The effects of the COVID-19 outbreak have drastically changed our lives. One of the many things that affected this pandemic is the tourism economy. A lot of airlines and travel agencies suffered immense losses as the world tries to recover from the impact of COVID-19 and people are advised to stay at home.

According to Google Keyword Planner data, the searches for the keyword “virtual tour” increased 7x to almost 10,000 in March when the governments announced lockdown in different parts of the world. Perhaps this is due to numerous canceled trips especially the international flights. Though we all try to stay busy and be productive during this pandemic, we might still feel in a rut sometimes and miss going on adventures.

While traveling is still restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, technology has allowed traveling virtually possible. With this, you will be able to see the world’s most famous attractions without breaking the bank. Here is a list of virtual tours you can try at home:

1. Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Photo courtesy of ram0nm via Pixabay

Though the Met Gala has been canceled this year, you can still take a peek of New York’s pride which houses over 2 million permanent collections. You can travel across the other side of the world and visit the Met. It stores Egyptian arts, Henry VIII’s armor, and even Greek and Roman artworks. It is also the home for the world’s oldest surviving piano.

With the Met’s 360° project, you won’t need a visa and spend thousands of dollars to visit this famous tourist attraction. This award-winning series of six short videos allow viewers around the world to virtually visit The Met's art and architecture galleries in a fresh, immersive way.

2. Safari Experience.

Photo courtesy of cocoparisienne via Pixabay

One of the many reasons why people visit Africa is to experience wildlife. While this is not for the faint of heart, you can now enjoy a thrilling experience without the fear of the animals attacking you. Witness different wildlife animals that you can’t see in normal zoos.

Travel company andBeyond and WildEarth teamed up to give viewers a one-of-a-kind virtual experience of the safari adventure. Viewers can join two live safaris a day, one in the early morning and one in the afternoon, each of which lasts approximately three hours. This is definitely a must-try!

3. Eiffel Tower.

Photo courtesy of Walkerssk via Pixabay

Oh, the city of love. Most of us have dreamed of visiting Paris, drinking coffee in one of their many coffee shops one sunny afternoon while reading a book. Paris is known for its romantic sceneries and the Eiffel Tower, of course.

Experience la vie en rose through Google Arts and Culture’s virtual tour. You will be able to see the 360-degree view from the top deck of the Eiffel Tower. Use the arrow on the edges of your screen to navigate and be in awe of Paris’ skyline and city lights.

4. The Louvre.

Photo courtesy of Free-Photos via Pixabay

Another virtual museum tour in our list is The Louvre, also in Paris. Now you don’t need to fall in line and battle the crowd to explore the largest art museum in the world. It’s most famous for housing the infamous Leonardo da Vinci’s The Mona Lisa and other artworks from around the globe. In 2019, the Louvre received 9.6 million visitors making it the most visited museum in the world.

Marvel at the medieval interior as you toggle about 35,000 works of art that are spread over 60,000 square meters! Among the famous artworks inside this historic monument in Paris is The Coronation of Napoleon, The Raft of the Medusa, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace.

5. Great Wall of China.

Photo courtesy of gmshtwj via Pixabay

The Great Wall of China is the longest structure ever built by humans. This long series of fortifications was generally built as a defense against various nomadic groups. Aside from that, it was also built for border controls, the imposition of duties on goods transported along the Silk road, and immigration control.

Want to experience the virtual tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site? The China Guide offers a visit to this travel destination spot and other more. Customize your virtual tour to visit China’s most famous attractions in the comfort of your home.

6. Dubai.

Photo courtesy of enjoytheworld via Pixabay

Located in the eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula, Dubai is surely a must-visit place with its mouth-watering cuisines and rich culture. It is known as the city of gold because of its market share of global gold trade. It is also where Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, can be found.

Visit Dubai Opera and Dubai Mall in just a few clicks. Visit Dubai 360 to experience a high-quality virtual tour of this great city.

7. Universal Studios.

Photo courtesy of 12019 via Pixabay

Want to do something thrilling? Visit Hollywood’s Univeral Studios and try its exciting attractions like the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. With this virtual tour, you can also plan out the activities you want to try once you have the chance to visit in person.

As Universal Studios remains closed due to the pandemic, the park administration still wants to try and transport visitors by showcasing their famous theme park attractions online. Try this pulse-pounding virtual experience with your friends and get your nerves excited!

8. Three-Minute Tokyo Tour.

Photo courtesy of sofi5t via Pixabay

What if we tell you that you can walk across the famous Shibuya Crossing, see Tokyo Tower, and visit Nara Park all in three minutes? Sounds impossible? Then watch Visit Japan’s 360°VR experience.

Explore the capital of The Land of the Rising Sun: Tokyo. Be amazed as you experience the diversity of their culture and tradition. Maybe you can even plan your itinerary for your real visit while watching this video.

While there is no assurance as to when international travel will be back to normal, it wouldn’t hurt to visit these amazing places virtually. This way you can stay at home and experience different cultures with just a few clicks. Beat the boredom and learn insightful facts by trying virtual tours with your family and friends.

8 Virtual Tour Experience for the Travel Enthusiast