It’s one of those worst-case travel scenarios you never plan on: pick a destination, research the best deals on flights, spend months planning your itinerary only to get sick by the time you arrive. Don’t worry, your journey is not a total failure. Here are 7 ways to experience a foreign country without even leaving your hotel room: a Tourist Without Leaving Your Hotel Room.

1. Look out the window. It sounds too simple, but it’s true;

you get a good understanding of how a city works by seeing how the locals live their daily lives. See how people move: cycling, walking, driving or using public transport? Look at where and when they eat, how they dress, how they communicate, and recognize that it is different from your life at home. Plus, street musicians are always entertaining… and you don’t have to tip them from your room! Of course, you are also curious about the weather. If it’s cold and wet, it’s best to stay indoors anyway!

2. Read all about it! Even if you can’t read the language of the local newspaper, scroll through and look at the photos;

you’ll probably see places you didn’t know existed. View magazines that provide insight into your destination. Read pamphlets advertising local events and museums. Often these pamphlets contain information about popular attractions and many photos. If all else fails, read your totally dull and boring guide, which will inevitably put you to sleep. But when you’re sick, you still need the zzz’s.

3. Watch TV.

You should always check the local news to see if there are any important stories you should know. Plus, the news shows you the city, especially human interest stories and local events. Watch the popular sporting events or check out the culture and entertainment programs to find out what the locals are interested in. Know that in many other countries nudity and naughty language are allowed. It’s like a pay cable without the extra cost. To score!

4. Order local food.

The hotel staff can make numerous recommendations for great local restaurants serving national or popular dishes. Just call the concierge and ask if they can order food for you that the locals eat. You may want to skip room service as the food is usually way overpriced and not authentic. Leaving Your Hotel Room

5. Contact a tourist office.

Even small towns have tourist centers with staff who speak some English. Ask them about events happening in the city, or have them send reading material to your hotel room. Tourist centers have a lot of information about customs and details about cultural events, exhibitions, and celebrations. Leaving Your Hotel Room

6. Meet the locals.

Yes, you can do this without leaving your hotel room. Use an instant messaging service that allows you to search by city for people who are currently online. Go on MySpace or Facebook, search for groups about the place you’re visiting, and message a few people. You can even go on Skype and talk or text the locals face-to-face via the webcam. Many locals will want to talk to you to brag about their country and practice their English. Leaving Your Hotel Room

7. Read reviews online.

Here’s another thing you can do online: go to sites like TripAdvisor or VirtualTourist and read about other people’s experiences. Live vicariously through other travelers by reading firsthand accounts of their experiences in places you planned to visit. Better yet, check out travel blogs. Bloggers describe their travels like a journal, offering insights you can’t get from a travel guide. Just search for “travel blog” or “blog list” in any search engine and you will find thousands of blogs with articles about your destination. here are 7 Ways to Be a Tourist Without Leaving Your Hotel Room