How to Keep the Spirit of Travel Alive at Home

If you’re anything like me, travel isn’t just something you do — it’s part of who you are. It’s the feeling you get when you step off a plane, take that first deep breath in a new place, and think, yes… this is exactly where I’m meant to be.

But sometimes, life asks us to slow down. Maybe we’re between trips, saving up, or just soaking in some time at home. And while I love the excitement of planning the next adventure, I’ve also learned that the spirit of travel doesn’t have to fade when you unpack your bags. You can keep that sense of wonder alive — right at home.

Here’s how I like to do it. 🌞

1. Recreate the Feeling of a Destination

One of my favorite ways to stay connected to the travel spirit is through my senses — the things that instantly bring me back to a place I love.

Maybe it’s the smell of coconut sunscreen that reminds you of a beach day in Mexico, or the taste of espresso that takes you straight back to Italy. Bring those moments into your everyday life.

💫 Cook your favorite meal from a past trip — or from the place you want to go next.💫 Light a candle that smells like the ocean, pine forest, or citrus grove.💫 Put on a travel playlist — the music that makes you feel alive and free.

Sometimes, that’s all it takes to feel like you’ve been whisked away again.

2. Make Your Home Feel Like a Retreat

One thing I love about traveling is that “ahh” feeling when you walk into a beautiful hotel or a cozy Airbnb. Everything feels calm, intentional, and inspiring.

Bring that same feeling home.

Start by simplifying — clear the clutter, open the windows, and add small touches that make you smile. Maybe it’s fresh flowers on the table, a candle by your bathtub, or a soft blanket that feels like vacation comfort.

I also love creating a little “travel corner” — a spot with photos, souvenirs, or even just a framed map that reminds me of where I’ve been and where I still want to go. It’s like a daily reminder that adventure is always part of the story.

3. Explore Close to Home

Sometimes the best adventures are the ones we overlook. You don’t have to board a flight to find magic — you just need to look at your surroundings with fresh eyes.

Take a Saturday and be a tourist in your own town. Visit that café you’ve driven past a hundred times, find a local trail to hike, or wander through a nearby farmers market.

If you have the time, plan a little day trip — somewhere within an hour or two — and make it special. Pack snacks, good music, and your favorite people. That sense of exploration? It’s exactly what keeps the travel spirit alive.

4. Feed Your Wanderlust Through Books and Stories

When I can’t travel, I read. There’s something about curling up with a great travel memoir or a novel set somewhere far away that scratches that wanderlust itch.

Read Eat, Pray, Love, Wild, or A Year in Provence. Watch a beautiful travel documentary. Or scroll through Pinterest boards filled with destinations that make your heart beat a little faster.

Even from your living room, you can keep your mind wandering — and that’s where all great trips begin.

5. Connect Through Culture

Part of what makes travel so transformative is the connection — to people, to traditions, to stories that are different from our own. You can keep that alive too.

Try an online language class (I’ve been known to dabble in a little Italian now and then 😉), cook with friends and theme your dinner around a destination, or support artisans around the world through handmade goods.

It’s not just about what you’re buying — it’s about the connection you’re creating.

6. Dream and Plan (Even If It’s Far Away)

There’s real joy in the planning part of travel — the dreaming, the imagining, the building of an experience before it ever happens.

Even if your next big adventure is months (or years!) away, let yourself lean into that excitement. Create a travel fund, start a Pinterest board, or make a wish list of your top five destinations.

When you plan ahead, even loosely, you’re sending a little message to the universe that says, I’m ready for what’s next. 🌍

7. Remember That Travel Is a State of Mind

At the heart of it all, travel is about perspective. It’s about being curious, present, and open to new experiences — wherever you are.

You can live that way every day. Take a different route to work. Try a new recipe. Watch a sunset without your phone. Say yes to something that scares you a little.

That’s the travel mindset — and it doesn’t fade when the suitcase goes back in the closet.

Because travel isn’t just the act of going somewhere. It’s the way we choose to see the world. It’s how we find joy in the small moments. And it’s how we stay connected to our own sense of wonder — whether we’re in Tuscany or our own backyard.

So here’s your gentle reminder: the spirit of travel lives in you. Always. ✨