
New York City, NY – Covid-19 has changed the way we live our lives, and most surely will forever change the way we travel. As we continue to practice social distancing in order to keep our loved ones safe and flatten the curve, virtual alternatives to physical traveling and getaways have become a popular option for those seeking to explore the world from the comfort of their home.
For many, a virtual trip has become a way to escape the realities and stresses of these difficult times. For others, it offers the opportunity to engage their kids in a fun, learning experience while exploring subjects such as culture, geography, art, and history.
As a group of individuals who love to travel, and enjoy the unique opportunities we experience when meeting new people and interacting with other cultures, virtual travel has also become one of our primary forms of escape during this pandemic. Here we bring a few of our favorite virtual adventures we have found online, and four tips on how to make your experience a more authentic one.

4 Recommendations for a More Authentic Virtual Travel Experience
1 – The sun is our best source of vitamin D. If you are feeling fatigued and sleepy during your quarantine, you might be suffering from low levels of Vitamin D. If you are yearning for a beach getaway, why not take a virtual trip today to the beaches of the Caribbean or even Greece? Scott, our Travel Director, recommends that you put on your favorite bathing suit, mix yourself a piña colada, light your favorite coconut candle, lay on your beach towel next to the window, and soak up some sun! You will feel much refreshed and energized after.
2 – Cultural destinations. When taking a virtual weekend trip to another country, go all-in by cooking dishes that are traditional to those countries! Rome is my favorite city and one I always excitedly look forward to visiting. This past weekend, before starting our virtual trip to Rome, Luis, our Fashion Director, cooked some of our favorite Italian dishes, paired it with our favorite Italian wine, and decorated our table with souvenirs we have brought home from our past trips. To make it more fun, we aimed to use the Italian words we know as much as possible! Besides looking at virtual tours online, we also revisited many of our past pictures in Rome. It was a great trip down memory lane.
3 – Who doesn’t love a trip to a secluded spa destination? The welcoming staff, the calming atmosphere, the relaxing music, and the aromatic oils… (sigh). Our Beauty Director, Coral Del Mar, and I have turned spa day into our favorite ritual. Create your own spa day at home by playing some relaxing music (try to find soothing music traditional to the region you wish you were at), indulging yourself in a relaxing bath with aromatic salts, lighting your favorite candles, and pampering yourself with your preferred beauty treatments. For the ultimate relaxation experience, finish your treatments with at least 15 minutes of meditation. Don’t forget to take this moment to practice gratitude if you don’t already do so daily.
This has become the ultimate form of stress-release for me during these challenging times, and it is a routine I plan to keep doing. Self-care is of most importance, and many times we forget to care for ourselves!
4 – Even though meditation is excellent for releasing stress and bringing peace of mind, sometimes we need to wild out and party the night away! Can’t visit Ibiza for a weekend of music and fun? Put on your favorite night-out outfit and party and dance from the safety of your living room along with one of the many dance parties you can find online. Mix some cocktails and forget about your neighbors thinking you have finally lost your mind. Oh, and if you can, get your hands on some LED color-changing light bulbs. They will truly turn your living room into the ultimate night club experience! Our Marketing Director, Luis P., has made this his once-a-week virtual experience.



Some of Our Favorite Sources to Get You Started With Virtual Travel: From Museums and Sunny Beaches to Antarctica

Companies showcasing multiples videos, including virtual guided tours
Captivision 360 an award-winning immersive media consulting group sharing experiences through immersive technology. Their YouTube channel offers an extensive library of virtual tours in 360°.
Airpano focuses on taking high-resolution aerial 360° photographs and videos. It is one of the largest resources in the world featuring 360° panoramas and 360° videos.
VR Gorilla creates immersive virtual reality and 360° videos with a focus on travel, the environment, human rights, and sports.
Museums of the world
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) in New York City.
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation in New York City.
Louvre Museum in Paris.
The Musée d’Orsay in Paris.
The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam
Tate Britain in London
United States National Parks
The Hidden World of National Parks. 113 Museum Views.
Additional Selection of Captivating Videos
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