As world travel comes to a standstill in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, virtual reality (VR) travel might just be what you need to get your wanderlust fix.
Google searches for virtual reality travel have spiked in the last two weeks and with a burgeoning market value of US$18.8 billion—VR tech is taking the world over. What does this mean for the travel industry? If you’ve ever wanted to see the Mona Lisa or climb Mount Everest, you no longer have to leave your couch for it. VR glasses or not, get ready to dive in with these five LUXE-worthy virtual reality travel experiences to try.
See the Mona Lisa
The Musée du Louvre unveiled their first VR exhibition in 2019 with the Mona Lisa at centre stage. Download the show featuring the museum’s Leonardo da Vinci exhibition, plus a virtual tour of the famed halls, cascading images, sounds and interactive design all to tell the story behind the smile. Da Vinci’s new kept secret.
Explore Musée du Louvre
Parisian culture vultures can also take a whiff of Musée du Louvre’s virtual reality tours, from the Roman Antiquities wing to picture blue skies in the Tuileries Garden. The best way to see the hordes without the queues.
Explore Art Shows Online
Acute Art X has partnered with a collection of international artists from the likes of Marina Abramović, Olafur Eliasson, and Nathalie Djurberg & Hans Berg, to create fully immersive VR art experiences made for your home. Get swept away to an alt dimension.
Climb Mount Everest
For the adrenaline junkies out there, Solfar Studios will have you climbing Mount Everest at any time of day. Start at Basecamp or go for an overnighter at Camp 4 where you’ll see a twinkling (uninterrupted) night sky. Not heart pumping enough? Scale Hillary Step to reach the summit of Everest instead. They’ve got views of the Himalayas you could only see online. Milky way treat.
Hike the Grand Canyon, Machu Picchu or Rajasthan
Travel bloggers and influencers alike have been venturing into the realm of VR ever since Youtube launched its 360 video function. Experience first hand the sights and sounds in the desti’s you may have never considered before: hike through the Grand Canyon, or avoid the heat and hordes of Machu Picchu before taking a glimpse into unknown Rajasthan.
We expect LUXE-worthy VR travel to take off, whether it’s to plan your next escape or just for a moment of escapism during the work week.
Hero Image: Mona Lisa: Beyond the Glass with Musée du Louvre
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