With travel off the cards for the immediate future, travellers are turning to the digital world for inspiration. Whether it’s inspiration for that first post-quarantine trip, or you’re just ticking destinations off your virtual bucket list, these are the virtual tours and experiences keeping us dreaming of travel right now.
Alaska
Explore Fairbanks, the tourism board for Fairbanks, Alaska has created 360-degree video tours of a host of experiences to take grounded travellers on a bucket list virtual vacation. Witness the incredible phenomena of chasing the Northern Lights, experience the Midnight Sun on Murphy Dome or snuggle up in a basket and head out on a thrilling dog sledding ride through the snow-capped forest.
Azerbaijan
How about embarking on a virtual journey to Azerbaijan, a country with a real historical treasure-trove of monuments, sights and points of interest that would delight any history buff or avid explorer? There’s endless parts of this historical country to explore through the official information and tour site. With your track pad or mouse in hand, start in the capital city of Baku, home to World Heritage Site Icherisheher, the “Old City”, surrounded by fortress walls and located on a small hill with narrow lanes running through it. You won’t want to miss out on a closer examination of and reading about Shirvanshahs’ Palace, dating back to the 12th century, once home to the Shirvan governors and a fascinating showcase of medieval Islamic architecture. Also not to be missed is the Maiden Tower, overlooking the Caspian Sea at the edge of Icherisheher.
ith travel off the cards for the immediate future, travellers are turning to the digital world for inspiration. Whether it’s inspiration for that first post-quarantine trip, or you’re just ticking destinations off your virtual bucket list, these are the virtual tours and experiences keeping us dreaming of travel right now.
Alaska
Explore Fairbanks, the tourism board for Fairbanks, Alaska has created 360-degree video tours of a host of experiences to take grounded travellers on a bucket list virtual vacation. Witness the incredible phenomena of chasing the Northern Lights, experience the Midnight Sun on Murphy Dome or snuggle up in a basket and head out on a thrilling dog sledding ride through the snow-capped forest.
Azerbaijan
How about embarking on a virtual journey to Azerbaijan, a country with a real historical treasure-trove of monuments, sights and points of interest that would delight any history buff or avid explorer? There’s endless parts of this historical country to explore through the official information and tour site. With your track pad or mouse in hand, start in the capital city of Baku, home to World Heritage Site Icherisheher, the “Old City”, surrounded by fortress walls and located on a small hill with narrow lanes running through it. You won’t want to miss out on a closer examination of and reading about Shirvanshahs’ Palace, dating back to the 12th century, once home to the Shirvan governors and a fascinating showcase of medieval Islamic architecture. Also not to be missed is the Maiden Tower, overlooking the Caspian Sea at the edge of Icherisheher.
Ireland
Ireland is a place filled with rich history and endless natural beauty, thanks to its fairytale-like castles, breathtaking views and vast scenery straight out of a storybook. And while a trip might not be possible in the current climate, grounded travellers can experience Ireland from the comfort of their homes thanks to 360-degree panoramas and virtual tours, all designed to ignite your wanderlust and keep your travel itch satisfied. Kickstart your virtual tour of Ireland in Belfast, marvelling at the rolling hills, sandy beaches and grassy parklands, take a walk on the wild side at Gobbins Cliff Path, dubbed the most dramatic walk in Europe or live out your regal dreams with a virtual tour of one of the country’s many castles.
Japan
Ticking off the best of Japan’s tourist sights might normally take travellers days, but you can enjoy the highlights from home in a three-minute video thanks to this 360-degree VR movie from the Japan National Tourism Organization. Sushi making, sumo wrestling and bamboo forests can all be ticked off in one sitting.
Monaco
Monaco has been the glitzy backdrop of many a movie, from James Bond flick GoldenEye to more recently Iron Man 2 and Grace Of Monaco (in which Nicole Kidman plays the role of the iconic Grace Kelly, who became Princess of Monaco). Now the city is starring in its own made-for-screen project. The Visit Monaco team has put together an extensive online travel experience called Monaco 360, through which you can virtually visit the Principality from the safety of your home and experience it in 360 degrees while learning more about the destination.
South Africa
While we can’t go on safari right now, a virtual safari is one of the best ways to enjoy close-up animal experiences from home. This one, from Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s largest animal reserves, allows you to get up close with Rhino, Giraffe and Impala.
Source: Conde Nast Traveller