Port Hercule, Monaco

The coronavirus pandemic has made the globalised world a much larger place. There’s so much to explore but with pervasive travel restrictions, so little opportunity to see the best of the world has to offer. That said, medical science being what they are, we can keep our hope in the relentless advance of a viral cure for covid-19 and start to plan our future holidays with a virtual travel experience.

Future Luxe: Virtual Tourism in Monaco

Across the world, national tourism organisations like Visit Monaco team have worked painstakingly to develop virtual travel experiences.  Over in the world’s most glamorous destination, the little luxurious principality has introduced  Monaco 360, allowing viewers a panoramic view of Monaco’s stunning French Riviera coastline and skyline.

Visit Monaco took great pains in not just drone cinematic overviews of the principality but also took great pains in capturing the city’s main tourist destinations in spectacular detail through Monaco 360. We have all seen snippets of gorgeous Monaco in the many James Bond, Grand Prix and [insert any movie which needs a locale screaming “ultra wealthy”], through Monaco 360, visitors can go from the sparkling yacht-lined shores of Port Hercule to the romantic walkways of Jardin of Saint-Martin, and even stroll through the marine-inspired hallways of Oceanographic Museum.

Monaco 360 includes a look at exotic real life locales of frequent movie co-stars: iconic hotels like the Hotel de Paris and the five-star Metropole Monte-Carlo and its not just the exterior architecture, Visit Monaco took great pains to map and film the exquisite architecture and décor within as well.

Virtual tours of Top 5 World’s most famous landmarks: The Eiffel Tower, Paris

It’s not just Visit Monaco, other agencies have also captured their world famous landmarks in high definition 360 degree views.  With more than 250 million visits since it was completed in 1889. the Eiffel Tower is the  world’s most visited monuments. This interactive tour takes travellers up to the viewing platform of the 324-metre tower, taller or shorter, if it has been particularly hot or cold that day, hence causing thermal expansion or contraction of the iron structure, as well as immersive digital exhibitions which explore its history and detailed construction, from 1887-89. There are also 360-degree shots showing a helicopter’s view of the tower against the city skyline.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Ever since LUXUO’s visit to Cambodia, we’ve been anxious to re-visit one of the largest religious monuments in the world. Emblematic of the timeline of the world’s religious and cultural conflicts, Angkor Wat has survived multiple wars and sackings since its 12th century construction as a massive Hindu temple city dedicated to Vishnu. It eventually became a Buddhism temple and over the centuries swung back and forth but largely remained Buddhist after a milestone battle which gave neighbouring city Siem Reap its name. The virtual tour of Angkor Wat explores several of the magical temples, including the five towers of Angkor Wat itself; the pink sandstone Banteay Srei; and Ta Prohm (also known as the Tomb Raider temple, famously co-starring beside Angelina Jolie ), where nature has reclaimed the ruins. For a glimpse of the living city as it would have been in the 13th century, the Virtual Angkor project includes 360-degree video simulations with its authenticity contributed by archaeologists and historians.

Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro

Times like these, one is bound to look spiritually and take stock of our mortality. Standing 30 metres tall on the summit of the 710-metre Corcovado mountain and visible from all over Rio, Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro is the world’s largest art deco statue. It is at its most beautiful as the sun sets behind misty clouds, with amazing views across the city stretching from Ipanema  and Copacabana beaches to Sugarloaf Mountain at the end of the platform walkway looks out across the city. Check it out at different times of day, with these 360-degree shots from above.

Colosseum, Rome

“Are you not entertained!?” roared Russell Crowe portraying the titular Gladiator as he struts his martial prowess across the world’s largest amphitheatre in antiquity – The Roman Colosseum. Built between AD70 and AD80 for gladiatorial combat and the occasional sporting event, the Colosseum is simultaneously the eternal city’s crown jewel of civilisation (architectural & engineering) and symbol of its barbaric savagery. Around two-thirds of the structure has been destroyed in the 2,000 years since but the remaining ruins are one of Italy’s most popular attractions. Take a look inside or fly overhead in these 360-degree images.

The Pyramids, Giza

The first pyramid was erected during the Third Dynasty by the Pharaoh Djoser and his architect Imhotep, but Egypt’s most famous remain those at the Giza pyramid complex. The largest of constructs since the Egyptians started building them in 2700 BC, pyramids of Giza were built as grand tombs for the pharaohs to spend their afterlives in eternity entombed with their treasures. The virtual tour of the pyramids don’t just show one of the seven wonders of the world  from afar, but you also get a closer look of two of the largest pyramids ever built – the Great Pyramid (147 metres) and the Pyramid of Khafre (136 metres). As a bonus: visit the Great Sphinx to the east.