Daiquiri and Cuba Libre – Cuba Pisco Sour – Peru Bellini – Italy Sangria – Spain Caipirinha – Brazil Manhattan and Tom Collins – New York, USA Dark N Stormy – Bermuda Singapore Sling – Singapore Sidecar – Paris, France Margarita – Mexico

Stirring my passion fruit mojito

I hope this fun guide has given you some inspiration if you’re stuck at home or your travel plans have been postponed. Let me know if you have any more ideas I should add to the list!

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Travel without leaving home

Chloe Gunning

With a passion for food, fun and adventure, Chloe is the content creator behind one of the UK's top travel blogs Wanderlust Chloe. From volcano boarding in Nicaragua, to sailing around Sicily and eating her way around Japan, her travels have taken her to some of the coolest spots on the planet. Named Travel Influencer of the Year in 2022, Chloe regularly works with a number of tourism boards, producing inspirational travel content across multiple platforms. Find out more about Chloe here.

2 thoughts on “14 Ways To ‘Travel’ Without Leaving Home”

Hi, Chloe. I love the exotic cocktail idea. I’ve been pretty much traveling the world via wine these days but will have to try a cocktail – especially with this fab English weather right now! xx

Thank you! So many fun ideas and this weather almost has me fooled I’m abroad!

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  • COVID-19 travel advice

Considering travel during the pandemic? Take precautions to protect yourself from COVID-19.

A coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine can prevent you from getting COVID-19 or from becoming seriously ill due to COVID-19 . But even if you're vaccinated, it's still a good idea to take precautions to protect yourself and others while traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you've had all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses, including boosters, you're less likely to become seriously ill or spread COVID-19 . You can then travel more safely within the U.S. and internationally. But international travel can still increase your risk of getting new COVID-19 variants.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you should avoid travel until you've had all recommended COVID-19 vaccine and booster doses.

Before you travel

As you think about making travel plans, consider these questions:

  • Have you been vaccinated against COVID-19 ? If you haven't, get vaccinated. If the vaccine requires two doses, wait two weeks after getting your second vaccine dose to travel. If the vaccine requires one dose, wait two weeks after getting the vaccine to travel. It takes time for your body to build protection after any vaccination.
  • Have you had any booster doses? Having all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses, including boosters, increases your protection from serious illness.
  • Are you at increased risk for severe illness? Anyone can get COVID-19 . But older adults and people of any age with certain medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 .
  • Do you live with someone who's at increased risk for severe illness? If you get infected while traveling, you can spread the COVID-19 virus to the people you live with when you return, even if you don't have symptoms.
  • Does your home or destination have requirements or restrictions for travelers? Even if you've had all recommended vaccine doses, you must follow local, state and federal testing and travel rules.

Check local requirements, restrictions and situations

Some state, local and territorial governments have requirements, such as requiring people to wear masks, get tested, be vaccinated or stay isolated for a period of time after arrival. Before you go, check for requirements at your destination and anywhere you might stop along the way.

Keep in mind these can change often and quickly depending on local conditions. It's also important to understand that the COVID-19 situation, such as the level of spread and presence of variants, varies in each country. Check back for updates as your trip gets closer.

Travel and testing

For vaccinated people.

If you have been fully vaccinated, the CDC states that you don't need to get tested before or after your trip within the U.S. or stay home (quarantine) after you return.

If you're planning to travel internationally outside the U.S., the CDC states you don't need to get tested before your trip unless it's required at your destination. Before arriving to the U.S., you need a negative test within the last day before your arrival or a record of recovery from COVID-19 in the last three months.

After you arrive in the U.S., the CDC recommends getting tested with a viral test 3 to 5 days after your trip. If you're traveling to the U.S. and you aren't a citizen, you need to be fully vaccinated and have proof of vaccination.

You don't need to quarantine when you arrive in the U.S. But check for any symptoms. Stay at home if you develop symptoms.

For unvaccinated people

Testing before and after travel can lower the risk of spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 . If you haven't been vaccinated, the CDC recommends getting a viral test within three days before your trip. Delay travel if you're waiting for test results. Keep a copy of your results with you when you travel.

Repeat the test 3 to 5 days after your trip. Stay home for five days after travel.

If at any point you test positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 , stay home. Stay at home and away from others if you develop symptoms. Follow public health recommendations.

Stay safe when you travel

In the U.S., you must wear a face mask on planes, buses, trains and other forms of public transportation. The mask must fit snugly and cover both your mouth and nose.

Follow these steps to protect yourself and others when you travel:

  • Get vaccinated.
  • Keep distance between yourself and others (within about 6 feet, or 2 meters) when you're in indoor public spaces if you're not fully vaccinated. This is especially important if you have a higher risk of serious illness.
  • Avoid contact with anyone who is sick or has symptoms.
  • Avoid crowds and indoor places that have poor air flow (ventilation).
  • Don't touch frequently touched surfaces, such as handrails, elevator buttons and kiosks. If you must touch these surfaces, use hand sanitizer or wash your hands afterward.
  • Wear a face mask in indoor public spaces. The CDC recommends wearing the most protective mask possible that you'll wear regularly and that fits. If you are in an area with a high number of new COVID-19 cases, wear a mask in indoor public places and outdoors in crowded areas or when you're in close contact with people who aren't vaccinated.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • If soap and water aren't available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub your hands together until they feel dry.
  • Don't eat or drink on public transportation. That way you can keep your mask on the whole time.

Because of the high air flow and air filter efficiency on airplanes, most viruses such as the COVID-19 virus don't spread easily on flights. Wearing masks on planes has likely helped lower the risk of getting the COVID-19 virus on flights too.

However, air travel involves spending time in security lines and airport terminals, which can bring you in close contact with other people. Getting vaccinated and wearing a mask when traveling can help protect you from COVID-19 while traveling.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has increased cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces and equipment, including bins, at screening checkpoints. TSA has also made changes to the screening process:

  • Travelers must wear masks during screening. However, TSA employees may ask travelers to adjust masks for identification purposes.
  • Travelers should keep a distance of 6 feet apart from other travelers when possible.
  • Instead of handing boarding passes to TSA officers, travelers should place passes (paper or electronic) directly on the scanner and then hold them up for inspection.
  • Each traveler may have one container of hand sanitizer up to 12 ounces (about 350 milliliters) in a carry-on bag. These containers will need to be taken out for screening.
  • Personal items such as keys, wallets and phones should be placed in carry-on bags instead of bins. This reduces the handling of these items during screening.
  • Food items should be carried in a plastic bag and placed in a bin for screening. Separating food from carry-on bags lessens the likelihood that screeners will need to open bags for inspection.

Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds directly before and after going through screening.

Public transportation

If you travel by bus or train and you aren't vaccinated, be aware that sitting or standing within 6 feet (2 meters) of others for a long period can put you at higher risk of getting or spreading COVID-19 . Follow the precautions described above for protecting yourself during travel.

Even if you fly, you may need transportation once you arrive at your destination. You can search car rental options and their cleaning policies on the internet. If you plan to stay at a hotel, check into shuttle service availability.

If you'll be using public transportation and you aren't vaccinated, continue physical distancing and wearing a mask after reaching your destination.

Hotels and other lodging

The hotel industry knows that travelers are concerned about COVID-19 and safety. Check any major hotel's website for information about how it's protecting guests and staff. Some best practices include:

  • Enhanced cleaning procedures
  • Physical distancing recommendations indoors for people who aren't vaccinated
  • Mask-wearing and regular hand-washing by staff
  • Mask-wearing indoors for guests in public places in areas that have high cases of COVID-19
  • Vaccine recommendations for staff
  • Isolation and testing guidelines for staff who've been exposed to COVID-19
  • Contactless payment
  • Set of rules in case a guest becomes ill, such as closing the room for cleaning and disinfecting
  • Indoor air quality measures, such as regular system and air filter maintenance, and suggestions to add air cleaners that can filter viruses and bacteria from the air

Vacation rentals, too, are enhancing their cleaning procedures. They're committed to following public health guidelines, such as using masks and gloves when cleaning, and building in a waiting period between guests.

Make a packing list

When it's time to pack for your trip, grab any medications you may need on your trip and these essential safe-travel supplies:

  • Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol)
  • Disinfectant wipes (at least 70% alcohol)
  • Thermometer

Considerations for people at increased risk

Anyone can get very ill from the virus that causes COVID-19 . But older adults and people of any age with certain medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness. This may include people with cancer, serious heart problems and a weakened immune system. Getting the recommended COVID-19 vaccine and booster doses can help lower your risk of being severely ill from COVID-19 .

Travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19 . If you're unvaccinated, staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 . If you must travel and aren't vaccinated, talk with your health care provider and ask about any additional precautions you may need to take.

