The world is a big and beautiful place with so many amazing destinations. Unfortunately, not all of us have unlimited vacation time or an infinite budget to travel to every single place we want to. I ran out of vacation time at my job early on in the year so my travel plans were dampened for a few months. When situations like this happen, virtual travel is the answer. In this post, I’ve compiled a list of eleven amazing destinations around the world that you can explore completely online.
This post is also perfect if you’re looking for staycation ideas or if your trip got canceled. Either way, the virtual destinations I’ve listed below will make you feel like you’re actually there. Happy traveling!
In This Post:
Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is listed as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and you’ll see why after you visit it virtually. I personally think that it’s one of the most magnificent architectural pieces in the entire world.
I was actually lucky enough to see it in person a few months ago and it took my breath away. It’s a building that symbolizes love and you can definitely feel the love in the air when you’re there.
I had to do a classic pose at the Taj Mahal.
It was built by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, as a mausoleum for his wife, Mumtaz, who died during childbirth. The building is a token of his eternal love for his wife.
You can virtually explore this mausoleum here and jump to many different vantage points. The best part is that you don’t have to be surrounded by heaps of tourists either.
Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is also on the list of the New Seven Wonders of the World and it’s the longest man-made structure in the world. It has a total length of 21,196.18 km or 13,170.70 miles and it took 2,500 years to build it.
It was built as a defense mechanism to defend from invasions from some of the northern nomadic nations, and it symbolizes unity, braveness, and diligence. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not one huge wall. Rather, it’s comprised of several walls.
Fun fact — sticky rice was used to construct the wall. Apparently, it has cohesive properties and helped with the wall’s durability and strength.
Around 50 million people visit the Great Wall of China per year. Lucky for you, you don’t have to leave your comfortable couch to explore it.
The Great Pyramid of Giza
I know the pyramids are on everyone’s bucket list. I visited them for the first time a year ago and I walked away in complete in awe. It was surreal to see the pyramids firsthand. I remember learning about them in my history classes and wanting to visit for as long as I can remember.
It’s fun to virtually travel to the Pyramid of Giza.
It’s a huge mystery as to how the pyramids were built. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids. Also, it’s the oldest of all of the Seven Wonders of the World. Further, 2.5 million stone blocks had to be cut, moved, and positioned for its construction.
In all of my travels, the Great Pyramid of Giza is perhaps one of the most marvelous structures I’ve seen.
New York City
New York City is one of the most visited cities in the United States and it’s one of my favorites as well. I lived there for a few months and I miss it all the time.
New York City is filled with so much excitement and fun things to do. There’s never a dull moment to be had there. Every street is diverse. Further, it’s easy to get from Point A to B because of the subway system. The skyscrapers are stunning and there are so many sites to tour. I could go on and on about New York City, but I’ll stop myself here.
New York City
Sadly, you won’t be able to indulge in all the delicious food in New York City if you virtually travel there. However, you’ll be able to see Manhattan at night which is a very special view.
Stonehenge
Stonehenge is another world-famous monument and was built several hundred years ago. No one really knows the purpose of Stonehenge, but people speculate it was built for religious ceremonies. Another speculation is that it was built to study the movements of the Sun and Moon.
This prehistoric stone monument is near Wiltshire, England and attracts over a million visitors per year. Also, it’s comprised of two different kinds of stones
This virtual travel tour is interactive and provides a 360-degree view inside the monument. Be sure to zoom in on the carvings as well.
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Las Vegas
One of my favorite virtual travel tours on this list is Las Vegas. Las Vegas is another city in the States that is frequented by tourists for many reasons.
I’ve been several times and I go just to stay at the world-class hotels and indulge in all the yummy food. I could give you a hundred reasons as to why Sin City is amazing, but I’ll limit it to a few.
The Las Vegas Strip can be an overwhelming place especially if you don’t like to be surrounded by people. However, it’s one of the only places in the States where you can walk around with alcohol in your hand. Furthermore, Las Vegas is near some major tourist spots in the States like the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park.
Although you won’t have as much fun from your couch as you would in Vegas, this tour is still great. Make a cocktail and start exploring.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Get your dose of outdoor adventuring by virtually traveling to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Located 45 miles outside of Hilo, this park is home to two of the most active volcanos in the entire world — Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.
In addition, the park also has 150 miles of hiking trails through volcanic craters and rainforests. Lastly, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
I’m not much of an outdoorsy person so a virtual tour of this park is my definition of travel perfection. You can tour the park here through Google Arts & Culture.
