So travel has been a bust these last couple of months, and will likely take some time to return to normal.
With trains, planes, and automobiles being the common forms of travel, what other form of travel could we be talking about?
Here is a hint- you can go anywhere in the world, you don’t have to pay a dime, and no transportation is necessary.
Give up?
It’s called armchair travel, and it is becoming extremely popular during this time.
With anxious travel enthusiasts biting at the bit to fly off to their favorite destinations, like small-town Charleston, South Carolina or Denali National Park in Alaska where you can come face-to-face with a 1,400-pound moose, it’s no wonder we have reached this creative point in our tourism career.
The best part is you don’t have to pack a suitcase, contend with other eager tourists, or set days aside.
Just plop into your comfy armchair and let the mouse take you on a wild ride through photographs of the Great Wall of China or Redwood Forest.
Explore the most traveled cities of the world and then compare them to the least visited regions.
You may find a new path of touring a land that you have never thought of before.
Trudging through the safari by Jeep can give you the rush you crave in an excursion, but hiking through Mexico’s Maya Forest to see partially restored ruins may give you an intellectual boost while satisfying your need to experience the rugged outdoors.
Or, maybe you are the cultured type. No worries. There are plenty of museums all over the world that are offering virtual tours while they are closed due to the coronavirus.
Gaze at Michelangelo’s “The Last Judgement” on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Italy without having to hold on tight to your wallet, or check out the contemporary art at the Guggenheim in New York without having to figure out the subway system.
Reach the end of the world and back on a 20-minute lunch break.
Who could say no to that?
Armchair travel lets you explore areas of the world that would otherwise be inaccessible, or piques your interest to learn more about a region you never knew existed before your World Wide Web explorations.
It may not beat sipping on piña coladas along the Caribbean, but it sure beats another afternoon of social media browsing.
And when we are released by the government from our humble abodes to roam freely across God’s green earth, be sure to check out Proud American Traveler’s list of destinations perfect for social distancing first.
