By Megan Case

We all get itchy feet from time to time. However, that feeling of wanting to travel is not the easiest thing to pacify without hopping on the next plane out of here!

Even more so than ever, after all the restrictions we have had over the last 18 months, surely everyone wants to be sipping a cocktail on the beach, surfing the warm waves, or exploring the intricate streets of new places. Well, whilst we're still not quite able to fly to our favourite destinations, here are five ways to scratch your travel itch…

Be A Tourist In Your Hometown

It's surprising how many people haven't explored the wonders that their hometown offers. Even if you don't have time to spend a whole day exploring, you can easily take a detour, whether you are walking to your friend's house or driving to the shop. So, next time take a different route—you never know what you may find just from going a different way! 

I recently did this in my hometown, and I am so glad I did! The number of little coffee houses, botanical gardens, independent shops, and pretty streets that I stumbled upon just by wandering around, pretty aimlessly, was amazing. I have found so many places that I would never have if I hadn't taken the time to pay a little attention and explore what was right in front of me! I definitely recommend this, even if you don't have the travel bug!

Travel Through Your Taste Buds

I don't know about you, but for me, one of the best parts about travelling is the food. Now, I know there is nothing to compare with eating authentic food when you're in that country, but we are so lucky nowadays because we have the world at our fingertips. 

So ease your urge to travel by getting your cook on! You can even make it a themed night. You can go anywhere in the world; just pick a place, find an authentic dish from there, and get cracking! What a fun way to travel without ever leaving your home (well, except to get all of your delicious ingredients, of course!)

Try A New Hobby

Trying a new hobby can be a brilliant way of distracting ourselves when we want to go on an adventure, whilst also being extremely rewarding. Trying something different provides us with an opportunity to get to know ourselves better, and you may find that you enjoy something that you never even considered doing before. 

You could even consider picking up an old hobby again. For example, recently, I wanted to get fitter, but I didn't want to do it by just going for a run (if I did that, I knew I would have struggled, got fed up, and come home saying, "well, I'm never doing that again!") so, instead, I decided to join a local netball team. What better way of doing something fun, meeting new people whilst achieving my goal of getting fit.

Get Outside

Getting outside for a good old-fashioned dose of fresh air really does help to improve mood. It is a natural stress reliever and has been proven to reduce cortisol levels (stress hormone). Similarly, working in an office with a window view provides more work satisfaction than one without. 

Not only is spending some time outside an excellent way to distract yourself from wanting to travel and feeling more relaxed, but it also boosts your immune system. So, what are you waiting for? Embrace the great outdoors! 

Plan Your Next Trip

Whether you aren't travelling due to the pandemic, money, or availability of options, nothing is stopping you from planning your next trip. You can create the most amazing travel plan, and you never know, you may be packing your bags and hitting this planned trail by this time next year. 

What better way to beat the travel bug than preparing to travel? Pick your dream destination, find restaurants you would like to visit, places you would like to explore, and activities you would like to try. The benefit of planning a trip you aren't yet going on is that you have the time to find some of the most interesting and fascinating places to maximise your travels. 

And if all else fails… Book a flight! 
So, if the travel bug has bitten you, there are many ways of easing the itch. Travelling is healthy, can be extremely educational and its enjoyable to discover new cultures and places. Feeling the need to travel doesn't mean you have to jet off thousands of miles for months at a time. You can always go away for a weekend, a night or even a day somewhere new. So, if you still can't get away right now, try a few new things, explore locally and satisfy your travel bug in other ways; you may discover things you would never have before!

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