There’s nothing like hitting the open road. Not only does travel put us closer to some of our favorite cities and experiences, but it also gives us a sense of freedom. Some people might even spend months or years crafting their perfect trip, then bringing it into reality.
Unfortunately, travel doesn’t come cheap. Even a modest trip can set you back thousands, which means that many people are now seeking out alternatives to travel. While it might sound a little difficult to replicate the magic of a domestic or international trip, it’s not totally out of the question.
In fact, technology has made it possible for remote travelers to visit some of the world’s most stunning and well-known landmarks, museums, and more. Interested in a bit of light travel? You won’t even need to leave your couch to check out the places listed below. Let’s dive in.
Virtual Casinos
For years, casino fans have been using virtual platforms to play their favorite titles, from slots to blackjack. One of the most popular titles that players can use casino bonuses in the US towards are live dealer titles. On the PokerStars Casino platform, for example, users can choose between dozens of options for live roulette games. Using live video links, players interact with real-life dealers, which offers a highly impressive and immersive experience. You’ll feel like you’re on the casino floor with each spin of the wheel.
Museum Tours
Roulette wheels aside, most virtual travel options are focused on museums and similar tourist destinations. In fact, dozens of high-profile museums around the world now offer free virtual tours straight from their websites. By far the most popular is Paris’s Le Louvre, which takes you into the world’s most famous exhibitions. If Le Louvre isn’t your thing, check out the British Museum, Musée d’Orsay, or even The Vatican—all of which offer high-quality virtual tours.
Aquariums & Zoos
If perusing famous paintings and Renaissance projects isn’t your thing, then have no fear—you can also explore beautiful aquatic and terrestrial worlds full of thriving life. Certain aquariums and zoos offer virtual tours and even live feeds so that you can watch their animals and fish do their thing.
The US’s Georgia Aquarium is very popular with virtual tourists, along with the San Diego Zoo and the Atlanta Zoo. As a caveat to this topic, places like SeaWorld and even Disney World have also started offering partial tours of their grounds.
Stunning Landmarks
So far, we’ve covered some of the most culturally significant places that tourists like to visit, from casinos to aquariums. But these locations are easier to package for virtual travelers—which isn’t the case for historical, ecological, and cultural landmarks. After all, how could someone take a tour of a place like Machu Picchu from home?
If you’re a more rugged adventurer, you’ll be happy to hear that there are some great minds who have succeeded in capturing the beauty of remote places. That means you can absolutely visit Machu Picchu from the comfort of your home—along with other hot spots like the Great Wall of China, the Athens Acropolis, and the (less adventurous) Eiffel Tower.
City Tours
With so many diverse tours available, it shouldn’t come as a shock that some cities are looking to entice tourists with short and sweet virtual tours. Currently, one of the most popular micro-tours is in Tokyo.
The sprawling urban landscape is incredibly difficult to navigate for travelers, which makes the three-minute city-wide adventure guided by the Japan National Tourist Organization. Other favorites include Singapore, Krakow, Barcelona, and Havana.
Outer Space
Let’s round off our list with an emerging virtual tour category: space adventures. At the moment, space organizations around the world are looking to offer a more transparent look into operations. To both delight and educate earthlings, there are programs like Google & NASA’s Access Mars experience, along with the European Space Agency’s tour of the ISS.
By Amey MyersAmey, an intrepid traveler and avid blogger, roams the world, absorbing diverse cultures, flavors, and experiences. Her writing captures the essence of her adventures, inspiring others to explore. Amey's infectious passion for travel and storytelling epitomizes a life filled with exploration and adventure.
