Travel Explore
Explore New Places: 30 Unforgettable Virtual Travel Experiences
Slide Nr 1Ask 100 seasoned travellers about the most important element of a destination, and they’ll all give you the same answer: the people make the place. So that’s where we suggest starting with your travel plans this year. It may not yet be fully safe to take to the skies, but you can connect with fascinating, knowledgeable locals around the world right now. Hear their stories and step into their shoes through these captivating and interactive virtual experiences. Who knows? You may even find inspiration for your next big adventure.
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Travel Explore
Explore New Places: 30 Unforgettable Virtual Travel Experiences.
Slide Nr 2Design Your Own Espadrilles In Barcelona – A cultural experience and a new pair of shoes? Sign us up! Artisans and founders of ethical shoe brand Handmade Barcelona, Luis and Kathe invite you to join them (virtually) in their Catalan workshop, where they teach you the history of espadrilles – first the shoe of the humble masses, now a trendy fashion accessory – and let you design your very own pair to be stitched before your eyes and shipped to you anywhere in the world. Olé! [Photos courtesy Handmade Barcelona]
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Travel Explore
Explore New Places: 30 Unforgettable Virtual Travel Experiences.
Slide Nr 3Have Your Portrait Painted In Paris – Is there anything more romantically “Paris” than posing for an artist in Montmartre? Even if you can’t actually be in the City of Lights right now, you can still have your portrait made by a real Parisian painter, as she regales you with tales of her life as an artist in one of the most inspiring cities in the world. [Photo courtesy Ana Isabel Freitas]
2/29
Travel Explore
Explore New Places: 30 Unforgettable Virtual Travel Experiences.
Slide Nr 4See Nairobi Through The Eyes Of Street Children – From destitute children forced into gangs for survival, to impressive adults who broke free from a life of crime and violence: your guides, former street children Kissmart, Donga and Mrembe, will take you through Nairobi and the Mathare slum where they grew up, recounting their early lives and the street skills they used to get by. Chat with them, learn about how they prevailed against the odds, and see an all-too-real side of the Kenyan capital. [Photo courtesy Nai Nami]
3/29
Travel Explore
Explore New Places: 30 Unforgettable Virtual Travel Experiences.
Slide Nr 5Discover London’s Hidden History With Drag Queens And Kings – A unique opportunity to dive into parts of London history that you probably didn’t learn about in school – with a fun performance twist! Sit down with prominent members of the city’s LGBTQ+ community to learn about the past, present and future of the city’s queer community, chat with them in a Q&A session, and be treated to a live drag performance that will send you off with a glittery bang! The best part: All proceeds will benefit IGLTA (International LGBTQ+ Travel Association), working to promote equality and safety in LGBTQ+ tourism, as well as supporting LGBTQ+ owned businesses in the travel industry. Fabulous! [Photo via Moonlight Experiences]
4/29
Travel Explore
Explore New Places: 30 Unforgettable Virtual Travel Experiences.
Slide Nr 6Mix A Caipirinha In Rio – Nothing can transport you to sunny climes faster than a good cocktail. And today, we’re headed to Brazil! Certified Rio tour guide Alessandra will be your ‘spirit’ guru, teaching you how to mix up that most quintessential of Brazilian beverages: a caipirinha. You’ll learn to make the classic version as well as a few fruity variations, while Alessandra shares anecdotes from life in Rio and offers insider tips for your next trip.
5/29
Travel Explore
Explore New Places: 30 Unforgettable Virtual Travel Experiences.
Slide Nr 7Make Chocolate In Jamaica – Meet Nick, a true chocolate connoisseur. Over the course of this one-hour experience, he’ll share the story of how he went from working as a BBC correspondent to owning an award-winning chocolate factory in the Blue Mountains overlooking Kingston, Jamaica. You’ll learn about the history of cacao and chocolate on the island, get up close and personal with the raw fruit and find out how it’s processed, then move on to temper and mould your own chocolate bars. Finger licking is optional, but encouraged. [Photo courtesy Nicholas St Claire Davis]
6/29
Travel Explore
Explore New Places: 30 Unforgettable Virtual Travel Experiences.
