Virtual Travel: 5 Itineraries To Help You Explore the World From the Comfort of Your Home

As an avid traveler, it’s tough to accept that I’ll be staying at home for the foreseeable future. I’ve struggled with this quarantine, but I also recognize that staying home is the right move and the greatest act of love I can show right now.

Although I can’t physically travel the world at the moment, I don’t want to stop exploring or learning. It’s not quite the same, but with a bit of creativity, there are ways to experience the joys of travel from home.

Last weekend, I planned a virtual travel day to Italy. Sure, it was a bit silly, but my husband and I had a ton of fun! And it was a great way to spend a Saturday inside. We are planning to “visit” a few more places soon and I decided to share my Virtual Travel itineraries with you guys!

Of course, these are just fun guidelines and you can modify them to fit your space and pantry. I don’t want to encourage you to run out for an unnecessary grocery trip. But maybe use this post to plan ahead for your next grocery stock-up or just use it as some inspiration to plan your own virtual travel itinerary.

I also want to give a HUGH shoutout to Google Arts & Culture. These virtual travel itineraries would be impossible without these free online exhibits and landmark tours.

Alright, ready to get started? Let’s travel the world from home!

5 Virtual Travel Itineraries

---

Italy

Want to know the best part of virtual travel? You can cover way more “ground” in one day than normally possible! My Italy Virtual Travel Itinerary bounces around from city to city. Let your imagination take over and enjoy:

Breakfast

Start your morning on a sidewalk cafe in Rome. Why not make some homemade biscotti and sip an espresso (or any coffee you have available)?

To create some ambiance, put on the Spotify Playlist “Italian Cafe Vibes” and pull up this Youtube video where you can enjoy a nice walk from the Trevi Fountain to the Pantheon.

Afternoon Activities

Enjoy your relaxed breakfast but when you are ready for some more adventures, pick as many of the items below to fill your afternoon. Need some ambiance? I suggest “Italian Favorites: Music of Italy” on Spotify.

• Virtual Tours: Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Street Food Before it was Cool in Palermo, Massimo Theater, Italian Street Art, The Grand Tour of Italy – Palio of Siena: The Prova Generale in 360º, Explore Pompeii, Milan Cathedral, or the National Archaeological Museum of Naples
• TV Shows: Chef’s Table: Massimo Bottura S1E1 on Netflix, Ugly Delicious: Pizza S1E1 on Netflix, or Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations: Venice S5E2 on Hulu
• Miscellaneous: Practice Italian on Duolingo, create a painting inspired by an Italian Renaissance artist, or play indoor bocce (I just a few of my cat’s toys to play a modified version!)

Cocktail Hour

If you want an early evening happy hour, I suggest making an Aperol Spritz (but here is a list of additional Italian cocktails) + some delicious bruschetta. I modified both of these recipes when I made them since I didn’t have all of the traditional ingredients. That’s totally fine- just use what you have!

Need some more music? How about the “Italian Hits- Famous Outside of Italy” Spotify playlist.

Dinner + Dessert

Set the mood with candles and the Spotify playlist “The Perfect Italian Dinner”. My husband and I changed into formal clothes for dinner- which made this feel like a fun date night!

We made our favorite Italian pasta dish- Cacio e Pepe. But really- get creative! Make pizza, lasagna, ravioli, or whatever you can. Enjoy a glass of wine (chianti if you have it) and end your evening with some gelato! Oh, and if you want to watch a movie tonight consider Roman Holiday on Prime Video, The Lizzie McGuire Movie on Disney+ or The Da Vinci Code on Hulu.

---

France

Just like with the Italy itinerary, you can “visit” a ton of different spots in France in just one day. Let your imagination and the power of the internet transport you to this exciting country:

Breakfast

Start your morning at a cozy French cafe. Make these easy crêpes and sip a Cafe au Lait (or a toast & jam and any coffee you have)! If you want to stretch yourself- attempt to make croissants!

To create some ambiance, put on the Spotify playlist “Parisian Chic.” and pull up this Paris Walkthrough Tour on Youtube.

