11 Cures For Your Rampant Wanderlust

Step one: Give in. Stop putting your next great adventure off, pack your wanderlustin' crew into the supremely capable new Honda HR-V Crossover, and hit the road.

1. Start small. Make a couple lists.

Ian Mackenzie / (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: madmack

First, make a list of all the reasons that you should not, for any reason, travel. After reading this back to yourself and realizing that it is COMPLETELY bogus, rip it up and throw it away. NOW, make a list of all of the adventures you want to have, from most manageable to most insane. Make a plan to knock each and every one off the list. Yes, even that one.

2. Check that urban staycation off your list.

Phil Roeder / (CC BY http://2.0) / Flickr: tabor-roeder

Carve out a Saturday or Sunday and pick out a neighborhood within an hour or two of where you live. Go on food tours, check out art galleries, or learn more about the architecture in urban areas.

3. Head for the hills, and get in touch with nature.

Zach Dischner / (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: zachd1_618

A day is also plenty of time to head out to the country. Plan a hike, rent a canoe, or investigate some antique stores.

4. Pack the car and plan a weekend getaway.

Gopal Vijayaraghavan / (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: t3rmin4t0r

Take Friday off work to get a head start (or Monday, if you REALLY hate Mondays). Go camping, book a stay in a bed and breakfast, or hop in the car and stay with friends in a city you've yet to get to know.

5. Spend your lunch hour hunting for cheap flights.

Brandon / (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: bpprice

Whether you set flight alerts or constantly scour the internet for flight deals, keep an eye out! Don't be afraid to use a few vacation days if an unbelievably inexpensive trip presents itself to you. GO!

6. Plan a major road trip.

Angus MacRae / (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: gustaffo89

You know. The sort that books are written about. Picking the beginning and end of the trip are easy, but the fun part comes when you plan the pit stops in between. Sure, you should get to know how the "locals" live in the towns you pass through. But please...don't be afraid of the tourist traps. They're hilarious.

7. Pick a holiday weekend, and book that dream vacation.

Moyan Brenn / (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: aigle_dore

The further in the future, the better — you'll have time to save up cash. Plus, you'll have time to make a super-detailed itinerary (and learn a little of the language, if need be) Pick a holiday like Thanksgiving so you'll get maximum days away and minimum days off of work.

8. Not a good time for a trip? Just hop in the car.

Philip And Karen Smith / Getty Images

Roll down the windows, blast some tunes, and drive. You don't need a weekend to do this, let alone a destination. Queue up a playlist, and drive until your wanderlust dissipates.

9. Can't get out of town? Find a fab hotel in your city and stay the night.

Sarah_Ackerman / (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: sackerman519

That's right. Your wanderlust may evaporate completely with the help of an outrageous view of your city, a little bit of room service, and a drink at the hotel bar. Pick a weekend night to treat yourself, and relish the fact that you're simply not in your own bed. Oh, and make sure there's a pool.

10. Even cheaper: Watch the sunset.

Anthony Quintano / (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: quintanomedia

A good chunk of your wanderlust is probably due to the fact that you're not soaking up your natural surroundings enough. Even if you live in a city with nary a tree in sight, there's always a way to watch the sunset. Pluck yourself from the monotony of every day, and get lost in the horizon.

11. If all else fails, don't underestimate the power of travel posters.

trialsanderrors / (CC BY http://2.0) / Flickr: trialsanderrors

trialsanderrors / (CC BY http://2.0) / Flickr: trialsanderrors

trialsanderrors / (CC BY http://2.0) / Flickr: trialsanderrors

When you can't get away, cover your walls in them.

And nothing beats wanderlust like a long drive down a new road.

Jump into a compact new Honda HR-V Crossover and head out solo, or pile your friends into the roomy interior and hit the open road.