“Explore your own back yard”
There are so many advantages to exploring your own country. First, carbon impact. Without the long flights, your carbon output is lower. Second, supporting local economies at home. I spent much of lockdown in New York. I rediscovered the place – the nature in the parks and waterways of the city, the range of different foods you could get delivered. And I visited the top tourist destinations and found that, at times, I was the only person there.
To get the most out of travelling around your own country, you need to plan. Social media is always a go-to reference for me. The people I enjoy following constantly share their experiences, provide inspiration and, often, easy-to-follow itineraries. I always check the hashtags and geotags of places I plan to visit to see what people have been sharing. During the pandemic we all turned to social media in a way we never have before, so there’s more exciting travel content to be discovered.