Hey, I'm Taylor!
  • Home
  • About
  • Adventure
  • The States
  • International
    • Caribbean
      • Antigua
      • Bahamas
      • Grenada
  • Travel Tips
  • Contact
  • Home
  • About
  • Adventure
  • The States
  • International
    • Caribbean
      • Antigua
      • Bahamas
      • Grenada
  • Travel Tips
  • Contact

Tea N' Sea

T R A V E L

Travel Tips · May 5, 2020

10 Travel Related Things to Do at Home

Most of us stuck at home are dreaming of the next trip we can take. Maybe you already have something planned or you’re just wanderlusting through Instagram and Pinterest. I’m in your shoes as well, but I’m here to share ten travel things you can do while staying home to fill that wanderlust or help plan a trip for your future travels!

Create a Bucket List

Something we all like to daydream about at home is all the adventures we can have when this is all over. Why not put all of that desire and wanderlust to paper and have some ideas of activities for your future travels? 

There’s many ways people make bucket lists, from a pen and a notebook, to Pinterest boards, the options are endless! I personally have a Pinterest board with bucket list items that I have completed, as well as things I want to do! I find that Pinterest is a great way to help visualize the activity actually happening, which can help it to come true! I also have a bucket list on my site, check it out here! 

bungee jumping in South Africa

A big bucket list item that I've completed - bungee jumping!

Plan Your Next Trip

Probably the most obvious travel activity to do while at home is plan your next trip! You don’t need to book anything right away, but setting yourself up an itinerary and researching flights and accommodations can not only help kick that wanderlust but have you super organized when it is time to book! 

If you are ready to book, utilize the down time at home to really research the best deals! Check out many airlines, google flights, accommodation pricing and options, and really lay out the things you need to hit, and the things you’d be comfortable skipping.

Make a Scrapbook

If you’ve just come back from a trip, or don’t have anything planned for the near future, why not collect those memories and make them something tangible? Print your favorite photos, collect those ticket stubs, and get out your notebook and create memories to look into that aren’t just digital.

Collecting and creating with these memories not only helps to fill that desire to travel, but allows you to be productive and creative with your time at home rather than zoned out on social media! 

Research your Bucket List Destination

trip to Atlantis Bahamas

The Bahamas is a bucket list destination for many people, is it on your list?

Everyone’s got that one place they’re DYING to visit. If you can’t travel to that place right now, why not do some research? Look up great itineraries to get the most of that trip. Research their culture and see what you can indulge into - India? Check out Hinduism and yoga practice. Italy? Check out Mediterranean cuisine and agriculture. Brazil? Look up the history of Carnival. There’s so much culture in every destination that it’s impossible to experience it all in one trip, but learning ahead of time can help you have a more in depth adventure while you’re there!

Research International Cuisine and Try Your Hand at Making Some

Something I’ve been enjoying while at home is indulging in international cuisine! Sure, this falls under the culture category, but there’s so many aspects of culture that I thought I’d make it it’s own!

And I’m not talking spaghetti and meatballs or French fries - really start to learn the ins and outs of an area or nation’s dishes. Lately I’ve loved cooking an Indian curry recipe, Mediterranean pastas, Middle Eastern falafels, Asian stir-fry, and Central American tacos! There’s so many different recipes that you can find on Pinterest, it’ll keep you busy at home for days!

Read About Travel

Whether it be blogs or novels, reading about travel is a great way to escape your abode. Novels help paint the picture of the destinations you hope to visit, while blogs give you the knowledge you may need to plan a trip! 

Reading not only helps pass the time, but helps spark inspiration for your day to day routine and your future trips. Some of my favorite travel blogs have sparked a desire to visit a destination I never thought I would have ranked on my bucket list! 

reading about travel at home

Reading about travel is a great way to escape and fulfill some of that wanderlust!

Learn Another Language

Now you don’t have to become fluent, but learning another language is always helpful, whether you’re planning a trip soon or not! You can either research the common languages spoken in your next destinations, or common languages spoken around the world. 

There’s many ways to pick up a new language. Researching the words for common items and labeling them is one, downloading a language app will give you more skills! I personally love Duolingo, and have been working on a few languages with this app!

Research Travel Insurance and/or Vaccines You May Need for Your Trip

A quick story: When I traveled South Africa, I started feeling sick about a week after our first weekend safari. We were up in the northeastern part of South Africa, which is an area that could potentially have malaria infected mosquitos. When we arrived to Hermanus, I started displaying all the symptoms of malaria and decided to get an over the counter test from the pharmacy. After taking the test, it came back positive (for the more deadly strain too…goodness!)

