The UK lockdown unfortunately means we can’t hop on a plane bound for exotic shores right now. However, there are plenty of ways to inject a sense of wanderlust into our lives to remind of us of the holidays we’ve had and, more importantly, the travels we’ve still got to come. Here are a few ideas as to how you can ‘travel’ without having to leave your home.
Start the day right
It’s hard to get inspired by breakfast during lockdown. A bowl of cereal or a couple of rounds of toast nearly suffices but now most of us are working from home, we can use that extra time to spice up the first meal of the day. Nothing looks more spectacular (or as healthy) than a colourful spread of fruit, so chop up some watermelon, mangos, bananas and whatever other fruit you fancy and arrange them as if they were a piece of art. Serve with a range of pastries, mueslis and juices and you’ll have a breakfast fit for a king. With so much to eat, you might not need lunch!
Play local tunes
Put your regular Spotify (other music streaming services are available) playlist on pause and in the search bar, type in the destination of your choice and select one of the playlists available, whether that’s the most played songs in that country or a setlist of traditional tunes. If you don’t want to be that radical, build a holiday playlist of your own favourite songs fit for any beach or poolside lounger.
Turn your daily walk into a safari
With our time in the outdoors restricted for the time being, make it for meaningful. Transform your walk from just a daily dose of fresh air to a British walking safari. With your beady eyes (or some binoculars if you have some), try and spot as much wildlife as you can. With fewer people out and about, there’s more chance of spotting larger creatures like badgers or deer, too. You’ll feel like you’ve made the most of the outdoors and when the time comes for the real thing, your eyes will already be trained for catching a glimpse of that elephant in the African bush.
Finish the day with a palm-fringed flourish
You’ve had your last Zoom meeting of the day (hopefully with you in front a tropical background) and you’re about to clock off for the day. You started the day with a magnificent breakfast; now it’s time to recreate a favourite dinner you’ve had while on your holiday. It could be a seafood dish you’ve eaten in the Maldives, poisson cru from Tahiti or some jerk chicken from Jamaica. Pair that with a memorable cocktail and you’ll be transported back to paradise with every bite. If you want to take things a bit further, offer your loved one a turndown service. Leave some treats and a lovely message on their pillow and, if it’s cold, fill their hot water bottle ready for bed.