Afternoon Activities

Ready to do some sightseeing? Fill your afternoon with as many of the following activities as you want! Need another playlist? Check out “A Summer in the South of France” on Spotify.

• Virtual Tours: Valensole Plateau, Eiffel Tower Rooftop, Louvre Online Tour, Chauvet Cave, Learn about Marie Curie, Paris Opera, Mont Blanc, Versailles, Street Art, or the Musee d’Orsay.
• TV Shows: The French Chef with Julia Child through PBS, Anthony Bourdain No Reservations: Paris S1E1 on Hulu, F*ck That’s Delicious: Can’t Forget Paris S1E8 on Hulu.
• Miscellaneous: Practice French on Duolingo, take a Tour de France inspired bike ride, learn to play Piquet.

Cocktail Hour

For happy hour, I suggest making a French 75 + having some Crudités. The best part about this appetizer is you can use whatever you have on hand. Any raw vegetables will work! Don’t have veggies? Just let yourself get creative! (Pretzel sticks and salsa works as crudités right now in my mind!)

Try “French Dinner Party” on Spotify to transport you to the French Rivera for your happy hour!

Dinner + Dessert

Put on the Spotify playlist “Amor Frances” and set the mood for a relaxed evening in Paris. If you can get some fresh vegetables, try making Ratatouille! This would go well with a side of a crusty French baguette (or toast or any bread you can find).

Enjoy a glass of wine (Bordeaux or Chardonnay if you have it!) and put on a movie. Why not pair your dinner with Ratatouille on Disney+ or Midnight in Paris on Prime Video or Amélie on Hulu. If you want, consider making a nice Chocolate Mousse for dessert.

---

Mexico

My Mexico Virtual Itinerary mostly focuses on Mexico City, but you will get to take a few “side trips” during the day because why not?

Breakfast

When I went to Mexico City last year, I fell in love with Chilaquiles. Try making these + some Mexican Coffee and let your imagination transport you to an open-air cafe in CDMX.

To help with the vibe, put on the “Hecho en Mexico” Spotify playlist and pull up the Walk Mexico City Youtube video.

Afternoon Activities

Enjoy your breakfast and then get ready to tour the beautiful country of Mexico (all from the comfort of your couch, of course!). If you need another Spotify playlist try “Viva Mexico.”

• Virtual Tours: Museo Frida Kahlo, Museo Nacional de Antropología, Learn about Day of the Dead, Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral, Chichen Itza, or the Museo Textil de Oaxaca.
• TV Shows: Chef’s Table: Cristina Martinez S5E1 on Netflix, Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown: Mexico City S3E4 on Hulu, or Taco Chronicles on Netflix.
• Miscellaneous: Practice Spanish on Duolingo, learn how to play Conquian, or use a toilet paper roll to make a pinata!

Cocktail Hour

Ready for happy hour? Try making a refreshing Paloma or, if you have the ingredients, here’s a recipe for a Jamaica Cocktail from Licoreria Limantour (a CDMX spot that’s on The World’s 50 Best Bars list).

Make some Salsa Roja, Salsa Verde, or Guacamole to go with your drink. Or just enjoy canned salsa if that’s all you have! Put on “La Cantina” on Spotify to set the mood!

Dinner + Dessert

For dinner, work with what you have. I’d love to make Chicken Tinga Tacos but really, any type of tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, etc. will have to do for now! If you want to do some baking, end your evening by making Churros and Chocolate!

Want to put on a movie? Try Roma on Netflix, Coco on Disney+ or Frida on Prime Video. Need a dinner playlist? Check out “Salsa Mexico” on Spotify.

---

NYC

Living in NYC but not being about to enjoy NYC has made this time even harder. But I’m doing what I can and channeling all the city’s classics with this Virtual Travel guide!

Breakfast

If you are lucky enough to have some yeast, try making bagels! Otherwise, get some bagels + cream cheese and enjoy some coffee for a classic NYC morning.

Put on “Songs About NYC” on Spotify and start the Walking Around New York City- Manhattan Videowalk Youtube Video.

Afternoon Activities

Have your quick breakfast, NYC never slows down! Then, do some sightseeing. If you want another playlist, try “Songs About New York City”.

