Online Travel Itineraries: 5 NEW Places to Explore While Staying Home
How are you holding up?
I’m adjusting to this new normal a bit, but I still miss the freedom to travel and explore and learn and eat.
A few weeks ago, I created my first set of Virtual Travel itineraries to help me do just that while staying home. My husband and I have spent every Saturday of quarantine “visiting” a new place with the help of Google Arts & Culture, games, recipes, and TV shows.
Sure, it’s not the same. But it has been a fun weekly tradition and has helped me feel a bit more like myself during this unsettling time.
Now that I’ve used my first set of itineraries, I decided to make another set. This time we are off to Spain, Australia, Los Angeles, Amsterdam, and Cuba!
Feel free to use these itineraries as inspiration for your own online travel adventures. Of course, you might not have all the ingredients listed in these recipes. That’s ok- I don’t either! Let your creativity flow and work with what you have for now!
Ready to go? Let’s travel the world from home!
Online Travel Itineraries
Spain
Since we limited by logistics, we can bounce around between multiple Spanish cities during this at home travel day! Use your imagination and feel transported to this beautiful country:
Breakfast
One of the best things I discovered during my last trip to Spain was pan con tomate. YUM! So let’s start our day with this crispy toast, a cafe con leche and maybe some fresh-squeezed orange juice.
For some atmosphere, put on the “Cafe Barcelona-World Fusion” Spotify playlist and pull up this La Rabmla walking tour on YouTube.
Afternoon Activities
Enjoy a long, leisurely breakfast- there’s no need to rush! When you are ready, switch your playlist to “Madrid” on Spotify and pick as many of these items as you want to fill your afternoon.
- Virtual Tours: The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Sagrada Familia, Alhambra, Plaza Mayor in Madrid, Museo Reina Sofia, Parc Guell, Casa Battlo, Seville Cathedral, The Camino de Santiago, 10 Days in the Spanish Countryside, Naval Museum of Madrid, What is Flamenco, Teatro Real, Street Art Granada, or Spain: An Open Kitchen
- TV Shows: Chef’s Table: Jordi Roca – S4E3, Chef’s Table: Albert Adrià S5E4 on Netflix, Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown S2E3 on Hulu
- Miscellaneous: Practice Spanish on Duolingo or Learn some basic Flamenco steps
Happy Hour
Our cocktail hour might just turn into dinner because we are doing tapas! You can just stretch this out and make a bunch of different tapas if you want. And don’t feel bound by these recipes- just make small, bite-sized portions of anything you like and you will at least feel like you are having a tapas crawl.
For drinks I recommend Sangria or Agua de Valencia. A few tapas recipes I’d love to try include: Croquetas de Jamon, Patatas Bravas, Jamon Ibirico + Cheese +Bread, or the Garlic Mushrooms & Spanish Omelet listed in this site.
Put on “Tapas Cafe” on Spotify to set the tone!
Dinner + Dessert
For dinner, you can absolutely keep going on your tapas crawl! But if you’d like to make something else, Gambas al Ajillo or Andalusian-style chickpeas and spinach could be really good!
Want to keep the night going? Put on the “Flamenco & Spanish Guitar” Spotify playlist and whip up some dessert! I made churros during my Mexico City virtual travel day (but I would gladly make them again!) or I might try Authentic Crema Catalana or Buñuelos de Viento to switch it up.
Want to put on a movie? How about Vicky Christina Barcelona or The Way?
Australia
Australia was a true highlight of my 2019 travels and I’m excited to “revisit” it with this online travel itinerary!
Breakfast
Or should I say “Brekkie!”
Let this itinerary transport you to a beachfront cafe in Bondi. You’re sitting by a bar at the window enjoying a Flat White and colorful Fruity Smoothie Bowl. Put on the “Australian folk and indie” Spotify playlist and just enjoy the good vibes.
You can also put on this Youtube video of a Bondi Beach Walk to help with some atmosphere.
Afternoon Activities
Fill your afternoon with some sightseeing (yes we can jump between the Great Barrier Reef and Sydney because why not?). Put on the “Legendary Aussie Classics” Spotify playlist if you’d like.
- Virtual Tours: Art Gallery NSW, Sydney Opera House, Australian National Surfing Museum, Great Barrier Reef, Bondi Coastal Walk, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Hosier Lane Street Art, Learn about Sarah “Fanny” Durack, Australia Football, Australian Ballet, or South Australian Museum
- TV Shows: Chef’s Table: Ben Shewry S1E5 on Netflix, Anthony Bourdain No Reservations S5E12 or Anthony Bourdain No Reservations S9E2 on Hulu
- Miscellaneous: Practice Australian slang or have a thong throwing competition (once you learn some slang you’ll know what this means!)
Happy Hour
For happy hour, we are going to visit an Australian Vineyard. Australia is one of the world’s top wine-producing regions, so maybe you’ll want to visit a few vineyards.
Of course, work with what you have or can easily get. A few options are Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon or Riesling. You can use this map to learn more about Australia’s wine regions. Make a board of cheese, nuts, or any other nibbles you want! If you need a playlist try “Australian Acoustic Classics” on Spotify.
Dinner + Dessert
For dinner, put on “Aussie BBQ” and enjoy a meal of Shrimp on the Barbie or a Meat Pie. For dessert, I’m going to try making this Caramel Slice.
If you want to watch a movie with your treat, a few options are Australia (Hulu), The Dressmaker (Prime) or Breath (Netflix).
