How To ‘Travel' the World During A Pandemic

by Louise Shannon

 

Wandershare infographics on pinterest give good indication
of what a country's best attractions are

With the approach of the summer holidays, there may be more than a few whose travel plans have evaporated in the face of COVID-19. I myself have had to cancel two trips abroad thanks to restrictions on international travel and health concerns. In light of this, I’ve joined the worldwide flock of travellers seeking an alternative to traditional holidays in foreign countries. Whilst the lockdown on the country has left even national tourism sectors closed off to the public, I’ve discovered that it is in fact possible to ‘travel’ around the world even from the comfort of my bedroom.

There’s a surprising number of options already in place that allow for ‘home holidays’, many of which have become increasingly popular under the world’s quarantine conditions. One of the best available activities are virtual tours of monumental buildings and sites across the continents. I was particularly amazed at how many famous attractions offer these online tours, with places ranging from the Louvre in Paris to Machu Picchu in Peru. If there was a certain location you were hoping to see this summer, it goes without saying that searching for an online tour may be idea. Other locations may offer a constant live stream of daily activities to appease tourists. This is especially popular with zoos, with many live streaming their animals on a regular basis. This is brilliant substitute for travelling to zoos and therefore would be an ideal alternative for children. In the event that you find yourself unsure of which global attractions to look to next, travel infographics on Pinterest can be a life saver. I’d recommend infographics from Wandershare, which give a general overview of travel information for hundreds of countries.

a great app to introduce you
to new languages

For those who were looking for a change of culture, there are various opportunities to be carried out from home. Tried within my family have been so-called ‘cuisine nights,’ where one is challenged to cook from different worldly cuisines each night. This can be built upon by adding various elements of culture into evening activities, such as listening to traditional music or attempting to learn a traditional dance. The only tools required for this are internet staples such as Google and YouTube. Other ways that you may wish to explore the world in more educational way may be to learn a new language using apps such as Duolingo or Memrise. Likewise there are numerous reading challenges where the goal is to read a famous book from a selection of different countries.

A more immersive experience may be available if you have access to a virtual reality headset. Websites and apps have plenty of free and paid virtual reality scenes from around the world that can provide a holiday simulation. Even without a virtual reality headset, YouTube has a range of virtual reality videos that can be enjoyed with only an iPad or phone, including tours of outer space and some of the largest rollercoasters in the world. This can be a perfect solution to seeing sights where there are more details to pick up.

Googling virtual tours will lead to lists of
international sights with online tours available

A major benefit of these ‘home holiday’ techniques is that many of these activities are highly affordable or often free of charge, allowing you to do as many activities as you wish. Whilst these virtual alternatives may never compare to the sensation of going abroad and experiencing a holiday, in the midst of a global pandemic they can act as an effective remedy to everyone’s cabin fever.