Slide Nr 8Dance Salsa In Bogotá – Capture the beating heart of Colombia through one of its most iconic art forms: salsa. Host Germán David has spent years mastering the spiciest of salsa moves, along with other Latin dance styles, and is able to tailor the class to all levels of experience. What’s more, for each booking made, a low-income child in Bogotá will receive two hours of free dance training through a local charity.
7/29
Travel Explore
Explore New Places: 30 Unforgettable Virtual Travel Experiences.
Slide Nr 9Cook Pasta With An Italian Grandma – If you want the scoop on preparing the best, most authentic Italian pasta, don’t ask a chef to teach you – ask a grandma. Host Chiara and her Nonna invite you into their kitchen to mix, roll, shape and boil your way to a bowl of fresh, homemade pasta. Just prep your ingredients in advance, cue up the playlist of Italian music that Chiara and Nonna sent you, perhaps pour a glass of one of their recommended wines, and get ready to roll!
8/29
Travel Explore
Explore New Places: 30 Unforgettable Virtual Travel Experiences.
Slide Nr 10Pay A Visit To Black Broadway In Washington, DC – Journey to a little-known yet remarkable destination in the history of American theatre: Washington, DC’s U Street, also known as Black Broadway. Host Tim, a former civics teacher and museum educator, will bring the magic to you through his comprehensive collection of photographs documenting the neighbourhood throughout the years, from murals to theatres, and memorials to music venues. Get lost in his touching stories and fascinating anecdotes, and enjoy the diverse playlist that he provides to bring the experience to life.
9/29
Travel Explore
Explore New Places: 30 Unforgettable Virtual Travel Experiences.
Slide Nr 11Dive Into Street Art In New Delhi – It might not be top of your list for artsy trips, but New Delhi has a thriving creative scene, which you can uncover with Keshav and Priyamvada on a tour of the city’s most striking street artworks. They’ll start with a live walk to explore hidden murals – from the vivid to the profound – and then take you to an abandoned factory to decode the punny graffiti that festoons the walls. Finally, they encourage you to show and tell about a piece of art in your own home, and share the story behind it.
10/29
Travel Explore
Explore New Places: 30 Unforgettable Virtual Travel Experiences.
Slide Nr 12Sample Greek Wines In Athens – If a Mediterranean trip eludes you this year, then sip the sunshine instead, in the form of tantalising Greek wines. Choose a flight of white, red or rainbow (white, rose and red) wines to be shipped to you anywhere in the world, then pop the cork and let certified sommelier Nikitas Prassas talk you through a tasting.
11/29
Travel Explore
Explore New Places: 30 Unforgettable Virtual Travel Experiences.
Slide Nr 13Train With A Samurai In Tokyo – You don’t have to venture to the land of the Rising Sun to join the ranks of their fabled warriors – Koshiro can teach you right from home. In this experience, you’ll delve into the background of the samurai arts, or bugaku, and practice some of the basic movements, such as the ninja walk and a number of sword manoeuvres. You’ll also unlock the secrets to living like a celebrated warrior, following the ancient code of propriety and learning to carry yourself like a true samurai.
12/29
Travel Explore
Explore New Places: 30 Unforgettable Virtual Travel Experiences.
Slide Nr 14Make Authentic Mexican Folk Art In Mexico City – Did you know you can create beautiful Mexican handicrafts called alebrijes using just a few basic items that you probably already have lying around the house? Artist Azucena takes you step by step through the process of making these colourful sculptures, from mixing your own glue to shaping the final structure. At the end, you’ll have a striking work of art all your own to display in your home.
13/29
Travel Explore
Explore New Places: 30 Unforgettable Virtual Travel Experiences.
Slide Nr 15Experience Culture And Craic In An Irish Village – Mark and his canine sidekick Missy are on call to give you a taste of the Emerald Isle in all its mysticism and merriment. Roam the craggy coastline and stroll the forests of the fairy folk, as Mark regales you with his favourite tales from Irish lore. Listen to beloved Irish music, partake in quizzes and enjoy a lively discussion that will bring the history and culture of this legendary country to life.
