Ten Ways to Beat the Winter Travel Blues

Hosts Ashleigh and Christopher talk about how they’ve been missing their recent trip to Puerto Rico and have a bit of the post-travel blues as winter sets in. They share 10 tips for beating the winter travel blues.

Revisiting Photos and Videos from Past Trips

Ashleigh suggests going back through photos from your last trip and printing them to create a photo book. She also recommends displaying travel photos around your house as cheap art.

Take a Trip Somewhere Warm

Christopher's #1 tip is to simply take a trip if you're able to get away, even just for a long weekend.

Cook Food Inspired by Your Last Destination

Ashleigh recommends finding recipes for dishes you enjoyed during your last trip. It helps you recreate some of the experience at home.

Plan Future Trips

Both Ashleigh and Christopher enjoy spending time researching and planning future trips, even if they don't have firm dates. It helps beat the winter blues by giving you something to look forward to.

Take Local Day Trips

Ashleigh suggests taking day trips nearby to get out of the house and experience something new, like visiting a museum.

Attend a Travel Show

Christopher recommends attending a travel show like the Travel & Adventure Show to get inspired about future destinations.

Practice a Foreign Language

Christopher shares that practicing a foreign language for an upcoming trip helps beat the blues. Ashleigh mentions she has a 1,700+ day Duolingo streak!

Consume New Travel Content

Both hosts recommend finding new travel TV shows, YouTube channels, podcasts, etc. to discover fresh content and get inspired. Listen to episode 23 and 28 for inspiration.

Make a Travel Bucket List

Christopher suggests making a bucket list of places you want to visit. It helps give you something to look forward to.

Flight Deal Alerts

Ashleigh mentions flight deal alert services like Going and NextVacay that can help you find and book cheap flights.

Bonus Tip: Pretend You're on Vacation

Christopher shares a weird tip he saw online - turn up the heat in your house, play sounds/video of a beach, and pretend you're on vacation somewhere warm!

Mental Health Reminder

If your winter travel blues continue several weeks after returning from a trip, talk with a healthcare provider.

Wine Break: Valpolicella Ripasso

The hosts try a Valpolicella Ripasso wine from the Veneto region of Italy. Christopher explains how the winemaking process for Ripasso incorporates pomace left over from making Amarone wine.