Armchair travel means exploring the world without packing a bag, finding your passport, or dealing with jet lag. It’s all about discovering new cultures, foods, and ideas right from your couch, kitchen table, or favorite comfy chair.
Today we have more tools than ever—videos, online classes, virtual tours, books, podcasts, music, and even cooking kits—that help us explore the world from home. And many options are fun, creative, and perfect for vegan travelers too!
Let’s look at some of the best (and most enjoyable!) ways to travel without actually traveling.
🍜 Explore the World Through Food
Food is one of the most exciting parts of travel, and you don’t need a plane ticket to try new flavors.
Try Local Restaurants
Search online (TripAdvisor, Google Maps, social media groups) for restaurants in your town offering global cuisines—Thai, Indian, Ethiopian, Japanese, Mexican—many have vegan options or can veganize dishes for you.
You’ll taste new flavors, support local businesses, and feel transported.
Taste Drinks From Around the World
Travel with your taste buds by trying:
- Japanese sake
- Belgian beer
- Mexican tequila
- Scottish whisky
- South African wine
Anything that connects you to another culture counts as armchair travel!
🍱 Cook Global Dishes at Home
You don’t need to leave home to enjoy world cuisine.
Try International Cooking Kits
Many subscription boxes now include vegan options and ship in 2025:
- Eat2Explore (US) – family-style cooking adventure boxes
- Try The World (US) – gourmet global snacks
- Feast Box (UK) – global recipe kits
Cookbooks to Spark Your Culinary Travels
- Vegan Eats World — Terry Hope Romero
- East Meets Vegan — Sasha Gill
- Vegan Richa’s Indian Kitchen — Richa Hingle
Online Cooking Classes (all still active in 2025)
- The Table Less Traveled – live global cooking classes
- Veecoco – large library of vegan cooking lessons
🧭 Take Virtual Tours Around the World
Technology lets us “visit” almost anywhere.
Live or Interactive Tours (2025 Updated)
- Google Arts & Culture – explore museums, landmarks, and cultural collections
- National Museum of Natural History (Washington, D.C.) – excellent online walk-throughs
- The Louvre – updated virtual rooms and exhibits
Virtual tours are fun, educational, and a great way to inspire future travel plans.
🎵 Travel the World With Music
Music reveals the heart of a place.
Try:
- World Music Network – global sounds and curated playlists
- National Geographic Travel on Spotify – world-inspired playlists
- Radiooooo – choose a country + decade and hear what people were listening to
Close your eyes, listen, and suddenly you’re not on the couch—you’re in Brazil, Morocco, or Korea.
📺 Explore With TV & Documentaries
Nature & Culture
Still relevant and stunning:
- Planet Earth
- Blue Planet
- Our Planet
Travel & Food Shows
(They may not always be vegan, but they show the culture beautifully.)
- Somebody Feed Phil
- Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown
- Taste the Nation (features some plant-based elements)
Adventure Series
- The Amazing Race — world travel meets problem-solving
🖼️ Visit World-Class Museums Online
Explore art and history from home:
Perfect for slow Sundays or planning future trips.
🧠 Learn Something New About the World
Online learning lets you explore cultures, languages, and history.
Updated for 2025:
- The Great Courses Plus / Wondrium – expert-led courses
- Coursera – university-level classes
- edX – global courses from top institutions
- Duolingo, Babbel, italki – learn languages for your next trip
Even learning a few words changes how you experience a destination later.
🎧 Listen to Travel Podcasts
Podcasts are perfect for multitasking.
Recommended for armchair travelers:
- Armchair Explorer
- The World Nomads Podcast
- Travel With Rick Steves
- World Vegan Travel Podcast – stories, destinations, and vegan travel tips we love to share
📚 Travel the World Through Books
Books transport us instantly.
Coffee Table Books
- National Geographic: Destinations of a Lifetime
- Lonely Planet Epic Hikes / Epic Drives / Epic Runs
Literature From Around the World
Choose books by authors from countries you want to explore.
Alternative Travel Guides
Perfect for discovering hidden gems and unusual adventures.
🌐 Explore Travel Blogs & YouTube
Blogs
YouTube Channels
- Ben Brown
- FunForLouis
- World Vegan Travel YouTube – vegan trips, behind-the-scenes travel, and destination highlights
📌 Pinterest Inspiration
Search for destinations, save your ideas, plan dream trips, and build mood boards.
Follow us on Pinterest for vegan-friendly travel inspiration.
💬 Connect With Travelers
Travelers share tips, stories, and inspiration on:
Facebook Groups
Twitter / X
Great places to ask questions and plan future trips.
🗺️ Explore the World Through Apps
- Google Earth – “fly” anywhere on the planet
- Photo Spheres – step into temples, castles, and cities
- Live Cameras – explore wildlife, cities, oceans, and more
Favorites:
- Explore.org
- AuroraMAX – northern lights cam
- International Space Station live stream
🦅 Discover Nature in Your Own Neighborhood
You don’t always need to travel far—sometimes adventure is just outside your door.
Try:
- Geocaching
- Birdwatching (Great Backyard Bird Count)
- Local parks and gardens
🗂️ Travel Through Your Memories
Look through old photos, organize albums, watch videos, and relive past adventures.
This often inspires the next trip!
✨ Let the Armchair Adventures Begin
You don’t need a passport to explore the world.
A good movie, a great meal, a book, or a virtual tour can take you anywhere.
Get comfortable—your next adventure can begin right now.
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💬 Let’s Discuss!
Do you have any armchair travel ideas or questions?
Share them in the comments—we’d love to hear from you!
