Become a travel expert on a particular country, gain a broader kind of knowledge about a number of different places without leaving home.
If you're tired of feeling left out of conversations about exotic, far-off places, there IS something you can do about it. While it's always dangerous to actually lie and say you've been to a certain place when you haven't, there are still ways of getting involved, and holding your own in a conversation about traveling experiences.
Become an expert
Is there a particular country which, although you have never been there, you feel a strange affinity with? You might know a smattering of trivia about it, or have met some interesting people who originate from that country, but you have never really pursued the interest.
Why not try to make a concerted effort to find out as much as you can about this intriguing country? There are so many ways to do this: your local library may have several books about the culture, customs, geography and politics of the place.
The internet is also an endless source of information about the world. As well as home pages devoted to tourists and potential visitors, many museums and art galleries also have digital images of some of their treasures available online.
If you make a hobby of this interest and devote some regular time to finding out more about the country which fascinates you, you will not only have followed up a long-term and formerly neglected interest, but may also find yourself saving the airfare to visit the place in person!
Virtual postcards
What if there are several parts of the world which interest you? Unless you want to devote yourself to a lifetime of research in order to become an expert on each region, you're probably better off being satsified with a selective, working knowledge of each country. In this case, a kind of virtual postcard approach is the best one to take - you find out enough to create a series of mental snapshots of each country. Although each mental postcard is vivid and revealing in its own right, it only represents a tiny part of that country and doesn't pretend to give you the full picture.
Once again, the internet provides ample opportunity to "sample" quick tastes of a range of countries. You can find out about a particularly interesting custom, discover the history and technique of a unique local craft, or even learn how to say hello in half a dozen languages.
Knowing just a little about a lot of different countries can quickly earn you a reputation as an interesting, cosmopolitan individual who has seen more of the world than you actually have.
Cultural imports
As well as gaining more knowledge about other countries you are interested in, you can also learn about different parts of the world by making a conscious effort to bring something from those exotic places into your everday life.
Why not take a course in the food of a country you have always longed to visit? As well as expanding your current cooking repertoire, you will also experience the different ingredients and culinary techniques of the country which interests you. It will be impossible for people to believe you are anything but a sophisticated world traveller if you can pull off exotic dishes with aplomb.
Take the time to explore some of the more exotic shops you may never have ventured into before. You may find a treasure trove of rugs, blankets, tapestries and brocades right under your nose.
There are hundreds of ways to bring such beautiful items into your everyday life: embroidered cushions could add a whole new tone to your living room and a beaded, gauzy scarf could be thrown over a lamp to create an exotic atmosphere. A heavy brocade bedspread or painted tea glasses could almost make you feel like you've actually visited that country you've already been to in your imagination.
