The social media series "7 Minutes in Saint Lucia" aims to give visitors a taste of the island life 漏聽Saint Lucia Tourism Authority
At home and dreaming of all the trips you鈥檒l take when you have the chance? To satisfy that sense of longing for the wider world, a handful of tourism boards have launched initiatives to keep globetrotters connected while they鈥檙e stuck on the ground 鈥 and though they might not earn you a new passport stamp right away, they鈥檙e sure to fuel your wanderlust for future travels. Here are six destinations to visit from afar 鈥 at least until you can get there in person.
1. Portugal
As most European countries have at this particular juncture, Portugal is hitting pause on all nonessential travel and asking its residents to shelter in place. But the tourism board doesn鈥檛 want that to be cause for despair, and it鈥檚 putting its money where its mouth is with a new video called "Can't Skip Hope," made totally by teams working from home. Featuring archival footage and a smartphone-recorded voiceover, the video ties imagery from across the nation 鈥 landscapes, monuments, people, and attractions 鈥 in with what the board is calling a message of hope: 鈥淚t is time to reflect. It is time to take a break, for the good of the world. For now, we can dream of those incredible days to come. We are in this together.鈥
2. Japan
The 2020 Olympic Games might be postponed until next summer, but in the meantime, Japan is rolling out the red carpet for virtual visitors from around the world. A 360潞 VR movie hits the country鈥檚 highlights, from the 333-meter-high Tokyo Tower to Kyoto鈥檚 Bamboo Forest Road to Shibuya鈥檚 fast-paced nightlife. Don鈥檛 blink, or you鈥檒l miss Yayoi Kusama鈥檚 Red Pumpkin sculpture in Naoshima, scenes from the Kawaii Monster Caf茅 in Harajuku, a restaurant where a conveyor belt whisks plates of sushi to and fro, practitioners of the arts of kabuki and sumo, and much, much more. To feel like you鈥檙e on the ground, check out the , head for , in the shadow of Mt. Fuji, or take a zen view of in the Shizuoka prefecture. For something a bit more down to earth, try the from Toyooka City鈥檚 Hyogo Park of the Oriental White Stork, where a pair of oriental white storks is currently in nesting mode, looking after two chicks that recently hatched.
3. South Africa
Last week, South Africa became the continent鈥檚 first nation to go into lockdown, prohibiting all domestic and international flights going forward. In response, the country鈥檚 tourism board has launched an initiative to urge visitors and locals alike to stay at home 鈥 and provide them with plenty of eye-candy-style inspiration in the process. Titled 鈥淒on鈥檛 travel now, so you can travel later,鈥 South African Tourism鈥檚 videos focus on the people, places, and experiences that make the destination such a draw 鈥 and underscore just how wonderful it will be when everyone can move about freely again. 鈥淛ust you wait til we can travel again,鈥 the narrator intones. 鈥淏oy, we鈥檙e going to travel.鈥
4. Britain
The UK might be on lockdown, but Visit Britain is doing its best to share the island nation鈥檚 pleasures, from bingeable movies and TV series to dance party鈥搘orthy playlists to pub quizzes that will keep those gray cells sharp. Try a deep dive into the shooting locations of the eight Harry Potter films, channel the Great British Bake Off and learn to make traditional scones for your afternoon tea, explore the flora and fauna of England鈥檚 famed gardens, or just settle in with some classic literature 鈥 it might not the same as experiencing it all in person, but it鈥檚 a pretty good substitute.
5. Chile
If Easter Island is on your bucket list, Imagen de Chile鈥檚 new app will give you a whole new perspective on Rapa Nui鈥檚 world-famous moai. Available via free download for iPhone and Android, offers a VR view of Ahu Tongariki 鈥 the largest ahu ever built 鈥 and its 15 statues, as well as stunning scenery from the rest of the country, from Parque Nacional Torres del Paine in southern Patagonia to northern Chile鈥檚 remote Atacama Desert. Away from the app, you can also pull out the VR glasses for tours of the , a much-lauded astronomy organization, and the , both in Santiago.
6. St. Lucia
St Lucia has closed its ports to international and private flights until April, but the tiny Caribbean island鈥檚 twin Pitons, lush greenery, and silver beaches are the stuff of travel fantasies, even if they鈥檙e temporarily out of reach. To give would-be visitors a taste of the local action, the social media series 鈥7 Minutes in Saint Lucia鈥 is airing twice a week on , , and with yoga classes, mediation sessions, cooking lessons, dance parties, and more, all under the hashtag #7MinutesinSaintLucia.
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