Remember safety first

Even the most detailed and organized plans may need to be set aside when someone gets ill. Stay home if you or any of your travel companions:

  • Have signs or symptoms, are sick or think you have COVID-19
  • Are waiting for results of a COVID-19 test
  • Have been diagnosed with COVID-19
  • Have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 in the past five days and you're not up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines

If you've had close contact with someone with COVID-19 , get tested after at least five days. Wait to travel until you have a negative test. Wear a mask if you travel up to 10 days after you've had close contact with someone with COVID-19 .

  • How to protect yourself and others. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
  • Domestic travel during COVID-19. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
  • Requirement for face masks on public transportation conveyances and at transportation hubs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/face-masks-public-transportation.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
  • International travel. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel/index.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
  • U.S citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and immigrants: Travel to and from the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel-during-covid19.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
  • Non-US. citizen, non-U.S. immigrants: Air travel to the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/noncitizens-US-air-travel.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
  • People with certain medical conditions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
  • Stay up to date with your vaccines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
  • Pack smart. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/pack-smart. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
  • Travel: Frequently asked questions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/faqs.html. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) information. Transportation Security Administration. https://www.tsa.gov/coronavirus. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.
  • WHO advice for international traffic in relation to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/articles-detail/who-advice-for-international-traffic-in-relation-to-the-sars-cov-2-omicron-variant. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.
  • VRHP/VRMA Cleaning guidelines for COVID-19. Vacation Rental Management Association. https://www.vrma.org/page/vrhp/vrma-cleaning-guidelines-for-covid-19. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.
  • Safe stay. American Hotel & Lodging Association. https://www.ahla.com/safestay. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.
  • Khatib AN, et al. COVID-19 transmission and the safety of air travel during the pandemic: A scoping review. Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases. 2021; doi:10.1097/QCO.0000000000000771.

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  • Vaccine guidance from Mayo Clinic
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U.S. travel resources

  • Check CDC recommendations for travel within the U.S.
  • Review testing requirements for travel to the U.S.
  • Look up restrictions at your destination .
  • Review airport security measures .

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20 Tips for Preparing Your Home for an Extended Vacation

This article may contain referral links. Read our DISCLOSURE

Cummins originally sponsored this look at how to prepare your home before a vacation.

It’s the day we leave for that month-long South Pacific cruise . Alan waits in the car as I lock the front door after checking everything in the house one more time. Then I try the lock, again—and again.

Confession time: I have a hard time leaving our house for vacation, especially an extended trip. But I shouldn’t really worry, because I have Alan and he makes lists.

Tips for Preparing Your House for an Extended Vacation

Woman in red coat checking to see if front door is locked to prepare her home for an extended vacation.

Creating a list of all the tasks needed to prepare your home for vacation is the single most important travel preparation tip I can offer.

Keep a master list of every task stored on your computer or phone to print out before every trip.

Check off each task as you accomplish them, and then head off on your adventure knowing that your home is prepared.

Not sure where to start? Here are some must-haves for your extended vacation preparation checklist:

Before you leave for vacation

house alarm panel

Household Tasks:

  • Empty the dishwasher and leave it cracked open (if possible) so any standing water in the system evaporates.
  • Clean out the refrigerator. In addition to throwing away food that will spoil, this is a great time to give the fridge a good cleaning.
  • Run a mixture of vinegar and water through the garbage disposal so odors don’t build up.
  • Empty and wash all trashcans.
  • Set the thermostat to reasonable temperature. For a winter trip, set the thermostat to a low temperature, but not so low that pipes will freeze. In summer, set the thermostat to a higher temperature so the air conditioning won’t run unnecessarily.
  • If you live in a cold climate, leave doors open underneath all sinks to keep pipes from freezing.
  • Place the water heater on “vacation mode” setting.
  • For long trips, put a trickle charge on car batteries. If rodents are a problem in the garage, place dryer sheets around the car to keep them from chewing on wires. Or plug an ultrasonic pest repeller into garage electrical outlets. They really work!

Hot water heater set to away mode before vacation.

Home Safety Measures:

  • Place several lights on timers (or ask the house sitter to rotate which lights are turned on, both inside and out, once or twice a week)
  • Install a motion-activated floodlight in at least one location outside your home.
  • Consider investing in a whole house generator to save headaches in the event of electric outages. If you’re out of town when the electricity goes out, food can spoil in the refrigerator, irrigation systems will stop watering the lawn, and automatic timers will stop turning on and off the lights that are making your home look occupied.
  • Make sure smoke detectors are working properly.
  • Turn off water to the interior of the house. An undiscovered water leak can result in thousands of dollars in damage. Leave faucet taps open so when you slowly turn the water system back on, pressure won’t blow out the gaskets. At the very least, turn off the water valves to sinks, dishwasher, washing machine and toilets.

While you’re away from home

Purple, yellow and red flowers in a pot. Ask the housesitter to water them while you're on an extended vacation.

Hire a house sitter (or ask a trusted friend or neighbor) to make weekly (at least) checks inside your home. They should:

  • Flush all toilets so that sewer gases don’t build up, especially if your home is on a septic tank.
  • Confirm mail is being held or collected.
  • Make sure the irrigation system is working
  • Water outdoor and indoor potted plants.
  • Cut the lawn or confirm the landscape service is doing it.
  • Survey the house for leaks after major rainstorms, heavy winter snows, or extreme cold weather.
  • Adjust the thermostat a day before the end of your trip so you arrive to a comfortable home temperature.

Keeping a detailed list of how to prepare your home for vacation makes it easy to walk out the door. And remember, installing a generator  or back-up power supply ensures your home is protected in the event of a power outage.

Prepare for the worst and have peace of mind during your trip by installing a Cummins QuietConnect home standby generator .

Disclosure: Cummins originally sponsored this look at home preparation tips. 

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How to Protect Your Home During Extended Vacations, From Security Systems to House Sitters

By Jessica Poitevien

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All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

In today’s increasingly interconnected world, it’s becoming easier to lead what was once considered a “nontraditional” lifestyle full of travel. Whether you’re a retiree spending a few months at a vacation home, at sea , or visiting family, a digital nomad traversing the globe, a burnt out employee planning an adult gap year , or someone like me whose job requires extended stays away from home, that time away brings with it a new consideration: how to ensure your residence will be safe as it patiently awaits your return.

Ahead, we’ll dive into practical tips, products, and services to protect your home and put your mind at ease whenever you leave for long periods of time. From home security systems to finding a house sitter, we’ll cover it all.

All products featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Protect your home from disaster.

Securing your home before departure goes beyond locking all the doors and windows. Start by sealing any small holes leading outside to prevent animals from making themselves comfortable in your floorboards or roof. Adding fresh batteries to smoke alarms can be a lifesaver in case of emergency, too. However, homeowners often overlook another common cause of extensive issues: water. 

“By installing water sensors, or water shut-off devices, you could be alerted to water leaks while you’re away and help prevent costly damage,” says Sarah Jacobs, vice president of personal lines product development at Nationwide . If possible, Jacobs recommends shutting off the main water valve completely. Not sure how? Check out this video for a few tips on how to locate and cut off your home’s water supply. If you need additional assistance, HomeX's Remote Assist tool can connect you via phone or video call with a trained technician who will walk you through the process and help with any other home repairs or pre-trip preparations you’re having trouble with.

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With these tips, you can spend less time worrying while away from home.

Set your home to “vacation mode.”

To reduce your electricity bill and protect your belongings from any power surges, be sure to unplug everything possible, from the washing machine to lamps and televisions. When it comes to your thermostat, the strategy depends on your environment. In cold climates , you can prevent frozen pipes by setting a temperature in the high 50s, while warmer areas require a temperature in the high 70s to avoid mold and mildew. These temperatures are warm/cool enough to keep your home in good condition without running up the electric bill.

Take care of the mail.

Nothing screams “this home is vacant” quite like an overflowing mailbox or unattended packages waiting for porch pirates to strike. Instead of relying on loved ones to check your mailbox, sign up for the USPS mail hold service to stop deliveries for up to 30 days or try temporary mail forwarding for longer absences.

Expecting something important to arrive? Anissia West, a DEI consultant and life coach who leaves home for extended periods at least five times per year, recommends a virtual mailbox like iPostal1 . The company collects your mail, uploads photos of it through an app, then allows you the option to discard it, forward it, or have it scanned so you can digitally read your mail from anywhere.

Make it look like someone is home.

Another way to ward off would-be robbers is to create the illusion that you never left home. That could be as simple as arranging for regular landscaping service, but Royal Williams goes the extra mile. “To make the house seem lived in, I use light timers, so for a few hours every night, the living room lights turn on,” says the online teacher and graduate student who splits her time between California and Colombia . Light timers like this Amazon bestseller are relatively inexpensive, but “smart” lights can also be programmed to periodically turn on and off without the extra purchase.

