5 virtual tourist sites to visit from the comfort of your home

With many travellers going into self-isolation due to the covid-19, chilling at home with movies and popcorn just won’t cut it, especially after you just cancelled an international trip. 

Thanks to the world of virtual reality, you too can travel the world without leaving home. For those who love museums, I suggest you read on. Many museums can be explored from the comfort of your couch. 

Here, whether it is in Italy or Peru, you can wander its hallways by a click of a finger. 

Here are five we recommend: 

The Uffizi Gallery, Florence

As Italy isn’t the best place to visit at this time, and you probably won’t be allowed in the country, your next best chance to see the place is through a museum tour at Uffizi Gallery in Florence. 

According to its website, the gallery occupies the first and second floor in a building built in the late 1500s. The famed museum showcases ancient sculptures and paintings (from the Middle Ages to the age modern).

Start your tour here: 

Machu Picchu, Peru 

Machu Picchu is on literally everyone’s bucket list, but during this fragile time, seeing it on your digital screen is the safest option. Machu Picchu is an Incan citadel set high in the Andes Mountains in Peru, above the Urubamba River valley. It was built in the 15th century and was later abandoned. 

Today, travellers from all over the world visit this tourist spot to revel in its beauty and dry-stone walls.

Start your tour here: 

https://artsandculture.google.com/streetview/santuario-historico-de-machu-picchu-casa-de-los-nobles/aQFExMrHgP-cnQ?hl=en&sv_lng=-72.5449748168174&sv_lat=-13.16402863344787&sv_h=16.320218504257696&sv_p=-8.229773872578846&sv_pid=7Teak5G7DlGXB9DTZSjEEQ&sv_z=1.0183395907029336

Robben Island, Cape Town

Robben Island has been on the bucket list of many travellers visiting Cape Town for decades. People were exiled, isolated and banished there for nearly 400 years. Nelson Mandela was also imprisoned there. 

While you can’t travel there due to the covid-19 outbreak currently, you can wander through this historical gem during a virtual tour. 

Start your tour here: 

https://artsandculture.google.com/streetview/robben-island-prison-entrance/fAH3kzbBlTPzLQ?hl=en&sv_lng=18.37244213928079&sv_lat=-33.79996900336595&sv_h=229.08044672448025&sv_p=17.719957624460108&sv_pid=1-OBQYrcsPEAAAQpnTTrbA&sv_z=0.054031872943435366

Palace of Versailles, France

If your home's becoming a bit overwhelming, escape to the Palace of Versailles. This French attraction was once the royal residence of France from 1682 until 1789 under Louis XVI. It is located 20 kilometres southwest of the centre of Paris. 

Start your tour here: 

https://artsandculture.google.com/streetview/the-hall-of-mirrors/cwE5CwK49O0y5Q?hl=en&sv_lng=2.1204786&sv_lat=48.8051117&sv_h=201.68300730022585&sv_p=4.767800466453053&sv_pid=hNvuL7DMigMQkjP6BRku1A&sv_z=0.9999999999999997

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul 

According to The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art website, the Seoul attraction is designed to take advantage of the characteristics of the museum's architecture as well as offer geographic and historical context. 

Known as an eco-friendly art museum, travellers can expect digital information rooms, multi-purpose halls, and movie theatres.

Start the tour here:

  https://artsandculture.google.com/streetview/national-museum-of-modern-and-contemporary-art-korea/fQHn7MvGkiYbbQ?hl=en&sv_lng=127.0197983010958&sv_lat=37.43110056762217&sv_h=341.5018979199183&sv_p=-3.585901891025415&sv_pid=b7HtuQ1J0RUCWHERZhzGDQ&sv_z=1.0000000000000002

clinton.moodley@inl.co.za