When can we start traveling again? Movement through the vaccination phases reminds me of being stuck on the 405 in Los Angeles during rush hour. I mean, by the time we finally get enough people vaccinated for this “new normal” to start resembling the old normal, we will have been in some form of quarantine or restricted livelihood for over a year!
If you’re like us, that could mean that you are either temporarily or permanently homeschooling your children. Obviously that comes with some big adjustments in how you live, work, and relax. What about vacation? Perhaps, that hasn’t even crossed your mind with all of the insanity. But leisure time is a vital necessity especially in a time like this. We need a way to let go of any stress or anxiety.
This used to be simple: take advantage of those vacation days and weekends. Get away from it all and revel in a new experience.
Well, you want to go to Disneyland? Sorry, it’s closed. Ok, what about taking that trip to Paris you always dreamed of? Oops, the French government has imposed broad restrictions on non-essential travel from many countries outside the European Union (including banning U.S. citizens). Fine, fine, what about New York City? That must be ok, especially if you’re already in the U.S. Sure…as long as you obtain a negative test within three days of arrival into New York, quarantine for 3 days, then obtain another negative test before you can go anywhere.
Sounds fun, right?
Now, add in kids! Should we even go there? If you have little ones running around the house, I’m sure you have a whole new interpretation of “cabin fever.” No longer are the days of those class trips to a theme park or museum. In many places, it is next to impossible to even go to a park due to restrictions and safety concerns.
I’m here to tell you that not all is lost. As the pandemic drags on, many industries are leaning on digital technology and unveiling virtual options for engagement. These range from exhilarating virtual races to relaxing footage of a beautiful coastline, and practically everything in between.
Let’s take a look at what is out there and see where we can go from the comfort of our own home.
3 Iconic Virtual Destinations
1. Jerusalem, Israel
Are you ready to take a trip to the Holy Land? Jerusalem is home to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The three largest monolithic religions each played a heavy hand in shaping the cultural landscape of Israel’s capital city. The center of much veneration and conflict, Jerusalem is the center of pilgrimage for all three religions and the city is an object of great devotion. The walled Old City continues to be segmented into its Armenian, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim quarters, adding to the diverse character of the city.
Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981, Jerusalem’s universal cultural value is almost indescribable. Whether you want to see The Temple Mount, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Dome of the Rock, or the Al-Aqsa mosque, we can all find unity in the breathtaking allure of this ancient city.
Here you can take a virtual tour of all Holy Land sites. In each pane, you can enjoy 360-degree views of still frame panoramic photos. You can toggle the website to fullscreen then sit back and relax as it will automatically scroll through. A cool feature to this tour is the ability to take still-shot photos of whatever you’re looking at and share them via email or on your favorite social media platform. This adds a whole new immersive quality to the experience.
2. Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China stretches over 21,196 km and is 2,300 years old. For those living in the United States, that length is enough to cover the 11,500-mi perimeter of the country with about 200 miles of stone wall left over for a rainy day! The “Long Wall” of Northern China was built as a defensive fortification to prevent invasion and protect Silk Road trade. It was built over the course of multiple dynasties out of stone, soil, and brick and measures 5-8 meters tall, where intact or restored.
Stunningly, about 30% of the wall has disappeared. This has been attributed to human damage and natural erosion. Currently, you can visit but restrictions are as follows:
1. What you will need to visit:
Green health code
Mask
Registration form for temporary residence (required by hotels)
2. If you come from areas with medium or high risk, you need to be quarantined for seven days.
Of course, travel from the United States is heavily restricted due to COVID-19.
The China Guide solves those problems with a marvelous virtual walking tour. Fourteen beautiful scenes display 360-degree vantage points from various spots along the wall. You will enjoy unimpeded access to some great views and can take in the picturesque scenery in solitude or with your loved ones.
Here is another resource that gives you bird’s eye views of 4 different sections. On some sections, you can click on information buttons to access interesting facts about the given area.
