30 places to travel to virtually, right now!
To say that COVID-19 has thrown a wrench in travel plans...and life, in general...would be putting it lightly. As many of us around the world are asked to stay home for the foreseeable future, it’s easy to feel like travel is a far away, unattainable thing.
But just because we can’t physically travel right now, doesn’t mean that we can’t mentally travel, or even plan for future travel! In fact, in this incredibly technological age, we have the luxury of traveling across thousands of miles, to thousands of places around the world, without leaving our sofa! It may not be the same...but it’s not bad either.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be helping you to continue your travel adventures, even as you figure out how to work remotely, learn new recipes, and binge-watch Netflix.
This week we’ve put together a curated list of 30 places you can travel to virtually, right now! From full-on virtual reality experiences to virtual museum tours, from live zoo cams to city webcams.
A few tips before you head off on your travels:
If a site doesn’t work in one browser, try it in another (i.e. Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, etc).
Some sites may take a few moments to load. Be patient...it’s still better than a 12-hour flight!
And when you stop in to some countries, you may find everyone asleep. Remember, you’re traveling time zones at the speed of light! Just check back later.
While you're on your virtual travels, we wouldn’t be surprised if you find the next city or country you want to physically visit when life gets back to normal...and it will! So take advantage of being home to look through the beautiful portfolios of our local photographers at your dream destination, and also take advantage of our current discounts by booking ahead on future travels and memories!
Photo by Vasilis in Athens
Now, let’s go!
First, for those who like a bit of education with your experiences (and for all you parents suddenly home-schooling), here are some interactive sites that will take you to amazing places while also teaching you and your family a bit about the world, as well!
Great Wall of China, Huairou District, China
Photo by Alena in Prague
One of my personal favorite ways to travel virtually is via all the amazing webcams strategically placed in world-class destinations. In fact, some mornings I start my day with my cup of coffee, my kitties, and my favorite webcam of Broad Street in Oxford, England. I’m instantly transported to one of my favorite places in the world!
Photo by Meiry in Paris
Maybe what you’re really missing out on right now is an afternoon wandering through a beautiful museum or art gallery. Let’s face it...some of us are already getting stir-crazy. And oh, how I miss those museum cafes! But all’s not lost. First pass a day trying to learn how to make croissants, then enjoy the fruits of your labor and visit to one of these incredible museums.
Vatican Museum, Vatican City, Italy
British Museum, London, England
Smithsonian Natural history Museum, Washington D.C.
National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul, South Korea
Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy
Those of us with animals in our family know they make the most difficult days better. Well, thankfully, whether you have furbabies at home or not, there are animals around the world waiting to welcome you into their homes via these great webcams.
Photo by Carrie in Grand Canyon
And if being stuck at home has finally pushed you to invest in that Virtual Reality headset then here are some truly immersive travel options. Choose from epic nature adventures or simply walk through any city in the world with Google Earth VR.
And never underestimate the magic of Google Maps. Take a wander around the Taj Mahal, Eiffel Tower, or Botanical Gardens in Washington D.C. then seek out other destinations that intrigue you to see what they look like on the ground.