How to Travel the World When You're Stuck at Home
UPDATED JANUARY 19, 2021
by Jenny Javitch, Founder of Global Game Plan
As people around the globe are practicing social distancing (or “physical distancing” as I like to call it), the opportunity to travel is being offered in unique ways. Even if you’re stuck inside, sitting on the couch in your living room, you can still explore the world through live webcams, virtual tours, television shows and films, offline travel activities, and international foods.
After reviewing multiple articles, blog posts, and recommendations, Global Game Plan is sharing this roundup of the best virtual tours and travel ideas from around the web. Happy Travels!
The Virtual Travel Short List
If you only have a few minutes then click on these links to do your own exploring. If you have more free time, read through to the end to extensively explore all the world has to offer.
Window Swap! Views from windows around the world (no downloads or sign up required)
Participate in online experiences and virtual travel tours led by people all over the world using Airbnb Experiences or any of these cool companies.
Send a postcard from your virtual travels with this easy-to-use website/smartphone app that will mail a hard copy postcard for you anywhere in the world!
Create your own Virtual Flat Stanley and travel around the globe.
Join the Polar Pen Pal program, where you will explore Inuit culture through exciting, educational monthly games and activities for kids ages 5-12.
Take your significant other to Paris, Ireland, Japan, or customize your own virtual date destination.
Plan some virtual happy hour games or a travel-themed birthday party on Zoom. You can even download this FREE Zoom Birthday Party Planning Checklist to help.
Destinations
Choose a destination below to experience some virtual tours around the world
U.S. National Parks
Ireland
Outer Space
Canadian Farm Tours
Minnesota
Chicago
The Beach!
Moscow
Paris
Philadelphia
Boston
Space Center Houston
Japan
St. Lucia
Hogwarts
United Kingdom
Chile
Pompeii
South Australia
Iceland
Disneyland
Israel
Great Wall of China
Choose Your City
Bristol, UK
Montreal
Zurich
Aruba
Vietnam
Dubai
*This resource was submitted by Evelyn, who is a fan of virtual travel!
Related: Looking for a travel-related Zoom background? Check out some popular travel destinations from Afar travel magazine (note: this article also includes tips on how to change your Zoom background), animated animal themes from G Adventures, nature pictures inside the National Parks, views from up above by United Airlines or beautiful spaces from Ikea or Airbnb.
Learn a language: For U.S. residents currently attending college or university in the States, the language learning app Babbel is offering a discounted language lessons. Or you can learn Korean on the new web series brought to you by the K-Pop group BTS. Also, French learners can sign up for video chats with lonely elderly people in France.
Say hello in different languages from all over the world
Drive & Listen: This is an amazing website where you can “drive” through the streets of 50 cities around the world and listen to local radio (after a few advertisements) or sounds of the street. Check it out - you won’t be disappointed.
Prefer to walk? Choose a virtual walking tour from Wind Walk Travel Videos.
Virtual field trips for Kids: Take one to Egypt or one to Mexico.
Follow the Music!
Take in a Broadway show as if you’re in New York City! BroadwayHD is offering a free 7 day trial so you can stream your favorite musicals online - and continue after that for a reasonable monthly fee.
Read Playbill.com to find out where you can watch 15 previously filmed live Broadways plays and musicals from Rent and Newsies to Sweeney Todd and Kiss Me, Kate.
Speaking of Broadway musicals, the Lion King is offering an at-home educational theater experience for kids ages 8-15.
For the dance lovers out there, here are 5 dances to try from around the world or you can tune in to #BareFeetLIVE Weekly Series (also available on replay) to watch musicians/dancers from all over the world. If you prefer to just sit back and enjoy you should watch this amazing Chorus Line in Quarantine.
Want to check out some opera? The Metropolitan Opera is providing nightly Met opera streams for your evening entertainment. The Sydney Opera House is offering a " unmissable full-length performances, live recordings and never-before-seen footage from the Opera House archives.
How about the listening to an orchestra or visiting a concert hall?
Munich’s Bavarian State Opera (free live streams for opera and ballet)
The Vienna State Opera (English subtitles may be available)
Detroit Symphony Orchestra (offering replays of several seasons and music by women composers)
If you’re more of a Shakespeare person, the Globe Theater in London has over 130 theater shows available for viewing (for a fee) on their streaming platform. Or you can listen to Patrick Stewart, renowned Shakespeare actor (but also known as Captain Picard and Professor X) read some Shakespearean sonnets.