We headed right to the Emergency Room of the private hospital, where they did a full workup, ran four different malaria tests, and provided me with some mild pain medicine for the aches. After a few hours, the doctor came back and said that everything was fine, the tests were all negative, and that the over the counter test I took was probably a false positive. I walked out with just a traveler’s flu, thank goodness.

The moral of the story is, without having medical travel insurance, that visit would have cost hundreds of dollars, but I walked out with only the lab fees to be paid (around $30 USD). This may not be the most exciting topic, but is 100% essential. Different parts of the world have different diseases than your home country may have. Finding out if there are recommended vaccines can help not only save you from ailment, but may save your life. Having travel medical insurance can help offset the costs of treatment if you do happen to get sick on your trip.

Consider Upgrading Your Luggage

Luggage is important for your trip

The luggage I used before upgrading! It lasted me well for a long time, but it was time for something a little sturdier!

Luggage is something we all need for travel, whether that be a duffel bag, suitcase, rolling carry-on, or backpack. While we’re all at home, now is the perfect time to be researching and considering upgrading to a higher quality piece that will last on all your future trips! I know my luggage took a dive after traveling with it for years, so as a Christmas present, my family got me an Away carry on! It’s a smart bag that has a removable battery bank, super cute colors, and are overall high quality! 

If you already have luggage that you love, but are looking for something to up your travel gear, check out some new packing cubes! They’re great for organizing all of your clothes while packed up, and keep things easy to reach! I swear by mine, and was one of the ways I was able to pack for a month long trip in South Africa! Need some tips for packing for a trip with just a carry on? Check out my Traveler’s Guide to Packing here!

Connect With People in Other Countries 

If you’re craving the part of travel that strengthens our human connection and desire to learn about new cultures, try and make a penpal! It doesn’t have to be the old-fashioined letters (but it's even more fun if you do it that way!) Reach out to friends you follow on Instagram, see in travel Facebook groups, and just start connecting! Once you've established a connection, ask to have a Facetime or Zoom call to talk about each other's country and lives.

I've made friends through traveling and Instagram all over the world. I love chatting with them and getting to know the person behind the photos! Its a great way to learn about a place before visiting, to learn about culture, and to have friends to meet up with when you arrive! 

Travel in general is uncertain right now, so fulfilling that wanderlust and desire to travel in other ways at home is a great way to learn and indulge in new hobbies, people, and culture! I hope all these tips help to spark some wanderlust while you're at home and help you feel excited for travel in the future! What other travel related things can you do from home? Let me know below! 

Love these ideas? Don't forget to pin it! 

Travel activities at home
At Home travel activities

Click an icon below to share!

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

Related

Posted In: Travel Tips · Tagged: at home, stay home, Travel, travel blog, travel tips

Get on the List

You’ll Also Love

Travel photos10 Ways to Improve Your Travel Photos
10 Tips for Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival
Grenada’s Top 10 Beaches

Comments

  1. Natalie LaTurno says

    May 20, 2020 at 1:40 pm

    I think these are some awesome tips! I have definitely been trying to find some things to do around the house to cure my travel bug. As you mentioned, doing research on some new places have helped me keep my inspiration afloat. Although we can’t physically explore new places, we still can research them on the internet!

    Reply
    • Taylor Nicole | Tea N' Sea Travel says

      May 21, 2020 at 12:26 pm

      I’m glad you enjoy the tips! Researching new places has been one of my favorite ways of “traveling” during these times!

      Reply
  2. Kirstie Will Travel says

    May 20, 2020 at 1:48 pm

    These tips are great! I am definitely going to be buying some new luggage, I really want a matching set.

    Reply
    • Taylor Nicole | Tea N' Sea Travel says

      May 21, 2020 at 12:27 pm

      I love getting new luggage! Good luck on your search, hope you find some that make you happy!

      Reply
  3. Melissa says

    May 21, 2020 at 12:38 am

    I am trying to learn German! I live here now, and it looks like all my vacations for the foreseeable will be German based! Es ist nicht einfach!

    Reply
    • Taylor Nicole | Tea N' Sea Travel says

      May 21, 2020 at 12:28 pm

      Ooh how fun! I had a German friend a few years ago that tried to teach me a little bit, good luck!

