Virtual travel is all the rage at the moment. The ongoing coronavirus crisis has made this kind of travel not only popular but also necessary. The Covid-19 pandemic brought plans for international trips in 2020 to an abrupt halt. More than one year after the WHO declared the novel coronavirus a global pandemic, the vast majority of popular destinations around the world are still under travel restrictions.
As a result, many would-be voyagers are turning to virtual travel to experience the Galápagos Islands or Machu Picchu. There are plenty of virtual activities to take up when you’ve got itchy feet but can’t venture out, whether you are cooped up inside due to a deadly pandemic, low on funds, or are just feeling a little under the weather. Check out these virtual travel ideas.
Explore Famous Sights around the World
Many of the most famous destinations around the world are offering virtual tours. Google Earth is also offering virtual tours of some of the most popular places in the world, including 30 UNESCO world heritage sites. You can also explore the Eiffel Tower in Paris from different views and learn more about the history of one of the most popular landmarks in the world. See the Great Wall of China from a hiker’s perspective through a virtual tour.
![fall scents for your home](http://www.livingbetter50.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Our-Aroma-Opium-Oil-Banner-2.jpg")
Get Up-Close With Wildlife
Get your wildlife fix from the comfort of your own home by going on a virtual safari. There are dozens of animal webcams, safari live cams, and virtual zoo tours for wildlife lovers to enjoy. Check out the San Diego Zoo in California, the busiest zoo in the United States, to come face to face with 3,500 endangered species. These experiences are great for homeschooling and planning your future getaways.
Travel Virtually With Global Recipes
Food is often the highlight of many getaways. That’s why every travel memory always comes with a flavor. Trying different global recipes when you are stuck at home is an excellent way to explore the world. You can relive some of your best travel memories by replicating local dishes from your favorite destinations. Craving the tasty ceviche you had in Peru or the savory risotto you had in Italy, there are online resources to help you recreate your favorite international dishes at home.
Read Travel Books
Reading stories of other people who lead completely different lifestyles is one of the best ways to experience and learn about new cultures. When you learn about other cultures, you can understand and appreciate other people around you more deeply. Sometimes, reading travel books can be as transformative as the trip itself. Read to keep your wanderlust spirits high until it is once again safe to travel.
Watch Travel Programs
Just like reading, watching travel programs helps you learn more about your favorite destinations or get inspired for upcoming vacations. Watching travel films and documentaries is also a great way to vicariously experience your favorite places around the world. Streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube are great sources of local and foreign travelogue.
Since streaming services restrict content based on location, you may need a VPN to bypass geo-blocks. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is an online tool that uses a series of remote servers all over the world to help users conceal their true IP addresses. You can connect to a different VPN server location to unlock travel content in other countries.
With virtual travel, you can experience popular destinations around the world without ever leaving your home. Virtual travel can be a lot of things, from taking free virtual tours of famous attractions online to watching travel videos on YouTube to experiencing a destination through the eyes of a vlogger. We hope these virtual travel ideas help you assuage your travel bug until you can travel again.
LivingBetter50 is a magazine for women over 50, offering an over 50 magazine free download for women with spirit!