By 
Everyone has that one special destination they’d love to travel to, but planning a trip takes time and money. In the meantime, however, staying in one place can produce unwanted cabin fever. Fortunately, there are many creative ways you can escape the ho-hum of your everyday routine. Until you take that once-in-a-lifetime trip, here are five ways you can experience another culture from the comfort of your home.
1. Hold a Travel Movie Marathon
Have you ever been so captivated by a travel movie that you wished it would never end? The good news is there’s an entire list of equally satisfying travel movies to binge upon. With a little research, you can find top-rated travel movies in destinations such as Paris, India, Mexico and Europe. Another way to transport yourself to a foreign land is through travel documentaries and vlogs that give you first-hand accounts of fascinating places all over the globe.
2. Cook an Exotic Dish
One of the best ways to experience a different culture is by preparing an exotic dish. With the wide selection of herbs and spices available in most supermarkets, it’s easy to research delicious international recipes and buy exactly the ingredients you need. Each week, experiment with homemade Indian, Mexican, Chinese or Italian food. The flavors and scents emanating from your kitchen will instantly transport you to a foreign land.
3. Learn a New Language
If you’re planning a future vacation, travel early from the comfort of your own home by learning a new language. With today’s availability of online courses, podcasts and video tutorials, you can learn any language you desire. Plus, the more words and phrases you pick up, the more enjoyable it gets. Then, you can search out other resources, such as college courses or travel groups and meet new people. You can also listen to music or watch movies in your chosen language for additional practice.
4. Redesign Your Home
Another way to immerse yourself in a different culture from home is to redesign your decor. For example, if you’d like to incorporate a Parisian vibe into your home, paint your walls white, add a gilded mirror and a few French paintings. If Moroccan is more your style, decorate your living room with vibrant pillows, Moroccan lamps and colorful carpets. Or, use tropical themes to create the feel of your own private island.
5. Experience Aromatherapy
Think of the last time you went on vacation and all the beautiful scents that caught your attention. Was it the smell of coconuts? Citrus? Or, maybe it was endless fields of lavender. Whatever scent you remember, recreate it through aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is the art of soothing the mind and body through specialized aromas, but it also recreates memories. Use candles, essential oils, potpourri or scented body lotions, and experience a faraway culture.
If you’d love to get away, but travel isn’t in the cards, you can still experience another culture from home. By cooking world dishes, studying a new language and tweaking your home decor, you’ll feel like a jet setter all the time!
Comments