There’s nothing more exciting than travelling to a new country; the chance to immerse yourself in a different culture and soak up the sights, sounds and smells. Whether you just potter around Europe or visit far-flung destinations, travel broadens the mind and stimulates the soul.

Unfortunately, it's not always easy to get away for a break abroad, particularly in the current environment with costs being really high so it's simply not feasible for many to go overseas.

And of course, there may be times that other reasons stop you travelling, such as commitments at home. 

But did you know you can still experience everything that other countries have to offer - and you don’t even need to leave your armchair.

 

Go Sightseeing

This may seem almost impossible, but the advent of technology means you can now go see the world without having to budge an inch. If you want to take a look at the world that's waiting out there, Google Earth is a great place to start.

You can see even the most remote locations and sights without any of the hassle of transport. Hop between countries, and check out streets around the world. It's a wonderful alternative to actual travel. You can even use it to check out the areas of where hotels you might want to stay in the future are located.

Many other places also offer the facility to view online; UNESCO Heritage Sites are a great example. If you can't travel to India, you can now see the Taj Mahal in all its glory in an online virtual visiting experience. 

And UNESCO isn't the only provider; there are city guides, tourist sites and even attractions like zoos that offer a virtual trip. You may not be able to travel at the moment, but nothing is stopping you from experiencing some of the most beautiful places in the world from where you are right now.

There are also lots of webcams showing live streaming from some of the most popular tourist destinations around the world.

 

Prepare for the Future

If you are thinking about travelling again in the future, you could take this time to get yourself truly prepared. Rather than looking for people who speak English, you could learn a whole new language to experience the country in a more authentic way. 

There are now many different apps that you can get on your smartphone, which make learning accessible and fun. However, why not try something completely different that will help you learn the language and make you feel as if you're enjoying a glamorous night out?

There are also many “different cultured” online roulette games in languages which include Greek, German, Hindi, Turkish and more. 

 

Enjoy Theatrical Performances

The arts have been hit particularly hard by recent global events, with many theatres teetering on the brink of survival during the Covid pandemic. Forced to close their doors to the public for so long, many have taken a more creative approach to performances. 

If you can't travel to the opera house or the ballet you can enjoy virtual performances online. Buy tickets for a virtual concert or recital in the same way, you would usually, and enjoy a live and exclusive performance streamed into your home.

 

Virtual Museum Tours

It is now possible to view view millions of pieces of art online from some of the world's top museums and galleries. Places include New York’s MoMA, Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam DC’s National Gallery of Art and Chicago’s Art Institute. Some other world famous locations like The Louvre, The Vatican Museums, the Smithsonian Museums, British Museum and the Palace Museum in Beijing all offer virtual tours.

 

Discover National Parks

Always wanted to visit some of the top rated National Parks around the world? Well now you can, even without actually visiting in person. In the USA the Yellowstone National Park and Mount Rushmore offer virtual tours and Google has some incredible technology allowing you to see places around the world like the Kenai Fjords, Hawai'i Volcanos, Carlsbad Caverns, Bryce Canyon, and Dry Tortugas.

 

Theme Parks

An alternative but amazing experience for any thrill seekers out there. You can now enjoy some of the most popular rides at Disney World parks on YouTube with ‘interactive 360º videos’. Virtual Disney World 360º’s videos which allow you to view with a VR headset or, if using your phone, is highly recommended.

 

Virtual Tours

Booking a tour is an amazing way to see the world, and although this has been difficult since Covid-19, some operators have come up with genius ways to continue to let travellers get their hit of wanderlust. You can travel the world, without going anywhere with G Adventures, one of the world's best and most popular small group tour operator. Explore destinations like Peru and Costa Rica with a guide and feel like you are actually there.