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.
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.
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