Need An Escape? My Favorite Virtual Vacations You Can Take From Home
Stay at home. Shelter in place. Quarantine. No matter what you call it, so many facets of life are currently at a standstill, especially anything related to travel. Fortunately, technology is changing our at-home experience and since we can’t leave to explore the world, the world is coming to us - an incredible gift since now more than ever we could all use an escape! From virtual tours of museums and national parks, to live streams of stunning hotel views and natural phenomenons, cooking classes and yoga on the beach, there’s something to satisfy every type of wanderlust. The list is growing daily and I have found the virtual travel experience inspiring to say the least! With so many options out there, I’ve sorted through hundreds and compiled my current favorite 15 for you. From an immersive trek through the ancient city of Petra to a Tuscan cooking class in an Italian villa, here are some great ways to take a virtual vacation from the comfort of your couch.
Tour The Palace Of Versailles - One of the most impressive virtual tours, Google Arts & Culture has curated a truly comprehensive collection from the Palace of Versailles — the famous home of Louis XIV. Not only can you enjoy a video tour of the palace itself, Google Arts & Culture has also rounded up some of the best artworks and artifacts in the palace, plus you can go inside the famous Hall of Mirrors and walk the extensive gardens.
Witness Cherry Blossoms Around The World - Hop on Google Earth and witness a hallmark of spring from home: blooming cherry trees. This virtual tour takes viewers on a journey throughout the most popular cherry blossoms locations, including Meguro River Cherry Blossoms Promenade in Tokyo, Japan; Square Jean XXIII in Paris, France; and Queen Elizabeth Park in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Escape To The Island Of Saint Lucia - Since you can’t hop on a plane to the tropics right now, the island of Saint Lucia has decided to come to you! The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority is inviting everyone on a virtual escape with its mini-series airing live every Tuesday and Thursday at 11am EST to discover the best this pristine rainforest island has to offer. From yoga and meditation at the Pitons, to making a tropical rum cocktail or a quick dance workout to the rhythm of Caribbean music, these 7 minute sessions will immerse you in the culture of Saint Lucia. Just follow along at @travelsaintlucia on Instagram.
Live Stream The Northern Lights - Since our plans to see the Northern Lights in person in Finland fell through, I was extra excited to discover this live stream! Get a glimpse of nature’s most amazing light show from the comfort of your couch. The camera is located at the Churchill Northern Lights Studies Center in Manitoba, Canada.
Watch The Monterey Bay Aquarium Jellyfish - From wonders in the heavens to the depths of the sea, there’s a live stream for just about everything, including jellyfish! For an oddly peaceful escape, tune into Monterey Bay Aquarium’s live stream of its translucent jellyfish pulsating and changing colors underwater.
Or Discover Gorillas In The Dominican Republic of Congo - If you find the jellyfish to be soothing, peek in on gorillas in the lush forest of the Dominican Republic of Congo. A live webcam in a corridor that connects the gorillas’ night quarters with the surrounding GRACE nature reserve shows the rescued primates grazing on vegetation, making nests for their slumber, and often taking long naps.
Journey Through One Of The Great Wonders Of The World: Petra, Jordan - Thanks to Google Maps’ virtual treks, you can immerse yourself in all the City of Stone has to offer. With a guided audio tour and 360 degree views, you truly feel like you’ve been transported to the ancient city of Petra, Jordan. Probably the most interesting virtual tour I’ve seen so far!
Take A Tuscan Cooking Class - Daydreaming of the day you can visit Italy again? Me too. In the meantime, enjoy the traditional flavors of Tuscany at home. In a series of videos on Instagram TV, villa turned hotel Il Salviatino’s executive chef, Silvia Grossi, teaches you how to cook recipes like gnocchi with sundried tomatoes and burrata, or homemade multigrain pici pasta. Follow along at @ilsalviatino on Instagram.
Take In The View of Lake Como - Craving more of Italy? Satisfy that craving by live streaming one of the country’s most stunning spots! Grand Hotel Tremezzo, set on the shores of Lake Como, has a camera streaming its iconic lake view with the rugged Grigne peaks and charming town of Bellagio in the distance. From someone who has been lucky enough to witness this exact view in person, trust me when I say it’s worth a tune-in!
Visit Yellowstone National Park - There are plenty of ways to virtually visit America’s first national park from the comfort of home. Tour Yellowstone through videos, photographs and interactive maps, and make sure to tune-in for the live stream of Old Faithful erupting!
Live From Big Sky Country With Paws Up - Being a Montana girl missing her home state, not only is Yellowstone making my list but so is tuning into Paws Up’s Instagram Live series. Montana’s ultimate luxury dude ranch is offering daily classes like “Cooking With Coals”, “Panty Apothecary”, “Fly Fishing Tips” and many, many more. Tune in every TUE-FRI at 5pm MT on Instagram at @theresortatpawsup.
Ride Horseback Through Bryce Canyon - There are plenty of national parks you can visit virtually, but for a unique experience, ride horseback through Bryce Canyon in Utah. Google also offers panoramic views of the park’s spectacular rock formations.
Explore The Royal Botanical Garden in Kews, England - Hoping to bring some springtime indoors? Explore the Kews Botanical Garden where you can walk through the desert to the tropics in a matter of minutes at the Princess of Wales Conservatory, or take a therapeutic behind-the-scenes tour of the glass Palm House.
Tour The Vatican - You don’t have to travel to Rome to visit the Vatican thanks to virtual tours of some of its most famous rooms, including the Sistine Chapel. And bonus, there’s no crowd!
Climb El Capitan - Seeking a little adrenaline? Google Maps has you covered with a 3,000 foot interactive climb up the nose of El Capitan - the most iconic rock climb on earth. Make 16 stops on your way to the top, hearing from top climbers and taking in the impressive view.
