If nothing else, being forced to stay home by the global Coronavirus Pandemic taught us just how much we value not staying home. We have learned the value of getting out, at a time when we cannot physically travel. But we’re crafty little humans. Armed with the right URLs, we can roam a world of virtual travel. When you can’t leave your house, you can be an Armchair Traveler!

Meet the Armchair Traveler

One of the great strengths of the internet is that it connects all corners of the world. It has become an indispensable tool in travel planning, from inspiration all the way to booking flights and lodging. It’s never been easier to keep up with current events, stay in touch with friends and, of course, shop!

The internet has become our window on the world. Thanks to the Coronavirus Pandemic of 2020, we’ve learned to turn that window into a doorway to virtual travel. In the comfort of our living rooms, a trip across the globe becomes a hop, skip, and a jump…without even leaving your favorite comfy armchair!

You can go anywhere!

The question is, where will you go?

We’ve curated a collection of virtual travel sites: web cams, galleries, and You Tube videos to answer that question. In fact, we’ve had so much fun exploring the world, we’re going to make this an ongoing project! We’ll continue to find and post virtual travel resources periodically, so be sure to check back every so often.

Dive beneath Caribbean waters, or deep into a natural history museum. Soar over New York City, or hike through Bryce Canyon National Park. No, it’s not the same as going there. It is, however, a great way to relive an adventure, or explore someplace new. You can soothe your urge to travel just a little, and stoke your wanderlust a whole lot.

[Tweet “Be an Armchair Traveler! Let’s sit right down & click our way around the world of Virtual Travel.”]

Virtual Travel Resources

Not all virtual travel is created equal, as you’ll quickly discover when perusing the resources below. We have tried to stay away from anything strictly commercial; anything that’s just meant to sell you a tour doesn’t make our cut. Likewise, just turning on your GoPro and posting your flight down a zip line on You Tube won’t make it either.

While we were most interested in immersive and long-form videos, we discovered a whole bunch of gorgeous, interesting, and just plain fun content! Some are only a minute or two long, but have such crystal clear water or beautiful mountains that they really take us away from the everyday. Isn’t that what we’re looking for? (The correct answer is “YES!”)

Some are not even videos! The few photo galleries we’ve included stand out in their beauty or unique features. 360-degree content – both photo and video – just blows our minds. It’s a video, but you can “move” around to see different angles and vantage points, and move through it at your own pace. Amazing stuff, this technology is.

The most interactive fun we’ve had is courtesy of Mother Nature, the National Park Service, and the genius minds at Google. That’s all we’re going to say about it, but you might want to start there.

How This Works

You’ve probably got the Armchair Traveler thing down already: Grab your laptop, get comfy in your armchair, and click yourself away.

Here’s where we come in. Think of the links below as galleries in a museum, each one organized by a theme or topic. For example, virtual cruises and activities would be found in “Cruise Life.” Click there, and a new page opens with a collection of links for you!

We will continue to add new links and galleries on a periodic basis.

Your Turn

We’d love to hear what you think about all of this Virtual Travel. Please share your comments below. We would also be very interested in any virtual experiences you’ve enjoyed, so we can add to the library!

If you enjoy these Virtual Travels, check back frequently for updates. Don’t forget to sign up for our emails to find out when new editions of the Armchair Traveler are posted.

Enough from us. We’ll let you pack your bags and sit right down to play Armchair Traveler. Bon Voyage!

Where will you go?

Armchair Traveler Galleries