How to Stay in Touch With Those You Love When Traveling
Traveling the world is an amazing experience. You get to meet new people, learn about new cultures, and experience all the world has to offer. But no matter how much you travel, nothing can replace home. When you’re gone, there’s no doubt that your friends and family miss you immensely, and you probably do, too. Whether you’re homesick or just want to check-in, there are plenty of ways you can stay in touch with those you love when traveling. Take a look!
1. Send a thoughtful text message
Cell phones and smartphones have changed the way we interact with those we love. At the drop of a dime, you can talk to someone instantly, find an answer to a question, and look up any information you need. Use your cell phone to your advantage when you’re across the globe.
If you’re on a safari, snap a quick picture to send to your parents to keep them in the loop on where you are. Or, call your best friend when you’re on a bus traveling throughout Europe. However, it’s important you keep your phone plan current and affordable. Many phone providers can charge expensive fees when you use your phone overseas. To avoid an expensive bill, download apps such as WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger that can help you save money when traveling. These apps allow you to text and call for free when you’re on a WiFi network.
2. Write a hand-written card
When’s the last time you received a hand-written card? Probably not in a while. Cell phones have put a major dent in the card-sending industry because sending a message is instant. However, nothing beats the pure joy that comes with seeing a piece of mail addressed to you in your mailbox. Surprise your friends by sending them a card with a personalized message. You can talk about your travels, where you’re headed next, any life updates, and let them know how much you miss them.
3. Send flowers
If you want to send a thoughtful gift, you can’t go wrong with flowers. Whether it’s their birthday or a big promotion, you can send flowers online that will show up right on their doorstep. Even when you’re miles away, you can show how much you love someone with a fresh bouquet of roses, a cheerful sunflower arrangement, or an assortment of mixed flowers.
4. Video chat
If you’re going on a vacation that lasts for months on end or are studying abroad, it can be hard being away from those closest to you. To get some face-to-face time, try video chatting with your siblings, grandparents, parents, and anyone else. Skype, Apple’s FaceTime, and other video chatting services make seeing your loved ones’ faces easy as a click of a button. When you make the call, go over all of your amazing adventures, such as the historical landmarks you’ve visited, places you’ve eaten, and people you’ve met.
5. Send a postcard
Similar to cards, postcards are another great option for staying in touch with those you love. Postcards will be a great surprise for anyone, as they often display a scene, art, or landmark from the place you’re visiting. On the back, write down a quick note, place a stamp in the corner, and send it on its way.
6. Create a schedule
Staying in touch while traveling can be difficult when time zones are completely different. For example, if your family lives in Colorado and you’re vacationing in Tokyo, you’ll be 16 hours ahead of your family. So, when you’re waking up to start the day at 7 a.m. on a Tuesday, your family will still be at work on a Monday, as it’ll only be 3 p.m.
To make sure you sneak in enough virtual quality time, create an online schedule for your family to see. That way, they can see what times you’re not busy taking tours to give you a buzz.
7. Create a blog
A blog is another great idea for your family to see all of your travels more in-depth. To do this, simply create a website where you can post pictures and articles about where you’ve traveled, your reviews, and what you thought of the place. You can also turn your Instagram into your very own travel blog. Who knows, maybe the quality of your pictures and captions will turn you into the next-best travel blogger.
Wrapping up
It can be hard to make time for your loved ones when you’re on the run flying from city to city and exploring new countries. However, it can be easy to feel a little homesick when away from your friends and family for too long. From a simple text message to creating a travel blog, these are just some of the ways you can stay in touch with those you love when traveling.
