Most of the world is still reeling from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Given the fast-evolving nature of the international response to the virus, it’s uncertain when global travel can go back to pre-pandemic levels. It looks like it’s going to be a while before we can safely get back on the road. But you don’t have to put your wanderlust on hold just because international flights are all but grounded.
Thanks to technology, you can go on a virtual trip to almost any place on the planet in the blink of an eye. You don’t even have to leave the safety of your home to explore the world. You can transport yourself to far-off lands without stepping outside through digital exhibits and virtual reality experiences. Here are some of the ways to explore the world virtually in 2021.
Take Virtual Tours of World Famous Attractions
Virtual tours are simulations of real-world locations that can be viewed online. Virtual tours use panoramic images and videos to give tourists a life-like 3D view of the location being exhibited. All popular destinations in the world are offering virtual tours. With the help of Google Earth, you can experience famous attractions throughout the world from your couch.
For instance, you can visit the Great Wall of China and learn insider facts about this extensive bulwark from your sitting room. You can also take a tour of the iconic Central Park in New York City and get to see its famous attractions such as Alice in Wonderland statue or Lennon’s Imagine mosaic. You can also explore attractions such as the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Taj Mahal.
Join Virtual Museum Tours
In partnership with over 2.500 museums and galleries all over the world, Google Arts and Culture is offering free virtual video tours of museums for sightseers. You can navigate your way through your favorite museum and learn new angles of art and history. You can get in-depth looks at collection highlights and current exhibitions to your heart’s desire.
Just choose a museum you have always wanted to visit and take a free virtual tour of their spaces. You don’t need to fly to Paris to get an up-close look at the Mona Lisa. Take a detailed virtual tour of The Louvre from your couch. Other popular options include The National Gallery of Art in Washington DC, the New York Museum of Modern Art, Berlin’s Pergamon Museum, and many more.
Visit the Zoo
Dozens of zoos across the world are offering webcam viewings of their animals online. You get to see fascinating wildlife from afar. The Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland, for instance, live streams cute pandas from their enclosures for anyone to see. You can also watch live footage of Beluga Whales, African penguins, and other sea dwellers at the Georgia Aquarium.
Feel free to immerse yourself into this furry heaven if animals take you to your happy place. A virtual visit to the zoo offers a fantastic experience for kids. However, it doesn’t matter how old you are; you will enjoy live footage of koalas, polar bears, tiger cubs, and other cute animals playing at the zoo.
Go To Disney World Virtually
Did you know that you can take a full virtual tour of Disney World from the comfort of your home? That’s right. Simply visit the Disney World YouTube channel to catch everything from 360-degree street panoramas to virtual theme park rides. Even on a virtual trip, there is so much to see, experience, and learn in “Most Magical Place on Earth!”
Take a tour of the Hall of Presidents, learn about steam engines and the history of the railroad, and enjoy the Happily Ever After fireworks show at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Take a guided tour with fun animal facts on the Kilimanjaro Safari at Animal Kingdom or a brief tour through The Seas at EPCOT. You and your kids can enjoy the magic of Mickey Mouse from home through this epic virtual tour.
Take a Virtual Trip to Space
During these difficult pandemic times, you’ll often find yourself desperate to escape the confines of your isolated lifestyle. Taking virtual tours of famous attractions, national parks, museums, etc., is an excellent way to keep yourself entertained, but did you know that you can take a virtual trip to outer space? NASA is offering a collection of free digital space experiences for aspiring explorers.
Viewers get to explore the universe, planets outside of our solar system, and the TRAPPIST-1 star system. Get a 360-degree view of the Hubble Space Telescope Operations Control Centre, exoplanet surfaces like Kepler-16b and 55 Cancri e, and the International Space Station. These immersive virtual adventures will take you to the stratosphere from the comfort of your home.
Watch Travel Vlogs on YouTube
One of the most satisfying ways to experience the world is to see through the eyes of another person. You can do that by watching travel vlogs on YouTube. The best travel vlogs will be able to show you different sides of your favorite destinations in a way that satiates your wanderlust. Additionally, watching travel vlogs is a great way to get inspiration for your future trips when the world is back to normal.
Make sure that you are using a VPN to get access to all the best travel vlogs on YouTube wherever you are in the world. Short for Virtual Private Network, a VPN helps you encrypt your internet traffic and mask your true IP address so that you can access the internet without any restrictions. When you connect to a VPN server of your choice, you’ll avoid that annoying error screen that says ‘video unavailable in your country’ on YouTube.
Global travel is at a standstill because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but that doesn’t mean that we cannot explore the world. Travel the world through technology in 2021. From virtual museum tours to trips to outer space, there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to virtual travel. You can explore all these places safely from the comfort of your home. The best part about virtual travel is that it’s 100% free.