Your Ultimate Guide to Exploring the World Virtually in 2021

Australia continues to grapple with a Covid-19 outbreak spreading through multiple states despite lockdowns. The outbreak of the fast-moving Delta variant has forced authorities to put more than half of the country in lockdown, even as other parts of the world open up. As a result, different sectors of the economy are shutting down, with travel being one of the worst affected areas. 

With all the lockdowns, travel restrictions, and persistent waves of Covid-19, our ability to explore the world and its cultural riches has severely diminished. Until recently, New Zealand was one of the few destinations where Australians could travel without any restrictions. However, New Zealand authorities have now suspended quarantine-free travel from all Australian states and territories due to rising Covid-19 cases. 

Fortunately, even during these challenging times, we can still explore the world safely. One more reason to be thankful for all the new technology we have available to us. In 2021, technological innovations allow us to virtually travel to any part of the world from the comfort of our sofas. Here are some of the most enjoyable ways to explore the world virtually amid a pandemic. 

Watch Travel Shows

Watching travel shows is one of the most convenient ways to explore the world without leaving your lounge room. You don’t even need fancy virtual reality paraphernalia to satiate your wanderlust, so you don’t have to worry about all that. Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and other popular streaming platforms are full of travel shows where you can see the world from the comfort of your home. 

Whether you are into food, culture, or the great outdoors, there are options for you. We recommend using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to unlock content from other countries. A VPN helps encrypt your data and hide your IP address, allowing you to connect to a server in a different country and access more great content. Connecting to a US VPN server location, for instance, unlocks shows that are not available in Australia. 

Explore National Parks

Thanks to advancements in technology, you can now explore some of the most beautiful parks in the world. Experience these marvellous natural wonders and all their attractions virtually and in 3D with a bit of help from Google Earth. The United States is home to some of the best national parks in the world, and you can tour all of them with a click of a button.

The United States National Park Service has teamed up with Google Arts & Culture to make these iconic sights accessible to all. Explore the world-famous Yellowstone National Park through these amazing virtual tours. There are many other virtual national park tours you can take to satisfy your wanderlust. 

Virtual Museum Tours

Google Arts & Culture has partnered with over 2500 museums across the globe to provide art enthusiasts access during the pandemic. Armchair travellers now have a chance to take a peek inside some of the most famous museums in the world. If you love art, head over to the Google Arts platform and get a chance to marvel at extensive collections of art pieces at world-renowned museums. 

There are extensive tours of some of the most famous museums in the world, including Tate Modern in London and Uffizi Gallery in Florence. If you love fashion, explore New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art for online exhibits on designers such as Coco Chanel. Some museums also offer personalised tours of their premises on their websites, including the British Museum and The Louvre. 

Visit Cities across the World

Do you fancy a weekend trip to one of the famous European cities? You can explore your favourite cities and popular nature spots not just in Europe but all around the world. Major world capitals, including Washington DC, London, and Paris, are now offering immersive virtual tours of their popular spots, including landmarks, districts, and other attractions. 

For instance, Armchair tourists can explore cultural spots such as Opéra de Paris and Montmartre’s Sacré-Cœur Basilica in the French capital virtually. Sites such as Sites in 3D, 360 Cities, and AirPano provide access to images, videos, and 360° panoramas of major cities across the globe. Just pick a town and head over to any of these websites. 

Explore Famous Landmarks

Popular destinations across the globe are taking advantage of virtual reality technology to highlight their best attractions. These virtual experiences are made possible by Google Earth, and with a click of a button, you’re transported to some of the world’s most iconic landmarks virtually. See stunning UNESCO World Heritage sites up close.  

Virtual tours use panoramic images and 360° videos to give viewers a realistic view of the destination being presented. Explore any of these famous landmarks, from the pyramid of Giza to Machu Picchu in Peru and other stunning UNESCO World Heritage sites. These virtual tours are immersive and filled with captivating insights for all ages. 

Zoos and Aquariums

Global travel may be restricted for the moment, but you can still hang out with a furry friend if you are up for it. A virtual visit to the zoo is also an excellent experience for children. The Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland, for example, provides live footage of cute pandas from their enclosures for anyone to see. In the United States, why not check out the San Diego Zoo in California and Houston Zoo in Texas. 

Take the family with you and traverse the depths of the ocean, and chill out with fascinating members of the marine family, including dolphins, penguins, beluga whales, and turtles… Help blow their young minds by exploring all of marine life at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Oceanogràfic Aquarium in Valencia (Europe’s largest aquarium), and many others. 

With countries all over the world experiencing new bouts of the virus in various mutations, traveling has never been so unpredictable. However, technology offers hope and allows people access to virtual libraries and all types of tours, including museums, parks, and landmarks. All that from the comfort of your own home. Enjoy some family time with these ideas while staying healthy and safe.