What with the entire travel industry being shut down at the moment, we've been spending a
lot of time online looking for travel inspiration to scratch our wanderlust itch. While we were browsing Instagram (you can check out our account here ), we came across an awesome DK Eyewitness article about their top 10 virtual tours, and fell down a major rabbit hole travelling the world from our sofa. It was wonderful! We would so recommend checking out their picks, which take you from Machu Picchu to Angkor Wat, Buckingham Palace to the Eiffel Tower. Our favourite was the highlights of Japan tour, which made us SUPER nostalgic for our recent trip in January. We are still so thankful that we managed to visit that stunning country before the COVID-19 crisis really kicked off.
Here are 10 more wonderful virtual travel experiences that we hope you enjoy as much as we did, and be sure to check out DK Eyewitnesses' picks too!
1. Visit the Ruins of Pompeii by ProWalk Tours
This video takes you on a virtual guided tour through the fascinating ruins of Pompeii, Italy, with captions giving historic facts throughout.
2. Hike Half Dome
Take the opportunity to try out a hair raising hike that you might never do in real life - Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, California. Incredible views, but not one for those with fear of heights! It's recorded in 360 degrees, so you can click and drag to look around, if you dare!
3. Visit the Vatican Museum
Time for some culture - head to the Vatican Museum's website and choose from 7 different 360 degree virtual tours including the Raphael rooms and the Sistine Chapel - no more pushing crowds or guards bellowing at people to be quiet, you can exclaim to your heart's content!
4. Check out Google Arts and Culture
Similarly, head over to Google Arts and Culture where you can explore LOADS of other museums, galleries and iconic landmarks, including the Musee D'Orsay in Paris, Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre and the Great Pyramids of Giza. London's British Museum has also teamed up with Google to allow visitors to explore their collections through an interactive timeline.
4. Hike the Grand Canyon with Treadmill TV
Hike from the canyon rim down to the Colorado River in this gorgeous point of view video. No music, just the sound of footsteps on the dusty trail. Perfection! As the channel's name suggests, you could watch this on a phone or tablet while on the treadmill, and feel like you're walking as well - use those incline settings!
5. Walk the Swiss Mountains with Virtual Walks
Enjoy this stunning walk through the Swiss mountains - definitely one we're adding to our bucketlist!
6. Go Dog Sledding through Alberta, Canada with Travel Alberta
Jump on board with Travel Alberta and let your team of furry friends take you through the breathtaking snowy landscapes of Canada's wilderness. It's another 360 degree video, so you can look in all directions as the sled travels.
7. London Landmarks virtual run with Fordy Runs
Go for a virtual run around several of London's most beloved landmarks, including the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, the South Bank, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus and Carnaby Street.
8. Go on a daily African safari with Wild Earth
The Wild Earth YouTube channel is streaming live daily game drives from private game reserves on the edge of Kruger National Park. Unscripted and totally real, it's just like being there in the vehicle with them. Who knows what you'll see!
9. Take a scenic flight over Indonesia with the World Travel Guy
Soar over volcanic craters, unbelievable beaches and thundering waterfalls through the World Travel Guy's stunning drone footage!
10. Enjoy the sounds of Rocky Mountain National Park
If you've had enough screen time and you'd like to sit and day dream with your eyes closed, Rocky Mountain National Park has a beautiful recorded sound library of nature sounds found in the Colorado wilderness. Dozens of bird songs, elk, coyotes, frogs, and even natural soundscapes like thunderstorms, streams and dawn over the Big Meadows. Gorgeous!
Which of our 10 picks were your favourite? We'd love to hear below. And please leave a comment with any other virtual travel recommendations you have for us!