Never has our wanderlust felt so strong. Just as borders are closing, and planes are being grounded, so our desire to travel burns more wildly. In these times of lockdown, we can but dream of our next extravagant getaway.
For now, we’ll have to travel from within the comfort of our own homes. And these days, thanks to technology, that’s actually possible. With museums and art galleries shutting their doors in the wake of the current outbreak, many institutions have set up incredible virtual tours showing off the best of their buildings and collections. And the same goes for the bodies that look after landmarks, from Petra in Jordan to Machu Picchu in Peru.
Here are eight virtual tours of sights and attractions around the world that’ll make that dinky flat of yours seem much, much bigger.
Virtual tours of landmarks around the world
Great Wall of China
Explore some of the most photogenic sections of China’s most famous landmark on this virtual tour from The China Guide
Machu Picchu
It’s the gap yah attraction to beat all gap yah attractions. Drop by on this virtual tour from Google Arts & Culture.
Petra
Google’s Street View Treks offer immersive, behind-the-scenes tours of some of the world’s most elusive wonders. Our fave is Petra in Jordan.
Acropolis
Get clued up on some Hellenic history on this virtual tour-slash-guidebook.
Giant’s Causeway Virtual tour of the Giant’s Causeway
Game of Thrones fan? Take a trip to the rugged Northern Irish coast, where much of the series was filmed, and tour the striking basalt columns of the Giant’s Causeway.
Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is closed for the foreseeable. Check out the views from the top on this virtual tour.
Great Pyramid of Giza
Whack on some Frank Ocean on and get gawping. This bucket-list wonder is not quite, but almost, as striking online as it is in the flesh.
Palace of Versailles
Want to feel like a king? Take in the glitz and glamour of Louis XIV’s pad on this virtual tour from Google.
For more things to do at home in Abu Dhabi, click here. For things to do at home in Dubai, click here and for Sharjah, click here.