3. Machu Picchu, Cuzco, Peru
Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel located in southern Peru. It sits on a 2,430-meter tall mountain ridge in the Andes Mountains. The symbol of the Incan Empire was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and was named as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.
You Visit pulls out all the stops with a narrated interactive tour of this amazing site! Here (https://youvis.it/Gd487j) you can walk amidst the dazzling stone walls and emerald green hills without breaking a sweat. As you click through, you will learn interesting facts and be able to scroll around to see a 360-degree view of your surroundings. Don’t forget to “pet” the alpacas at the end of the tour.
Top 3 Virtual Museum Exhibits
1. The Vatican Museums, Vatican City
The Vatican, sometimes called the “Museum of Museums,” houses 54 museums on the grounds across the Tiber from Rome. These museums display extensive collections of art, archaeology, and ethno-anthropology gathered over the centuries. Many of the rooms hold great historical and artistic significance, as well. Just by the numbers alone, anyone could tell that this place has immense cultural significance - around 5 million people per year visit the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica sees twice that many!
As of the publishing date of this post, the Vatican Museums are reopened to the public after a three-month closure. While entry is allowed, mandatory online bookings, increased safety measures, and international travel restrictions remain in place making for quite the headache when planning a trip to the Vatican.
Well, you don’t need to worry about in-country quarantines or rapid COVID tests to visit the immaculate halls of the Vatican Museums when you take one of their 14 virtual tours. Much like Google Street View, the virtual tours allow you to “walk” through the galleries with the click of an arrow.
You can scroll around for 360-degree views and even zoom in to inspect the details of the art. With the high quality resolution, you’ll forget that you are looking at these beautiful works through a screen. Don’t forget to check out Michelangelo’s mastery in the Sistine Chapel.
2. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington D.C., U.S.A.
If you’re looking for a fun and educational field trip for the little ones at home, look no further. The National Museum of Natural History showcases their exhibits through a number of virtual tours. The quality of these tours is outstanding, providing a very real feel to the experience. Each room comes with 360-degree views that are quick-loading and responsive. You can zoom in enough to read the museum label. You can toggle on the museum map and rapidly move between floors and galleries.
The museum houses a collection of 145 million specimens and artifacts. Each of these are carefully researched and displayed to tell the grand story of the natural world at a specific moment in time. Beyond the virtual tours, the Smithsonian offers an amazing Webinar Series for active engagement and education from anywhere with an internet connection. The best part is they are free!
The Smithsonian Science How webinars are distance learning opportunities for children. They are thematically aligned with NMNH Digital School Programs to serve as extension activities in conjunction with core content. While optimized for students in Grades 3-5, the 45-minute long events are suitable for all.
Family Programs allow families to join museum educators as they walk through science skill-building activities, read various books, and explore museum collections. The NMNH even partners with other Smithsonian museums for interdisciplinary programs like their “Soar Together @ Air and Space Family Days: Exploring Other Worlds” with the National Air and Space Museum.
The After Hours Programs for Adults are events which give you access to scientists, filmmakers, authors, and innovators and allow you to meet others and explore various issues in science and culture. While geared toward adults, they are open to all ages.
At the time of publishing, the National Museum of Natural History remains closed to support the effort to contain the spread of COVID-19.
3. The Louvre Museum, Paris, France
Originally built as a fortress in 1190, the Louvre Museum was reconstructed to serve as a royal palace in the 16th century. The royal residence continued to grow throughout the years and ultimately became home to various art academies when Louis XIV moved the royal residence to Versailles. After the tumultuous events of the French Revolution, the National Assembly opened the Louvre as a museum in August 1793. Since then, the museum has undergone many changes including expansions, closures, and massive facelifts. It now displays more than 35,000 works at any given time, ranging from Egyptian antiques to 19th century paintings.
Of course, the most famous of these is Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa.”