Find someone to care for your plants and pets.

Whether you’re leaving for a few days or a few months, TrustedHousesitters connects homeowners with travelers who will take care of their property, pets, and plants in exchange for free accommodation. I once spent two weeks taking care of an adorable kitten at her apartment in downtown Miami, but not everyone is comfortable with a stranger setting up camp in their private space. That’s where digital marketing specialist and travel influencer Lauren Kokoskie suggests using TaskRabbit , a website that allows users to hire local gig workers for special errands. Kokoski, for example, once hired a landscaper to care for her indoor plants. “I met with them in person and showed them how to water my plants. They returned weekly while I was gone,” she says. “I made sure to lock up my valuables since it was still a stranger in my home, [but] I had a positive experience.”

Install smart home security.

Long gone are the days of leaving a spare key under a flower pot by the door. Instead, invest in a smart lock and make it easier to grant access to your home as needed. There are dozens of options on the market, but I personally use a keypad deadbolt from Schlage . When I go on vacation or work trips, I give the cat sitter a temporary code that only works during the designated times she’s scheduled to be at the house. I get notifications whenever the door is unlocked and can also remotely control the deadbolt from my phone using the Schlage app, Apple Home, Alexa, Ring, and other home automation systems. Several of these systems, including Ring and Nest , also offer other smart home security services such as indoor and outdoor cameras, motion-activated floodlights, alarms, and more.

Prepare for a smooth return.

It may feel like a burden to tack on extra cleaning before a long trip, but you’ll thank yourself later when you have an inviting space to welcome you home. For freelance writer Giulia Alvarez-Katz, that pre-trip cleaning routine includes covering furniture with blankets to prevent excessive dust build up and eating all the food in her refrigerator so there’s nothing left to spoil should her appliances lose power. Alvarez-Katz also stocks up on key supplies she’ll need to make her return as stress-free as possible. “There’s nothing worse than coming home to an apartment with no toilet paper,” she says.

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Why I Love Coming Home After Travelling Away

Back in 2001/2, I embarked on my first epic adventure around the world with just my belongings in my backpack and sense of anticipation for the road that lay ahead of me. For 18 months I moved from country to country over two continents, barely staying in one place for more than a few weeks. And, after settling down in Australia to work for a while, I finally had a phone number in which family could contact me – remember the days before smartphones and wi-fi? However, our Sydney apartment  was not what you would call ‘homely’, I was sharing a room with two other people and was hardly ever there.

Even though I never felt homesick during my extended travels, when the time came for me to finally get back home, there was most definitely a feeling of post-travel blues. Life after travelling was much harder to adjust to because no one else had shared my experiences. Did I have some post-travel depression? Yes, I did, but there were many things that helped me get over them quickly.

Even though I was travelling full-time on that occasion, I still get the same feeling in the pit of my stomach when the plane flies over the UK’s green and pleasant lands and touches down on the tarmac, whenever we come home from a trip. It’s the sense of anticipation of walking through the front door and knowing you’re finally home. There are always post-travel blues, of course, especially if you have to go back to work straight away but here are the reasons why I love coming home after travelling away.

Familiar Surroundings

When you’re travelling and exploring, it’s quite taxing on the mind as your senses go into overdrive. Coming home from travelling and being surrounded by familiar items, furniture and belongings – it really does give over a sense of calm and security. And while I am no interior design guru, the rooms in our house are a sanctuary – the colours, the hanging wall art, our family photographs, my favourite cushions and throws, my spot on the sofa, and my workspace, all contribute to making it home sweet home…

It doesn’t matter if I’ve stayed in five-star luxury with Egyptian cotton sheets and super king sized beds, there is nothing better than having a hot bath, getting into clean pyjamas and slipping under the freshly washed covers of your own bed . It will undoubtedly be the best night’s sleep I will have had since leaving to go away!

My Own Wardrobe

Living out of a suitcase is often what I do when travelling because more often than not, the wardrobe spaces will be lacking, I can’t be bothered to unpack or I am moving around too much so there’s no point in putting my clothes away. Coming home after travelling, means everything can go in its rightful place. And breathe…

Getting back to a routine

Not so much for me, as I work for myself, but for the kids. When we go away, the rules go out of the window somewhat, and the kids will be overly tired when we come back home. So getting back into a routine of nap times, a decent bedtime and back to school always helps settle them after we’ve been away for some time.

A decent cup of tea

Tea never ever tastes the same when you’re away. In fact, the first thing I do when I walk through the front door is brew up. A strong cup of Yorkshire tea, and I know I’m home!

Catching up with family and friends

It goes without saying that when you travel, especially for long periods of time it’s always good to get home and see loved ones. This is especially the case when I travel solo. Even though I don’t ever have the time to get homesick, I do miss my boys.

Planning Our Next Trip

Okay, so you may have the post-travel blues because you’re back home and your holiday/vacation is over. But so what? Get busy planning your next family trip and adventure. That’s the best thing about getting home – you can think about what you enjoyed from your most recent trip and take that inspiration for your next destination. After all, half the fun of travel is in the planning!

*Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post

Meet the parents homeschooling their kids while travelling the world

Jan 25, 2020 • 8 min read

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Travel doesn’t have to stop after having kids. These globetrotting parents are seeing the world and homeschooling their children at the same time. 

The Larmour family pose outside their van in the desert

British lifestyle photographer Kirsty Larmour and her Irish husband Tommy have two children, Saffy (13) and Indy (11). The couple met while working in Hong Kong and their children have been travelling their whole lives.

Their journeys have included a one-year road trip that saw them drive the family car from their base in Abu Dhabi to Ireland and back; they also moved to India , where they've spent the last two years. Now, the family are spending a year driving their van all the way back to the UK .

“We figured it’s our last time to take off and do something different before the girls need to think a bit more seriously about their studies and where and what they want to do with their own lives,” says Kirsty.  

A young girl with her back to the camera is hiking in Ladakh, India, over rocky terrain

Finding the right school

Kirsty and her husband took on the role of homeschooling while Saffy and Indy were of primary age, but acknowledge it would be more difficult to do so at secondary level. 

Their focus was on finding a homeschooling system that would work for their needs, which meant no lessons at a fixed time because they couldn’t always rely on the internet while on the road. Their solution was to enrol the girls at  Wolsey Hall Oxford , a homeschooling college. 

“Wolsey Hall has a system of units and assignments which the children follow, and they get released to them through on online system. They have regular contact and feedback from tutors and video calls to discuss any problems and to review progress,” explains Kirsty. “At age 13 and 11, the children can mostly manage this all themselves but parents also get access to the system so that we are kept informed too.”   

Read more:  How travel can help students perform better in school

The girls study maths, English and science. These are core subjects they will need to take at GCSE level. Beyond that they’re free to take whatever subjects take their interest; Kirsty and her husband believe that child-led learning and following their own interests is more engaging. For example: one of their daughters chose to study India as part of her history curriculum and her learning has been strengthened by the family’s time in that country.

Typically, they like to do their schoolwork first thing after breakfast if they can. 

“They spend much less time on schooling than if they were in school as they can focus without distractions,” Kirsty says. “They will often download anything that needs to be watched to view while driving – written work needs to be done while we’re stationary as we seem to drive on a lot of bumpy roads.

"If we have wi-fi and they need to submit an assignment, they’ll do that too, or follow up on any feedback. Video calls with tutors tend to happen in the evenings because of the time difference between India and the UK.”   

A family poses at the summit of Machu Pichu

Staying connected

Wolsey Hall’s Danielle Hilton agrees that connectivity can be an issue, but many families on the road get around this by downloading course materials ahead of time when they know they are likely to be without wi-fi for a long period. Other challenges can include keeping motivation when distractions arise.

“This is typical of any student but when families are travelling and encountering exciting and new experiences it can be a greater distraction, so they need to be a little stricter in setting aside time for their studies,” says Danielle.  But there are also benefits: “The flexibility to study anytime and anywhere is often cited [as a benefit], as well as the option to be able to continue a stable education. We teach the Cambridge curriculum which is the same as in UK schools and means children can slot back into 'mainstream school' on their return should they wish.” 

The Jacobis are another example of a voyaging family who have happily embraced homeschooling.

Katy Jacobi, from Ireland , met her husband Michael, who grew up in Germany , in 1996 and the couple have lived in eight countries together since. They have three children, Emily (17), Sophie (14) and Sean (13) and Michael’s job as a hotelier has brought them to varying destinations from  Qatar  to  Latvia .  

Read more:  Learn a language while you watch Netflix with the help of this new tool

Since August last year the family is embarking on an extended trip to South America ; a part of the world which had long been on their wish list. Discussions about such a trip had previously arisen, but the couple had held off on the idea due to various worries, mostly about money and education. 

