How to get the benefits of travel without physically going anywhere

Travelling is one of the most worthwhile things we can do.

Whether it’s to the city next door or to a country on the other side of the world, we can gain so much from it. But travelling just doesn’t make sense at certain times. Maybe we’re busy, we’re cash-strapped, or we’re just not in a place to go jet-setting. That doesn’t mean we need to cast aside every aspect that comes with a trip.

If we break travelling down to its most important components, we can find good substitutions in other aspects of our lives. So, how can we experience the benefits of travelling without really going anywhere?  

Culture

One of the main reasons to travel is to be absorbed in another culture. Even if the language you speak is the same, going to the UK, USA and Australia are all extremely different experiences of culture.

Watching foreign language media can help you be immersed in another culture. In the same way that films you know are reflective of the country they were made in, watching foreign-language films gives us a taster of the culture of that country. So, we could embrace France by watching Amelie, Mexico with Y Tu Mama Tambien, and Japan with My Neighbour Totoro.

The language is also a huge part of the culture, especially if it differs significantly from your own. Duolingo and other free language-based podcasts on Spotify allow you to have a taste of the language and attempt to learn it. You can listen to conversations you may experience if you went there, such as those which might take place in a shop or tourist information desk.

Sightseeing

Of course, one of the other reasons for going travelling is to see new things. These could be beautiful beaches or enchanting villages, top tourist traps or even just landscapes far different from those you’re used to. But we can do this without going anywhere. While we may not have the complete sensory experience, we will be able to see the sights online. Whether this is through a Google search, on YouTube videos, or on images on TripAdvisor.

Even video games of all types provide a sightseeing experience. The Hitman titles, for instance, are set in a different location per each episode – from Mumbai to New Colombia and Berlin. Moreover, as this comprehensive review of online casino LeoVegas shows, the site provides a series of slot games including those which give you a taste of an exotic location – from Africa in Hot Safari to the Aurora Borealis in Northern Sky.

History

Visiting different countries often includes trips to see places of historical importance. They could be churches such as the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, palaces such as the one in Versailles, or monuments from a time long forgotten, such as the Wailing Wall or the Moai heads on Easter Island.

But, delving into the archives online can also give you the sense of the history of the country. Books and magazines are prime resources that give you a sense of the history of a place without having to go there.

There are a range of podcasts that outline the history of many different countries from people who have spent their lives studying it. These valuable resources give you a taste of events that you may have been unaware of and help you connect to the place – usually on a deeper emotional level, especially if the history is tragic. And there are always 360-degree tours of several monuments and attractions around the world you can have online too.

Travelling isn’t just about going somewhere in a physical sense but about allowing your mind to open up to new experiences and attitudes. We can travel extensively and absorb a lot of sights, culture, and history without ever having to leave our homes.