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13 Ways to See the World from Home with Virtual Travel

May 9, 2020 | Travel Tips | 0 comments

So many people want to see the world. But, right now, that’s just not possible.

Well, at least not in person. But what if you could see major bucket list sites from the comfort of your home?

That’s where virtual travel comes in!

These 13 ways to see the world from home are just a few of many that will get your mind exploring, even if you can’t physically get on a plane and travel.

Give a few of these a try and satiate your wanderlust!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase any of the products or services from the links below, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and services I love!

1 // Tour the world’s most famous museums

Museums have so much to offer travelers, from a world-class educational experience to cultural context for the destination.

Many of the world’s most famous museums have gone the extra mile to provide yet another way to access them: virtual tours.

Check out the virtual offerings of these museums:

These seven museums have amazing offerings, and just scrape the surface of how many museums are offering virtual tours. Take advantage of these for inspo and add them to your must-visit list!

the Louvre museum, Paris
The Louvre museum in Paris is a great place to get inspo for a future trip to the City of Lights!

2 // Take a virtual stroll through U.S. National Parks

No one enjoys having to stay in when the weather is perfect and everything in them wants to be outside! Use these free virtual tours of U.S. National Parks and Monuments to see the States from your couch.

Sites available include:

  • Yellowstone National Park
  • Statue of Liberty National Monument
  • Channel Islands National Park
  • National Mall

You can find virtual experiences of these world-famous sites and more at this link.

Yellowstone National Park, U.S.
Even if you’re hundreds of miles from Yellowstone, you can still see it from home.

3 // Go on an Airbnb Online Experience

From an entrepreneurial perspective, Airbnb struck genius with its Online Experiences.

You can go on a virtual wine tasting with a sommelier, take a meditation class, a cooking class of cuisine all around the world, take fitness classes from Olympians, and so much more.

Seriously. It’ll make your head spin with how many options are available to you from the comfort of your own home.

Try your first Airbnb Online Experience!

four spoons with red, brown, orange, and black seasonings
Take a traditional cooking class on Airbnb Online Experiences and make amazing Indian food!

4 // See Switzerland by train

Switzerland has some of the most beautiful scenery the world has seen, and some of the best train routes to go along with it.

But, it’s no surprise that Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in the world to visit.

The Bernina Express is an iconic train ride that attracts visitors from all around the world who want to see Switzerland’s landscape. Starting in Switzerland, the train crosses the Italian-Swiss border and enters northern Italy.

You can see it here!

Bernina Express red train in the Swiss alps

5 // Get an astronaut’s view of Earth

Who doesn’t want to see outer space and the cosmos? For those of us that live in cities, it’s difficult enough to see a full night sky, much less all the stars that fill it.

Enter: Virtual reality.

In this National Geographic video, astronauts take us along for the ride into outer space and show us how Earth looks from above.

Not only is it mind-boggling, but it’s surreal.

You can find it on YouTube here.

view of Earth from space

6 // Lay on a beach in the Maldives

If the Maldives isn’t on your must-visit list, what rock are you living under?

The tiny islands in the Indian Ocean offer some of the most staggering beauty in the world. The photos alone are breathtaking, so one can only imagine what it’s truly like in-person.

Now, with the rise of virtual reality, experiences, and even virtual vacations, you can get an even better look at what the Maldives has to offer. What better way to see the world from home?

You can have this virtual vacation here!

beach in the Maldives

7 // Take a helicopter tour of Mt Everest

Mt Everest has claimed the lives of so many experienced climbers that most of the world will never ascend to its peak.

But, what if you could fly there without changing out of your pajamas?

Sure, ascending Mt Everest may still be out of reach. But, you can still experience some of what the view offers through a 360° video experience with a helicopter pilot.

Try out this experience on YouTube here!

Mountains in the Himilayas with a purple sky

8 // See Michelangelo’s masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel

As someone who’s been to the Sistine Chapel twice, I can say with confidence that it is absolutely unforgettable.

However, it’s also a pain to visit a sacred place when people are disrespectful.

That’s what makes a virtual tour of the Sistine Chapel even more appealing than just for entertainment purposes.

You can enjoy your very own private, quiet Sistine Chapel tour through the Vatican here!

P.s. If you enjoy your virtual experience so much that you must see it in person, then check out my favorite GetYourGuide tickets!

9 // Cross the Seven Wonders of the World off your (virtual) bucket list

One of the first exposures we have to travel is by learning the Seven Wonders of the World. Because of how expensive travel can be and the limited time many people have for vacations, visiting them isn’t necessarily possible.

Or, maybe you want to know whether or not it’s worth paying major money to fly halfway around the world and see them.

Each of the Seven Wonders offers a virtual experience, so you can feel fully immersed in the moment as a visitor in-person.

If the virtual tour leaves you wanting more, then it sounds like it’s time to plan a trip there!

You can have virtual experiences at:

Great Wall of China in autumn

10 // Plan future trips

One way to hold you over from traveling is to plan your next trip to see the world.

While many airlines are offering flexible cancellations, it is risky to book a future trip now. Why? Because airlines have the right to cancel itineraries and re-price them, and they can choose to only offer credits instead of refunds.

Since it may not be a good idea to purchase airfare right now, you can instead get inspiration for where you want to go next. Start planning, and start saving now if you are able.

If you want assistance in planning your future travels, contact me!

Eiffel Tower, Paris

11 // Read inspiring travel books

A good paperback book is the solo female traveler’s greatest companion. It feeds her brain, her heart, and her spirit all at once.

On top of all that, it feels less lonely when you’ve been traveling solo for a while if you have a book to keep you company.

And, when trying to see the world from home, a good book goes a long way.

Some travel-inspiring reads on my TBR list are:

You can find some of my favorite books on my Bookshop.org profile, too!

girl in blue coat looking at bookshelf in a book store

12 // Read your favorite travel blogs

Like the one you’re on right now. *Cough, cough*

#shamelessplug

In all seriousness, travel blogs are a gold mine of free information to inspire you to see the world, provide resources to help get you there, and advise you on what to do once you’re traveling.

Travel bloggers are true pros at what we do, from choosing the right destination, to documenting our journeys for educational and informational purposes.

If you’re needing inspiration to get you out of a slump, travel blogs are a great place to go and remember why we love travel so much in the first place.

girl standing on wooden boat with sea and mountains in background
I love sharing my experiences, just like I did in this post!

13 // Watch your favorite travel YouTube channels

YouTube vloggers are another great source of inspiration for your travel woes during quarantine and beyond.

My favorite travel YouTube channel is Kara and Nate. They’ve helped me learn so much about travel hacking, and their videos have added destinations to my bucket list.

Chances are, there’s a travel YouTube channel out there that speaks to you and will get you to explore more once traveling is safe and responsible again!

entry gates to Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Travel YouTube channels helped inspire me to visit Angkor in Cambodia!

. . .

These 13 virtual travel experiences allow us to see the world from home while we can’t go ourselves. Now that’s a good use of technology.

And, if you’re tired of screen time, pick up a paperback! The travel reads on this list are just a few that can get you started.

Which of these virtual travel experiences will you explore?

Pin this post and save it for later!

Mt Everest in background with text "13 ways to see the world from home with virtual travel"

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Hi, I'm Sarah

Girl on boat with turquoise water in background

Welcome to my oasis! I am a writer and budding entrepreneur with a love for caffeine, capital gains, and seeing the world. If I'm not writing, you can find me reading a good book, trying out a new vegan recipe, or adding to my coffee mug collection. My goal in life? To see every country in the world. Come along for the ride!

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