Ah travel… when I hear the word I immediately envision myself speeding down California’s Highway 1 in a red convertible with the radio blaring,  screaming along to Tom Petty’s ‘Free Falling’ or zooming down the zip line in Costa Rica.  As much as I’d love to travel full time to exotic places, it’s not always possible, especially in these economic times when fear keeps us wary of spending too much.  So, unless I win the lottery  (which I’m working on) I have to get creative and take smaller trips while planning the big ones.

Travel doesn’t have to be some far away, exotic destination.  It can mean taking a different route to work and stopping by a cool coffee shop you see along the way.  Or riding your bike to the next town over for their fall festival.  This may not seem quite as exciting as say snorkeling in Fiji, but it can tame the travel bug a bit while you’re making your big plans.  It can also really make a difference in your mental well being and open you up.  Travel is essentially about movement, both physically and mentally.   Even if it’s just in my hometown.  Here are some ideas:

1.)  Take a scenic route: Sure, it may cost you a little more in gas but the mental rewards will be worth it.  On my way to work each morning, I could take the belt line (ug, traffic) and arrive in 10 minutes or I can take the back roads through tree lined neighborhoods and by a lake and arrive in 14 minutes.  Guess which one I take?  Yep, I arrive to work calm and refreshed rather than annoyed and harried from traffic.

2.)  Grab a friend: Sometimes, it’s more fun to explore with a friend.  Take turns introducing each other to places the other hasn’t been.  It’s fun exploring together, plus, it’s not as daunting going into new places when you’re with someone.  Find someone fun and open to new experiences.  Make new friends who are from another state or country.  Listen to their experiences and live vicariously.

3.)  Pretend you’re new in town: This is one of my favorites.  You know that high you get when you’re traveling and exploring a new place?  Pretend you’re doing this in your hometown.  Ask people where to go, what to do and see, and check out the visitor’s bureau.  It’s so easy to get locked into routine when you’re living somewhere that you forget the jewels that lie within your city.  Which leads into..

4.)  Play host:  How many of us have friends come to visit us and when we’re asked what to see and do, we’re at a loss as to what to recommend?  We become accustomed to our surroundings and become lazy about exploring.  Host visitors.  It will force you to find and show them the best parts of your city.  Join sites such as Couchsurfing, Hospitality Club, or Servas.  I have personally used Couchsurfing and can highly recommend it.  Show your city off!  And appreciate it more as a result.

5.)  Play hooky in the town next door: Take a day off work and head over to the neighboring town that you’ve always been meaning to visit.  Check out their coffee shops, museums, and greenways.  I do this here in NC and it’s always fun.  Plus, it feels great to come back to Raleigh after exploring some of these smaller, more country towns. It makes me appreciate all the great things living in the city offers that I sometimes take for granted!

6.)  Armchair travel:  Part of the fun of traveling is daydreaming and planning your trip.  Rent an inspiring movie, turn on the Travel Channel, or read a great travel book and take a trip from the comfort of your couch.  Or armchair.  No dramamine required.

7.)  Utilize your trip return high: When I return home from traveling, I am on a high for 3 or 4 days.  I feel like I can conquer anything, new experiences don’t frighten me as much, and I’m still in exploring mode from traveling.  I usually meet a ton of new people in my town during these few days and am out and about much more.  Plus, it always feels like something has changed while I’m gone, even if it was just for a week, and I’m always game for checking things out.  Was that building there before?   So after you get over that jet lag, don’t get down about being back home, get out and enjoy your city.  You may meet a really cool new friend or discover a new favorite hot spot downtown.

8.)  Rock the Casbah:  There is a great Moroccan wine bar right down the street that I love.  The decor is pure elegance and luxury.  Jewel toned cushions, low lighting, cave like rooms.. it makes me feel like I’m in a totally different country while I’m there.  Almost every city has some sort of ethnic restaurant, hookah bar, or place with an exotic atmosphere so you can feel like you’ve been transported across the ocean.  Dress to match if you really want to get in the mood.

How have others ‘traveled’ without leaving home?  I’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas.

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1. Why Travel is So Addictive
2. Travel Therapy
3. Travel the World Rent Free
4. Top Ten Reasons Why You Should Try House Sitting
5. Bloom Where You’re Planted