A good dream should never be rushed. It takes time to explore the places our dreams take us, time to appreciate the escape, and let that joyful serenity sink into our bones.
Due to our current global situation, time is something many of us have more of lately. It’s an unexpected benefit — a balm to help soothe the pain of disruption. Which makes now a great time to sit back, relax and let our minds wander free.
The following are a few inspiring ideas to fill that extra time and those dreams with travel. We ask that you virtually and mentally explore from the comfort of your armchair, couch, or bed, letting your mind wander the earth to sample a world of experiences.
This crisis will end, and then you can turn those travel dreams into reality.
Eye-Opening Virtual Tours
Pop in your Bluetooth earphones and visit breathtaking national parks, ancient and modern wonders, and some of the finest museums in the world. No lines, no bad weather — just you and your bucket list.
U.S. Attractions
Wonders of the World
- Hike the Great Wall of China
- See the Northern Lights from Manitoba
- Machu Picchu
- Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
- Eiffel Tower, Paris
- The Taj Mahal, India
- Angkor Wat, Cambodia
- Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro
- Stonehenge, England
- Petra, Jordan
- The Colosseum, Rome
- Chichén Itzá, Mexico
Museums
- The Vatican Museum, Rome
- The Guggenheim, New York
- Getty Museum, Los Angeles
- The Louvre, Paris
- National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
- Musée d’Orsay, Paris
- Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
Inspiring Travel Books
Looking for something new to pick up at your local independent bookstore or download on your e-reader? Browse our favorite travel-themed titles for a healthy dose of wanderlust.
“The Art of Travel” by Alain de Botton — This philosophical examination of why and how we travel goes around the world and throughout history to describe, in poetic detail, the pleasure of anticipating a journey, the magnetic allure of the exotic, and the value of observation.
“Tracks” by Robyn Davidson — A frank and funny account of a courageous young woman’s journey through the Australian desert, where she learns a lot about herself and her companions: a dog and four camels.
“Holy Cow: An Indian Adventure” by Sarah Macdonald — A woman who vowed never to return to India returns to India. The resulting story is one of discovery and adventure in this land of beauty and chaos.
“Desert Solitaire: A Season in the Wilderness” by Edward Abbey — A real-life account of a famed writer spending a season working as a ranger at Arches National Park, where he attempts to experience nature in its purest form.
“Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time” by Mark Adams — Laugh-out-loud account of an adventure travel expert (who has never been on an actual adventure) attempting to re-create the original expedition to Machu Picchu.
And while a good dream should never be rushed, remember: “The best dreams happen when you’re awake.” – Cherie Gilderbloom