“This year, our eldest was approaching her last year of school and about to set out on her own independent journey so we felt this was the last chance for us to travel full time as a complete family,” Katy explains. Everyone was keen to experience something new, learn a new language and culture and create some memorable family moments.

The family started researching homeschooling by reading blogs and using Google to identify schools that offered programs suitable for their children’s needs. Factors such as a school’s ability to support each of their children at different stages of education, cost, and ease of access were all taken into account. Eventually they also decided on Wolsey Hall, as well as Interhigh, with whom Emily takes one subject.  

Adapting to changing surroundings  

The family's daily routine tends to change depending on what location they are in and what facilities are available. An ideal day starts early, around 7am, with a family or individual workout – AKA a PE lesson – depending on how everyone feels. Morning study leaves afternoons free for tours and experiences.

“The days when we move, there is usually no time to study but we can easily make up for that on the quiet days between trips,” says Katy. “We try to stick roughly with the usual school holiday schedule, but use the flexibility of homeschooling to take our breaks when it best suits us.”

She has found that some learning is done practically, for example history and geography comes to life in Peru while hiking the Andes and visiting various Inca ruins. IT learning, meanwhile, has come in the form of editing short movies and developing the family website . The family is also learning Spanish by immersion and had a family Spanish teacher three times a week in both Peru and Argentina .   

Binedells cycling Utrecht.jpg

Practical learning

Karen Binedell, whose three children – Sebastian (16), Aiden (14) and Ella (12) – are enrolled in an online college as the family volunteer their way around Europe , believes that homeschooling while travelling brings learning to life. Being on the move allowed the children to see many of the places they were learning about first-hand. 

A normal day for the Binedells sees them waking up, packing the caravan beds away and taking turns to get dressed (the caravan’s space is limited) before having breakfast and beginning work. 

Karen and her husband Warren will start on their volunteer projects immediately and most mornings the children begin the day with two to three hours homeschooling, making their way through a module, completing a quiz, working on an assignment or having a video call with their language tutors. After lunch, they will then join their parents and assist with whatever needs doing.   

Read more:   How learning Gaeilge in Ireland expanded more than my vocabulary

“In the past year they have learnt to drive tractors and articulating fork lifts, they have learnt how to operate power tools, they have assisted in removing and replacing a farmhouse roof and have learnt an enormous amount about permaculture, farming and looking after livestock,” Karen says. 

She believes that organisation and flexibility are key when homeschooling whilst travelling.

“As you can probably imagine, there are plenty of exciting things to do and see and it's incredibly easy to get distracted. So, four to five mornings are set aside for schoolwork, these could include Saturdays and Sundays depending on our plans, and we try as much as possible to stick to that,” she says. 

Her children love the fact that they have had the opportunity to travel extensively without feeling like they have fallen behind in terms of their studies. According to Karen, “they regularly get to put their language skills to use in the different countries we visit and have made friends at every stop.” 

The Laramour and Jacobi children also clearly enjoy their non-traditional education experience. “I like being able to study when it suits me best and that it’s easy to catch up on a missed day unlike at real school. I love the field trips, especially Machu Picchu, ” says 14-year-old Sophie Jacobi.

“I love that my classroom is the whole world, and that I’m constantly learning from books, from other people and from the countries we visit,” offers 11-year-old Indy Larmour. 

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How to Get High-Speed Wi-Fi While Traveling

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  • Connectivity for multiple users
  • High price for mobile data

home travelling

  • Affordable prices
  • Flexible plan options
  • Complicated setup

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  • Cheap prices (or free)
  • Wide availability in big cities
  • Slow speeds
  • Working connection on the road
  • Affordable prices for plans
  • Safety risks (don’t Wi-Fi and drive!)

nomad internet

  • Reliable connection in rural areas
  • Unlimited data on most plans
  • Extremely high prices

There are a bunch of ways you can get high-speed Wi-Fi while you’re traveling. A mobile hotspot is the easiest and most reliable option, giving you Wi-Fi access for multiple devices whether you’re on a long drive, staying at a vacation home, or even traveling abroad. Hotels and restaurants also often have free Wi-Fi for customers, while other ways to get portable Wi-Fi include built-in car hotspots and fixed wireless internet plans for RVs.

Below we take a deep dive into all your pocket Wi-Fi options for when you’re traveling. Take a look to find the best way to stay connected on your next trip.

Best ways to get Wi-Fi while traveling:

  • Best for short trips — Phones and mobile hotspots
  • Best for traveling internationally — Travel hotspots and SIM cards
  • Best for budget travelers — Hotel or restaurant Wi-Fi
  • Best for road trips — Your car’s built-in hotspot
  • Best for RVs and digital nomads — Portable 4G or satellite internet

Best for short trips: Phones and mobile hotspots

A hotspot—whether it’s the one on your phone or a separate mobile device—is the easiest and quickest tool you can use to get Wi-Fi while traveling. As long as you have a data plan and network coverage where you’re traveling, all you need to do is switch on the Wi-Fi hotspot to provide internet access for multiple laptops, tablets, and phones.

Your phone’s hotspot works great for lots of situations, and most phone plans come with hotspot data, so using one doesn’t tax your wallet.

But we recommend investing in a standalone mobile hotspot if you need Wi-Fi for multiple users or extended periods—for example, if you’re taking a few hours to get work done at your vacation home. Mobile hotspots have longer range than a phone hotspot, they connect more devices, and they don’t strain your phone’s battery.

  • Limited speeds depending on the hotspot
  • Unreliable service in some places

Best mobile hotspots

Data as of 7/11/22. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Amazon.com Price as of 7/11/22 10:30 MST. See full disclaimer .

T-Mobile’s Inseego 5G MiFi M2000 is the most formidable mobile hotspot out there, delivering excellent speeds over T-Mobile’s 4G LTE and 5G networks. It can connect up to 30 devices—making it an excellent option for big groups—and comes with security features to set up guest networks and firewalls. T-Mobile also has the best prices on data plans, offering lots of flexibility for whenever you need it.

Keep in mind that you need a data plan to make your hotspot work. Look at our hotspot data plans guide for details on the best (and cheapest) monthly and prepaid options.

Best phone plans for hotspotting

*With AutoPay. Regularly $60/mo.

Data as of 7/11/22. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Almost any phone plan gives you hotspot data nowadays, and if you don’t have data, then you can likely add hotspotting for a modest fee. You don’t really need to pick out a cell phone plan just for the hotspot data.

But if you’re in the market, you can’t go wrong with AT&T’s flagship Unlimited Premium plan, which gives you the most hotspot data for your dollar. T-Mobile’s Magenta MAX plan also has a generous offer on hotspot data (albeit you get 10 GB less than the AT&T plan). Verizon’s 5G Do More plan comes with the least amount of data, but it includes a discount for a separate hotspot plan.

Best for traveling internationally: Travel hotspots and international SIM cards

The easiest and cheapest way to get internet abroad is to stick to hotel and restaurant Wi-Fi. But if you really need internet while abroad—for example, if you’re working remotely or need to make regular Zoom calls to family back home—we recommend getting a SIM card from a local phone carrier in the country you’re visiting.

Setup can be tricky, especially if you’re in a place where you don’t speak the language: you have to go to a phone store to buy a SIM card and set up an account, which usually requires you to show your passport and sign some paperwork. But these inconveniences are a small price to pay. Many countries have cheap options for phone plans and data, and getting a SIM card is often affordable.

  • Affordable prices (many countries have low-cost cellular plans)
  • Time-consuming and potentially stressful setup
  • Limited connectivity if you’re traveling in multiple countries

Best travel hotspots

Amazon.com Price (as of 7/11/22 10:15 MST). See full disclaimer .

Huawei’s E5577Cs-321 may not have the prettiest name, but it’s a handy device. The 4G hotspot is compatible with providers across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, so you can swap in a SIM card and get the Wi-Fi flowing (almost) wherever you go.

GlocalMe G4 Pro is another interesting option. It doesn’t require a SIM card; instead, GlocalMe has its own data plans, which provide coverage in more than 140 countries, according to the manufacturer.

We’re hesitant to recommend devices in general like these because you have no way of knowing how well the hotspot actually works (if at all) until you’ve already bought the thing and gone on your trip. But the G4 Pro gets good reviews online, it’s easy to handle, and it comes with a pre-installed Google Maps app to help out in case you get lost.

Best for budget travelers: Hotel and restaurant Wi-Fi

Nothing beats hotel Wi-Fi, am I right? Most hotels and restaurants nowadays offer free Wi-Fi with their services, and anyone who’s ever spent a long layover in Paris or Istanbul knows how convenient free Wi-Fi can be.

Traveling on a budget? Go ahead and skip all the fancy stuff; don’t worry about adjusting your phone plan or buying a pricey hotspot. Just stick to the free Wi-Fi at your hotel or a nearby restaurant.