14/29
Travel Explore
Explore New Places: 30 Unforgettable Virtual Travel Experiences.
Slide Nr 16Tour Istanbul Street Art With A Designer – Join Alper, an industrial designer and Istanbul native, to discover the hip and historic streets of Yeldeğirmeni. Situated on the city’s Asian side, this über-cool district is hopping with art and culture which you can experience through its murals and historic buildings, brought to life by Alper’s stories and insights. [Photo courtesy Alper Kaya]
15/29
Travel Explore
Explore New Places: 30 Unforgettable Virtual Travel Experiences.
Slide Nr 17Prepare A Traditional Sri Lankan Curry In Colombo – Think you know curry? Think again. The unofficial Sri Lankan national dish isn’t just one bowl of belly-tickling goodness – it’s several, comprised of numerous curry dishes bursting with flavour and spice. In this session, you’ll learn to make an authentic curry Sri Lanka-style, while gaining an understanding of the culture and customs of this vibrant island country.
16/29
Travel Explore
Explore New Places: 30 Unforgettable Virtual Travel Experiences.
Slide Nr 18Illuminate Jewish Heritage In Prague – Unlock a lesser-known side of the Czech capital, whose beautiful cityscapes are the backdrop for centuries of Jewish history – at once fascinating, inspiring and harrowing. Host Erin takes you not only across the city to its important synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery, but also back in time to the Prague of WWII and the Holocaust – so you can see how the atrocities of the past have shaped the city today. [Photo courtesy Erin Naillon]
17/29
Travel Explore
Explore New Places: 30 Unforgettable Virtual Travel Experiences.
Slide Nr 19Meditate With A Monk In Chiang Mai – Got mindfulness on your mind, but not sure where to start? An instructional hour with a former Thai monk sounds about right. Having spent six years as a practicing Buddhist monk, your host Kit knows a thing or two about meditation. First he’ll show you around a local temple complex and share his story of becoming a monk, then he’ll teach you the six practices of walking meditation, and finally he’ll introduce you to a practicing monk who will bless you before you part ways – relaxed and renewed. [Photo courtesy Nattakit Malaichaisong]
18/29
Travel Explore
Explore New Places: 30 Unforgettable Virtual Travel Experiences.
Slide Nr 20Explore The Wilderness Of Sydney – A nature guide, documentary maker, scout leader and Aboriginal site monitor, Matt is the go-to guy for learning about the great outdoors Down Under. Join him on a nature walk through the Australian Bushland, as he introduces you to the region’s unique plants and wildlife, takes in stunning landscapes and perhaps reveals a mysterious carving or two… [Photo courtesy Matthew Urmenyhazi]
19/29
Travel Explore
Explore New Places: 30 Unforgettable Virtual Travel Experiences.
Slide Nr 21Cook Ceviche In Peru – Caterer and chef to the stars Melissa Zagazeta brings the flavours of Peru right to your kitchen with her interactive ceviche course. Learn about her top techniques and hard-won secrets for preparing two delectable versions of this Peruvian classic – along with a glass of pisco sour to toast your diligent work.
20/29
Travel Explore
Explore New Places: 30 Unforgettable Virtual Travel Experiences.
Slide Nr 22Get Creeped Out In Haunted New Orleans – The history of the Big Easy is as colourful as Mardi Gras and as spicy as Cajun cuisine – but it’s got a dark side, too. Explore every macabre corner with host Neil, a New Orleans native who will shovel out the grisliest dirt of the historic French Quarter, famously haunted by the city’s most formidable criminals and their victims. Just maybe leave the lights on…
21/29
Travel Explore
Explore New Places: 30 Unforgettable Virtual Travel Experiences.
Slide Nr 23Take Tea In Bengaluru – Want to know more about your daily cuppa? Certified tea sommelier Smita invites you to learn all about the leafy stuff, from the history of the brew, to the differences between green, black and white teas, as well as preparation techniques, tasting notes and more. You’ll also talk about Indian tea culture, and how to pair foods with various types of tea. Bottoms up!
