Greetings! Welcome to ARoadRetraveled. There are so many inspirational quotes out there that give you the sensation that if you haven’t traveled, you haven’t lived and you’re basically living in a box. And although truth accompanies the quotes of those who have traveled, prosperity and possibility don’t accompany everyone who wishes to travel as well, but can’t. Sometimes we want to explore the world but not able to travel
Whether waiting to travel until finances improve or until travel become safe again after global situations such as Covid-19, it doesn’t mean you can’t explore other cultures right now….and who knows, when time comes to make that trip, you might already be an expert!
Travel is more than just getting on a plane and arriving somewhere to see some sights and buy souvenirs...it’s an all encompassing experience: the local people, food, language, culture, traditions, history, architecture, and so on.
So how can you get a taste of all that without the ability to travel to those places? Here we share 5 simple, easy and fun ways:
1. Learn a new language.
While buying a Rosetta Stone is great for learning new languages, signing up for a class gives you the opportunity to engage with others interested in the same language as you. There are clubs representing so many countries and cultures, and many of them offer language classes. Check around to see what’s available in your area.
2. Explore the world through cooking
This is more than just going to an Italian restaurant, or a French, Japanese, Thai, or German restaurant for that matter. Buy a cookbook, or Google traditional recipes of a particular country, and prepare your culinary masterpieces as closely as possible as the locals would. Check around for cooking classes you can attend as well, or take a virtual cooking class from a chef from that country itself. No better way to learn how to make the perfect pasta than from an Italian chef…or an Italian grandmother for that matter!!
3. Get to know people originally from the countries you’re interested in.
We’re such a melting pot society in the United States that you’re bound to find people, if not entire neighborhoods, from just about every part of the world!! Getting to know them you’ll get to know their cultures as well.
I have many first generation friends from many countries, including Cuba who we know very little about due to travel restrictions. For example, if you venture into Little Havana in Miami, you’d meet a lot of Cubans who brought the best of their culture and traditions with them. There’s Little Italy in New York — although far more diluted from a generation ago.
Ask questions, find out as much as they’re able and willing to share about their native countries….you might learn quite a bit and benefit from different opinions to expand your knowledge.
4. Explore the World Vicariously
Travel books aren’t just tour guides like Frommer’s and Rick Steves….there are many travel books beautifully written about life abroad that makes you feel like you are traveling the world. One of my favorites has been “Under The Tuscan Sun“, where the author, Francis Mays, wrote in great detail about her time and experiences in the Tuscan town of Cortona. When I visited the town, I felt I already knew it from reading about it.
If you prefer romance novels or thrillers, you may choose historical novels or modern day novels that take place in actual cities. For example, internationally acclaimed author C De Melo is an American writer based in Florence who specializes in historical fiction, and writes phenomenal historical romance and thrillers that take place in Italy. Her latest novel “Freelance” (scheduled to be published sometime in June, 2020) takes place in modern day Florence and offers an insider authentic taste of real Florence and learn about this famous city as well as Tuscany from a local with the added benefit of enjoying a modern day thriller
With so many blogs online, a simple search will bring you to so many experiences travelers are sharing with their readers. Not only you’ll learn about the places you’re most interested in visiting, but discover new places you never knew about! While this is valuable research for pre-travel due to all the tips and ideas people share, it’s also a great opportunity to learn about many places you never thought of visiting before.
Support video blogs, online travel shows and podcasts who work hard to put together a visual presentation for you. This would be a perfect opportunity to plug in our A Road Retraveled web shows that feature primarily Italy. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel and not miss our Italy videos. When you watch travel shows, you become visually familiar with the places you’d want to visit, as well as learn a great deal about them.
5.Join Social Media communities and online groups and forums dedicated to similar interests.
You can share your passion for a particular country or many countries by liking different social media pages or joining groups. Not only you will enjoy photos, videos, information, and anecdotes, but also learn about new places you never knew about. Knowledgeable members can also help with answering questions or information as you plan your next trip of a lifetime!
You can still explore the world when the time is right, but until then, don’t stop dreaming, learning, exploring, and planning!