Share This Article
With so much uncertainty in the air and countries closing their borders everywhere, it’s becoming more and more certain that social distancing and stay at home may be our new normal for quite some time. In the United States the number of coronavirus cases continues to rise along with orders to stay home and quarantine. These orders can be especially difficult for those with children or an insatiable desire to travel the world, but all is not lost. Thanks to technology there are still a number of ways to stay home while traveling the world and visiting the most sought-after landmarks. Read on to discover 10 great places you can visit without leaving your living room.
Hang Out With The Llamas in Machu Picchu
Thanks to YouVisit, virtual tourists can see a series of 360-degree images of Machu Picchu on the company’s virtual tour. This tour also includes a voiceover guide to give you more information about the history, the architecture, and (our personal favorite) the resident llamas. When you’re done there, get a bird’s eye view of the area through interactive images from the summit of Machu Picchu by heading to AirPano.
Embark on an Adventure Through The Grand Canyon
If you’re ready to take in a more natural setting, you can virtually travel to the Grand Canyon and see 360-degree photographs on an archeology virtual tour. If this doesn’t quite quench your thirst for adventure, you can also virtually hike through the area, to the famous Phantom Ranch on the Corridor Trails or head to the Colorado River and enjoy a rafting trip.
See The World’s Largest Art Deco Statue in Rio de Janeiro
Virtually travel to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and enjoy a breathtaking view of the Cidade Maravilhosa from the location of Christ the Redeemer, the world’s largest art deco statue. This tour uses Street View technology, allowing you to “walk around” the site. Take it a step further and go on tour at different times of the day, to see 360-degree shots from above. While you’re there, head over to Brazil’s first modern museum, The Museu de Arte de São Paulo for a virtual tour, what in reality is hundred of miles away now it’s just a click away. The art placed on clear frames gives the illusion of the artwork hovering in midair. Cool is an understatement!
Visit One Of The Oldest Cities In The World: Petra, Jordan
A current travel bloggers’ favorite, the sandstone city of Petra, Jordan was occupied as early as 5th century BC. Although 85% of the city has yet to be excavated, it’s rose-colored buildings have been featured in movies like Indiana Jones and The Mummy Returns. Today, you can take an online tour of the city to see some of its most iconic landmarks while a guide narrates the interactive walk. Get ready for a walk through history as you view temple ruins, tombs, and much more.
Walk Through The City of Temples in Cambodia
Angkor Wat was originally built as a Hindu temple but later transformed into a place of worship for Buddhists. You can now take a virtual tour of this area, currently known as the largest religious monument in the world. Through the tour you’ll be able to explore the five towers of Angkor Wat, the pink sandstone Banteay Srei and more historic temples. The city has also developed a virtual simulation with the help of historians, artists and archaeologists to give you a video view of what the city looked like during the 13th century. Tour the city AND take a trip back in time? Sign us up!
Marvel at The Great Wall of China
Yes, one of China’s most sought-after monuments can be visited from your couch. The Great Wall of China, stretching thousands of miles, was built to protect the country and control trade along the Silk Road. YouVisit has a virtual tour allowing you to walk through sections of the Great Wall of China and see dynamic close-up photos.
Tour The Grounds of The Taj Mahal
Known as India’s architectural crown jewel, the Taj Mahal was built over 350 years ago over the course of 22 years by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to honor his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. This monument is easily recognizable to people around the world due to the 17th-century white marble, and combined Persian, Islamic and Indian architectural styles. Through Google you can take an interactive tour of the grounds of the Taj Mahal to see the mausoleum, reflective pool, paradise gardens and red sandstone mosque.
Get a City Tour of Paris, France
One of the world’s most frequented monuments is located in Paris, France. Virtually travel there for an interactive tour of the Eiffel Tower, which will take you to the viewing platform. Enjoy 360-degree shots showing a helicopter’s view of the tower against the city skyline. Before you end your Parisian virtual vacation, walk through the popular art gallery, Musée d’Orsay, and take in dozens of famous art pieces from French artists during the 1800s and early 1900s. Then visit Mona Lisa at the The Louvre in Paris, which remains the largest art museum in the world with more than 35,000 art pieces! Avoid the massive crowds with a virtual tour and immerse yourself in various exhibits and galleries from your home.
Visit the Last Standing Wonder of The Ancient World in Egypt
The pyramids of Giza in Egypt, built over 4,500 years ago, were used as more extravagant tombs for pharaohs. This virtual tour allows “visitors” to see the monuments from near and far, including two of the largest pyramids in history: The Great Pyramid, standing at 480 feet, and The Pyramid of Khafre, standing 445 feet tall.
Stroll Through the Renaissance in Italy
The Sistine Chapel, located in Vatican City, is most known for its Renaissance frescoes by Michelangelo. Now you can finally visit without the crowds, giving you a close-up view of the chapel’s artwork. You can also see the gardens, Pontifical Villas, and Vatican City museums without the difficult task of maneuvering through crowds of tourists! While you’re in the area, head over to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy. This gallery is home to the art collection of one of Florence’s most well-known families, the De’ Medicis. Take a virtual tour and wander its halls to enjoy the masterpieces by Leonardo, Raphael, Piero Della Francesca, Giotto and many early Flemish and German master painters.
While we wait for the curve to flatten and the world to heal, technology has given us the unique ability to travel without leaving our homes. Not only will this benefit the human population and help us slow the spread of COVID-19, but it will also benefit the earth as carbon dioxide emissions decrease with the sharp decline of planes taking flight. Lee Bacon, Head of Digital at the BBC’s Natural History Unit even noted “…viewing nature digitally has been scientifically proven to help peoples’ mental wellbeing, which feels especially important right now.” So do yourself, our planet, and those living within it a favor by staying home and traveling virtually!
