Fasten your seatbelts for epic global armchair travel
Virtual travel around the World
The year: 2020.
The month: March.
The script unfolds day by day in these uncertain times and it feels like we are all in detention. The dreaded C-19 word is all we hear about and self isolation or lockdown is the order of the day. There is limited movement around the streets but many are lifeless. The plot evolves continuously as travellers mass exit to their hometowns or countries. Others are stranded where they are and not allowed to leave. Airports are almost like ghost towns.
Confined to your home, after a few days you have done all the chores you set yourself to do. Your house is more clinical than a hospital theatre and you have tackled that long overdue DIY project. Even the recipe that you picked up at Thailand has been tried and tested; maybe even left a sour taste in your mouth because you know you cannot return - yet. You’ve even read all the books that have been waiting for you on your bookshelf for the last ten years.
Your feet are itching. What you would really like to do is put your foot out that door and jet off to the other side of the world. But that cannot happen. You need some escapism.
Epic armchair travel
Let’s go on a trip!
I know, I know. We are not meant to leave our homes. Don’t panic. Stay right where you are! You don’t have to do a thing except let your mind wander as you scroll through this blog and click on the links.
Thankfully we are in the modern era of internet and data. This allows me to take you on a virtual journey. You can choose one of the adventures or locations below or you can be daring and savour them all. We will be touring through parts of the world, all from your armchair (or even tucked up in bed).
For this mammoth task I am not doing this all on my own. I have chosen some virtual ‘tour guides’ that will take you to special places.
Pack your bags (in your mind, that is) and let’s head for Dreamland Airport.
What is our first destination? City or island?
I’m always a sucker for an island getaway. To get rid of all the stress of the last few weeks or months, we can unwind in the sea, on the sand and in the sun. I’ve always wanted to buy an island and maybe in hindsight it might not have been a bad idea.
Bored yet? Care to go for a snorkel or scuba dive? If you haven’t snorkelled before, there are some tips to help you through.
Not keen to snorkel? Nothing stops you from looking at this cute video of a cuttlefish by BBC Earth.
Now that you are rested let’s go for some sightseeing.
Heather from Heather Begins will take you to Peru. Don’t worry, you don’t have to hike the Inca trail to see Machu Pichu. Heather has a far better way.
While we are on that side of the world, it is a quick hop to California.
Christy from Late Bloomer Traveler takes us to the Laguna Beach Sawdust Festival in Southern California, so get into the swing of things with your tie-dye outfit from the 60’s while you browse through some arts and crafts.
Up for an awesome adventure? We don’t have to go far. Have you packed your life jackets? No? Don’t worry, I’m sure they will supply you with one. Amy and Dave from Traveling Tulls will take us river rafting in the Grand Canyon, Southwest America.
Oh, we can’t skip Canada! I’ve always wanted to go there. Chelsea from BRB Busy Living Life! will tick off a whole lot of things on our bucket list for Toronto.
Let us not forget to get our culture fix from Catherine of Cultural Wednesday and take a virtual tour through some museums.
By now you might be dreaming of Christmas in Bavaria. Let’s explore this world of tradition.
While we’re in Europe, Tanya from Traveling Tanya will lead us over the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe, Lucerne’s Chapel Bridge.
I think it is time to relax again. We will head on over to Turkey with Jennifer of Jen from Africa. She will take us on a gullet in the Aegean Sea. That one is definitely on my bucket list!
Gulet Cruising along the Turkish Aegean
Not far from Turkey is Morocco. Myles and Karen from Motoroaming along with their trusty steed, Scoobie the motorhome, shows us the roads of Morocco.
Seeing that we are in Africa, let us head on down for a safari to one of South Africa’s renowned national parks. Hopefully I have captured its spirit well enough for you to enjoy.
Webcams are also a great way of having a virtual safari. Take a look at the ones from SANPARKS.
Love safaris? Here are some quick links for a few more webcams or videos.
If we linger long enough in South Africa we might even get to see the flowers on the West Coast. Julie from One Stop Wanderlust will be our guide. Imagine rolling around on a carpet of colour. Just what the soul needs.
Time to sample some true South African hospitality with a cup of coffee and a scone while we chat to Hennie and Sandra on their ‘stoep’ and listen to their stories about De Oude Huize in Kameel. I’m sure they will have a few more tales to tell.
After that relaxing warmth and friendliness, we are in for a long trip across the Indian Ocean to the land of down under.
We’ll be sure to take a detour with Joanna from Just Me. Travel. She will show us impressive silo art.
Careful though! Our detour might take us longer and further when Kim from Travelling with my Nikon takes us to more stunning silo art.
How can we be on this side of the world and not head on over to New Zealand? We can sample a glass of Pinot Noir with Sue from Sue Where Why What.
She will take you to the Central Otago region from Queenstown with Appellation Wine Tours.
Guess what! I think we should visit another island. Julie from The Bamboo Traveler will take us on an adventure to El Nido in the Philippines.
Let us finish off the trip with a visit to Japan. Before we go, Cristina from Honest Travel Stories has some insights and tips to prepare us.
Quite an adventure, don’t you think? This virtual trip has been fun (at least for me!) and it is time to head back to our couches. Just to ease the shock of isolation, here are 10 tours and webcams to make the transition easier.
NB: Be sure to click on the links in the text and/or all the photos to delve further into these adventures!
While you are about it, take care, stay healthy and keep your social distance. Spoil yourself with a treat now and then. Virtual hugs to everyone!
You may not feel like going on a virtual tour at the moment but save this for the future on Pinterest.
Click on image to pin for later
Looking for accommodation when borders open again?
Here are some of my favourite tips and resources when we travel:
Researching a destination, find out what it is ? Use Tripadvisor. You can even get a great deal from them!
How do you there? Use Aviasales to check flights.
Pre-organised tours and jump the queue entrance tickets. GetYourGuide is a great website to browse through and book while Big Bus Tours are ideal for hop on hop off tours. Expedia UK are great for adventures, holiday deals and trip ideas.
Where are you going to sleep at night? Booking.com have great deals and Hotellook have great discounts and hotel deals.
Going to Europe and want to hire a campervan? Try PaulCamper.
If you have not found what you are looking for, head on over to my Shop or Resources page and browse there.
About the Author
ALMA VAN AS | ROAMING FOX
Alma is a South African travel blogger and writer. She hopes to inspire you with facts and fables about her adventures, road trips and international travel.
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The stress of packing or planning for an international trip can dampen your enthusiasm especially if this is the first time you are venturing halfway around the world or even to one of your neighbouring countries.