See below for a list of places where you can find public Wi-Fi (including lots of free options). And consider investing in a travel router and VPN to boost your signal range and increase browser security.

  • Cheap price (included with a hotel room or drink)
  • Limited availability in rural areas
  • Higher security risk

Where to find free Wi-Fi

  • Restaurants
  • Coffee shops
  • Public libraries
  • Government buildings
  • University campuses
  • Airport terminals
  • Public parks

Popular restaurant and retail chains with free Wi-Fi:

  • Burger King
  • Lowe’s Home Improvement
  • Dunkin’ (formerly Dunkin’ Donuts)
  • Peet’s Coffee
  • Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
  • Tim Hortons
  • Panera Bread

Use a travel router to give your travel Wi-Fi a boost

A travel router is a small device that improves your connection and increases your security while you’re plugged into a public Wi-Fi network.

It lets you set up a private network using an Ethernet connection from a public hotspot. So if you’re at a hotel, you can plug the travel router into a hotel-provided internet access point like an Ethernet switch or hub. When you run the Wi-Fi through your travel router, it lets you bypass encryption and firewalls, connect more devices, and increase your signal range.

Best travel router

Best for road trips: car wi-fi and built-in hotspots.

Many newer vehicles—especially deluxe models and family sedans—have onboard Wi-Fi hotspots that give you internet access on the go.

We definitely don’t recommend using Wi-Fi while you’re driving a car. But so long as you’re safely paying attention to the road, an in-car hotspot is great because it lets your friends and family enjoy Wi-Fi access on long drives and road trips to watch movies, play games, and even get work done if necessary.

Take a look at our guide to car Wi-Fi for details on how to set up a hotspot in your vehicle.

Best car internet plans

Data as of 9/6/22. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Many cars with built-in Wi-Fi hotspots need a data plan from AT&T. Prices and features vary based on the make and model of your vehicle, but expect to pay around $15 to $25 per month for a data plan. Some cars let you get data through Verizon or T-Mobile—namely Volkswagens and vehicles that use T-Mobile’s SyncUP DRIVE system.

  • Working connection even while driving
  • Affordable prices for Wi-Fi plans
  • Safety risk—don’t use Wi-Fi while driving!

Best for digital nomads: Portable 4G LTE or satellite internet

RVs and Sprinter vans typically have built-in systems for utilities like water and gas, but if you’re living on the road then you need to figure out a separate system for the Wi-Fi. Mobile hotspots and Wi-Fi extenders are excellent and affordable tools to get you internet in many places, but both come with technical limitations and aren’t adequate replacements for a proper home internet network.

A 4G LTE or satellite internet plan gives you a consistent connection for wherever you travel. 4G internet is already a popular choice for rural areas, and these plans work as mobile connections that can be set up anywhere. Satellite usually isn’t mobile, but Starlink has just introduced a plan for RVs that provides extensive nationwide coverage. Setup and billing costs can really add up with these plans, but the benefits include sturdier equipment and unlimited data.

Best 4G LTE and satellite internet plans

Data as of 7/8/22. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Nomad Internet is one of the best choices for RVs because its portable 4G internet plan doesn’t have a data cap. Hotspots don’t give you enough data to let you stream movies, make video calls, or work remotely for more than just a weekend or two, so having unlimited data makes a huge difference when you’re living out of a vehicle full time.

Starlink for RVs also comes with unlimited data. Its setup price is a lot higher, but Starlink has relatively fast speeds and excellent coverage across wide swathes of the rural West.

  • Great setup for RVs
  • Challenging setup with potential technical issues
  • Expensive price

Our verdict

When it comes down to it, a mobile hotspot is the best way to get pocket Wi-Fi on the road. Hotspots are affordable, easy to use, and compatible both in the United States and overseas (so long as you have one certified to do so). Even your phone’s hotspot and a SIM card with a data plan works wonders in many cases.

If you’re worried about costs, remember you can often find a restaurant or hotel with free Wi-Fi, especially in major cities and tourist areas. For living out of an RV, though, you’re better off with a portable 4G LTE or satellite internet plan, which offers you more consistent connections even in rural areas.

FAQ about getting Wi-Fi while traveling

Does portable wi-fi work with a sim card.

Yes, you can get a SIM card to get portable Wi-Fi. You can sign up for a data plan from a cellular carrier in the area where you’re traveling and install the SIM card into your phone or a mobile hotspot to get Wi-Fi access on multiple devices.

How much does portable Wi-Fi cost?

Portable Wi-Fi ranges in price but usually costs $25 to $60 per month. Your phone plan or hotspot plan gives you enough data to support portable Wi-Fi for a range of devices and usually comes at an affordable price—although you may have strict limits on data use.

Related content

  • Best Ways to Get Portable Internet
  • How to Get Wi-Fi While Camping
  • Internet for RVs
  • Best Unlimited Hotspot Plans

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Author - Peter Holslin

Peter Holslin has more than a decade of experience working as a writer and freelance journalist. He graduated with a BA in liberal arts and journalism from New York City’s The New School University in 2008 and went on to contribute to publications like Rolling Stone, VICE, BuzzFeed, and countless others. At HighSpeedInternet.com, he focuses on covering 5G, nerding out about frequency bands and virtual RAN, and producing reviews on emerging services like 5G home internet. He also writes about internet providers and packages, hotspots, VPNs, and Wi-Fi troubleshooting.

Editor - Rebecca Lee Armstrong

Rebecca Lee Armstrong has more than six years of experience writing about tech and the internet, with a specialty in hands-on testing. She started writing tech product and service reviews while finishing her BFA in creative writing at the University of Evansville and has found her niche writing about home networking, routers, and internet access at HighSpeedInternet.com. Her work has also been featured on Top Ten Reviews, MacSources, Windows Central, Android Central, Best Company, TechnoFAQ, and iMore.

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This Magic Bullet Blender Is on Sale for Only $36

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A blender is an indispensable tool in the kitchen. It purées vegetables into soup, crushes nuts into butter, whirs dressings and sauces into silky emulsifications, chops ingredients into salsas, and, of course, makes smoothies.

But sometimes you simply don’t have the room for a full-size machine. Enter this personal-sized Magic Bullet Blender, which is currently on sale for 28 percent off, making it a sweet $36. It can handle nearly all of the same tasks as a bigger blender, just without taking up as much counter space (which, for the record, makes not only storing it easier but cleaning it, too). The appliance comes with several jar options: a tall one, a short one, and one with a handle. Plus each of those have mix-and-match lids — two that cover the entire top for when you make something you want to keep in the fridge and one with a retractable sip hole so you can take your drink on the go.

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We've traveled to 91 countries and found 3 hidden gems for seasoned travelers

  • John and Beverly Martin, 60, sold their Florida home to travel the world during their retirement. 
  • After visiting all 50 states and 51 national parks, they've traveled to over 91 countries.
  • Hidden gems in Denmark, Latvia, and Greece were their favorite destinations in the world.

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This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with John Martin, who previously worked in the aluminum industry, and his wife Beverly, both 60, who have been traveling the world since 2021. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

Faroe Islands, Denmark

John: There's a part of Denmark called the Faroe Islands. It actually looks like Iceland, but it's a group of islands north of Scotland and west of Norway. In fact, one of the last James Bond movies was filmed there. It was incredible.

John: There are these steep mountains with waterfalls going into the ocean. It's just a really great place for hiking rugged, raw land. It's just beautiful.

Beverly: They still have Nordic homes and these little seaside villages. They've built a tunnel system underneath the ocean to all the different islands, and you drive to all of these different islands under the tunnels.

John: There was this tunnel through a mountain where on the other side it was just a village of 10 homes.

Riga, Latvia

John: A surprise city for us was Riga, Latvia. It's one of those cities that isn't connected by train to the rest of Europe, so a lot of people miss it.

Beverly: It has this whole area that's very Art Deco. Unfortunately, some of the cities you visit are beautiful but crumbling, but Riga was perfectly intact. It was just really lovely.

John: During World War II, five Zeppelin hangars were built in Riga. The city has taken them over and turned them into a central market. One hangar is fruits, another is vegetables. It's really a sight to see.

I love salmon and it had this smoked salmon that was $1 for two pounds. Unbelievable — and some of the best I've ever had. I just walked around eating it the rest of the afternoon.

Beverly: There's a beautiful river running through the town, which gives you great options for long walks. And the center of town, with this classic Old World feel, has so many great restaurants at a very, very low cost.

Beverly: There's an easy day trip just across the border to this place: the hill of 100,000 crosses. There's nowhere else in the world that looks like it.

Folegandros, Greece

John: We found our favorite spot kind of by accident.

We went to Santorini, Greece. It's beautiful, but it's filled with cruise boats and hordes of visitors. Forty minutes away, there's an island called Folegandros.

