After spending winter day-dreaming of getting away on your long-deserved summer holiday, with the current global pandemic, it’s looking unlikely we will be jetting off anytime soon. But that doesn’t mean you can’t discover the world and plan the ultimate trip! Thanks to the wonders of technology we can now explore every corner of the earth from the comfort of our homes. In this article, we cover everything you need to know about how to travel the world virtually!
But, how?
It’s easy to satisfy your wanderlust from any room in your home, all thanks to technology! Google Maps gives you the opportunity to explore nearly every destination on earth thanks to its Street View option. Many people have begun to utilize this feature so they can explore during lockdown, but it can also give you the perfect opportunity to plan the ultimate holiday, once we are allowed to travel again.
But it’s not just Street View, many of the world’s most famous destinations and museums are now offering tours and behind the scene viewings of their exhibitions and sights. From the likes of the British Museum to the National Parks in the USA, you will be spoilt for choice!
Top destinations
Want to get inspired? We’ve put together some of the top destinations that you can explore virtually. We cover some of their most famous Street View attractions, as well as the best virtual attractions that have opened up their exhibitions for virtual tours!
Paris
There is no greater destination than the city of love, so pour yourself a glass of vino, pop on your beret and get ready to hit the Champs-Élysées!
Start off your trip on this famous avenue, taking in all of the sights of the city at the famous Arc du Triumph. Follow down the boulevard until you arrive at one of the most sought-after museums in the world, the Lourve.
But you don’t just have to admire it from outside! The Lourve is offering you virtual tours of some of their most popular exhibitions, so you can still see the Mona Lisa in all her glory, without having to push past the crowds!
After all that art and culture, transport yourself to the Eiffel Tower. You can explore the grounds on Street View and then hop to the top of the tower itself for a virtual tour of the city’s most famous landmark. Exploring Paris has never been easier!
London
The capital of the United Kingdom is a popular destination that has plenty to offer anyone wishing to visit it virtually.
There are so many street view sights to pick from you will be spoilt for choice. Some of the most popular sights include Trafalgar Square, Parliament Buildings, the fancy townhouses of Nottinghill, and the hip and happening streets of Camden Town.
London offers plenty of virtual tours from some of its most famous sights. Choose from Buckingham Palace, the British Museum, The National Gallery, Tower of London, 10 Downing Street, and Hamptoncourt Palace. Visit London has even put together a virtual tour of London to take out the hard part of making an itinerary!
Rome
There’s no city that tops as many bucket lists than Rome. The Eternal City is a popular tourist attraction that is bustling every summer season. But now you can explore it without the crowds!
You can create your own tour on Street View, taking in the sights of the Trevi Fountain, St Peter’s Basilica, and the Colosseum.
But why see the outside when you can have a virtual tour? Some of Rome’s most famous sights have opened their doors online, from the Colosseum, the Vatican Museum, including the Sistine Chapel. Why not incorporate this virtual tour with all your favourite Italian foods from pizza, pasta to gelato to help transport you to the famous city streets.
New York
The city that doesn’t sleep, has been hit hard by the pandemic, being the epicenter of the virus in the USA. But that doesn’t mean you can’t explore it virtually!
Explore the former bustling streets on Street View, from Times Square, Brooklyn Bridge to Wall Street, and Coney Island!
Some of the city’s most famous attractions have opened their doors virtually from the world-famous Metropolitan Museum of Art, to the Guggenheim, Central Park, and Grand Central Station. The perfect opportunity to explore the big apple from your living room!
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is famous for its canals, tulips, famous artists, and its infamous red-light district.
Why not spend some time exploring the city streets, starting off in Dam Square you can easily see some of the city’s most famous sights and museums.
Some of its most popular destinations are now offering virtual tours such as Van Gogh’s Museum, The Royal Palace, Rijksmuseum, and the Anne Frank Museum.
Bucket list favorites
But it’s not just some of our favorite destinations that have opened their doors, you can now explore and check off spots on your bucket list, with many now offering a virtual experience like never before.
Great Wall of China
So famous, you can see it from space. The Great Wall of China now has a virtual tour online, so you can explore this iconic landmark from the comfort of your home.
Machu Pichu
Latin America’s most famous landmark and also one of the wonders of the world, Machu Pichu in Peru is definitely on everyone’s bucket list, but whilst we cannot see it up close right now, a virtual tour is the next best thing!
US National Parks
The National Parks of the USA are some of the most diverse in the world and you can explore them all virtually from your sofa! Take in the sights of Yosemite Park, Crater Lake National Park, and Yellowstone National Park Enjoy the very best that America has to offer!
Taj Mahal
India’s most famous building has opened its doors and is now offering virtual tours during the pandemic. The UNESCO world heritage site is often thronging with tourists, but you can finally enjoy it, without the crowds!
Great Pyramids of Egypt
One of the wonders of the ancient world, the Pyramids are often a highlight of bucket lists. The Egyptian Tourism ministry has opened up five of Egypt’s most famous landmarks for virtual tours including the tomb of Meresankh III, the Ben Ezra Synagogue, and the Red Monastery.
Why not travel virtually with friends and family?
Have your travel plans been put on hold due to the pandemic? Why not plan a virtual trip with friends, using the information above. All you have to do is arrange a video call through Zoom, Skype, or Google Hangouts and travel together through the tours and using Street View. You can even send your friends and family a surprise care package, including everything they’ll need for their virtual getaway. You can learn more about sending a care package with us here!
Learn more:
How to create the ultimate care package during Covid-19
Covid-19 outbreak how to get a refund or reschedule your travel plans
