Explore the Vatican, the palace of Versailles or the Louvre from the comfort of your sofa
With many of us now housebound for the near future, and with travel off the cards for a while, cabin fever might well be setting in. But it doesn’t mean you can’t still explore…
Be inspired by the sights and experiences that you can discover from the comfort of your sofa, thanks to these fascinating virtual tours:
1The Vatican, Rome
Some of Rome’s most spectacular architecture and historic monuments are now within your reach, with a host of the Vatican’s museums providing online tours via their website. Take a step into the Sistine Chapel and gaze at Michelangelo’s legendary frescos; even through your web browser the result is breathtaking.
Discover it here: The Vatican Digital Tour
2 Machu Picchu, Cuzco
You no longer need to buy a plane ticket to Peru to see the legendary Machu Picchu in all its glory. The virtual tour of this Unesco World Heritage site is immersive, and filled with fascinating insights from a helpful narrator who accompanies you on your digital tour. Enjoy 360° views of the ancient Inca ruins surrounded by luscious Peruvian landscapes.
Discover it here: Machu Picchu Virtual Tour
3 The Louvre, Paris
A museum needing no introduction, the home of the Mona Lisa is an attraction beloved and visited by millions of tourists each year. The museum has crafted a selection of virtual tours based on its distinguished permanent collections; from the Egyptian antiquities to the decorative arts of the Galerie d’Apollon, the selection of digital offerings is vast. The tour itself is easy to navigate, with map views and detailed descriptions.
Discover it here: The Louvre Virtual Tour
4 The Acropolis, Athens
One to tick off your bucket list, bringing the wonders of Ancient Greece to the comfort of your sofa. A dream destination for classical history lovers, the Athens Acropolis is the home of the world-famous Parthenon, and has been admired by tourists for centuries. With the tour you can enjoy 360° videos that provide a fascinating insight into Ancient Greece.
Discover it here: Athens Acropolis Virtual Tour
5The Royal Academy, London
Sensing Spaces was described by The Guardian as “the most ambitious architectural exhibition by the Royal Academy for decades, occupying its ample main galleries with installations the size of houses”. This virtual tour of the Royal Academy allows users to explore the exhibition. There are six separate galleries within the virtual tour, and high-quality 360° photography gives users a real taste of the exhibition which was conceived to allow visitors to “draw their own conclusions” – so they can determine for themselves what each space means to them, and how they use it.
Discover it here: The Royal Academy Virtual Tour
6Musée d’Orsay, Paris
The historic Musée d’Orsay was installed in the former Orsay railway station, and originally built for the Universal Exhibition of 1900. Currently it displays collections of stunning Belle Époque art from the period of 1848 to 1914. The virtual tour allows you to take a promenade through the museum’s opulent hallways where you can see works from some of the most distinguished French artists, including Monet, Gauguin and Van Gogh. The museum’s long queues are infamous in Paris, so now you can soak up the sights without the hour-long wait.
Discover it here: Musée d’Orsay
7Palace of Versailles, Versailles
The Palace of Versailles has opened it’s fabled ‘Hall of Mirrors’ to all, allowing an interactive stroll through the historical site. Walk in the footsteps of Marie Antoinette and inspect the gardens which spread over 800 hectares, complete with dazzling fountains. With more than 18,000 artworks to discover online this is not an opportunity to be missed.
Discover it here: Palace of Versailles
(Shared Article: Harper’s Bazaar)
