Virtual travel has been waiting patiently in the wings but now, with physical travel on hold for the foreseeable future, it really is it’s time to shine.  And Holiday Goddess is going to help you head to locations around world with a click of your mouse, instead of the roar of a jet engine.

Choose a country, a city or landmark. Take in sights and linger as long as you like, return to your favourite art work or garden two or three times, soaking up the atmosphere, in spaces filled with people or even minus the usual crowds (a true VIP experience). All without having to pack a bag, spend hours on a plane – let alone in a queue.

Over the coming months, Holiday Goddess will help you to discover the best virtual experiences on offer.  And don’t forget, while you’re exploring, be sure to send some virtual love to all the residents in these amazing and unique neighbourhoods! First up? We help transport you to some of the most peaceful, spiritual and calming places on the globe.

Norway

The Nature Relaxation Film ‘Flying Over Norway’ which is accessible on YouTube is hard to pull yourself away from, so ideally make sure you have a decent amount of time to indulge. For up to one hour you’ll be able to literally float via drone footage, over the rich depths of the ocean and Norway’s coastline, contrasting beautifully with small seaside towns with buildings painted in vibrant red, crisp white and mustard yellow tones. For those who want more, there is an equally amazing sequel ‘Flying Over Scotland’. No narrative necessary, this is just blissful.

Kyoto, Japan

There are countless options on the Kyoto VR Tour to help transport you into this peaceful and spiritually rich city. Linger in the mossy hills surrounding Jyojakkou Temple, choose a day or night stroll through Arashiyama Bamboo Path, surround yourself with cherry blossom blooms at Ryuhon-Ji Temple, wander from the Heian Jingu Shrine to the surrounding gardens or ponds or for something for the more technically minded visit the Kyoto Railway Museum.

Taj Mahal, Agra India

Take a tour of the Taj Mahal via the Google Arts & Culture streetview which allows you to explore this amazing monument, a white marble tomb built in 1631-48 by Shah Jehan for his wife, Arjuman Banu Begum, without the crowds (on the right hand of the screen you can choose numbers from 0-6 which move you from room to room, inside and then to outside the building). Or if you prefer to soak up the atmosphere as if it were a normal day Taj Mahal, India Video Tour in 4K has footage of the crowds along with the Hindu achitechture of pre-Islamic India.

Palace of Versailles, France

Choose to tour the breathtaking Palace of Versailles via Google Arts & Culture, where you take your time to move from The Colonnade Grove, Water Pathway to the Versailles Gardens to inside The Hall of Mirrors . Then take in one (or all) of the sixteen online exhibits available free. The official site of the Palace of Versailles also suggests a link to a YouTube Channel with over 500 videos, along with offering and even an option to visit their gift store where you can purchase everything online from a vibrant scarf, gardening kits to Trianon honey, which can be delivered internationally.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met), New York, USA

The Online Feature section of The Met Museum’s website allows you to view collections from 2014 to the present day in Met Collects from famed art works through to breathtaking fashion and jewels. Or immerse yourself in one of six separate short films created using spherical 360° technology in The Met 360° Project  plus choose to explore the museum from a kids perspective in #MetKids