Stuck at Home? Here are Some Cool Ways to Travel
It doesn't matter where you are right now or how much money you have on-hand or in your bank accounts, being at home doesn't mean your dreams of travelling will stop. There are a lot of ways to see the world without actually leaving your home. You can live and enjoy the adventure of a lifetime from the comfort of your own home! All you need is a stable internet connection and some imagination.
As Saint Augustine once said:
The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.
Traveling is tough, but fortunately there are digital experiences that can resemble the traditional in-person experience. Virtual tourism can be a great way to explore new things, explore boredom or get inspired for your next vacation.
Traveling the world has never been so easy! Here are varieties of ways to virtually travel from home.
Virtual Zoos
There are plenty of animal attractions in our world's major cities. When you look at the data, you can clearly see that they attract a great number of tourists each year which is good for the economy of the area where the attraction is located, most especially in the midst of difficult times. With the increasing and growing zoos that are being posted on social media , it is easy to broadcast their animals, and give information to millions of people. With the virtual tour and virtual Zoos, you can now take your loved ones for zoos with you anywhere!
Many zoos offer live webcams to help you learn about the animals in great detail. These webcams can show you all the animals in their zoos, whether they're furry mammals, scaly reptiles or even underwater creatures.
Below are some animal sanctuaries that we recommend:
Australia: Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Now, you don't need to book a flight, spend huge amount of money, and book a room for how many days just to travel and see these beautiful animals, you just have to turn on your computer or your phone and have access to the internet to see them. With the help of the advanced technologies and internet, you can visit and experience the beauty of the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Queensland at the comfort of your home with its live webcams. There is a total of 12 koala webcams that offer different views of the sanctuary across different sections. The animal sanctuary has webcams for its other wild residents including various species of birds, dingoes, platypus and reptiles.
California’s San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo was established in 1916 and is one of the largest zoos in the United States. They boast of more than 3000 animals and hundreds of species of animals. They also provide a lot of fun things you can do on their website. The live cams from the zoo will let you see 12 different species with no hassle. You can now see all kinds of animals like baboons, penguins, polar bears, and giraffes online – even if you’re just inside the comfort of your home. The site provides a brief introduction for this animal in a fun and informative way.
Another Sanctuary in California: Monterey Bay Aquarium
Through your beautiful imagination, computer and internet, you can put yourselves right in the middle of your favorite sea life at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. They provide habitats for over 100 different species, including some that are only found here. The aquarium offers over 35,000 creatures to the public on their beautiful grounds. They have 10 cameras set up with different animals to choose from. There they are, penguins, sharks, sea otters and a whole lot more, all up close and personal right on your computer!
Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is a historic landmark in Washington, attracting over two million visitors every year. It is one of the most popular attractions in the country. The zoo is responsible for protecting over 2700 animals and at the website you can watch some of these live. The zoo can be observed and shown from four different perspectives. They have cameras for various animals including lions, elephants and pandas. If you haven’t seen a naked mole-rat, then, this is the best way to see one!
Google Maps Can Be Your Guide
Google Maps offers a range of different functions, all which you can explore and use for cheap price. From huge cities like Rome to the coasts of Australia, you can easily access and use Google Maps with no hassle. You just have to get in touch with your phone and have access to it.
Google Maps are accessible and friendly at all cost. You can just go onto your computer or download Google maps on your phone. You can use it in the following:
- A city
- A street
- A tourist spot
Then, just use the street view feature. Google Maps allows you to explore the map by viewing it as a pedestrian. It also provides directions on how to get there, real-time traffic information and reviews for local businesses. One more good thing about it is it gives suggestions of nearby restaurant or hotels where you can fulfill your cravings and find a place where you can stay in.
Streetview lets you explore places before you visit them, even if your destination is far away. You can also use it for inspiration and as a guide when you're planning your next travel adventure!
Go Back in History via Virtual Museums
What a great way to spend time while traveling - visit a museum! There are so many different cultures around the world, each with its own rich and unique history. A museum has the task and power of capturing this diversity and presenting it to you in an engaging way.
Museums also have adapted into the new trends of giving tours and experiences online. Architecture enthusiasts will be delighted with the extensive virtual museum freedom, which provides them with a way to check out all sorts of artwork. Here are some of the museums that we suggest you check out:
Italy’s Uffizi Gallery
The Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy is a popular museum that you must visit. You’ll find works of well-known artists like the following:
- Flippio Lippi
- Sandro Botticelli
- Fra Angelico
- Baccio Bandinelli
- Leonardo da Vinci
Via the virtual museum’s interactive tour, you can go to different floors and enter various rooms to see the wonderful artworks in the galleries in detail. You can learn a lot about the different artworks without even stepping foot inside the museum, by gliding through them virtually. Regardless of whether or not you go in real life, you can still experience being there virtually.
Korea: National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
This museum in South Korea has been around since 1969 and is full of information about the country's art, rich culture and history. VR tours are one of the most convenient and fun things you can do while visiting their interactive website. With your smartphone or tablet, you can visit the museum through an app. You will just have to download the app and there you have it, you will be able to see and experience the beauty of the museum.
France: The Louvre
In 2019, the Louvre had around 10 million visitors. But since most people are now in lockdowns, the best way to see and experience it is through the exhibits online. There are a lot of exhibits online that you could check out. Why not give it a try and enjoy the world's most popular museum from your living room without exerting much effort of booking a flight, traveling for days and leaving your home?
This museum offers varieties of tours. You can choose from the following:
- The Advent of the Artist
- Power Plays
- The Body in Movement
- Founding Myths: From Hercules to Darth Vader
Find More Options to Travel Online
Technology is all around us, making life easier than ever and accessible. With the advancement of technologies, a lot of things are now possible. There are plenty of uniquely virtual experiences out there that will let you explore faraway places for less than you think. No more expensive plane tickets - just check your phone!
Check if the tourist attraction you always wanted to visit has already built up an interactive audience online, e.g. with the official website, social media channels or blogs. Virtual tours make a great replacement for the real thing, but it does make you want to travel!