We went there to stay a week in April, and it was almost deserted. At one point, it was an island for exiled prisoners because it was completely barren. Now you go around the island and there are hiking trails and gorgeous scenery.

Beverly: You can walk across all of this terraced land and look out over the Aegean Sea, next to herds of goats.

John: We stayed in this little place right on the edge of a 1,000-foot cliff. A yellow farmhouse overlooking the Aegean Sea.

Beverly: There were old windmills on this property that were crumbling and in disrepair. But the woman who owned the farmhouse told us that when she was a little girl, they used to grind the wheat for the whole island. It was such cool history.

John: We didn't have a car, so we walked everywhere we went. And you walk a lot. You walk a mile to town and pass a man on a donkey. It's a whole different world.

Beverly: Folegandros has more churches than people. They told us that when something good happens in your family on the island, you build a church. Some of them are very small, some are medium. Only a handful are quite large. They're like monuments.

There's a church at the top of a hill that the island only visits once a year for Easter. They said visitors can join the parade.

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This Is the Largest Tulip Festival in the U.S. — With Tens of Millions of Blooms Set in a Verdant Valley

Skagit Valley in northwestern Washington is home to tens of millions of tulips.

Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel.

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Courtesy of the Skagit Valley Tourism Bureau

If the name Skagit Valley sounds familiar that’s because it probably is. The verdant valley in Washington produces everything from cheese and beer to garlic and berries . Seafood is plucked from the sea and served up fresh and all-you-can-pick blueberry farms dot the landscape. The edible bounty is noteworthy, but the valley is best known for its tens of millions of tulips covering the valley every spring .

The blooms can be viewed and celebrated during the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival , which is considered to be the largest tulip festival in the U.S. This year, the festival’s 41st, will feature a parade, art shows, a downtown street fair, and more — all set to a colorful, blooming backdrop.

While the festival typically kicks off on April 1 and wraps up on April 30, the exact dates depend on the bloom, which is monitored in great detail here . 

“The Skagit Valley is perfectly situated for the cultivation of hearty, vibrant tulips,” Nicole Roozen, executive director of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, said in a press release shared with Travel + Leisure . “Each year visitors flock to the Skagit Valley to behold row upon row of delightfully color-coordinated tulips. The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is a celebration of the bloom and the endless beauty of the Pacific Northwest.”

Skagit Valley sits between Seattle and the U.S.-Canadian border in Washington’s northwestern corner. The valley is just over one hour by car from Seattle and 1.5 hours from Vancouver. To the west of the valley, there are 60 miles of coastline, including the San Juan Islands.

The endless sea of color that takes over Skagit Valley in April can be seen up close at the valley’s many tulip farms or gardens. According to the festival, the flower market RoozenGaarde has over 200 varieties of tulips and daffodils showcased on 50 acres of land.

The smaller Tulip Town has over 55 tulip varieties along with a beer and wine garden. You can also pick your own tulip bouquet and take a free farm tour at Tulip Valley Farms , which also hosts a laser- and light-laden “ NightBloom ” on Friday and Saturday nights during the festival. 

In addition to visiting the various tulip fields around Skagit Valley, there will be a Tulip Parade in La Conner, Washington on April 6, and a street fair in downtown Mount Vernon, Washington with over 140 vendors from April 19 through April 21. There will also be the chance to see the ins and outs of semi-truck development (a key mode of transportation in agriculture) and a pickleball tournament from April 25 through April 28.

Every Friday and Saturday during the festival tulip lovers can enjoy “Tea and Tulips” at Willowbrook Manor , an English-style tea house and farm stay.

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A traveling barbershop in Nebraska provides boys with haircuts and mentorship

Mike Tobias

Barbershops have always been places to get a trim plus a bit of advice. Now, a traveling barbershop in Lincoln, Neb., is helping kids look good and feel good.

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We are people who are well-versed in the fun and rigors of traveling. Our travel agency came together to help other people plan and book their dream vacations. 

 From all-inclusive vacations to thrilling cruise getaways, we will craft the perfect itinerary for all of your travel needs. Whether you're planning a solo escape or organizing a group travel adventure, trust us to handle every detail of your vacation planning. Book now and experience the ultimate in relaxation, adventure, and unforgettable moments. 

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Our portfolio of all-inclusive resorts spans across breathtaking destinations, offering you a world of luxury, relaxation, and adventure. Whether you seek pristine beaches, vibrant cityscapes, or secluded retreats, our curated selection ensures there's a perfect resort to suit your desires.

For sports enthusiasts, our sports travel partners provide exclusive access to thrilling events and adventures worldwide. Whether you want to cheer on your favorite team at a major sporting event or participate in exciting sporting activities, we handle all the logistics, so you can focus on the excitement of the game.

Embark on a magnificent journey aboard our carefully selected cruises, where you can explore multiple destinations while enjoying exceptional service and world-class amenities. Whether you prefer a relaxing river cruise or an exhilarating ocean voyage, we will find the perfect cruise experience tailored to your preferences.

Our expertise in group travel ensures that your travel plans with friends, family, or colleagues are seamless and stress-free. We handle every aspect, from accommodations to transportation, to create a cohesive and memorable group experience.

For couples seeking a romantic celebration, our destination wedding planning services bring your dream wedding to life in breathtaking locations. From intimate beach ceremonies to grand celebrations, we ensure every detail is thoughtfully executed, creating a truly unforgettable day.

We pride ourselves on our commitment to exceptional customer service, attention to detail, and our passion for creating extraordinary travel experiences. Contact us today to start planning your next vacation, sports adventure, group travel, or destination wedding. Let us turn your travel dreams into a reality.

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More From Forbes

How to make money online: 33 ways to earn money right now.

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How to make money online: With the economy in turmoil and layoffs making headlines , it’s a question many people are asking right now, as they seek out new income streams. But the smartest people know that making money online is a great way to release you from the 9-to-5 and give you the freedom to travel the world or live anywhere you like.

Take Rita Ting-Hopper, an immigrant from Hong Kong who was the first in her family to go to college. The former lawyer is the founder of Festi , a new consumer tech startup that helps people share and monetize their talents—from yoga and dance instructors hosting classes on Zoom while they are traveling to stay-at-home moms offering backyard yoga classes to celebrity chefs creating unique culinary experiences.

According to Ting-Hopper, the ideas are endless and some users have made over $30,000. “We’ve learned that following your passion can lead to self-employment instead of unemployment,” she says.

Want to know how to make money online? We've got the answers.

Festi is just one example of the new online economy that I’ve been documenting over the past few years (you can see the reports from 2022 , 2021 , 2020 and 2019 ). For 2023, I went wide with ideas that range from basic to surprising.

So read on to learn about a number of exciting new solutions for making money online—whether you want to make money from home or find ways to earn money and travel the world.

Bolivian sisters Jaz and Gabriela, who post high-intensity dance fitness classes on Festi, left. ... [+] Right: Festi founder Rita Ting-Hopper at a five-course tasting dinner with celebrity chef Roberto Donna.

1. Convert your passion into money

A tool to help support the creator economy and the gig economy, Festi is an easy, fast and free way to earn money. Using Festi’s payment platform, creators can charge for online classes from anywhere at any time. “For example, if you are a fitness instructor and realize you have an hour to work out at the end of the day (or the next morning), you can post a pop-up workout (in person or on Zoom) and charge people to join you,” says founder Rita Ting-Hopper. Two of the top users are Bolivian sisters Jaz and Gabriela , who post high-intensity dance fitness classes. “With Festi, you can turn any idea into a business by posting your offer in literally minutes,” says Ting-Hopper. “There is no need to create a website, figure out a payment system or chase down Venmos to get paid.”

Best High-Yield Savings Accounts Of 2024

Best 5% interest savings accounts of 2024.

2. Make music

Have some musical talent? Check out Songfinch , which makes it possible for anyone to earn money by writing and producing music. Founded in 2016, Songfinch is backed by big industry names including The Weeknd, Quincy Jones and Doja Cat. Here’s how it works: People can order a personalized one-of-a-kind song from a Songfinch artist, from birthday jingles to holiday tunes to anniversary odes. The songwriters work on their own timeline and retain the full rights to everything they create. Some Songfinch artists have been able to earn up to $80,000 in one year.

3. Become a virtual assistant

As a virtual assistant, you can offer administrative, technical or creative services to clients from the comfort of your own home. And guess what—it pays well. You can find virtual assistant job opportunities through websites like Flexjobs , 24/7 Virtual Assistants and Fancy Hands .

4. Write a book

Whether you’re burning to pen the next great American novel or just have an idea for an e-book that will teach someone how to do something, it’s easier to write a book than you think. Gone are the days of agents and book publishers. These days, self-publishing has become simple and profitable, thanks to sites like Barnes & Noble Press (a free service that lets you sell print or ebooks to millions of readers), Blurb (which helps you create, print and sell professional-quality photo books) and Lulu (a print-on-demand platform with free tools to help create, publish and sell your story).

