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 youโre gone, thereโs no doubt that your friends and family miss you immensely, and you probably do, too. Whether youโre 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 youโre across the globe.
If youโre 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 youโre on a bus traveling throughout Europe. However, itโs 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 youโre on a WiFi network.
2. Write a hand-written card
Whenโs 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 youโre 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 canโt go wrong with flowers. Whether itโs their birthday or a big promotion, you can send flowers online that will show up right on their doorstep. Even when youโre 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 youโre 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, Appleโs FaceTime, and other video chatting services make seeing your loved onesโ 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 youโve visited, places youโve eaten, and people youโve 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 youโre 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 youโre vacationing in Tokyo, youโll be 16 hours ahead of your family. So, when youโre waking up to start the day at 7 a.m. on a Tuesday, your family will still be at work on a Monday, as itโll 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 youโre 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 youโve 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 youโre 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.
