11 Of The Best Virtual Travel Experiences For Self-Isolation

In the short-term, travel as we know it has changed. But, you can still keep the daydream alive…

The message around the world is clear, there should be no non-essential travel happening – both domestically and internationally.

With the global shutdown of borders and transit hubs, it is imperative – now more than ever – to stay indoors and continue to flatten the curve.

The good news is, you needn’t stop dreaming. In fact, now is a great time to reminisce about your favourite places and ignite the spark for your next adventure.

There are a few ways to do this: from virtual theme parks to online community groups, below are our picks for the best virtual travel experiences for self-isolation.

1. A virtual trip to Austria

Your dreams of recreating your favourite scenes from The Sound of Music may have been put on hold for 2020, but there are still ways to keep your Austrian fantasy alive.

Experience the rolling hills and mountain peaks of Austria through digital technology, with plenty of inspirational content to see you through isolation.

Additionally, if you’re craving a taste of Austrian cuisine, why not don your apron and recreate some regional specialities at home? On their virtual portal you can find some of the most delicious Austrian recipes to keep you busy.

2. Join Facebook groups with like-minded travellers

Facebook groups are a great facilitator for community, allowing you to connect with travellers whose feet are as itchy as your own during this uncertain time.

If you enjoy meeting new people, embracing a world of wanderlust and learning about new cultures, broaden your horizons in a virtual travel group. Below are some of our picks.

Travelling With Kids Worldwide

Perfect for: Parents who love to travel with their kids and share their experiences, tips and tricks with a community of like-minded people, ask questions and to be inspired to go on more adventures.

TravelFree group – cheap flights and more

Perfect for: Savvy travellers who like to save money and share hacks.

Girls LOVE Travel

Perfect for: Female-identifying adventurers keen to provide resources and empowerment to one another through online socialising and support.

Lonely Planet Travellers Group

Perfect for: All people to talk about their latest adventures, ask any travel questions and share top tips.

NOMADS – a life of alternate travel

Perfect for: Conscious travellers who prefer to live a low-impact, long-term, low-budget, mindful life on the road.

LGBTQ Travel

Perfect for: LGBTQI+ travellers to share travel tips, advice and maybe find a couch to crash on.

3. Explore Wellington in virtual reality

While New Zealand’s cool little capital is physically off limits, the city is helping ease the withdrawal pains with a range of virtual reality (VR) and 360-degree experiences featuring local businesses and attractions.

The Welltown VR game, which saw Wellington become the world’s first gamified virtual city, is made up of six short interactive travel experiences. You can shoot coffee at caffeine-deprived zombies, take an underwater dive in Wellington’s pristine harbour while dodging the curious whales, listen to birds in the native bushland, busk with a local band, stand beneath a Matariki starlit sky or help people take a leap off a diving platform on Wellington’s vibrant waterfront.

The platform is free to download from the Steam and Oculus VR stores.

There’s also an opportunity to go one step further. Welltown also includes an added section that connects you to experiences via 360-degree video. Sit front row at an All Blacks rugby test match or grab a special glimpse of a Weta Studio Tour at the Oscar-winning Weta Workshop.

And for those without a VR headset, selected 360 Wellington experiences can be enjoyed here.

4. Take a ride at Disneyland (sort of…)

There are still ways to visit the happiest place on Earth even if you can’t be there in the flesh.

Park-goers and fans have come together to post their ride-through videos and share their Disney experiences. Self-isolators can now browse hundreds of videos to get a taste of these rides online.

Get front row access to all the action at Disney World Florida, Disneyland California, Disneyland Tokyo, Shanghai Disneyland, Hong Kong Disneyland and Disneyland Paris without purchasing a Fast Pass or queuing in long lines.

Take a ride at Frozen Ever After, Star Wars, Peter Pans Flight, Mystic Manor and even the famous Splash Mountain.

Now anyone can visit the happiest place on earth

5. Visit the Seven Wonders from your living room

Machu Picchu, the Taj Mahal – these historical sites have long-frequented the bucket list of many travellers. But what if you could tick them all off in one single afternoon?

