Explore Before You Go
Some of the best travel experiences begin long before you pack a suitcase. Whether you’re reading about a destination, watching movies set there, or making your restaurant reservations in advance, these resources will help you explore before you go.
Some of my favorite parts of each vacation happen before the trip even begins.
Long before I land at my destination, I love learning about its history, culture, food, and people. Sometimes that means reading a book set in the same destination, watching a movie filmed there, or reading all the restaurant menus long before I book the table.
My mom always said that having something to look forward to is the secret to happiness. For me, spending the time looking forward to and researching my next trip is at least half the fun.
I’ve also found that the more curious I am before I arrive, the more I’ll notice once I’m there.
If you’re looking for ways to fill up a Travel Tag checklist, I hope these resources will help you start your own adventure from home.
Read Up Before You Go
A great travel book can introduce you to a place before you ever set foot there. Whether you’re looking for practical guidebooks, inspiring travel memoirs, or books that help bring a destination to life, these reading lists will help you dive deeper into the places you’re dreaming of visiting.
Watch Before You Go
Movies have a unique way of helping us experience a place through someone else’s eyes. They can spark Travel Tag challenges, inspire everyone’s contribution to the One Thing Rule, and reveal landmarks, local foods, and traditions you might want to experience during your trip.
Adding a travel movie to a family movie night is a great way to get the kids excited about the vacation, too.
Get Hungry Before You Go
One of my favorite ways to learn about a destination is through its food.
I love researching regional specialties, local restaurants, and iconic dishes that tell the story of a place. Sometimes that means tracking down a cookbook or scouring restaurant reviews to create my foodie bucket list for the trip.
Whether it’s shrimp and grits in Charleston, afternoon tea in London, or a quest to find the best slice of key lime pie, food has become one of our favorite ways to connect with a destination.
Next Steps
The more curious you are before you arrive, the more you’ll notice once you’re there.
So grab a book, queue up a movie, or start planning your foodie bucket list. Your next adventure might begin long before you pack a suitcase.