We live in an exciting age of unprecedented access to digital technology -- and with it, brand new ways of exploring the world around us. Now, we’re not saying it’s the same as seeing, say, the Mona Lisa or Christ the Redeemer in person. But some of the world’s most popular and remote destinations have libraries full of online images and videos, as well as 360-degree virtual tours that let you virtually explore galleries, museums, world wonders, and even national parks. Pretty cool, huh?
And the best part? You can do all of this exploring without ever leaving the comfort of your Big Fig Mattress *mind blown.*
You might be wondering why in the world these incredible destination spots would allow you to take part in such an amazing experience from the comfort of your home and that there’s gotta be a catch, right? And we don’t blame you for thinking this way -- traveling the world is definitely not cheap. But with the world adopting the “new norm” as we continue to fight COVID-19, the only way for most people to travel is virtually. If these destination hot-spots didn’t do something fast -- like offer virtual guided tours -- they were going to miss out on a lot of business.
So, take advantage while you can and travel the world all snug-as-a-bug from the comfort of your Big Fig. Here are the best virtual guided tours you can check out today:
Walking Tour of the City, Japan
Fans of Japan and all things ‘Japanese’ are sure to love this tour. It’s a three-minute 360-degree video taking you through some of the country’s most popular sights -- Nara Deer Park, Kyoto’s bamboo forest, and even a sumo exhibition.
Pro Tip: Order some tasty sushi to-go, plug in your headphones, and get cozy in bed to truly immerse yourself in the experience!
The Louvre
Have you ever been to the Louvre but couldn’t actually go into the Louvre due to the massive crowds? Well, now you can get an up-close and personal look at the Mona Lisa -- topping the list of the world’s top-searched virtual tours in Paris’s legendary museum. Dive deep into the beloved museum’s archives with detailed virtual tours on the Louvre's website.
Another option for museum fans? Google Arts and Culture did the unthinkable, teaming up with over 2,500 museums around the world to bring priceless art and experiences directly to your bedroom.
The Northern Lights
The aurora borealis is nothing short of a dazzling natural phenomenon caused by the Earth’s strong magnetic field interacting with electrically charged particles from the sun. The stunning lights are visible from countries at high northern latitudes, such as those of Russia, Scandinavia, Canada, Greenland, and Iceland.
The Norwegian Lights over Lapland project takes travelers on a five-minute journey through a series of 360-degree videos. This unique virtual trip begins in the Icehotel in Abisko national park, northern Sweden, heads into the wilderness on a beautiful reindeer sleigh, passing Lake Tornetrask and an Arctic Birch forest on the way to a comfy-cozy wooden Sami hut at the base of Mount Nuolja. Then, a series of time-lapse videos show the breathtakingly beautiful lights dancing overhead in vibrant streaks and arcs of rippling green.
We could tell you more about this remarkable virtual tour, but we suggest you just check it out for yourself. Pour yourself a cup of indulgent hot cocoa (or an Irish coffee -- we don’t judge), get comfy in your Big Fig and prepare to be amazed.
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is a breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site nestled between the Amazon Basin and the Andes. This grand complex of roughly 200 structures was thought to have been built during the height of the Inca Empire, which ended in the 1500s.
For all you Indiana Jones fans out there -- you don’t have to book a trip to Peru just to see this incredible sight. With an in-depth virtual tour offering 360-degree views of the stunning landscape and a helpful narrator sharing the history behind it, you will feel like you're really touring the grounds yourself!
The Great Wall of China
Walking along the Great Wall of China has been at the top of many “vacation goals” lists for centuries, long before hashtags were invented. Now, you can take a relaxing virtual hike in lieu of actually exerting physical effort.
This incredible virtual tour spans six and a half miles of the wall between Simatai and Jinshanling -- a stretch known for having some of the most quintessential views in all of China. Lots of handy and interesting educational material to accompany the view, too.
Petra, Jordan
Known worldwide as the rose-red city due to the rock color, Petra is Jordan’s beloved national treasure. Hailed by many people as a “must-see before you die,” the stunning ancient city draws in around 500,000 tourists each and every year.
The virtual tour follows a detailed route that starts at Bab Al Siq and ends at Al Dier, one of Petra’s largest monuments. Jaw-dropping 360-degree views and little audio nuggets of knowledge sprinkled along the unique journey makes this virtual tour truly immersive.
The Natural Wonders of Chile
Have you ever wanted to check out Chile? Well, now you can! Download Chile 360 -- a free app that will help you virtually explore the natural wonders of Chile, from the Torres del Paine to the Atacama Desert to Easter Island. The National Historical Museum of Chile is offering awesome virtual tours, as well.
And in very good news, you can enjoy the European Southern Observatory’s virtual tour of the famed astronomical observatory in Santiago. If you happen to have a virtual reality headset, there is a whole other world of experience open to you there, but for those of us doing it from our cell phones, trust us when we say the experience is still an unforgettable one. For soothing views of the brightly colored galaxy above, start with the La Silla virtual tour.
The Grand Canyon
At a whopping 277 miles in length, 18 miles across at its widest, and a maximum 1,857 meters deep, this vast Arizona landmark is grand in nature as well as name. Roughly 40 sedimentary layers are visible in its steep cliffs, with the oldest basement rocks formed around an unbelievable two billion years ago.
Hike the canyon’s Bright Angel Trail, one of the most popular long-distance routes in the national park, zig-zagging up from the crisp Colorado River to the south rim.
Hang Sơn Đoòng
For a truly unforgettable virtual tour, we suggest checking out Hang Sơn Đoòng -- the world’s largest cave found in central Vietnam’s Phong Nha-Ke Bang national park. This massive cave was first discovered thirty years ago by a local man named Ho Khanh, but it wasn’t until 2009 that it was explored by scientists.
Sơn Đoòng 360 is a project by National Geographic aiming to preserve the cave in digital form before it because subject to extensive tourism development. A trek heads through light-filled caverns, passing a seventy-meter-tall stalagmite called Hang of Dog and massive sinkhole jungles. Keep an eye out for members of the expedition crew, and be sure to take advantage of the high-definition images to really zoom into details of the cave’s geology, flora and fauna -- if you look hard enough!
Nasa
Calling all astronauts! You can now get the full experience of being in the Houston Space Center with an app that offers augmented reality. From the comfort of your Big Fig, you can also use the virtual gallery to get a unique 360-degree view of the galaxy.
Bottom Line
At the end of the day, no one enjoys spending all their days at home, but as the old saying goes, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” So turn that frown upside down and travel the world from your Big Fig mattress!
Sources:
Christ the Redeemer | History, Height, & Facts | Britannica
Stuck at Home? 11 Virtual Tours for Enjoying Japan - Things to Do | Japan Travel
Virtual Aurora Tours | Lights Over Lapland
UNESCO World Heritage Sites Virtual Tour | Smartours
Take a Virtual Hike on the Great Wall of China From the Comfort of Your Couch | Travel and Leisure
Street View Treks: Petra – Google Maps
READ What is Flora and Fauna: Importance and Various Examples | Conserve Energy Future
The Grand Canyon Virtual Tour | 360 Virtual Tour
Fly Through A Colossal Cave: Son Doong in 360° | National Geographic
