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You must have heard about the new way to see the world from the comfort of your home right now: traveling virtually.

While that is catching on fast, most people are not even aware of what it brings to the table yet. For those that are riding the wave already, there is a chance that you are not getting the best out of it either.

From exploring the available streaming services and suggesting some of the best content you can see right now to staying safe while traveling virtually, here’s a complete guide for you.

But first…

What is Virtual Travel?

As the name implies, virtual travel deals with the processes and systems around seeing the world without actually being there in person. This concept leverages existing technology to bring unique places and amazing sights worldwide to the interested virtual traveler from wherever they are.

While some experiences are more immersive than others, virtual travel opens up the mind to what could exist in other parts of the globe.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, travel services were halted all around the world with no seeming end in sight.

Even now that the cases are getting managed better all around the world, there remains a risk of a second wave. Thus, most countries that are top tourist destinations have yet to open their borders to pleasure travelers.

On the other business end of things, travelers are also wary of getting into large crowds right now. There is a handle on the COVID-19 infections, but the world is far from being comfortably rid of the virus.

That, and we have not mentioned the price constraints that have been keeping a lot of people from seeing the world like they want to. With or without the coronavirus to mind, that is.

Considering all of that, virtual travel makes sense.

Mistakes to Avoid when Travelling Virtually

Whether you have gotten in on the movement or will just get started (more on what to see later), here are some mistakes to avoid:

Choosing Poor Platforms

Like every other good thing, there will be a lot of inexperienced and unscrupulous actors trying to get the traffic from virtual travel.

To get the best experience, you should be able to vet the good ones from the poor ones.

Sometimes, wanting to avoid paying for premium shows could land you in the hands of scammers and hackers, malvertising, and adware, among other things.

The good news is that the fee you will pay for virtual travel experiences, if you pay at all is nominal compared to if you were actually traveling.

Not getting proper content

Maybe you don’t know where to look.

The whole aim of having an enjoyable experience with virtual travel is to find the kind of content that resonates with you.

Whether you love arts to bits, have a thing for history, or nurse special affection for nature, there is a virtual travel package out there for you. You could even join global discussions of like-minded people to open your mind to other cultures and locations.

No access to preferred content

Geo-blocking is a serious issue, and it is making its way to virtual travel too.

This occurs when you want to enjoy an experience but find out that it is not available in your region yet.

That can be gut-wrenching, but it is not the end of the world.

All you have to do is install a VPN (Virtual Private Network) of your choice, connect to a server location where the said content is available, and you get to stream like you were there also.

It’s as simple as it sounds.

So, where can you travel to?

Virtually, like we have been discussing all along, yes?

Well, here are some options to get you started.

Window Swap

The Window Swap idea took off during the pandemic. Its brilliance is tucked deep into its simplicity, which is one of the things that we love the most about it also.

Access the service and you are instantly transported from your location to what is happening through someone else’s window from anywhere in the world.

You might see what goes on at night on a busy German street, catch people jostling for the bus in South Korea or enjoy the hustle and bustle of traders trying to get customers to their wares in Egypt. Another big advantage is that you never know where you will land until you get there.

Museum Tours

If you want to tour the top museums in the world, you don’t have to worry about only paying the entrance fees.

You must have put some travel and accommodation money aside in the first place. All that runs up the cost ladder, but Google has something to say about it.

With their Arts and Culture brand, the search engine giant has teamed up with top museums in tourist destinations globally to bring their collections to your doorstep.

If you don’t want to go with the Google plan, some museums also have standalone virtual tours that you can get in on. Just look for them online, and you’ll find a lot of waiting options.

National Park Adventures

How much do you know about all the National Parks in the US?

Even if you had one in your locale, there’s a high chance you only go there to enjoy the sights of other people doing their things – or to have fun with friends.

These National Park Tours are designed to take you around these parks, show you the history behind them all and what makes them special. By the time you are done with these tours, you will suddenly start craving to go there to see them in person again.

And so much more

This is, by far, not an exhaustive list.

You can still choose to swim with the sharks over at the Great Barrier Reef, explore the entire length of the Great Wall of China and enjoy other new wonders of the world, among other things.

The sheer number of virtual travel content out there is increasing at a massive pace, and you should get it on the trend. Who knows, you just might find a location that intrigues you so much, you start planning a vacation there.