Travel Tip Tuesday : How a Travel Writer Uses the Web for Escapism

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Travel is a form of escapism. Though we all travel for very different reasons, escaping to the sights and sounds of destinations other than where we call home, is a reason we all have in common.
But some of us just can’t travel as much as we’d like. Or at all for that matter. Folks afraid of flying or those who can’t afford travel really shouldn’t miss out on all the fun.

For those people, I’m sharing some of the most addictive and delicious ways that I like to travel when I am not traveling – right from the comfort of my own home.

Disclaimer : I will not be held responsible for all the time you’ll spend getting sucked into playing with these tools in an attempt to escape your daily routine.

1. On-line Travel Guides. Sites like Ruba, Trazzler and Iwannagothere are on-line travel guides made by real travelers. They are loaded with lots of photos which draw you in and make you feel like you’re there. There are hundreds of these on-line guides, each with it’s own niche, and new ones seem to pop up all the time. But I’m fickle, I get bored of one and move on, replacing it with a new favorite. Explore and find one that keeps you coming back.

2. Live-streaming Webcams. When I am jonesing to see what is going on in my favorite areas, or I’m just looking for a little inspiration, I look for a live webcam. I can watch the action in real-time without ever leaving my comfy chair. Just search your destination along with the words ‘live’ and ‘webcam’ ..and see where it takes you. Quality of cameras vary greatly, but EarthTV offers some of the best. From experience, I know I can watch what’s happening in places like Antibes, Paris, Venice or Honolulu.

3. Flickr. Not only do I use Flickr to store my own photos or for browsing other traveler’s photos, but did you know you can search and view all of the best for any particular area? I explore destinations by searching tags like Hawaii, Tuscany or Prague. Or narrow it down by city. I also like to search broader topics like beach, church, mountain, cemetery…whatever I’m in the mood for. Perhaps you’ll find inspiration here for a new must-see location. The best part – after you search, set the view to ‘slideshow’ – and watch those full-screen pictures come alive.

4. You Tube. Sure, it’s crammed with millions of wacky video clips of teenagers emulating stunts like those in the movie ‘Jackass’, but don’t discount it for great travel videos, anywhere in the world. Just browsing the enormous clip collection lets me tour a Murano glass factory, swim in Fiji, tour a market in Provence and watch dosas being made in Mumbai. When I can’t find what I’m looking for on YouTube – I also like Vimeo.

5. Google Street View. Google maps has many of the features the others offer, but it also has one special thing the others don’t – Street View. Though not available for all areas, it’s one of my favorite ways to get lost in a first class virtual visit, by walking the streets of the places I crave. Ever want to stroll the banks of the Seine or the I’sle Saint-Louis and wonder what the view of Notre Dame is like from that angle? Well, thanks to Street View you can. They have even added ski slopes! I love to take pegman (the little gold man) for a walk up and down, change direction, turn corners, move left and right or grab a panoramic view. Hours worth of quality fun, for free.

Here is a an example of a Screenshot:

Interested in finding out how to use it? Watch the tutorial.

And for those of you out there without a computer or who fancy good old-fashioned book reading, my other favorite pastime involves a library or bookstore.

I highly recommend setting aside a few hours on a rainy day {I dare you not to spend the entire day!}, grabbing a cup of joe and perusing travel and photography books to your heart’s content while imagining yourself walking through the pages of your favorite destination(s).

I’ve shared my secrets, now it’s your turn. What are your favorite ways to immerse yourself in travel when not actually traveling?

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Check out Cherrye’s travel tips today!

Gray
March 2nd, 2010
I used to watch the Travel Channel to get my travel fix, but there are hardly any actual travel shows on the Travel Channel any more, so I’m with you. I get my travel fix on the web. I like to read first-person accounts of other people’s travels at their blogs.
.-= Gray´s last blog ..Yes, We Have No Mallorcas =-.

Ah yes, the NOT so Travel Channel. I used to watch that too, until it became poker and haunted houses Travel Blogs are also a great way – thanks for sharing Gray

CB
March 2nd, 2010
I’m addicted to Google Street View. It’s a great way of checking places out before I book!

Agreed! And it’s nice to get a pciture of what your’re looking- it’s easier to find it!

Laura
March 2nd, 2010
These are great tips. I spend part of each day doing many of these -I have webcams bookmarked so that I start and end each day in Sardegna, Roses, Spain, Sagres, Portugal and Lanjoran, Spain. I am certain my husband thinks I am nuts! One webcam even allows me to see the same old man each day when he sits at the cafe table for his afternoon beer and his book, on a tiny beach in Portugal. He has no idea that a woman in Oregon is watching him and longing to sit at the next table with her own beer and book!

Google Earth and the street view feature are amazing! I am planning a trip to Spain and have actually been able to see three of the places we are staying. One man offered to send me directions to their out-of-the-way agriturisimo, but I told him I had already found it with Google Earth and with street view I had already seen the dirt road where we will turn down in 6 months!

I consider myself a desk-bound wanderer because I do so much traveling without getting out of my chair.

Oh, you are so not nuts! Armchair travel can be additive, but it’s cheaper in the long run, right?

Melanie@TravelsWithTwo
March 2nd, 2010
PBS is getting it right where Travel Channel has failed…

Between trips, I can still get my travel porn fix from Globe Trekker, Rick Steves and the “Visions” series, those blood-pressure-lowering aerial HD-spectaculars that make me want to bundle up by a fireplace with a good bordeaux and slip into a Europe-induced coma!

Oh, I agree on PBS, much better travel shows. Thanks for the other suggestions! I love your wine and fireplace image…..

.-= Melanie@TravelsWithTwo´s last blog ..Turtles, Hell and Rum Cake: Grand Cayman =-.

Cherrye at My Bella Vita
March 3rd, 2010
I don’t actually like to watch videos and shows of travel when I’m stuck at home. I’m too jealous of the ones in the video.

Oh Cherrye….you kill me

.-= Cherrye at My Bella Vita´s last blog ..Travel Tip Tuesday: Take the Shock Out of Culture Shock-Five Tips for Travelers Visiting Italy =-.

Erica
March 8th, 2010
These are all excellent tips. I’m a fan of Ruba and iwannagothere. But most of all, I like reading different travelogues, travel books and coffee table books on travel.

Ah, a girl after my own heart. Nothing better than getting lost in other peoples travels