Let the world come to you

For many of us it’s been a long time since we last routinely packed a bag and hopped on a plane for a short break or a business conference. Who could have imagined a few months ago that a virus would put a stop to that familiar lifestyle? COVID-19 might have cancelled our travel plans but it hasn’t taken away our desire to explore and to travel. Nor has it diminished the determination of tourist boards to keep our interest in their city alive. It’s fair to say that by diving into their updated websites we might see and understand more of iconic cities like Paris, Barcelona and Amsterdam, among others, than we ever could ‘in person’. I’ll admit that the queues at Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum have always discouraged me from exploring one of the world’s most renowned museums. So it was enjoyable to make a private visit online. I thoroughly recommend the tour of the most famous masterpieces on show, from Rembrandt’s Night Watch to Vermeer’s Milkmaid. If you are already familiar with the museum, dip into #rjksmuseumfromhome to connect with a series of YouTube videos in which curators talk about the works in their care. Exit through the gift shop. Even if you’ve visited the Van Gogh Museum previously, you’re sure to find something new on their website. For me, it was the trove of Van Gogh’s translated letters. Never has the artist seemed as contemporary as he does here, thanking his brother for some much-needed money, gently critiquing another artist’s work, describing his own plans for future paintings to his mother and sister. Browse the correspondence online. Barcelona reaches out to the virtual tourist, too; Gaudi’s unfinished church, the Sagrada Familia, is endlessly fascinating. Construction started in 1882 and is due to be completed by 2026. A virtual tour offers more detail than anyone could access ‘in person’. The online visit offers remarkable 360º views inside and out as well as the work-in-progress areas closed to ordinary tourists. The Picasso Museum is another Barcelona museum that showcases its treasures online. For a change of pace, check out the Camp Nou website for an up-close look at the famous stadium. Visit the pitch, the stands, the VIP boxes, the official store, the locker rooms and the FCB Museum. Otherwise, you can treat yourself to a leisurely virtual tour of the whole city. As the Parisian tourist website puts it: “Can’t get to Paris? Well then Paris will come to you!” And it does. You might start with an online exploration of the Louvre museum – there are five itineraries to follow. Would you prefer a moment of quiet contemplation? Let yourself be immersed in the beauty of Sainte-Chapelle. Explore Palais Garnier, the Paris opera house, from the underground lake to the view from the roof; there are four virtual tours to guide you. Then stretch your imagination, if not your legs, with an online tour of Montmartre or a visit to the Eiffel Tower. London and other major cities also put their best touristic feet forward online. Find them on Google’s fascinating arts and culture portal. But what if you’d rather get away from it all.? You can’t get much further away than outer space. The NASA website includes internal views when the crew is on duty and Earth views at other times. Or you might be interested in the Palmer Station — the only US research facility on the Antarctic Peninsula. It’s online at all times. Sit back and observe either the penguins or the researchers braving sub zero temperatures. Warm yourself up with a cup of cocoa and a safari in South Africa courtesy of Africam. The whole world awaits. Virtually.

Tags: amsterdam, barcelona, london, travel