In the mood for a new playlist? Check out these worldy options:
The Best Lonely Planet Spotify Playlists for Travelers Pining for the Road
Listen to local music as you ‘drive’ through your favorite city with this new app
Animals, Wildlife & Nature
Mentioned above on the “short list,” Explore.org is absolutely amazing, as it provides tons of live cameras to view, from a sheep barn in New York or a tropical reef aquarium in California to polar bears roaming outdoors in Canada and live footage from a bush lodge in South Africa.
These Zoo Live Cams Let You Hang Out With Pandas, Giraffes, and Other Adorable Animals All Day Long
If going on safari is topping your bucket list then you will love to watch Animals in Africa in their natural habitats or virtually go on an epic safari without getting off your couch.
Turn your computer into an underwater adventure by watching the fish and other animals swimming around on the Georgia Aquarium underwater cameras. If you’re a fan of manatees then you will enjoy these above ground and underwater manatee webcams.
Try some bird watching in the country of Colombia or watch a “coo cam” showcasing the cows of Scotland.
Follow the adventures of Rasta, the White Swiss Shepherd through many hikes in Switzerland.
Penguin Parade Livestream at sunset…enough said. The only catch is that it’s on Phillip Island Nature Parks in Australia so unless you’re up at 3 am in the Midwest USA, you won’t see it live. But never fear, they have some adorable (and educational) videos available on their Facebook page.
Get your daily dose of worldly nature education every weekday from 1-2 pm (mountain time) or you can watch the past recorded webinars.
Listen to the Sounds of the Forest, sounds in the U.S. National Parks with their 12-minute “ParkTracks” soundtrack or you can choose to hear individual animal noises from their sound library.
Relax and de-stress with videos of Planet Earth mountain sounds, oceanscapes or amazing nature scenery and relaxing music
Take a virtual walk on one of these trails around the world or watch the Aurora Borealis (northern lights) in this beautiful timelapse video.
Instead of scrolling through negativity on your phone, experience more happiness through your phone through the Iceland Tourist Board’s new “Joyscroll.”
Book some online visits with animals
Invite a goat to your next Zoom meeting courtesy of Sweet Farm Ambassadors (fee-based)
Long-term care facilities and hospitals can enjoy a virtual play date with a cute and cuddly pet through this awesome new program called Pets Together.
Museums, Hotels, Gardens & Historic Homes
Start off with 10 Iconic Museums You Can Tour Online and see the rest on Google Arts & Culture website and smartphone app (also mentioned on the virtual travel “short list” above because of its awesomeness).
The Smithsonian museum online is offering a digital digest on a variety of topics or you can take a long virtual tour of the Louvre in Paris.
Through the “Color Our Collections” initiative, museums all over the world are providing free printable coloring pages for adults.
This unique online art installation allows you to see these Irish hills beautifully illuminated.
Add a little humor to your art and you have these hilarious works of art that were created using household items.
Visit these 10 Historic Homes on a virtual tour - including Buckingham Palace!
Learn about the history of immigrant families living in New York apartments through the Tenement Museum’s live virtual tours or explore a 5,000 year-old Egyptian queen’s burial tomb.
Celebrate the start of spring with these 7 southern gardens and then walk through 5 more throughout the world. Experience some relaxation with this 20 minute video tour through England’s bluebell-covered forests.
Travel + Leisure wants you to check out a 3D tour of Canada’s Ice Hotel or the live streaming views from hotels around the world so you can feel like you’re on vacation.
Take advantage of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation’s Virtual Classroom which combines fun, real-world lessons with Wright’s famed principles of organic architecture and solutions-based design.
Travel Television, Film & Podcasts
Watch 10 Epic Films to Inspire You to Visit Africa or 11 Incredible LGBTQ Travel Movies
These international films for kids also include lesson plans!
The Smithsonian Channel is offering a free 7 day trial where you can watch their ‘Aerial America’ episodes or you can watch IMAX films on Hulu (they also have a free trial).
How about an organized list of the best foreign language television shows or the best travel films and TV shows to stream right now.
Travel through your screen by watching Rick Steves’ Europe, Planet Earth II, The Amazing Race or 10 travel shows on Netflix that offer a virtual escape.
Ever heard of “slow travel?” It’s just like it sounds…try it here with these popular videos.
