Wanderlust Travel Magazine (UK)
Armchair travel
You can’t go out… but you can still explore. Here’s some ways the team have been keeping inspired, happy, sane and engaged during, you know,that...
The incredible virtual travel experiences, travel books, TV shows, films and podcasts that are allowing us to travel the whole world... without leaving the house
These virtual tours allow you to experience some of the world’s most fascinating destinations, and learn from its greatest museums…
1
The Palace of Versailles, France
With 2,300 rooms spread over 63,154 sq m, the 17th century Palace of Versailles has rightly been a World Heritage Site for more than 30 years. It’s around half an hour away from Paris by car, but now, a selection of virtual tours allow you to see the paintings, engravings and sculptures up close - and learn about their significance – from your sofa. en.chateauversailles.fr
2
Machu Picchu, Peru
A 360-degree virtual tour allows you to see Machu Picchu from every angle, showing you every detail of the nature-enveloped site, talking you through each stone building and explaining its importance as you go. You can even take a peek at the alpacas. www.youvisit.com/tour/machupicchu
3
The northern lights, Lapland
Whether you were planning a trip to see the Northern Lights that’s been
the thrill of standing on one of the viewing platforms and gazing down into the Devil’s Throat, and even under upside-down rainbows. airpano.com
5
The British Museum, London
London’s finest has a collection that spans over two million years, and is home to around eight million objects. Watch ancient Africa, China and the Americas come to life by taking one of the 50 tours on offer thanks to an impressively interactive virtual site. britishmuseum.withgoogle.com
6 Chile
With the Atacama Desert, the famous Torres Del Paine National Park, a salt flat, lunar-like landscapes and Patagonia’s giant glaciers – Chile is home to some of the most adventurous landscapes on Earth. The Chile 360 app allows you to trek through the desert, get up close to the wildlife, and even fly over to Chile’s remote Easter Island. apps.apple.com
7
The Vatican, Rome
This 360-degree virtual tour lets you marvel those famous ceilings for as long as you desire, without getting neck ache – the ability to zoom in and out means you can appreciate the full scale of art, narrowing in on particular details. Other parts of the Vatican you can explore virtually include the Pio Clementino Museum, Chiaramonti Museum and the Niccoline Chapel. www.museivaticani.va
8
Acropolis of Athens
It may be over 2,400 years old, but this ancient site still denotes power and importance: With a video showing the Acropolis from above and the view from the ground, this virtual tour is an interactive and informative way to experience Greece’s symbol of democracy. yougoculture.com
9
The Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
With sea lions and marine iguanas crowding the shores, sharks and whales hogging the waters and even penguins splashing in the shallows, the online Galápagos is no different from the real thing. Expect
360 degree encounters with the most popular of the island’s residents. google.com/maps
10
The Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
This virtual tour, allows you to virtually get on ground level and explore the site step by step. Walk yourself around and read more about each site as you pass it, stopping to take a closer look. You can access more in-depth information an each pyramid of your choosing, too. google.co.uk/maps
She’s one of our favourite tour guides, taking us everywhere from India to the Silk Road. Let Joanna lead you through the streets of Havana and discovering Hemingway’s favourite beach, before making her way over the Windward Passage to ancient mountain fortresses and voodoo ceremony in Haiti.
Where to watch it: ITV Player.