• Virtual Tours: MOMA, The Met, The Morgan Library, Bronx Museum of the Arts, Street Art, Construction of the Statue of Liberty, 5 Pointz, Ballet Hispánico, Tenement Museum, High Line, Central Park, Times Square Midnight Moment, or tour Carnegie Hall.
• TV Shows: Chef’s Table: Dan Barber S1E2 or Chef’s Table: Christina Tosi S4E1 on Netflix, F*CK That’s Delicious: Culinary Athleticism S1E3 on Hulu or an episode of Pose on Netflix or The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Prime Video.
• Miscellaneous: Play Ticket to Ride (the New York edition), play Scrabble (which was invented in New York) or paint a picture of the city’s skyline.

Cocktail Hour

Put on “New York Jazz Vibes” on Spotify and make a Manhattan. Gather and “bar snack” you have and pretend like you are sitting in one of the city’s many incredible cocktail bars.

Dinner + Dessert

What’s NYC without pizza? If you want, try to make your own pizza from scratch! Or order from a local pizza spot, make a frozen pizza, get a pizza crust and go from there. Get creative!

For dessert, make a New York-Style Cheesecake (if you can get your hands on the ingredients of course). Need some music? Try “New York City!” on Spotify.

And of course, if we are “going” to NYC, you need to see a show! There are tons of Broadway shows you can stream right now. Check out BroadwayHD or Playbill’s list HERE. If you’d rather watch a movie, you’ve got tons of options. Maybe Taxi Drive on Prime Video, Breakfast at Tiffany’s on Hulu or The Muppets Take Manhattan on Prime Video.

---

National Parks

For this last Virtual Travel itinerary, I’m transporting myself to the great outdoors. Pretend you are on an impossible road trip to some of America’s greatest National Parks.

Breakfast

Start your day with a classic campfire breakfast skillet. Use whatever you have- but here’s a recipe for some inspiration. And what’s camping without coffee? If you can pour it out of a thermos- even better!

Put on the “Blissful Morning Nature Sounds” and pull up the Grand Canyon Sunrise Youtube video.

Afternoon Activities

Ready to do some exploring? Put on “The Great Outdoors” Spotify playlist and have some fun!

• Virtual Tours: Hawaii Volcanoes, Carlsbad Caverns, Kenji Fords, Bryce Canyon, Dry Tortugas, Yellowstone Live Cam, Wildlife Cams, or the Mount Rainier Webcam.
• TV Shows: National Parks Adventure on Netflix, America’s National Parks on Disney+, Wild Yellowstone on Disney+, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea on Prime Video.
• Miscellaneous: Take a walk, doing some birding out your window, practice drawing Yosemite.

Cocktail Hour

Thirsty after a long day of “hiking”? Try this Grand Canyon Mule and maybe some homemade trail mix (an easy blend of anything you have on hand)!

I don’t know about you, but one thing I love about camping is the time spent hanging out at the campsite playing games. So why not play UNO or another fun card game during this happy hour? Oh and put on “Chill Outdoors” on Spotify to set the mood.

Dinner + Dessert

For dinner, gather ’round the campfire! Ok, maybe you don’t have a fire pit or even a grill (hey NYC living!) but you can get creative! I’m thinking burgers, hot dogs, chili, or a grilled cheese. If you don’t have a fire pit, put on “Campfire Sounds” on Spotify.

After dinner, make S’mores! You could do these at your fire pit or grill, but it’s also easy enough to do these in the oven or microwave!

If you have a tent, why not set it up for some added fun! Or make a blanket fort. End your night by cuddling up and watching Free Solo on Netflix or National Lampoon’s Vacation on Hulu (Ok, not exactly a National Parks movie but its a fun road trip comedy)!

---

I hope you enjoyed Virtual Travel Guides! I know we all might not be able to get all of the supplies we need to make these happen- but that’s ok! Just use these guides as some inspiration and see where you can “travel” during this time.

Please share your ideas below too! I’d love to get some inspiration from you.

If you liked this post, feel free to share it or pin it!