5. Offer freelance services

Writing, editing, graphic design, coding, digital marketing, admin work—whatever skill you have, the options are endless when it comes to freelancing. But how to get the word out there? You can easily offer services to clients around the world via a number of websites that allow users to enjoy the freedom and flexibility of finding freelance work from anywhere across the globe to grow your brand—and your dreams. Some of the best online talent solutions for connecting businesses with freelancers include Fiverr , Upwork , Freelancer and Working Not Working .

Sites like TaskRabbit and Airtasker help skilled workers market themselves.

6. Market your skills

Or perhaps your skills are more hands-on, from handyman work to cleaning to moving to home remodeling to something as simple as waiting in line. TaskRabbit is a platform that connects people with skilled professionals who can complete various tasks, while Airtasker is a company that acts as a marketplace for services providers. Unlike the traditional gig economy, Airtasker uses a flex economy model, with its “Taskers” working wherever and whenever they want and determining how much they want to get paid.

7. Share your internet bandwidth

Here’s an interesting way to earn passive income: Honeygain , an app that allows you to make money online by sharing your Internet connection. How does it work? Install the application and make sure that it’s running in the background; the app will do the work for you. The shared connection is used for various business cases, including ad verification, price comparison and brand protection. According to Honeygain, the company takes privacy seriously and uses various encryption technologies to ensure that the data being transmitted through the platform is safe and protected. Users can increase their earnings by adding more devices and connecting them to different IP addresses, adding referrals, opening a “lucky pot” every day and participating in social media contests.

8. Get paid for your daily habits

The Mode Earn App enables people to earn passive income via their daily habits, such as listening to music, playing games, reading the news, shopping or watching videos, just to name a few. You just use your phone as normal and can earn $600 per year—or more—in supplemental income. There are 16 modes by which people can get paid.

9. Take surveys

These days, companies not only want to hear what you have to say—they want to pay you for sharing your thoughts on services, products and more. All you need to do is complete an online survey to get paid. Some of the best survey companies include Swagbucks , Survey Junkie , Qmee and Cash Karma .

10. Take part in a focus group

Taking the survey concept to the next level, online focus groups are a great way to make money from home or while traveling. Check out some of the more lucrative opportunities through companies like Respondent and User Interviews , both of which screen applicants to make sure that they have some kind of an in-demand expertise.

You can take care of pets and earn money online via Rover.

11. Take care of animals

The number of pet owners exploded during the pandemic , opening up a wealth of opportunities for people who are good with animals and want to earn some quick cash by cuddling and walking other people’s pets. Rover is an app that connects pet owners with sitters or walkers for part-time gigs. You can set your own schedule, set preferences for pets you’re comfortable playing with and arrange hassle-free payments.

12. Sell handmade products

Artisanship is bigger than ever, so if you have a talent for crafting and making handmade products (jewelry, home decor, you name it), there are a number of ways to sell it online and reach a global audience. Etsy is a well-known marketplace for creatives looking to sell products they’ve made, as well as vintage goods. Some other similar but lesser-recognized platforms for makers include Uncommon Goods and Aftcra .

13. Sell textile designs

Then there’s Spoonflower , a global marketplace that’s revolutionizing the textile industry with on-demand digital printing technology, allowing makers and independent artists across the world to market their designs via online wallpaper, home decor, fabric and more.

14. Market your design work

Do you have a talent for creating fonts, graphics or illustrations? Check out Creative Market , an online marketplace for community-generated design assets. You can sell your designs and reach millions of buyers or promote other artists and earn cash.

15. Take your designs to the next level

If you have a gift for design or illustration, you can make money online by using sites that will put your work on products and sell them for you on demand. For instance, with CafePress and Zazzle , you can upload your own graphic designs or text to wall art, T-shirts, stationery, mugs, totes, stickers and more and earn a percentage of the sales.

16. Create and sell an app

If you have a great idea for an app, you can develop it yourself without having to hire a programmer or agency by using a site like Appy Pie , which helps anyone create applications, websites, chatbots and more on any internet-connected device. Once the app is finished, you can sell it on the App Store or Google Play Store. If the app is a hit, it can be a lucrative way to earn passive income.

You can make money by doing online teaching and tutoring.

17. Do online tutoring

If you have a teaching background or expertise in a particular subject, you can offer online tutoring services. A huge perk: You can work from anywhere and set your own schedule. Check out websites like Tutor.com , Preply and Cambly .

18. Offer consulting services

It’s not just students that need help. If you have expertise in a particular area—business, nutrition, fitness, life—it’s easy to offer one-on-one coaching or consulting services to individuals or businesses. In the old days, this would be done through Skype or other video conferencing platforms, but that meant a lot of coordinating and marketing. New online platforms like Kajabi make everything easier by helping entrepreneurs create and host coaching programs.

19. Create and sell a course

Why not take your expertise and convert it into passive income by creating an e-course? This way, you only have to do the work once and anyone can take—and pay for—your class on their own time. You can create and sell courses on platforms like Gumroad , Udemy and Teachable .

20. Check out your digital subscriptions

With Rocket Money , you’ll be saving money—which can add up to making real money online. This site shows all your subscriptions and can save users hundreds of dollars every year, just by finding and cancelling subscriptions that aren’t being used.

You can make money online by being an online juror.

21. Become a (mock) juror

Talk about jury duty 2.0—now you can make money by being an online juror. A mock juror, that is. Here’s how it works: Attorneys hire mock juries to create an online focus group and see if their case will hold up in court. The place to find out about opportunities: OnlineVerdict or eJury.com .

22. Start a blog

If you have a passion for writing and there’s a particular topic that you’re knowledgeable about, starting a blog can be a great way to earn money online. By creating quality content and building up a large audience, you can monetize your blog through advertising, sponsorships and affiliate marketing. A few of the best blogging platforms include GoDaddy , SquareSpace and Wix .

23. Start vlogging

If you’re more into creating videos and vlogging than blogging, you could start a YouTube channel, which is a great way to earn money online. By creating quality content and building up a large subscriber base, you can monetize your channel through advertising and sponsorships. Some other good vlogging platforms: Twitch and Filmless .

24. Sell photos and videos online

If you have a talent for photography or videography, you can sell your work online through websites like Shutterstock , iStock or Adobe Stock . These platforms allow you to upload your photos and videos and earn a percentage of the sales.

25. Offer translation services

If you are fluent in multiple languages, offering translation services is a no-brainier. The best websites for finding translation gigs include Unbabel and Gengo .

Another way to earn money online? Get rid of junk at home.

26. Sell stuff

You’d be surprised by how much stuff hanging around your house you can sell online, from books and electronics to clothing and home goods. It’s easy to reach a wide audience by setting up a seller account on eBay . Facebook Marketplace allows users to buy and sell items in their local community. And a lesser-known app, OfferUp , has modernized the Craigslist concept by allowing anyone to sell new or used items through its easy-to-use marketplace app. The streamlined process allows users to list an item on their phone in as little as 30 seconds. Although OfferUp gives users the choice to sell locally or nationwide, it mainly facilitates local transactions and sellers are normally paid in cash.

27. Start a dropshipping business

A dropshipping business allows you to sell products online without having to hold any inventory. You can set up a website and partner with suppliers who will handle the fulfillment of orders. A major clearinghouse for dropshipping is Shopify , which offers a one-stop solution.

28. Offer transcription services

If you have excellent typing skills and attention to detail, transcription is a great idea to consider. Sites like Rev and TranscribeMe hire freelancers to transcribe audio and video files into written documents, and—best of all—it can be done on your own time.

29. Offer proofreading and editing services

Are you a self-professed grammar geek or a former spelling bee champ? You can offer proofreading and editing services like reviewing written documents for errors and making necessary corrections. Find freelance opportunities on websites like ProofreadingPal and Gramlee .

Become a mystery shopper and earn money online.

30. Become a mystery shopper

Yes, it’s a thing. Sign up with Gigwalk , a mobile app that allows you to find quick jobs in your area posted by consumer brands and retailers looking for on-the-ground visibility into the conditions of their products or events. Most gigs require you to document your work and the product or event compliance (or noncompliance) through geo-tagged photos. A gig can take anywhere from five minutes to a few hours to complete, paying anywhere from $3 to $100.

31. Offer virtual event planning services

With the rise of remote work, many businesses and organizations are also creating virtual events. If you have experience with event planning, you can offer your services as a virtual event planner and help clients plan and execute successful online events.

32. Share your social media skills

Do you love TikTok and Instagram? Your social media skills might be marketable. There are not only businesses—but also individuals—looking for social media help.

