Pandemic Schmandemic: How to Travel Virtually in 2021

There’s no doubt about it: COVID-19 took a lot from us. While the loss of lives and major changes to our status quo are the primary concerns, we’ve also been affected in other ways. 

Travel, for instance; where once we could trip around the world merrily, now we face difficulties crossing borders, flying safely, or even flying at all.

Sure, domestic travel is amazing, but sometimes that wanderlust strikes and you just need to exit your home country for a while. 

Granted, we’re still some time away from our usual freedom to travel, but thanks to technology, we can experience the world from our living rooms. With that in mind, here are a few ways to travel virtually in 2021.

Stream travel programs

Got the itch to travel? Put your Netflix and Hulu account to good use by streaming travel programs instead. It’s not the same, of course, but high-quality travel shows can really give an insight into other nations and culture. 

Watched everything already? We got you — with a Netflix VPN, you can change your streaming service’s content to anywhere in the world. Log into Australian Netflix, for example, and watch all their travel shows too!

Arty stuff with Google Arts & Culture

If you’re the type of traveler who loves nothing more than long hours meandering around galleries and museums, you’ll love Google Arts & Culture. In tandem with over 2000 institutions worldwide, the world’s favorite search engine has created virtual art experiences with plenty of depth.

Browse Goya’s black paintings in the Prado or learn more about Cuban art, the possibilities are endless.

Take a tour with a private guide

Few industries have been hit as hard by the pandemic as travel and tourism. And that financial hit means tour guides all over the world are feeling the loss of travelers keenly. Enterprising individuals have a solution though: private virtual tours. Discover New Zealand’s Hobbiton (because you know they’re not opening their borders any time soon!) or take a trip around Amsterdam’s canals.

You get to delve into another city’s streets or exhibits and support those working in the travel sector, it’s win-win! Plus with most virtual tours starting at around $15, you’re getting an absolute bargain to boot!

If you’re the kind of traveler who can’t stop twitching unless you’re booking a flight, have a holiday planned, or have plans up in the air, we hope these ideas help you scratch your itch in 2021!