A list compiled by Uswitch has brought together seven free virtual tours, allowing you to experience the allure of these wonders, right from your armchair.

‘Walk’ along the Great Wall Of China, immerse yourself in the ancient city of Petra, skip the crowds at The Colosseum, marvel at Mexican Mayans at Chichen Itza, take a tour of the Taj Mahal, explore Machu Picchu and prepare for your jaw to drop when you see Christ the Redeemer.

Let each virtual tour build your anticipation for how it will feel when you can finally make the journey yourself.

Petra storm in jordan — Immerse yourself in the Ancient City of Petra, Jordan

6. Simulate life in Angkor Wat

Have you ever dreamed of stepping inside history, entering a snapshot of life in the past as it once was? Virtual Angkor allows you to do just that, with a program that brings the Cambodian metropolis of Angkor to life.

The ground-breaking collaboration between virtual history specialists, archaeologists and historians takes visitors inside this 3D world, and uses a simulation to ask questions about what underpinned this incredible city. Dr Tom Chandler, a Senior Lecturer at Monash University, has been working on the Visualising Angkor Project for more than 10 years.

The underlying visual architecture of the Virtual Angkor project enables you to look around the city as if you were standing in a particular spot at a particular time. Although best experienced with a Virtual Reality headset such as a Google Daydream, the videos can be moved around with a mouse or cursor, giving you some sense of how the city looked and a limited capacity to interact with the wider landscape. It really is incredible.

The reconstruction shows daily life around Angkor Wat

7. Spend a day in Jerusalem

A holy city for three religions, Jerusalem is one of the world’s foremost pilgrimage destinations.

Right now, Israel is granting access to an array of virtual tours for armchair travellers, including one that takes you around Jerusalem’s most famous sights.

Beautifully captured, this footage will take you on a voiceover tour of the city’s holiest places, with 360-degree functionality making it feel like you’re exploring in real time. The video is filled with colourful characters and panoramic views that will leave you moved, energised and swept up in this beautiful place.

8. Take a tour through world-class museums

Some of the most prestigious museums and galleries around the world are opening their doors to virtual visitors. Check out some of our picks below…

The Louvre, Paris

Like The Louvre needs any introduction?

Frida Kahlo Museum, Mexico City

Popularly known as ‘Casa Azul,’ or The Blue House – this cobalt sanctuary is the historic house and museum dedicated to the life and work of Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo.

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The Neon Museum, Las Vegas

A visit via the app will allow you to experience vintage Vegas through its iconic neon signs.

Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Chile

Explore the permanent collection of exhibitions at Chile’s National Museum of Fine Arts.

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York

This iconic online collection features more than 1,700 artworks from over 600 artists. This is a searchable database, so if there’s a particular piece you’d like to see you can search by name.

The Vatican Museum, Rome

The Vatican Museum website contains seven virtual tours, which includes a 360-degree view of the famous Sistine Chapel.

Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Winnipeg

The Canadian Museum for Human Rights has just posted two guided virtual tours for people who are homebound to explore the museum.

9. Take a Utah Film Tour online

You might be surprised to discover that some of your favourite movies and television series were filmed in Utah, including Forrest Gump, Thelma and Louise and Westworld – to name but a few!

The American state’s red canyons, monuments and remarkable natural beauty is the perfect backdrop for these iconic films.

Follow along on the map to make your way around the state’s set locations and make a date to have a filmed-in-Utah movie marathon featuring your favourites from the list below or make your own selection from the map.

–Independence Day (1996 film)
–Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
–Back to the Future Part III (1990)
–Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
–Con Air (1997)
–Forrest Gump (1994)

Forrest Gump’s famous pilgrimate to Utah

10. Spend time with the Scottish

Ever wanted to chat with some of Scotland’s most talented, knowledgeable and funniest characters? Well, now you can.

Thanks to luxury experience providers, Away From The Ordinary, anyone who enquires about booking a customised visit to Scotland in 2021 will have the chance to chat to a genuine local – who they are likely to meet during their actual visit.

