It’s a big, beautiful world out there — and, thanks to virtual travel experiences, it’s never been easier to explore. While traditional travel is wonderful, limitations like cost, physical mobility, travel restrictions, and unpredictable flight schedules can make it hard for some seniors to see the world. Fortunately, virtual travel resources make it easy to jet off from the comfort of your home. We’ve outlined a few of our favorites below, from a virtual tour of the Louvre in Paris to an exciting whirl through ancient Pompeii.
Benefits of Virtual Travel Experiences for Seniors
Virtual travel experiences have come a long way in recent years, offering an incredibly rich, detailed look at some of the most popular cultural destinations on Earth. The benefits of these virtual tours include the following:
- Tackling boredom and loneliness: If you’ve ever felt the travel “itch,” this one’s for you. A virtual travel experience can be incredibly enriching, offering a fresh perspective on a rainy day. You can also coordinate with friends and family around the world, planning to enjoy the same virtual travel experience at the same time. It’s a great way to connect for a few hours, even if you’re not physically traveling together.
- Evaluating a potential travel spot: Say you’re still an active traveler, but you’re worried about the senior-friendly accessibility of a certain popular attraction. Virtual tours allow you to “walk” through the space, making sure that it’s a feasible destination for your next trip.
- Crossing items off your bucket list: With virtual travel at your fingertips, it’s never too late to see the Louvre or the Great Wall of China. Today’s virtual tours are highly immersive, so you’re able to take in the full effect of visiting an attraction without having to coordinate travel.
Enjoy Virtual Travel via Livestream
Ready to embark on your own virtual travel adventure? Wowzitude, a live-streaming tour platform, is a great place to start. The tour schedule changes month to month, with destinations including Barcelona, Budapest, and Amsterdam. Once you join a live tour, be transported to the destination of your choice in real time. Wowzitude also offers a subscription model, meaning you’ll pay a flat monthly fee for unlimited access to the expert-led tours. Finally, their immersive travel experience includes a stack of pre-tour documents — traditional recipes, for example — for every expedition.
Visit Landmarks All Over the World
Google Arts & Culture offers free virtual tours of popular cultural destinations, including the Eiffel Tower and the Taj Mahal. Individual landmarks also offer their own virtual tours; for example, you can book a live virtual tour of the Great Wall of China, which includes an experienced guide to help answer any questions you may have over the computer.
Take a Virtual Spin Through a Museum
If you’re an avid museum-goer, virtual museum tours are a must. For example, the Louvre offers free online tours, including Founding Myths: Hercules to Darth Vader, an exhibition exploring how artists have used myths as inspiration. Speaking of museums: Smithsonian Magazine offers an extensive virtual travel collection, which includes a virtual tour of two recently excavated homes in Pompeii.
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Virtual travel means you have the world at your fingertips — even if you’re staying home. From invigorating archaeological experiences to fascinating museum tours, there’s a virtual option for every kind of traveler.
Are you seeking an assisted living, memory support, or physician-directed nursing community in Kansas City? Check out The Piper. Our team of experienced and compassionate professionals ensures that “residents feel secure” and comfortable immediately. At our warm and welcoming community, which is truly a “home within a home,” we foster social interaction, engagement, and the right amount of care. Our residents always come first. To learn more about our services or schedule a tour, please call us at 913-361-5136 or contact us online.