The ongoing pandemic and travel restrictions have put have our international trips on hold, but that doesn’t mean we can’t explore cultural landmarks and admire some of the most spectacular scenery around the world. Many museums and art galleries are now offering free virtual tours, helping you to get that much-needed fix of travel and art. One option is Google Arts & Culture, an online platform that features content from over 2,000 leading cultural institutions to keep you inspired and entertained at home.  

The tech giant has recently delivered a major update to the online resource, where a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites has been added to its library of virtual tours. On the platform, users will now be able to enjoy virtual globetrotting tours of the world’s most renowned landmarks and awe-inspiring destinations, such as the Taj Mahal, the canals of France, the Colosseum, Mount Kilimanjaro, as well as Serengeti National Park, to name just a few.  

“This is a unique opportunity to enjoy a virtual globetrotting tour of cultural landmarks and outstanding places of natural beauty, as well as to access accurate and reliable information on sites of outstanding universal value,” said Ernesto Ottone, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture, in a blog post.

“Of course, this virtual exploration will never replace the unique experience of seeing these places for real and visiting World Heritage sites. We shall travel again. In the meantime, we hope it will nevertheless enable users to immerse themselves in the beauty of our world and inspire action to protect it,” he says. 

With travel off the cards for the foreseeable future, these online tours would make the perfect antidote for any travel blues and a great guide to inspire your post-pandemic trips.  

Explore UNESCO Heritage Sites from the world on Google Arts & Culture here

See also: 7 Global Cultural Experiences You Can Enjoy From Home