The Colosseum
You haven’t quenched your wanderlust through virtual travel yet? No worries — I got you covered. Head on over to the Colosseum in Rome next.
The Colosseum in Rome
It’s the largest amphitheater in the world and could seat approximately 80,000 visitors who came to watch sporting events and games. Also, we were told when we visited that all of the events that were held in the Colosseum were free. Further, there are 80 entrances and exits. Lastly, it’s also one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Believe me when I say that it’s an incredible feeling when you’re walking around in Rome and you run into it. Cook your favorite pasta dish or order in some Italian food while you take this virtual tour. You’ll feel like you’re in Rome.
Angel Falls
Angel Falls is at the top of my bucket list. If you’re not familiar with this impressive natural wonder, it’s the world’s highest and uninterrupted waterfall. It’s located in Canaima National Park in Venezuela not too far from the borders of Brazil and Guyana.
It’s ten times taller than Iguazu Falls and it was discovered by mistake after an aviator crashed his plane there. The water drops 3,212 feet or 979 meters and is 500 feet or 150 meters wide at the base. The only word that comes to mind after typing the last sentence is “wow.”
This virtual travel tour makes me want to pack my bags and head straight here. I’ll mark this off of my bucket list one day.
The Maldives
This is another amazing destination in the world that’s on everyone’s bucket list. I can fully attest that the Maldives live up to the hypes. This is the dreamiest vacation I’ve been on. It was quite painful leaving my overwater bungalow, but I’m plotting my return.
The Maldives are so dreamy.
The Maldives are known for their gorgeous beaches and abundance of marine life. I went snorkeling every day that I was there and saw so many beautiful fish. Evidently, the Maldives has over 2000 species of fish and among those are blacktip reef sharks. A few of them actually swam between my legs. It was very exciting.
The virtual travel tour that I’ve linked for the Maldives will make you feel like you’re snorkeling with marine life. I recommend watching this one on a big screen because it’s amazing.
St. Moritz
I took you on a virtual travel tour somewhere warm and tropical. Now, I’m taking you to somewhere cold and still beautiful. We’re headed to St. Moritz in Switzerland.
St. Moritz is a luxury resort town. The Winter Olympics have been held here twice. The restaurants here are also world-class and the summer months are lovely here too.
St. Moritz is pretty even in the summer.
I spent one night in this uppity resort town because I couldn’t afford to spend more than one night here. In case you didn’t know, a trip to Switzerland comes with a heavy price tag. However, it is my goal to return here for Christmas one year. For those of you who are strapped budget-wise like I am, taking a virtual tour of St. Moritz is perfect.
I hope you found this list of eleven amazing destinations to virtually travel to helpful. Which one of these destinations are you most looking forward to visiting virtually? Let me know in the comments below.
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Disha Smith is the founder of Disha Discovers. She quit her job in 2017 to travel the world to explore new cultures and experience new adventures. She has since been to 95+ countries and counting and has lived in South Africa, Thailand, Croatia, and Australia. She has done all kinds of travel ranging from luxury to budget backpacking, and her mission is to inspire others to discover their own sense of adventure and to help them plan a life full of meaningful experiences through travel.
Katie
Saturday 18th of April 2020
I love that you can tour these places virtually - the Great Wall of China is particularly interesting to me, I would love to see it in person one day once we are allowed to travel again
Disha Smith
Saturday 25th of April 2020
Same here, Katie!
menty
Sunday 12th of April 2020
Interesting, thanks for sharing
Jenny Bhatia
Saturday 11th of April 2020
I loved reading this, Disha, all of these places are on my bucket list (except the US ones, been to those). Beautiful choices. I hope you are safe. And thank you for continuing to help me travel virtually. We will go again some day.
Disha Smith
Saturday 11th of April 2020
Thank you so much for reading, Jenny! I hope you're staying safe, also.
Meghan Emcee
Saturday 11th of April 2020
I love this list! I'm so sad that I had to cancel my travel plans for the summer but hopefully, these will help satisfy my travel bug for a bit! Thanks for sharing!
Disha Smith
Saturday 11th of April 2020
Aww canceling travel plans is never fun. Thanks for reading, Meghan!
Annick Lenoir-Peek
Saturday 11th of April 2020
I never would have guessed that so many of these magnificent places had virtual ways to be seen. It doesn't replace going there (I'm so jealous of your trips!) but at least gives us a taste of these sights.
Disha Smith
Saturday 11th of April 2020
I can't believe you can visit the Maldives virtually. Thanks for reading, Annick!