If you’re a fan of travel podcasts then check out these recommendations by Nomadic Matt and Lonely Planet.
Experience the Best Harry Potter Virtual Tours And Experiences For Muggles Of All Ages
Related: Make it a Netflix Party and watch with a friend or your regular travel companions
Offline Travel-Themed Activities
Order a subscription to popular travel magazines such as AFAR, Travel + Leisure, or Condé Nast Traveler. To find discount magazine subscriptions for other areas of travel as well as food & wine, sports, health, animals, technology and many more categories, click here.
Try Camping at Home - 30+ Backyard & Indoor Camping Activities, Games and Recipes
The Children’s Museum of Manhattan is offering internationally-themed activities on “Our World Wednesdays,” among other daily engaging activities for kids. And you can sign up to receive these activity ideas via email.
Bored with your regular Legos? Try these Lego Kits of famous tourist attractions or these soothing crafts from around the world.
Read some exciting travel books for kids or start dreaming of your next adventure with the best new travel books recommended by Lonely Planet. Or find your next book through this website that will match a book with your preferred destination.
Ambassadors Recommend the One Book to Read Before Visiting Their Country
Get out the old crayons and to participate in the “Color Our Collections” initiative where museums from all over the world are providing free printable coloring book pages for adults.
Speaking of printables, Little Passports is offering them for free and there are some great coloring pages and fun activities for kids.
Use your brain power with 10 Travel-themed Puzzles That Are Perfect for Doing at Home
Order one of these 7 Travel-Themed Subscription Boxes to Satisfy Your Wanderlust or print off some around the world party games.
Join the Polar Pen Pal program, where you will explore Inuit culture through exciting, educational monthly games and activities for kids ages 5-12.
Practice calligraphy or meditation to help find your zen, brought to you by the Japanese brand Muji.
Related: What We Can Learn From Polar Explorers for Surviving Months of Isolation
Eat & Drink
Not leaving your home? These two subscription services will bring international flavors directly to you via monthly delivery.
Atlas Coffee Club
Each month you will receive freshly roasted coffee from a different country along with a colorful and informative postcard and coffee brewing tips. Click here to receive $10 off your first order after sign up.
Related: What you need to make 15 of the best coffee recipes from around the world
Universal Yums Box
A unique subscription box for the whole family to enjoy! International snacks, candy and trivia galore from a different country each month. After 4+ years of receiving this, my family still looks forward to the arrival of these tasty treats. Click here to see all your ordering options.
Want to try your hand at becoming a global chef or bartender? Follow these recipes to discover some Delicious Global Dishes or Signature Cocktails From Around the World That You Should Definitely Try at Home. Buy some of these craft spirits from around the world to have on hand around the house.
Cooking at home? Here are 10 Cookbooks to Satisfy Your Appetite for Travel, kid-friendly recipes for home cooking or you can visit Global Table Adventure to view 675 recipes from all over the world.
Missing your favorite treats from past trips? Check out Dollywood’s cinnamon bread or these famous recipes from Hilton Hotels, Disney, Ikea and Waffle House!
Ever wondered how the fancy chefs create food for the airlines? Well these Emirates chefs will teach you how to make their most popular in-flight dishes.
Planning a virtual happy hour online? Play these Cheers! Around the World or Wine & Cheese games to spice it up.
Just want to have some treats delivered to your home? Try a treat from Chicago, ice cream delivery options, alcohol delivery, or order food from your favorite iconic restaurants all over the U.S.
Related: Pick up some international culinary inspiration by watching: Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern or Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown
Remember Your Past Travels
Learn how to sanitize your travel gear!
Free online classes and resources that give you a deeper look at travel.
Create a photobook of your travel photos using Mixbook or Shutterfly.
Related: 27 Brilliant Ways to Actually Use Your Photos
The Next Chapter…
If you found this blog post helpful, please consider signing up for the Global Game Plan monthly newsletter (you will receive FREE local travel tips) or following us on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest.
When travel becomes possible again, Global Game Plan would love to help you plan your next vacation. It’s our job to make travel easier for you!
In the meantime, you can go on a virtual date around the world, shop for a new camera, send the traveler in your life a birthday gift or check out our travel gear and resources ideas to plan ahead for your next trip.
Related: 6 Places to Find Travel Ideas in Your Own State
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase.
This article is being updated with additional virtual travel ideas as they become available.