Destination: Isolation - Attractions around the World You Can Virtually Tour from Your Couch

Though these trying times would’ve been best cured through travel, it is responsible for us adventure-seekers to comply with travel restrictions that have been set in place. Soon, we’ll get the chance to hop on another plane towards our next destination, but for now, let’s daydream a little bit about our next adventure.

Thanks to the wonders of technology, you can virtually transport yourself to another city or country. You’ll be surprised to know that there are multiple platforms that offer a wide range of virtual tours of the world’s most exciting attractions - from Machu Picchu in Peru to the deep blue seas of the Caribbean. Keep reading for a list of places you can explore virtually below:

This iconic attraction in China spans across the country’s northern borders and stretches out to over 5,000 miles. With that said, you can only imagine how long it would take to actually complete the entire thing. Fortunately, TheChinaGuide offers a virtual tour of the landmark’s main sections including Badaling, Mutianyu, Jinshanling, Juyongguan, Gubeikou and Jiankou for you to discover. 

Trekking Machu Picchu is a dream for many, and it’s no wonder why. This ancient city of the Inca Empire is known for its sprawling views of lush green terraces and stone temples - all of which you can see and learn more about via AirPano’s 360 virtual tour! On AirPano, you can select specific sections within Machu Picchu that you want to explore ever further - from the House of Guardians to the Ruins of the Royal Palace - and get a 360 POV view to make you feel like you’re actually there!

Alternatively you can check out Vagabrother’s Machu Picchu 360 Tour video for an informative tour around the Lost City of Inca - two tour guides included!

The flamboyant and elaborate design of the Palace of Versailles is sure to transcend through your computer screens. As the former French royal residence, you can’t really expect any less grandeur - and from the French, no less! 

With Google Arts & Culture, you can access virtual tours of the palace grounds - from Marie Antoinette’s bedchambers, the Hall of Mirrors, and all 1,976 acres of the Garden of Versailles. In addition to these virtual tours, Google offers 3D models of the palace artefacts and painting tours as well!

Though you probably won’t get a glimpse of the pope on this virtual tour of the Vatican City, you will get a 360 virtual tour of the country’s museums and sacred quarters. The Musei Vaticani has put up a series of online tours through pre-recorded videos of the four Papal Basilicas and several museums within the city - including the Sistine Chapel. Thanks to the tour’s awesome features, you can spend your afternoon studying every detail and crevice of these religious landmarks without leaving your couch.

Of course, discovering the underwater world is best done in actual life, but leave it to National Geographic to offer you the next best thing. Together with marine wildlife photographer Brian Skerry, National Geographic takes viewers on an underwater adventure through the Caribbean waters of Buck Island Reef in a 360 video. 

In this 360 film, you’ll feel as if you’re floating over coral reefs and among marine life. For a split second, you might just forget that there’s a screen separating you from this underwater national park.

The Glow Worm Caves in New Zealand looks like something straight out of Avatar, no? This cave is home to a species of worms that glow a bright blue, illuminating the space into something out of this world. Teleport yourself to this magical location with National Geographic’s 360 virtual tour. Apart from a magical cruise down this natural spectacle, viewers are treated with fun facts for both an interactive and informative experience.

Take a virtual trip back in time and take a tour of Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia. This city is home to the largest religious monument in the world - Angkor Wat - and its 12th century ruins are a joy to explore, both virtually and in real life. You can virtually map out the ancient tombs, pagoda and bridges through this 360 virtual reality video series. Through the Virtual Angkor project, you can get a look into one of the world’s most celebrated architectural landscapes. 

Over 11% of Iceland’s land area is covered by over 250 recorded glaciers of various types. If glacier hopping is your idea of a winter getaway, there’s no better place than Iceland - and National Geographic can give you a in-depth 360 virtual tour of the nation’s glaciers.Viewers can enjoy a passenger’s seat next to geographer and glaciologist Dr. M. Jackson as you travel via air, boat, and jeep to Iceland’s rugged snow-capped scapes. The 360 POV tour will also get you to the top of these ice caps, offering a closer look into this natural phenomenon.

Thanks to AirPlano, you can take a virtual tour of India’s crown jewel: the Taj Mahal. Not only is this world renowned attraction visually stunning - from the mausoleum to its surrounding gardens - but it also tells a heartwarming tale that rightfully earns the title of the nation’s monument of love.

Journey to the past and explore the ancient city of Athens, Greece. With YouGoCulture, viewers can get an in-depth 360-degree look into The Acropolis, a city decorated with age-old structures that tell tales of one of the oldest civilizations in the world. The virtual tour allows viewers to get a close look into the structures that still stand in the Acropolis such as the Parthenon and Odeon of Herodes Atticus.

If your travel dreams point towards Italy, the Roman Colosseum lands at the top of ‘things you must do.’ While daydreaming about your trip to Italy, why not dig deep into the walls of the Colosseum through a virtual walking tour? Prowalk Tours on Youtube offers an hour-look walk through into one of the most iconic landmarks in the world. Put it in full-screen mode and you’ll feel like you’re there yourself!

If there’s one thing we need right, it’s definitely fresh air, sunlight, and a whole lot of nature. But for now, let’s marvel at the natural wonders of Yosemite National Park through VirtualYosemite, a platform that allows viewers to get a unique look into the best of the park. Apart from panoramic views (and not mention live sounds), VirtualYosemite offers viewers snippets of information they can read as they visit the major points of the park.

You can now watch your favourite animals in real time and see how they're doing here! You'll see zebras, penguins, lion cubs, giraffes.. and the list goes on. Enjoy watching these animals at home and see how they go about their busy lives in the Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and Werribee Open Range Zoo in Victoria, Australia.

Bonus tip: Watch the penguin livestream and see them get their health checks, get a pedicure every morning and swim in the pool every afternoon! Adorable!

For more virtual tours to enjoy from the comfort of your own home, check out Google Arts & Culture, AirPlano, and National Geographic's Youtube Page.

Looking for other things to do while in quarantine? Have a go at these other things to do and stay productive!