Hi guys,
summer is almost over and everyone is booking their vacation or still posting pictures of beaches and hikes and cocktails in the sunset on instagram. Well almost everyone. Me for example. I’m pretty broke, so no travelling for me this year. As I’m basically the definition of the internationally most popular german word fernweh ( a desire to travel and see places) you can imagine how frustrating that is for me. If you’re currently in the same situation and are forced to stay at home due to money issues or because you just have too much to do, here’s the stuff I thought about to substitute a holiday in another country.
- Go to the lake with your friends
Yes, the beaches of the world are calling out to all of us, but it’s just not happening this year. So why not go to a nice lake intead? Pack up your beach towels, your sunscreen and your friends and drive to the nearest lake (or swimming pool if you want) and enjoy the last couple of warm days. You can also take a picknick and just talk to your friends and relax or you read a book in quiet. Who needs a beach now ?
2. Learn to cook meals from another country
We all were already looking forward to the italian pizza, spanish paella, french macarons or original thai currys, but it’s just not gonna happen. Or maybe it is? You can make all these delicious things at home just as well. Get a country specific cook book or find a YouTube tutorial, go to another supermarket than Aldi for a change and raid the international section and get started. It might take you a few tries but with a bit of practice everyone is able to master the art of foreign cuisine. In many cities there are also culinary schools offering cooking lessons, like making sushi or chinese cooking. You can learn something new AND eat great food, there’s nothing better. And if it still doesn’t taste nice ? Wash it down with a glas (or a bottle depends on how bad you screwed up) of real french wine and you’ll feel just like you’re at the côte d’azur.
3. Learn another language, find a tandem partner
What I always find one of the most fascinating things about goig to another country is hearing the language. Even if it’s just looking up funny words on road signs or in restaurants menues. If you’re missing out on this this year just prepare for your next journey and start learning a new language. There are often courses who aren’t too expensive, but if you don’t want to spend any money you can find some free language learning apps in the App Store /PlayStore. Another possibility is paying a private person, like a foreign student to give you lessons, or find a tandem partner in your city or on the internet. A tandem partner teaches you their language or helps you improve your skills in exchange for you teaching them yours. That’s not only a great way to learn a language but you also get to know their culture and have a friend from another country. So, los geht’s, c’est parti, arriba !!
4. Explore your region
This might sound lame but often people have been to the most exotic places but have never seen their backyard. I’ve lived in the city where I study for 3 years now and I still haven’t seen a lot of the region, even though there are great things to explore. So this year my friends and I decided to take more day trips and it was so worth it. We had some really fun hikes and saw some really cool things and beautiful little cities. Also my parents visited me a couple of days ago and we took some guided tours and visited some museums and it was really interesting. So many things had been directly in front of me that I had never really paid attention to. I can only recommend getting a travel guide of your area and then go and explore! it won’t be to expensive and you might be surprised what you can find!
5. Take some time to pamper yourself
If you can’t go on that spa trip with your besties bring the spa to your home! you can learn how to make cool cocktails or healthier smoothies, buy some face masks, body lotion and scented candles and then invite your friends. Do each others nails while gossipping and then have some moscato and chocolate covered strawberries. Watch a girls movie in your dressing gowns (I can only recommend to all the boys I loved before). Then have a bath with a cool bubble bath and just pamper yourself. Nothing can beat Spa days with your friends in terms of relaxation. It’s also the best therapy and you can already start planning your travels next year when you have money again.
Yes not traveling is still sad, but there are so many other (cheaper) things you can do to get away from your daily routine, take your head off things and just havea really chill holiday at home!
I hope that helps a bit if you’re suffering from the staying at home blues ! If you want to share what you do to have the best ever stay- at-homeliday just head to our twitter @castaway_minds or our instagram @castawayminds and tell us ! (please we need help).
Lots of love,
Alli xx
castawayminds 