Unfortunately, like many other museums worldwide, the Louvre has shuttered its doors in response to the pandemic. Luckily for us, there are many fun and entertaining ways to experience the myriad of art and artifacts housed in world’s largest art museum.
On the Louvre website, you can take any of 7 fascinating virtual tours through the grand galleries of the museum complex. While not as user friendly as the tours at the Vatican or Smithsonian, I still found the virtual journey rewarding while gazing up at the magnificent works of Delacroix and Rembrandt.
5 Great Destination Live Streams
Spending more time at home can bring about added frustrations, especially when searching for your work zen while surrounded by creature comforts and loved ones. Maybe, you just need some moments of peace and quiet while you gaze off at something. Well, grab your pajamas, get your camera ready, and say hello to live webcams!
1. Sydney, Australia
Peer out over Sydney Harbor, watch boats float by the Sydney Opera House, and catch cars inching along the Sydney Harbor Bridge in your trip to Australia’s capitol. Make sure you turn up the volume so you can listen to the seagulls!
2. Maldives
If you’re looking for something a little more remote, take a virtual reprieve to Maldives. You will be able to drink up the brilliant blue ocean and vivid green palm trees from the One&Only Reethi Rah resort.
3. Riga, Latvia
Baltic Live Cam goes beyond what its name implies. Here you can overlook the River Daugava and the splendid art nouveau architecture of the cable Vanšu Bridge in Riga, Latvia.
4. Mashad, Iran
Or, if you’re in the mood for something a bit more inland, maybe a panoramic view of the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashad will satisfy your eclectic desires. Here you can watch people mingle at the heart of Shiite Iran while studying the ornate architectural design of the world’s largest mosque.
5. Brazil
There is a plethora of options for live views of Brazil. From the Hercilio Luz Bridge in Florianópolis to Rio De Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer, grab a cup of coffee and start your morning off in South America. I preferred imagining myself basking in the sun with my drink of choice on Balneário Camboriú’s charming coastline.
The NExT Chapter
The human spirit is a remarkably resilient thing, and while these times may feel unprecedented, humanity has endured worse. John Green masterfully relates the horror of the Black Death in an episode of The Anthropocene Reviewed, during which he quotes Robert Frost, “The only way out is through.” Times are certainly much different from those in the 14th century, a fact readily apparent in this prolific digital age where virtual reality can bring us together in an instant.
It has been a pleasure researching these options for you, many of which I was completely unaware of until I looked for them. I hope they bring you some joy and that they launch you down many digital rabbit holes to find many more adventures. After writing this post, I realized it was FAR too long. Thankfully, my brilliant wife, Amanda, simply told me “Break it into two posts.”
Why didn’t I think of that? I guess that’s why I have her. She’s my guiding light of rationality and simple answers. :)
The list in this post is by no means all-inclusive, as many more amazing destinations were cut to avoid overabundance. As we all know, it seems the effects of COVID-19 are not going away any time soon. Even as some places begin to relax restrictions, travel is on the slow roll to recovery, so feel free to reach out to me with questions or requests for future posts on this subject.
Next time, I will focus our Virtual Vacation topic on National Parks and outdoor adventures. We will explore bear cams, geysers, volcanos, and more! I will also touch on various virtual activities like running races, theater shows, and snorkeling…wait, what?! Yes, even virtual snorkeling!
My new website will be published before the next post. So, starting February 12th, please head over to www.novelexcursion.com and join my mailing list for all NExT updates. In one final shameless plug, I am running a special on our Custom Route Novels thru February 28th.
For only $29.99, you can pick any city you want to walk, run, hike, or cycle in and I will build you 3 routes at the distance of your choosing. Each route will include key highlights and fun facts tailored to your interests. Your Route Novel will come in a ready-made PDF with active hyperlinks to routes and resources.
Think Big, Act Small.
Happy Travels!
-Michael
~Change the world one nameless stranger at a time.~
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