This could be anyone from a local bartender, to a seasoned guide, or native artist, granting guests access to an already friendly contact once they land in town.

The ambassadors include:

-Lord Bruce, the lineal descendant of the legendary Robert the Bruce
-Award winning musician and bagpipe maker featured multiple times on the BBC, Malin Lewis
-Diana Gabaldon’s (writer of Outlander) Highland Guide, Hugh Allison
-Jenny & Verity – Private chef and Forager Team

The team are also working on other exciting ways to help people who are social distancing still experience a little piece of Scotland, including digital whisky tastings, and full Scottish recipes from fantastic local restaurants. Find out more here.

11. Explore Canada via podcast

Take an audio trip around Canada with Ashley and Mike, a couple of thirty-somethings who are hitting the pause button on everyday life to explore Canada and connect to what it means to be a Canadian.

You’ll encounter the aurora borealis in the Northwest Territories, the interesting people and fascinating wildlife of the Yukon, the food of Prince Edward Island, stories of the First Nation peoples of Canada and so much more.

Listen online here or find the podcast on Spotify, Apple and Google.

Why travellers are increasingly dreaming of a white Christmas – and the best places to experience one for yourself.

If the Euro summer has long been Australians’ defining holiday, the white Christmas may well be emerging as its frosty successor.

Booking data from APT Travel Group has revealed that Australians are planning long-haul travel further in advance and increasingly swapping summer at home for a white Christmas abroad.

Why more travellers are booking a white Christmas

tallinn winter — Find festive spirit in abundance in Tallinn, Estonia. (Credit: Unsplash/Dmitry Sumin)

Part of the shift is practical. With the Australian Government recently downgrading its travel warning for parts of the Middle East, travellers’ confidence in long-haul travel is returning as key transit hubs for Australians travelling to Europe reopen.

But accessibility alone isn’t the reason we’re seeing an incline in festive winter holiday bookings.

This year, Australia has experienced a particularly patchy start to the snow season, reminding travellers of how unpredictable winter has become and leading them to look overseas for their next wintry escape. At the same time, rising global temperatures are making reliable snowfall less certain across many parts of the world. Ironically, the rarer a classic white Christmas becomes, the more alluring it feels.

finland snow — Travellers are increasingly looking overseas for guaranteed snowy escapes. (Credit: Unsplash/Joni Kuusisto)

Behavioural psychologists have long observed what they call the ‘scarcity effect’: we tend to assign greater value and desirability to experiences that feel limited or increasingly out of reach. A white Christmas – once an annual tradition for many – has evolved into a bucket-list experience.

It’s also a novel antidote to the Australian festive season. Rather than scorching pavements and beachside barbecues, travellers want to experience the Christmas they’ve spent their whole lives watching in films: snow-dusted pines, chestnuts roasting over an open fire and streets glowing beneath tinsel garlands and fairy lights. Nostalgia sells, but even more so when we feel like it might not always be available to experience.

For decades, Australians have sought to escape winter in search of a European summer. Now, the pendulum is swinging the other way. Below are the top places to have yourself a very Merry Christmas in the snow.

The best places to have a white Christmas

Finland

best places for white christmas — Finland is one of the best destinations for a white Christmas. Credit: APT)

When you’re set on experiencing a blanket-white Christmas, your best bet is to go north. Thanks to its chilly temperatures and geographical proximity to the Arctic Circle (nearly one third of the country’s landmass lies within the Arctic region), travellers are guaranteed to see snow during Finland’s winter months. Plus, the possibility of witnessing the northern lights ribboning across the sky makes the experience all the more magical.

Tallinn, Estonia

tallinn old town — The city of Tallinn has a UNESCO-listed medieval town. (Credit: Unsplash/Ilya Orehov)

While places like Finland and Norway are coveted Christmas destinations, they certainly aren’t easy on the wallet. Estonia’s charming medieval capital of Tallinn is one of the best places to have a white Christmas on a budget, boasting Gothic spires, an intimate atmosphere and toasty market stalls selling everything from handicrafts to sugar-coated almonds. While snow over the Christmas period isn’t guaranteed these days, the country is further north and generally colder than Western European countries such as Germany and the Netherlands.