Amsterdam
Let’s spend a dreamy day wandering along the canals of Amsterdam!
Breakfast
We have a couple of breakfast options depending on what you have available. If you have yeast, try making this take on classic Dutch Poffertjes. If not, you can always go with a delicious slice of toast with jam, appelstroop, honey or chocolate sauce.
Either way, enjoy some coffee with your meal, put on “Dutch classics” on Spotify and pull up this Amsterdam City Center walk on YouTube.
Afternoon Activities
Let’s explore this fascinating city. And, if possible, you’re gonna want to take a bike ride today. There’s no better way to get around Amsterdam! If you need a playlist try “DUTCH POP HITS.” on Spotify.
- Virtual Tours: Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum (and a Scavenger Hunt), Anne Frank House, Royal Palace Amsterdam, Dutch National Opera and Ballet, or Street Art.
- TV Shows: Anthony Bourdain The Layover S1E7 on Amazon or Bizarre Foods Delicious Destinations S2E8 on Amazon
- Miscellaneous: Practice Dutch on Duolingo, take a bike ride, or try painting like Van Gogh
Happy Hour
Put on “Nederlandse Muziek” on Spotify and make a Holland Fizz or enjoy a Heineken or another Dutch beer. If you want an appetizer, make some classic Bitterballen or have some Gouda and crackers.
Dinner + Dessert
For your evening in Amsterdam, you have a few options. Feeling a hearty meal? Try Dutch Stamppot. Otherwise, make some savory Dutch pancakes which, yes, are often eaten for dinner!
For dessert, you could try making a Stroopwafel (here is another recipe if you don’t have the right iron) or make a Dutch Apple Pie!
If you’d like to watch a movie, a few options are The Diary of Anne Frank on Hulu, Loving Vincent on Hulu or Tulip Fever on Amazon.
Cuba
Until I have the chance to visit Cuba in person, I’m living it up with this online travel guide!
Breakfast
Start your day with a classic Cuban breakfast of tostada and cafe con leche.
Put on “Salsa Cubana” on Spotify and pull up this Havana Walking Tour on YouTube and enjoy your morning in Cuba.
Afternoon Activities
Let’s explore Cuba! Put on “Cuban Music” on Spotify and get going.
- Virtual Tours: Expedia Cuba Travel Guide, Learn about Jose Marti, Varadero, National Museum of Fine Arts Havana, or Hemingway’s Cuban Home
- TV Shows: Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown S6E1 on Amazon or The Cuba Libre Story on Netflix
- Miscellaneous: Practice Spanish on Duolingo, play chess or practice Cuban Salsa dancing
Happy Hour
We are getting to the main reason I wanted to create this itinerary- an excuse to make Cuban food! If you need a playlist, put on “Cuban Music Classics” on Spotify to set the mood.
Make a Mojito and some Croquettes. Yum!
Dinner + Dessert
For dinner, you have some excellent options! How can you go wrong with a Cuban Sandwich or Fried Plantains, Black Beans, and Ropa Vieja. Oh, and while you are cooking, switch your playlist to the “Cuban Cooking Playlist.”
For dessert, you could make Arroz con Leche or Cuban Flan. Or both because why not?
If you want to watch a movie, two options are Cuba and the Cameraman on Netflix or Dirty Dancing Havana Nights on Amazon.
Los Angeles
For this last online travel itinerary, let’s explore sunny SoCal. Los Angeles is one of my favorite cities and I had a ton of fun putting this guide together!
Breakfast
For breakfast, we are making an eggslut sandwich and then strolling along Venice Beach. Sounds perfect! Oh and maybe enjoy a juice or espresso drink too.
For some ambiance, put on the “California Beach Road Trip” playlist on Spotify.
Afternoon Activities
Ready to explore and soak in LA’s good vibes? Put on “California Rock State” and have some fun.
- Virtual Tours: The Getty Museum, LACMA, The Museum of African American Art, TCL Chinese Theatre, El Pueblo de Los Ángeles, Hollyhock House, Santa Monica, Natural History Museum or the Grammy Museum
- TV Shows: Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown S1E2 on Amazon, Chef’s Table: Niki Nakayama S1E4, Chefs Table: Nancy Silverton S3E3 on Netflix, Modern Family on Hulu or Beverly Hills 90210 on Hulu
- Miscellaneous: Make a macrame craft or pretend you are on the Santa Monica Pier and play some boardwalk games
Happy Hour
For Happy Hour, let’s go to one of LA’s many amazing bars. Most of my favorite LA spots have boardgames, so play some Connect Four or Uno while you sip your drink.
Make a Brown Derby Cocktail or Mai Tai and some Guacamole. Put on the “Los Angeles Vibes” playlist for some ambiance.
Dinner + Dessert
What is a trip to LA without street tacos? Here are a few great recipes I’d love to try (Carne Asada, Grilled Chicken, Fish), but any tacos you can or want to make would work! If you need a playlist try “Califas California Latin Boombox.”
For dessert, I’m thinking this copycat Sprinkles cupcake recipe looks amazing!
If you want a movie, LaLa Land onHulu, A Star is Born on Hulu, or Who Framed Roger Rabbit on Disney+ are some great picks.
I hope you enjoyed this second set of Online Travel Guides! I really enjoy putting them together and, even if I can’t get all of the supplies, they are a fun way to make the weekend feel a bit more special.
If you have any ideas for future online travel itineraries, I’d love to hear them! Please share in the comments below. Happy “traveling!”
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