14 Breathtaking Virtual Tours That Every Stuck-At-Home Traveller Can Immerse Themselves In

Because travelling via your laptop is as close as you're gonna get in lockdown.

To stop the spread of the coronavirus, right now it’s important to avoid nonessential travel and practice social distancing, as recommended by health authorities around the world. We hope you’ll find our content a joyful distraction that’s entertaining, inspiring, or worth bookmarking for a future trip.

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1. The Northern Lights, Canada

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Canada's Churchill isn't just famous for its abundance of polar bears. It's also one of the world's best places to catch the awe-inspiring phenomenon that is the Northern Lights. This live cam has been set up so that avid explorers can enjoy the lights from the comfort of their own homes.

2. Yosemite National Park, USA

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Google Earth just launched 31 virtual tours of national parks throughout the United States, which means you can live at ease through the eyes of a hiker — even though your bucket-list trip got cancelled. Well, at least these virtual tours will keep you occupied until you can travel again. Yosemite's tranquil waterfalls, iconic cliff faces and endless trails are just waiting to be explored.

3. Uluru, Australia

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Discover the serene beauty of one of the world's most unique landscapes. Australia's iconic heart and its surroundings can be discovered using 360-degree story spheres — audio and visuals included. Dim the lights, zone out, then plug in and it'll feel like you're actually there!

4. Everest Base Camp, Nepal

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Gallivant atop the world's tallest mountain — without ever lacing up your shoes. Technology's advancements these days, right? Google's brought you the goods again, via this totally immersive experience. So whack on the HD, sit back and use your imagination.

5. Glacier National Park, USA

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Did you have your heart set on exploring turquoise glacial lakes and rugged mountaintops for North America's summer season? Well, thanks to Google Earth, all this and more is available here at your fingertips. Or more accurately, your computer screen. Check out the Glacier National Park here.

6. Hancock Gorge, Australia

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This gorgeous nook tucked away in Western Australia's Karinjini National Park can be visited virtually. Walk around the swimming hole's edges — maybe even dip your feet into a cold bucket of water to set the scene from your living room?

7. Colorado River, USA

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Float down the rapids like Alexander Supertramp from Into The Wild. You won't even need to break your fear of water or high-adrenaline activities. You just need an internet connection and a high-def screen, and you're good to go.

8. Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

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Forget the hefty flight and price to conquer this gigantic mountain for now. You can stand atop one of the world's highest peaks without even breaking a sweat — panoramic views at your brow. The way it should be.

9. Windsor Castle, United Kingdom

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Stuck at home but still want to see how the Royal Family live? This high-definition virtual tour of Windsor Castle will become your home away from home — from a drawing room with a spectacular view, to an elegant banquet dining room

10. Umoona Opal Mine & Museum, Australia

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Take a plunge deep underground to an epic opal mine in the heart of Coober Pedy, South Australia. Here, you'll find a rustic underground dugout full of artefacts and framed history. The only thing you won't be able to get yourself is a souvenir, because well...you're at home watching a virtual tour.

11. Grand Canyon, USA

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This awe-inspiring canyon is one of the most popular places to visit in the world. It is pretty spectacular, with its rugged sprawling sandstone landscape, but you can also visit virtually from as little as a Google Earth search. It's never been so easy to visit all your favourite places in the world, right from your own home.

12. Mt. Elbrus, Russia

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These virtual tours taken from the huts atop of Mt. Elbrus will make you think you're actually sleeping on the mountain's peak. Traverse the patches of snow and peer out over the valleys of snow-capped mountains, all the while tucked up at home with your hand stuffed into an Allen's Party Mix bag. You'll be back atop the real mountains soon enough, but this virtual tour will more than suffice in the interim.

13. Fortescue Falls, Australia

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This gorgeous waterfall in Western Australia flows into a crystal-clear swimming hole perfect for taking a dip in. For those wanting to really set the scene, you could always get a blow-up pool going and then place yourself in the breathtaking scenery that is a virtual tour of these pristine falls.

14. And finally, the Eiffel Tower, France

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Be it a romantic date at home with your significant other, or just a stroll as an adventurous solo explorer, the Eiffel Tower — among many other famous monuments around the world — is now available to be virtually toured. Is it the next best thing to at least experience it somehow, even if it's not in IRL? I'll let you be the judge.

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Jay Fleckenstein / BuzzFeed