      Reply
  4. Shafinah Neville says

    May 21, 2020 at 11:00 am

    I love this! Been feeling so uninspired lately because work has been drowning out every other thing in my life since the lockdown started – definitely gonna find some time to squeeze a couple of this in to restart the fire!

    Reply
    • Taylor Nicole | Tea N' Sea Travel says

      May 21, 2020 at 12:28 pm

      Aw thank you! Glad I could provide a little more inspiration!

      Reply
  5. Michelle Segrest says

    May 21, 2020 at 5:28 pm

    These are some really great creative tips to get that wanderlust when we can’t travel. I especially love your idea of learning another language, this is the perfect way to use all this extra time we have,…especially if you learn the language of the next bucket list destination that you are planning! Thanks so much for the ideas and for the inspiration!

    Reply
  6. Youmna Rab says

    December 17, 2020 at 10:14 pm

    What a great list to read during this pandemic!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Next Post >

Travel Guide: Bimini, Bahamas

Join the adventure on Instagram

teanseatravel

TAYLOR • TROPICAL TRAVEL ⛵️🌺
Some major tips for a huge bucket list item: visit Some major tips for a huge bucket list item: visiting the piggies in the Bahamas 🐷

📍There’s lots of tour companies in the Bahamas that claim to be the original pigs. The true original pigs are on Big Major Cay (near Staniel Cay) and can only be reached via boat.

🐽 The baby piggies are what everyone wants pictures with, but don’t pick them up! The big pigs are probably going to be way bigger than you expect, but are the ones that’ll actually get in the water (the babies don’t)

🥕 Everyone always wants to feed the pigs, but in my experience: DON’T bring food. They are way too pushy and aggressive with food around, and are much more enjoyable without (they’re happy for scratches with no food). There’s also a good amount of foods that are toxic to pigs, and you definitely don’t want to accidentally feed one and make it sick!

💧 At the back of the beach, you’ll find a little tiki hut with some water barrels and names of all the pigs. Fill up the water troughs if they’re empty by turning the nozzle on the barrel, the piggies appreciate it!

⛵️ If at all possible, try to go privately instead of with a big tour group. We saw a tour boat that had over 50 people onboard and it takes away from the magic of it. They were also only on the island for about 10 minutes, not enough time in my opinion!

Have you ever visited the famous pigs? Have any tips that I missed? 🐷🌊 #teanseatravel
I’ve got the ULTIMATE guide to the Florida Keys I’ve got the ULTIMATE guide to the Florida Keys for you up on my blog! You’ve got to check it out if you want to hit all the highlights of the Keys, but here are five of my favorites! 🌴

🐟Robbie’s of Islamorada - feed the huge tarpon and see other natural wildlife!

🍰Lorelai’s - the BEST Key lime pie in the Florida Keys, hands down!

🦞Keys Fisheries of Marathon - get a delicious spiny lobster roll or reuben!

🦜Duval Street - become a true “Parrot Head” by visiting some of the bars that Jimmy Buffet used to frequent

🌅Mallory Square Sunset Celebration - the best place for the sunset in Key West, with live music, performers, and a killer sunset!

If you’ve ever been to the Keys, you’ll know there is a ton to experience, these five don’t even touch the surface of all the things there are to see and that I have organized for you! I can’t wait to get back and spend more time in the Keys again, it’s the perfect tropical experience right here in the States! 🌺 #teanseatravel
Hi, I’m Taylor and I wanted to reintroduce mysel Hi, I’m Taylor and I wanted to reintroduce myself! Let’s get to know each other, comment some fun facts about you so I can learn about you too! 🌺

I realized today that I don’t think I’ve ever actually introduced myself on IG, so hi, I’m Taylor! I’m a sailor, traveler, adventurer, and lover of sunshine and warm weather (anything below 75 F and I’m in a sweater). I have a bikini addiction and have lived in the Caribbean (take me back!) 🌺 Some fun facts about me:

🌊 I’m a Florida girl, born and raised in the little historic town of St. Augustine

⛵️I’ve sailed roughly 3500 miles in the last couple years

⛰I’ve bungee jumped off the worlds tallest bungee bridge

👩🏼‍⚕️A couple years ago I was in vet school, but left because my heart wasn’t in it anymore. Today I’m working at a vet clinic for my “9-5” (but forreal it’s more like a 7-6 lol)

🦈 My last job was working closely with sharks, sea turtles, rays, and lots of other marine life

🗺 I’ve visited the same number of countries as US states!