22/29
Travel Explore
Explore New Places: 30 Unforgettable Virtual Travel Experiences.
Slide Nr 24Discover Argentinian Traditions In Buenos Aires – It’s no secret that football, tango and mate run in Argentinean blood (the latter quite literally), but why? Host Simona ties these three national passions together with the threads of culture and history, while bringing the flavour of Buenos Aires right to your home. [Photo courtesy Simona Ciampi]
23/29
Travel Explore
Explore New Places: 30 Unforgettable Virtual Travel Experiences.
Slide Nr 25Lend Your Ear To Mongolian Folk Music – We bet this particular genre hasn’t showed up in your Spotify recommendations: Connect with host Oyuntsetseg and her brother for an enlightening session of authentic Mongolian folk music and throat singing. You’ll get a tour of their traditional yurt, learn about the horsehead fiddle – the customary instrument of the country’s nomadic tribes – find out how throat singing works (and try it yourself), plus watch a skilful live performance that will transport you to the ethereal plains of Mongolia.
24/29
Travel Explore
Explore New Places: 30 Unforgettable Virtual Travel Experiences.
Slide Nr 26Walk Ancient Rome With A Writer – From Palatine Hill to the Roman Forum and the Colosseum, join local tour guide and writer Simone as he traces the footsteps of Roman poets, painting a vivid picture of life in ancient Rome through their immortal words. The perfect virtual getaway for Italophiles, whether you’re planning a visit to the Eternal City in the future or looking to relive the trip of a lifetime. [Photo courtesy Simone Proietti Gaffi]
25/29
Travel Explore
Explore New Places: 30 Unforgettable Virtual Travel Experiences.
Slide Nr 27Unveil The Secrets Of Singapore’s Smallest Museum – Calling all Crazy Rich Asians fans! As a dyed-in-the-wool Peranakan of mixed Chinese and Singaporean origins, host Alvin is a passionate collector of Peranakan antiques – so much so that he has turned his own home into Singapore’s smallest museum. Meet him there for a tour of the beautiful and extravagant artefacts he has collected over three decades, and to hear his heartwarming and hilarious accounts of Peranakan culture. [Photos via The Intan]
26/29
Travel Explore
Explore New Places: 30 Unforgettable Virtual Travel Experiences.
Slide Nr 28Experience The Mayan Creation Myth Through Musical Storytelling – How did the universe come to be? Host Juan Pablo brings you the ancient Mayan creation legend with an enchanting blend of music and myth, by way of immersive music and sound effects – just as they would be played in a Mayan ceremony. You’ll also have the chance to learn Mayan words and explore the culture of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. [Photo courtesy Juan Pablo Baeza]
27/29
Travel Explore
Explore New Places: 30 Unforgettable Virtual Travel Experiences.
Slide Nr 29Try Natural Dye And Shibori In Bali – Eco-friendly? Check. Culturally enlightening? Check. Easy and fun? Check and check. It’s possible to create beautiful, unique textile patterns using natural dyes and shibori techniques – and host Rumi will show you the ropes. All you need are soy milk, pigmented foods for the dye (strong black tea, fresh turmeric or onion skins, for example) and a white shirt, handkerchief or other item to dye. Simple, sustainable and stunning!
28/29
Travel Explore
Explore New Places: 30 Unforgettable Virtual Travel Experiences.
Slide Nr 30Take A Crash Course With A Nat-Geo Photographer – Kemal Nuraydın knows his stuff. The former Executive Editor of National Geographic magazine in Turkey, Kemal is a 30-year veteran of photography who has captured stunning images in more than 100 countries across the globe. Prepare for your next trip by picking his brain in this one-hour course, where you’ll learn your way around the manual and semi-manual modes of your camera (or mobile phone), and pick up tips for taking awe-inspiring photos. Your Insta followers will thank you. [Photo courtesy Kemal Nuraydin]
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