Canada

whistler christmas — Explore the Christmas lights of Whistler. (Credit: APT)

With its festive spirit, friendly locals and picturesque landscapes, Canada is a top contender for the best place for a white Christmas. Victoria in British Columbia has just about every Christmas tradition covered in one town: a main street of snow-frosted stores, a gingerbread competition, a visit to see the reindeer and horse-drawn trolley rides; while Alberta will see you embracing cosy holiday traditions with the spectacular Canadian Rockies as your backdrop.

If you can’t choose just one destination, the The Twelve Days of Christmas tour by APT includes Christmas in Banff, sleigh rides at Lake Louise, Vancouver’s Canyon Lights and the Canadian Rockies. “It’s a relaxed, accessible way to get a proper white Christmas, snow guaranteed rather than hoped for,” says Sarah Latimore, Head of Product at APT for Europe.

New York, USA

new york winter — Central Park dusted with snow is all but magical. (Credit: Unsplash/Caitlyn Wilson)

Yes, films have been romanticising Christmas in New York for decades, but there’s a reason: the cool shift transforms the grand metropolis into what feels like a cinematic village where families glide over ice skating rinks in Central Park, dazzling displays illuminate the streets and carollers sing outside cosy bars with crackling fireplaces.

Germany

Browse bountiful Christmas markets in Regensburg. (Credit: APT)

Germany does Christmas with all the trimmings, especially the Christmas markets; there are hundreds (if not thousands) to choose between in picture-postcard historical towns across the country. Dresden has one of the oldest markets in the country, while Regensburg offers four fairy-light festooned markets within its UNESCO-listed medieval old town.

London, UK

london snow — Cosy up in London for the winter. (Credit: Unsplash/Zhang Kaiyv)

London is a prime place to celebrate a white Christmas with little people: Hamleys alone is worth getting on a plane for! Not only do many hotels offer holiday packages for families, but the sight of latticed snowflakes drifting from the sky on a rugged-up stroll along the Thames is nothing short of enchanting.

Prague, Czech Republic

prague snow — Escape to the charming city of Prague. (Credit: Unsplash/Lukas Konvica)

Offering Gothic architecture, charming cobbled streets and spiced pastries in spades, Prague is among the best places to spend a white Christmas. Come Advent season, when a dusting of snow may cover its ancient castle, and the smell of roasting ham rises from the market stalls, it becomes utterly unforgettable.

Niseko, Japan

niskeo skiing — Hit the slopes for a Christmas spent skiing in Niseko. (Credit: Unsplash/Kristian Klausen)

You don’t need to fly all the way to Europe to enjoy a wintry Christmas abroad. On Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido, Niseko is a wonderland for travellers wishing to spend the Christmas season carving up the ski slopes. Promising festive events such as fireworks and giant illuminated trees, as well as plenty of the fluffy white stuff, this ski resort town doesn’t disappoint.

Is Europe or Canada better for a white Christmas?

Europe and Canada are the two most popular destinations among Australian travellers booking wintry Christmas escapes. But which is right for you? Sarah Latimore, Head of Product at APT for Europe, says the answer hinges on your travel interests and preferences.

“Europe suits travellers who want depth, variety and a bit of indulgence, moving through centuries old Christmas market traditions city by city,” Latimore says.

“Canada is for travellers chasing that classic, snow globe white Christmas. Think twinkling lights and decorations through Whistler and Banff, evenings by an open fire in a Fairmont hotel, and the kind of moments that define the season: dog sledding, sleigh rides, snow underfoot rather than sand.

“Neither is the ‘right’ choice universally; it comes down to matching the traveller. Someone chasing romance and heritage will lean Europe. Someone chasing a classic, white Christmas will lean Canada.”