Along with the capacity to work from home, technology gives us an opportunity to visit far away places from the comfort of our own couch. As we continue to social distance we can use our time to learn more about art and history, plan for future travel and perhaps even learn a new language, or at least a few important phrases. So for those of you still itching to travel, but knowing that it may be a while before you can, here are our Top 5 Travels from Your Couch recommendations.
1. Many online and news sources have sent out their recommendations for virtual tours of the best museums and art galleries you can visit online. There are two that I have been enjoying; the first from I Am Expat, an online newsletter out of the Netherlands which can be found at https://www.iamexpat.nl/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/european-museums-you-can-visit-virtual-tours offering specifically European museums; and the second from The Guardian online which offers a list of the 10 best virtual tours of museums and art galleries from around the world at https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2020/mar/23/10-of-the-worlds-best-virtual-museum-and-art-gallery-tours?CMP.
2. I recently found a great pictorial trip through the 21 Best Castles and Royal Residences which can be found at https://www.msn.com/en-ca/lifestyle/travel/21-castles-and-royal-residences-you-can-explore-from-your-couch-from-the-palace-of-versailles-to-windsor-castle/ss-BB11X1kZ?li=AAggNb9#image=1. There are a few that offer rooms to rent through Airbnb and other sites. I have made a mental note to check a few of those out when I do travel again. Staying at a castle would be a nice change from the inside of my home.
3. Your favourite bookseller is still offering travel books and videos for sale online that can be delivered directly to your home. Whether you enjoy a detailed travel guide with good maps, a historical documentary or a non-fiction story set in your favourite far away locale, you can purchase them in both paperback and Kindle versions. Until my local library opens back up this is where I am getting my next best loved story.
4. Check out YouTube, Amazon Prime and Disney + along with other streaming channels for a great selection of travel videos and documentaries. National Geographic has some great nature shows from around the world, and we are particularly fond of BBC documentaries. You can search by location, a particular host (anything with Mary Beard in Rome is particularly fun for me) or topic (Great British Castles is excellent). If you are missing Rome, check out Angels & Demons with Tom Hanks.
5. Great travel guides like Rick Steves offer all of his travel videos and talks for free through his website (ricksteves.com) or on YouTube. With over 100 episodes you can explore all of Europe from the comfort of your couch. We watch his videos to decide where to go and then again to plan the time when we are there. Check out the travel lectures as well for even more great travel information. He even has a lecture series on his website offering introductory lessons in Italian, French, Spanish and German.
Please feel free to reach out if I have missed any of your favourite virtual destinations. Until then stay home, stay safe and stay healthy.