TRAVEL THE WORLD FROM HOME

5 Virtual trips you can take with your family during home quarantine.

We know. The birds are chirping, the flowers are popping up, and all you want to do is get outside and soak up some sun. (The sun is that big, round, hot thing in the sky, in case you’ve been in too long to remember.) 2020 has made its mark on the world in ways we weren’t expecting, and right now, it’s all about finding things to do indoors. But listen, that’s a really good thing! Until this passes, staying inside is the noblest and best way to help those around you. That is unless you’re working on the front lines in essential fields—in which case, a big thank you to you! For everyone else: ‘til it subsides, stay inside.

And of course, with Mother’s Day coming up, it’ll be hard to spend that time away from the special women in our lives. If you need something fun (and remote) to do to with a quarantined mom, or if your wife is itching to get outside and you wish you could help—these might be a perfect Mother’s Day remedy to beat back those Quarantine Blues.

Here are 5 amazing virtual destinations you can take together, no matter how far apart you are! Get ready to go on a journey over the continents, into your imagination, and even back in time. Let’s get started!

1. The Louvre Museum

The Louvre is the world's largest art museum and a historic monument in Paris, France. With their online tours, you can see all they have to offer from the comfort of your living room. Virtual tours at the Louvre include:

a) The Advent of the Artist

For its 5th season, the Louvre is hosting a space dedicated to art and cultural education called “Petite Galerie.” While here, you can discover classic works by masters Delacroix, Rembrandt, and Tintoretto

b) Egyptian Antiquities

Walk like an Egyptian. Collections from the Pharaonic period are on display in this transport to ancient Egyptian times.

c) Remains of the Louvre’s Moat

Did you know the Louvre was originally a fortress built by the French king Philippe Auguste? It was intended to reinforce the defenses that the king had ordered to be built in 1190 to protect Paris from attack via the Seine. Today, visitors can walk around the original perimeter moat and view the piers that supported the drawbridge.

d) Galerie d’Apollon

The Galerie d’Apollon, situated above the Petite Galerie, was destroyed by fire in 1661 and rebuilt by Le Vau. The ceiling, begun by Le Brun, is an homage to the Sun King, Louis XIV. The central panel, Apollo Slaying the Serpent Python, is by Delacroix. Take in a piece of history as you navigate this storied past.

2. Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City is the largest art museum in the United States. Its permanent collection has over two million works of art, spanning 5000 years and ranging from ancient to modern.

Artwork from nearly every civilization is represented here, including Egyptian, Greek, African, Asian, Oceanian, Byzantine, and Islāmic art. If you’re looking for diversity in collections, you can see musical instruments, costumes, accessories, and antique weapons from all over the globe. With this virtual tour, you not only see the world as it is but as it was 5000 years ago.

3. San Diego Zoo’s Animal Live Cam

Here’s one the kids will love. Ever wonder what an ape does in his free time? Or how a koala spends his day? Get an up-close look at the animals in the San Diego Zoo… without having to sneak behind any barriers.

Peek into the secret lives of elephants, pandas, giraffes, tigers (and many more!) with 24/7 cameras that take you into the action. There are even bonus videos at the bottom of the page filled with everything from how-to’s on making your own animal-themed crafts to an adorable video of tiger cubs playing together.

4. African Wildlife LIVE

Africam.com is your live window into the African wild. High definition live streams transport you to your own personal safari, day or night. Each cam is strategically located near a waterhole in various parts of Africa, giving you a front-row seat to the “Big Five” animals: lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalos, and leopards, as well all kinds of other wildlife as they roam about the savannah.

In one particular location, Tembe Elephant Park, they are renowned for having the largest elephants in Africa—and the planet! Situated deep in the sand forests and wetlands of northern Tongaland, this park lies in a very remote location where tiny Suni antelope and a spectacular variety of animals, including over 340 bird species, can roam free.

All cameras on Africam are hidden, allowing you to observe the animals in their natural habitat at any time of day. Connect with other animal lovers around the world through the sights and sounds of the captivating African bush and its truly majestic wildlife.

5. Legoland Virtual Tour

Legos are so versatile, it turns out you can build an entire hotel out of them! Okay, not quite. But this resort located inside Legoland is every Lego lover’s dream and comes chock full of Lego creations you won’t want to miss.

If you’ve got a budding architect on your hands—or you’re just curious what a Lego masterpiece looks like on the inside—this one’s for you. Because here, everything is awesome.

Working on that #InsidePride

It’s true, staying inside (literally) isn’t exactly a walk in the park. But remember, just by following the guidelines and keeping your distance, you’re actually helping fight the spread of disease and making sure the vulnerable stay safe. Remember this, too: social distancing will end, and soon we’ll all be back outside doing the things we enjoy. Until then, we have an amazing opportunity to reconnect with family members, discover new hobbies, and look at the world in new ways.

This might be a strange Mother’s Day, but you’ll always remember how you still found a way to be together, even when the situation kept you apart. Through virtual museum tours, online messages, and even simple Facetime calls, we can still stay connected—still, keep our community growing—even though we’re separated. As you find ways to show your love, even in these difficult times, we’re here for you… sending good vibes and a few tips to make the whole process easier.

Stay safe. Stay positive. And keep being your best. We’ll get through this.

From our hearts,
Julia, Joh, and Bruce