At Home Adventure: Virtual Travel
/Despite having to put our travel plans on hold, there are still ways to feel connected to places we traveled to, places we’d like to visit one day, or even places we know nothing about. While it may not be the ideal way of traveling, many cities, organizations, hotels, and attractions have taken to live-streaming or sharing virtual tours to allow people to visit these places without having to leave their homes.
While we collectively think of creative ways to keep ourselves busy during this time of isolation, we also think there is beauty in taking a moment to sit back, inspire your wanderlust, and dream about far away places. You might not be checking off any places on your bucket list by traveling virtually, but you may be inspired to add a new place to your list — or at the very least, find some peace in having your mind distracted, even if only for a moment.
For us, the things we miss the most is the feeling of being connected, the pushing ourselves outside the day-to-day routine, learning a new way to see or interact with the world and then bringing it back into our lives at home changed by it. During our time practicing social distancing and staying home, we’ve leaned that we’re craving the wilds of nature and the impressive collections of many of the world’s most famed cities that we have longed to explore. As such, we’ve sought out and created a list of some of our new favorite virtual journeys and wanted to share both those that fed our need for nature and wildlife, and also cities and sites. Hope you enjoy them as much as we have!
Nature and Wildlife
For those who are able to get outside and explore their backyard but who miss the feeling of being in the mountains, within the wilds and on an adventure — these might just satiate some of your cravings, for now at least.
Everest Video Journey:
Lhotse .Sunrise
In 2001, ATC alum and friend, Erik Weihenmayer became the first blind man to summit Mt. Everest. Get inspired with a virtual tour of his historic 3-month expedition to the roof of the world — starting at Base Camp, through the Khumbu Icefall, up the Lhotse Face, into the South Col, and finally, to the summit!
Best if you’re looking for a true wild adventure.
Save for later if you’re looking for just a quick one (this is an hour to two experience).
Skip if you have any vertigo/queasy stomach as it’s a pretty intense experience — even from home!
To the Alps:
Meanwhile in Europe, you can get an immersive virtual experience of the Austrian Alps via an expansive network of informative self-navigating live webcams. We recommend starting at the 3,000m summit of popular ski and hiking destination Der Dachstein; check out the “stairway to nothingness” and Dachstein Ice Palace before exploring the views from other nearby webcams.
Best choice if you want an interactive self-guided tour, this is for you.
Think about skipping it if you want a complete overview.
Into the Wild:
For your nature fix, head to Explore.com for dozens of wildlife livestreams. If you’re interested in getting a glimpse of Africa’s “Big Five”, check out Tembe Elephant Park, home to the largest population of elephants in the country, to see these majestic animals in the wild, along with lions, leopards, rhinos and buffalo! If you’re more into birding, view the live footage of a bald eagle’s nest in Decorah, Iowa thanks to the Raptor Resource Project, a non-profit that works towards the preservation of falcons, eagles, ospreys, hawks, and owls.
Ideal if you want some zen nature and wildlife sounds or sites to keep you company in isolation.
Cities and Sites
For those who love to immerse themselves in new places — observing the sites, culture, and sounds of a city — this category will give you a taste of what makes different cities around the world unique.
Shibuya scramble crosswalk crowd
Touring Japan:
With the 2020 Olympics on hold, The Japan National Tourism Organization has done an incredible job at creating ways for people to still tour all of the sites and natural wonders of their country. Check out one of Tokyo’s most iconic spots in real-time, with this livestream of Shibuya Crossing — the busiest intersection on the planet. Or for the more relaxed side of Japan outside Tokyo, spend some time exploring the port city of Mochimune with an interactive 360-degree panoramic tour of the coastal town, showcasing views of Mt. Fuji and the vibrant waters.
The Shibuya Crossing livestream is best for an escape in the early morning or evening to catch some action before the city slows down for the night.
The Mochimune tour is a great for a quick mental escape to a beautiful coastal town.
Architecture & Arts in Amsterdam:
For a look at what’s happening in Amsterdam, there’s a live webcam in the heart of the city, Dam Square, that rotates to show off surrounding area. While the streets may not be as crowded as they normally are, the architecture and sculptures are still just as stunning as always. For more of the Netherlands, explore the Rijksmuseum’s world famous art from the Dutch Golden Age with their online exhibits.
For some distraction and pretty views, make sure to save the Dam Square live webcam.
The Rijksmuseum’s experiences are best for art and history buffs and make sure to save the link because more videos and exhibits are being added periodically!
Museums Around the World:
With museums and art galleries closing their doors, art lovers can take advantage of the museums all over the world who have taken to sharing their collections virtually, all free of charge. The Vatican Museums boast some of the richest art collections in the world and on their website you’ll find 360-degree tours of seven of their museums and videos showcasing some of their most famous wings and rooms, like the Sistine Chapel! Or head to the Lourve’s website to explore some of their awe-inspiring exhibits with a virtual tour.
Skip these virtual experiences if art isn’t your thing. If it is, save them for a time when you’re able to dive in and explore what exhibits and collections your most interested in learning more about.
Heading Down Under:
In the southern hemisphere, check out the Webcam Sydney for an all encompassing view of Sydney Harbour, featuring the iconic Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge set to the backdrop of the fantastic Sydney skyline. Though its doors are currently closed, the Sydney Opera House is operating an extensive digital program offering live streamed recordings, talks, and podcasts, as well as archival footage.
Webcam Sydney is a livestream that’s best in the early morning and evenings when the city is awake and active.
The Sydney Opera House’s digital program is best if you prefer a variety of options for your virtual travel experience.
