What?! Two posts in a week from Amaris, is this the twilight zone? Nope, I’m just motivated. I might as well make use of all this free time. Today is the perfect summer day: blue sky, hot temperature, lazy vibes; which I’m enjoying from inside my air conditioned home😂.
With such beautiful weather comes summer activities such as visits to the pool, grill parties, and the long awaited summer trip. It feels like everyone is headed to the beach or having some exotic getaway. I’m one to talk considering my vacation plans next week, but I was recently thinking about all the summers I’ve spent at home and realized that many of those were spent travelling, just not by plane.
Believe it or not those were some of the best summers I’ve ever had. I get it though, summer is here and you want to travel, get out and see the world. Maybe even snap that popular insta-pic with your passport and boarding pass. Sadly, plane tickets are expensive and vacation getaways aren’t always on the summer agenda or in the budget. That is why, today, I am sharing with you how to travel without hopping on a plane. Did you see how I sneaked in the title there? Bet you did, it wasn’t graceful, I apologize 🙈.
If not planes, then what?
You know, planes are only one-third of the famous line ‘planes, trains, and automobiles’. That means there are way more cost-effective methods of transportation than planes. Chances are you have access to at least one of those on the regular. Don’t have a car? Call a taxi or take the train. Bikes are still effective in getting you places too.
Fun fact: most of my travels have been done by car. I remember sitting in the back of the car while my dad drove over 10 hours to get to Italy some summers. Living in Europe is great, because you can just drive a few hours and be in another country. Even in the US, or the East Coast at least, you can visit the next State over if you are willing to sit in the car that long. If you have that opportunity where you live, take it. Sadly, I don’t have that option living in South Korea because, A) it’s a peninsula, and B) ya know.
Long car rides aren’t appealing to you? Same, that’s why there are trains. Especially if you are headed to a major city I would recommend taking the train, because we all know city traffic is horrendous. It may not be a passport and boarding pass, but train tickets also make great pics.
Taxis are for more local travels and can get a bit pricey depending on the location. It is still worth checking out. When my family and I were in Morocco for a long layover we hired a taxi driver (okay, I hired the taxi driver in the best French I could) and we had him be our tour guide for the day. Risky? Yes. A ton of fun? Absolutely! In my opinion taxi drivers can be some of the best tour guides.
Okay, I’ve got the transportation. What do I do now?
You may find out that day trips aren’t your thing. Too much to see, too little time to see it all. Spend multiple days there. There are hotels, motels, and well-placed family members that you can stay at for a few nights. This does drag the cost up and requires more planning in advance. Overall, I prefer day trips to over-nighters, because I’m restless and love to explore.
Well, there you have. My tips on how to travel without a plane ticket, or a passport. Whatever you end up doing and wherever you end up going I hope you use this summer to recuperate and grow. Have some fun in the sun, you deserve it.
