Being forced to stay put as governments across the world enact travel bans can dampen the spirit of many nomads and affect the mental health of those with a serious case of wanderlust.
To encourage the public’s interest in travel during the lockdown and inspire post-COVID-19 travel, some tourism companies have begun to offer virtual tours of destinations, offering a glimpse of the experiences and adventures they can book once quarantine and isolation measures are lifted.
Contiki, a popular tour and adventure travel company that caters to 18 to 35-year-olds is one such buisiness changing the way they deliver their services amidst the pandemic lockdowns.
Recently launching their first ever Virtual Tour to Thailand, people who have had their sights set on visiting the ‘Land of Smiles’ can now experience the country and its culture from the comfort of their sofas, coffee, tea or Mai Tai in hand.
Experience a Thai cooking class in Chiang Mai
If you love Thai food, you can experience a virtual Thai cooking class with the 360° virtual Contiki tour and food safari to one of Thailand’s most stunning and tastebud-tingling foodie destinations – Chiang Mai.
Armchair travellers can also recreate the real taste of Thailand at home by cooking a Pad Thai dish created by prime minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram back in the 1930s. He used Chinese noodles with Thai ingredients to focus on nation building, appropriate given the coronavirus times we live in. Vegans and vegetarians can substitute the chicken with their favourite brand of faux chicken such as Tofurky’s Lightly Seasoned Plant-Based Chick’n and replace the fish sauce with salt or other soy sauce.
To make the most of the experience, make sure to play Contiki’s Song of the Day, The Sun Comes Up by Rudimental.
Take a Guided Tour Through Bangkok
For exciting city feels, checking out Bangkok’s culture and food scene is a must. Contiki’s 360° virtual adventure to this intoxicating capital will inspire the senses. You’ll see holy sites and places of worship such as Bangkok’s Wat Arun, or The Temple of Dawn, lush gardens, rushing canals, buzzing nightlife and one of the best street food scenes in the world.
Explore the Erawan waterfalls in Kanchanaburi
For nature lovers and off-grid travel enthusiasts, a virtual visit to the peaceful and spellbinding waterfalls in Kanchanaburi should be on the online travel agenda. Join Contiki’s 360° adventure and discover the cascading sights, soothing sounds and tranquility of the Erawan waterfalls. The floating raft hotel and national park is also on your virtual doorstep.
To create an atmosphere of peaceful meditation on this virtual tour, make sure to play the relaxing and calming river sounds offered by here.
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Cover image of woman at the Grand Palace in Bangkok by Jose Llamas.