33. Store stuff

If you’ve got an extra area that you’re not using like a garage or a basement, you can rent out the space through Neighbor and let people store their car or their junk. Then just watch the passive income roll in.

• Want To Make Money And Have Work-Life Balance? Move To One Of These Cities

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  1. 20 Ways to Travel From Home

    Books and Audiobooks about Travel. As Anna Quindlen said in How Reading Changed My Life, ""Books are the plane, and the train, and the road.They are the destination, and the journey. They are home." We would have to agree. Books are a wonderful way to take a journey without leaving your house, be that on a voyage to fantasy worlds, or on an adventure through our own.

  2. Travel From Home: 14 Ways to Satisfy Your Travel Cravings

    8. Read Travel Books and Magazines. Losing yourself in the pages of a good book is a great way to transport yourself to another country and 'travel' from home. Choose a true story about adventures in the mountains, or let your mind wander with a fictional novel about an alternate universe.

  3. 20+ Ways to Travel from Home (Without leaving the house!)

    In This Post. 1 20+ Ways to Travel Without Leaving Home. 1.1 Read Travel Blogs. 1.2 Book a Live Video Tour with Remote Guides Around The World. 1.3 Get Creative in the Kitchen. 1.4 Watch a Travel Themed Movie. 1.5 Take a Virtual Tour of a World Famous Museum. 1.6 Re-live your past adventures.

  4. How to Rent Your Home and Go Traveling: Airbnb & DIY Tips

    Clean everything. Take photos or, preferably, video of every detail of your home. Keep a copy and give copies to the tenant and your local representative. Make copies of the keys for yourself and two local representatives. Give your representatives multiple ways to get in touch with you in case of an emergency.

  5. Travel the world without leaving home

    Airbnb recently began offering virtual "travel" experiences, so you can book online activities from around the world right at home. For just $20, you can take a magic class with Martin, a Guinness World Record-holding magician based in Berkhamsted, U.K. His class will show you magic tricks you can perform with everyday objects, such as playing ...

  6. How to Secure and Prepare Your Home Before Traveling

    When traveling during hot seasons or in hot climates, always pack sunscreen and warm-weather clothing like tank tops, shorts, and a swimsuit. Preparing with the correct travel accessories will make your vacation smoother. To prep, your home, remove all trash and have your home professionally treated for pests.

  7. 14 Ways To 'Travel' Without Leaving Home: 2024 Guide

    Cook a meal from a foreign country. One of my favourite things about travelling is the food. Nourishing bowls of Japanese ramen, silky Italian pasta, spicy Thai curries, Mexican tacos… the list goes on. What better way to enjoy a flavour of a destination in your own home, than by getting busy in the kitchen.

  8. COVID-19 travel advice

    Travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. If you're unvaccinated, staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. If you must travel and aren't vaccinated, talk with your health care provider and ask about any additional precautions you may need to take.

  9. Vacation Home Preparation Checklist

    Unplug small appliances and electronic devices. Put the water heater in "vacation" mode. Turn off water valves to the dishwasher, washing machine and all sinks. Set your thermostat to a temperature closer to outside temps (warmer in the summer, cooler in the winter) but which still protects your plants, pets and furniture.

  10. What It Means to Stay Home When You Travel for a Living

    We asked three women to share their reality. Ask wildlife photographer and biologist Cristina Mittermeier when she last spent more than a few weeks at home and her answer comes quickly: 2014, when ...

  11. 20 Tips for Preparing Your Home for an Extended Vacation

    They should: Flush all toilets so that sewer gases don't build up, especially if your home is on a septic tank. Confirm mail is being held or collected. Make sure the irrigation system is working. Water outdoor and indoor potted plants. Cut the lawn or confirm the landscape service is doing it.

  12. 50 Best Travel Tips: Advice From A Professional Traveler

    44: Make Friends With Locals. Make it a point to avoid other travelers from time to time and start conversations with local people. One of my best travel tips is to make eye contact and smile more. Maybe stop to ask for directions. This is a fast way to make new friends.

  13. Pre-Travel Checklist: 19 Things To Do At Home Before Vacation

    7. Setup a timer (s) for interior and exterior lights. Setting up an inexpensive timer, or a few, for a few key lights on the interior of your home, as well as for porch or garage exterior lights, is always a good idea while you're out of town. 8. Clear the fridge of perishables.

  14. How to Travel Around the World

    Planning an around the world trip can be an overwhelming experience. From figuring out your budget to designing your itinerary to packing your bags, there are so many things to consider. We know what it is like. It's exciting and terrifying and awesome all at the same time. It took us four years of discussion just to even make the decision to ...

  15. How to Protect Your Home During Extended Vacations, From Security

    Anissia West, a DEI consultant and life coach who leaves home for extended periods at least five times per year, recommends a virtual mailbox like iPostal1. The company collects your mail, uploads ...

  16. HomeToGo

    Beautiful Beach View Home steps from the sand on the Balboa Peninsula in Newport $974 372 m² House ... HomeToGo's AI-powered travel planner, now available in beta in the app. Download today, and start leveling up your stays. Get app

  17. Why I Love Coming Home After Travelling Away

    When you're travelling and exploring, it's quite taxing on the mind as your senses go into overdrive. Coming home from travelling and being surrounded by familiar items, furniture and belongings - it really does give over a sense of calm and security. And while I am no interior design guru, the rooms in our house are a sanctuary - the ...

  18. How to homeschool your kids while travelling

    Karen Binedell, whose three children - Sebastian (16), Aiden (14) and Ella (12) - are enrolled in an online college as the family volunteer their way around Europe, believes that homeschooling while travelling brings learning to life. Being on the move allowed the children to see many of the places they were learning about first-hand.

  19. How to Get High-Speed Wi-Fi While Traveling

    A hotspot—whether it's the one on your phone or a separate mobile device—is the easiest and quickest tool you can use to get Wi-Fi while traveling. As long as you have a data plan and network coverage where you're traveling, all you need to do is switch on the Wi-Fi hotspot to provide internet access for multiple laptops, tablets, and ...

  20. Vacation Rentals: Find Apartments, Beach Houses & More

    Find Vacation Rentals. KAYAK searches for vacation rental deals on hundreds of vacation home comparison sites to help you find rental apartments, cabins, villas, cottages, beach houses and more. Whether you are looking for a getaway at an oceanfront vacation rental home or a short-term home near you, you can find the best deals faster at KAYAK.

  21. Using Netflix outside of your home

    If you have a second home or travel frequently to the same location, follow these steps: From the main place you watch Netflix, connect to the internet, open the Netflix app or go to Netflix.com on a web browser on your portable device once a month, and stream a TV show or movie for a few seconds to establish a connection.

  22. Magic Bullet Blender Sale 2024

    The Magic Bullet Blender, which is currently on sale for 28 percent off, comes with multiple jars and lids and can handle all of the same tasks — like making smoothies, sauces, and dips — for ...

  23. A Couple Who Visited 91 Countries Found 3 Hidden Gems for Travelers

    John and Beverly Martin, 60, sold their Florida home to travel the world during their retirement. After visiting all 50 states and 51 national parks, they've traveled to over 91 countries.

  24. Anant Ambani pre-wedding bash: Celebrities, tycoons jet to Indian ...

    Billionaire Mukesh Ambani's son Anant and his fiancée Radhika Merchant at a pre-wedding event that served food to more than 50,000 villagers near Jamnagar, India.

  25. Homes Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd

    Homes Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd, Ipoh, Perak. 4,742 likes · 104 talking about this · 147 were here. Journey With Homes 温馨与您同行

  26. This Is the Largest Tulip Festival in the U.S.

    This Is the Largest Tulip Festival in the U.S. — With Tens of Millions of Blooms Set in a Verdant Valley. Skagit Valley in northwestern Washington is home to tens of millions of tulips.

  27. A traveling barbershop in Nebraska provides boys with haircuts and

    A traveling barbershop in Nebraska provides boys with haircuts and mentorship Barbershops have always been places to get a trim plus a bit of advice. Now, a traveling barbershop in Lincoln, Neb ...

  28. About

    Our Background. Welcome to Away From Home Travels your ultimate travel partner for creating extraordinary experiences around the world. As a leading travel agency, we specialize in curating seamless vacations that encompass all-inclusive resorts, sports travel, excursions, cruises, group travel, and unforgettable destination weddings.

  29. How To Make Money Online: 33 Ways To Earn Money Right Now

    Artisanship is bigger than ever, so if you have a talent for crafting and making handmade products (jewelry, home decor, you name it), there are a number of ways to sell it online and reach a ...

  30. Videos show 60 mph windstorm thrash through Las Vegas Strip

    The National Weather Service reported record-breaking winds; at Harry Reid International Airport, the weather service's Las Vegas office recorded a 68 mph wind, "the highest March wind gust ...