Fulfil your penchant for eco travel with a virtual visit to these natural destinations.
Tired of strolling around the parks in your neighbourhood? Then take advantage of the interactive tours provided by a number of national parks and explore glaciers in Alaska, sand dunes in Namibia, and trails in Northern Ireland.
Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland
The Irish refer to this amazing place as, unsurprisingly, the Eighth Wonder of the World. Visitors to this UNESCO World Heritage Site will be impressed by the sight of 40,000 interlocking basalt and andesitecolumns jutting out of the sea and onto the coast of Antrim in Northern Ireland, some of them up to 12m high!
Legend has it that they were put together by giants as a connecting stairway to Scotland. Scientists, however, posit that they were the result of a volcanic fissure eruption. No matter its origins, the views here will take your breath away. Game of Thrones fans would be interested to know that, although the series was not filmed at Giant’s Causeway, many scenes were filmed in the surrounding areas.
Take virtual tours of the national park at https://www.airpano.com/360photo/ireland-atlantic-coast/?startscene=7&ath=968.927&atv=7.678&fov=97.00
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China
One of China’s most famous national parks, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park can now be visited online. It has also come to be known as the Avatar mountains, as its giant quartz-sandstone pillars provided the inspiration for the floating peaks of the Hallelujah Mountains in James Cameron’s movie.
The area attracts millions of visitors every year. A virtual tour affords you the rare opportunity to roam around the soaring columns, explore the park’s ancient temple, and ride the Bailong glass elevator, the world’s longest and highest glass bridge.
Pay the park a virtual visit via https://www.airpano.com/360photo/China-Avatar-Mountains/
Kenai Fjords National Park, USA
Rich with fjords, icebergs and glaciers, Kenai Fjords National Park presents the Alaskan wilderness at its best. While a cruise will need to be postponed, a virtual tour of the park now allows you to rappel into an icy crevasse, kayak through icebergs, and watch a glacier recede.
As Kenai’s fjords are habitats for a multitude of sea animals and birds, bird lovers will enjoy watching bald eagles swooping along the towering cliffs, and peregrine falcons hunting over the outer islands.
Take a virtual tour via https://artsandculture.withgoogle.com/en-us/national-parks-service/kenai-fjords/exit-glacier-tour
Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia
Located in the Namib desert, Namib-Naukluft National Park’s attractions are the Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. The former is a salt pan, while the latter is a white clay pan. Both are surrounded by majestic rust red sand dunes that are reputed to be the highest in the world. It’s also one of the remotest places on earth, so being able to visit it, albeit virtually, will be an experience like no other.
Besides having access to some of the largest dunes in the area against the stunning backdrop of camel thorn trees, you’ll also be treated to a dazzling view of the starlit sky featuring the Milky Way.
Take a virtual tour via https://www.airpano.com/360photo/Namibia/
AUTOVENTURETM
If these rugged landscapes have inspired you to visit off-the-beaten-path destinations, why not consider an AUTOVENTURE organised by AA Singapore?
These convoy-driving holidays offer unsurpassed levels of freedom and excitement as you travel through shifting landscapes and immerse in the hospitality, scenery and beauty of each country you pass through. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these have been suspended till further notice. However, you can go through photos of past driving adventures here.
