So you have an upcoming trip coming up, but you are currently at work waiting for your annual leave to kick in? Even though you may be having to deal with your day to day drudgery, here are a couple of ways on how to excite yourself for an upcoming trip! I have collaborated with the wonderful Char from memoirsmusing.com to get you into that travelling mood!
Podcasts
Char : Before I get into podcasts, I would like to plug my own – The Hustle Hotline, which is a light-hearted take on millennial lifestyle. You can listen to is on Soundcloud here, Spotify and Apple Podcasts by searching ‘The Hustle Hotline’.
Podcasts are a great way to immerse yourself in all things travel. They’re perfect for listening to on your way to work or on your way to the destination you’re visiting as you can listen to them offline. One of my favourites is Conde Nast Traveller however it’s a bit on the luxury side of things so it may be worth sticking to vlogs and blogs as there are more of them and you’re likely to find someone who travels like you.
Sarah: I listen to a few podcasts including The Hustle Hotline, deffo check it out you have the chance. In regards to solely travel podcasts, I do not really listen to any. I may need to jump on the travel podcast wave. When it comes to me, I am more of a blog or vlog type of girl. On that note, you can check out my ‘Malaga Travel Guide’ HERE.
Food
Char: What a better way to immerse yourself in a new culture none other than food? We all need to eat and trying new restaurants and recipes is a great way to not only try something new but get creative in the kitchen if you’re that way inclined. I cannot be bothered to learn to cook if I’m honest.
If you do a little research you’ll most likely discover that there are little areas or ‘hubs’ in your hometown or closest city where you can find the cuisine you’re after. Take London for example, you will find a plethora of Turkish restaurants in Green Lanes, iconic curry houses in Brick Lanes and the best street food dotted around places like Leather Lane and Borough Market.
Sarah: I love trying new restaurants, holla at me and let me know that you want to go out and eat and I am there. This is such a great way of trying foods from different cultures and testing out what food might be like on your upcoming trip. If you are a foodie then this it right up your street, go on and getting eating away!
Exhibitions
Char: Exhibitions are often overlooked but they’re a great way to immerse yourself in a culture through art and history. Not only that, they’re a great way to support upcoming talent and see the world through another’s eyes. However, if you’re on a budget, there are plenty of museums in London that are free, all you need to do is take yourself and some comfortable shoes.
Sarah: History museums are right up my street and the fact there are such a range to pick from in London means I am spoilt for choice. Museums and galleries are a great way to stir up that excitement for travel since you will most likely be visiting them abroad too.
Movies and Books
Char: Separate to vlogs, blogs and online content we forget the medium of movies and books. Have you ever watched a movie and thought ‘I need to go to [insert place]? This was me throughout my teens and early 20s after watching S&TC and Gossip Girl on a loop. I had to go to New York. In contrast, I’ve just started reading Crazy Rich Asians and have an unyielding desire to visit Singapore. If you’re planning on any trips for a while, books literally transport you to another place via the mind. And movies, they’re an easy visual stimulus that you can watch at your own pace. Plus if you’re on a long-haul flight back from somewhere beautiful a movie will help numb the travel blues and make you want to book the next trip…
Sarah: Movies definitely give me a sense of wanderlust. I enjoy watching international films and dramas, from Bollywood to Nollywood to K-dramas. Watching the K-drama “Just Eat” made me want to fly back to Korea just for the food. Bollywood movies have me dancing around my living room wanting to visit the streets of New Delhi. I don’t read as much as I would like to, do travel blogs count?
I Leave You With
I hope you enjoy trying all these things to get yourself excited for your upcoming trip. Remember travel should be an addition to your life because travelling will not solve all your problems. Travel can definitely be therapeutic and a nice way to get away but remember you still have to deal with things that are going on in your life. That being said enjoy your upcoming trip!
Are there any other ways you get yourself excited for an upcoming trip?
Sarah x