♻️ I’m super passionate about trying to live a little more sustainable every day to protect our oceans

🩰 I was actually a ballerina for 20 years (started at 2 and only stopped when I graduated college), which has now led to a love of yoga!

There’s a lot of interesting things about everyone, and I’d love to get to know y’all too! Thanks for joining me on this crazy adventure called life ❤️ #teanseatravel
Bummed to have left, but a weekend away in the Flo Bummed to have left, but a weekend away in the Florida Keys was the perfect tropical escape! So here’s five tips for when you head down to the islands! 🌺

🍋Everyone claims to have the best key lime pie. In my experience, Lorelai’s in Islamorada blows all the others away.

👙Pack in layers, especially if you’re going in the next couple months. It’ll be nice and warm during the day, but can be a little chilly at night, so it’s a good idea to have a light sweater or jeans to throw on!

🐟 The best food in the Keys is seafood. Try some Hogfish, spiny lobster, or conch for some local favorites!

🌊 There aren’t actually many natural beaches in the keys. Most of the islands are coral or rock edges, but there are a few to check out: Harry Harris Park on Tavernier, Founder’s Park and Anne’s Beach on Islamorada, Bahia Honda on Big Pine Key, or Smather’s Beach in Key West for your beach fix!

🎨 Drive down the islands and stop off at many little art galleries, the local art is gorgeous and is a way you can take a little piece of the Keys home with you!

Have you been to the Keys before? What’s your favorite thing you’ve done in the Keys?! 🌴 #teanseatravel
A little throwback pic because I’M ON MY WAY TO A little throwback pic because I’M ON MY WAY TO THE FLORIDA KEYS! 🌺🌴

While I’m not heading to Key West, I’m so excited to be heading to warmer weather, since it’s in the 40s right now in St. Augustine!

I’ll be spending time exploring the Keys a bit closer to Miami, about halfway down the chain of islands. Some spots we may hit are Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon Key, and all the little islands in between. It’s just a long weekend trip, but my little island heart is so happy!

I’d love to know if y’all have any recommendations for the Keys, I’d love to hear them! Have you ever been to the Keys? 

PS this pic is from a trip in 2014, and is on Ley West at the Southernmost point of the Continental US, just 90 Miles to Cuba🌴 #teanseatravel
•
•
•
•
#keywestflorida #keysbound #floridakeys #floridakeysroadtrip #floridatravel #tropicalisland #visitflorida #visitfloridakeys #southernmostpoint #islamorada #keylargo #marathonkey #tropicaltravel #tropicalvibes #tropics #tropicalparadise #adventuretravel #gltlove #saltyluxepresets #pinktrotters #saltyluxe #theinfluencerbootcamp #florida_greatshots #instatravelgram #travelerography #tropicaldestination #tropicaldestinations #tropicalgirl
Mama always said life is like a box of chocolates Mama always said life is like a box of chocolates 🍫 and I hope this year is as incredible as this chocolate bar was 😍

For my first post of 2021 I decided to share a little more of Savannah, GA since I really haven’t posted much about it!

This pic was taken in Chippewa Square, the park that was made famous by Forrest Gump at the bus stop. Although the park doesn’t look quite like it did in the movie (thanks people who had to vandalize the bench), it is still neat to be “on set” of a famous movie scene. 

Now it’s not a Russel Stover box, but I just knew I had to have chocolate in this famous square. As we walked towards the park, we stumbled across a teeny, whimsical place called @chocolatbyadamturoni with the smell of freshly made chocolate wafting out the door. We had to go inside, and Steve bought us this gold-leaf covered peanut butter bar.

I’m sure you can see by my face, but WOW it was the absolute best chocolate I have had in my life (so far). Every bite was like a little trip to heaven, and I never wanted it to end! So I’m curious: where was the best chocolate you’ve ever had? Are you a Forrest Gump fan? 🍫 #teanseatravel
•
•
•
•
#savannahgeorgia #savannahga #visitsavannah #visitgeorgia #chippewasquare #forrestgump #travelbloggervibes #usatravels #femaletravel #bestchocolate #instatravelgram #adventuretravels #theinfluencerbootcamp #saltyluxepresets #saltyluxe #dametraveler #travelawesome #welivetoexplore #wefoundluxury #stayandwander #iamtraveler #wearetravelers #sheisnotlost #globelletravel #ladiesgoneglobal #mytinyatlas #instapassports #travelstory #gltlove
Follow Me!

Copyright © 2021 Tea N' Sea · Theme by 17th Avenue

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.