We've put together several ways to virtually tour the globe at your own pace. Mostly, they're free, although some charge a small fee. All you need to join a tour is a smart TV, laptop, tablet or smartphone and our free Wi-Fi internet connection. If you need help getting started, speak to one of our caring team members here at Bethesda Gardens Frisco.
Here are some suggestions on how to tour the world virtually.
YouTube offers a wide selection of travel videos. The simplest way to get started is to open YouTube and use the search box to find the videos you want to watch. Try entering something like "Travel video Alaska." This will bring up a selection of videos about life and travel in Alaska. Another alternative could be "Mayan ruins in Mexico."
While there's no need to sign into YouTube, a free account lets you subscribe to content creators and follow their travel journeys around the world. To subscribe, simply click on the Subscribe button in the box below the video.
Instagram is another alternative, especially if you prefer short, engaging videos. You can open Instagram on a computer or download the app to your tablet or smartphone. To use Instagram, you need to create a free account. Once logged in, use the search box to find virtual globe-trotting material that interests you. As with YouTube, you can follow individual creators. To do this, simply click on the Follow icon above the video.
The Google Arts and Culture app provides high-quality photos and videos from thousands of international museums and archives. You can use it to visit museums, art collections, national parks and historical locations. Content includes blogs, articles, pictures and videos. You can even go on a 360-degree visit to Mars with NASA's Curiosity Rover. To use Google Arts and Culture on your mobile device, simply download the iOS or Android app. There's so much to explore in this application, including features about:
You can visit the Holy Land and experience the places where Jesus and his disciples lived. Find out about the heroes of the Old Testament and where they lived, and visit historical biblical sites. Take a virtual tour of Israel, or learn more about early Christian life in the Middle East. YouTube is also a great source for videos about the Holy Land and biblical evidence.
Although primarily used for navigation and finding the nearest gas station, Google Maps includes many interactive features that help you explore the world virtually. To use this feature, find the place you want to visit on the map by entering its address or name in the search box. Then click on the street view icon (the small orange figure) in the bottom right-hand corner. This will bring up a small image box showing features such as street view, photo path and 360-degree photospheres. Drag the orange street view figure to your point of interest or click on a nearby photo path or photosphere to view the location, surrounding terrain and scenery. Using Google Maps is an easy way to visit interesting historical and tourist sites anywhere in the world.
Numerous websites offer virtual global tours. Some are interactive and require you to book your place on the tour. You can view others at your convenience.
Using the latest audiovisual technology, CyArk puts its audience in touch with beautiful historical places around the world. The website offers numerous tours, accessible from the Projects tab. Each tour has an expert guide who explains the history and significance of the location. Most tours are in English or have English captions. The topics covered are diverse and include national monuments, cities and locations around the world.
The World Monuments Fund is a private organization dedicated to safeguarding ancient and historical places. The fund organizes virtual tours of historically important and iconic places around the globe. The main page includes a list of upcoming and past virtual tours, most of which are open to nonmembers. For a small annual membership fee, members have access to exclusive events and presentations.
World Virtual Tours has a comprehensive calendar of tours covering a huge range of subjects. These include the Seven Wonders of the World, Renaissance art, ancient Rome, Egypt, the Middle Ages and nature. A unique aspect of World Virtual Tours is that they take place in real time using Zoom and last for a few hours. Each tour has a professional guide who's an expert in their field. To participate, you need to book your place on the tour. Tours run almost every day.
