travel
Take Off on a Virtual Vacay Travel to these fun places without leaving your couch By Jana Beauchamp
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raditional family vacations (and everything else) the way we know and treasure them are on pause. We can still plan a virtual vacation and don’t need to factor in what to pack, travel logistics, or transportation plans. It’s easy peasy to have a super fun trip at home. Here are some perfect places for families to travel to from home sweet home until we can hit the road again.
1. Disney Everyone needs Disney magic from the happiest place on earth right about now and there is so much new magic to discover on the Disney Parks Blog. They offer opportunities to learn, create, play, and take care. There are virtual views for select Disney attractions on the Disney Parks YouTube Channel and #DisneyMagicMoments content and activities on the Disney Parks Blog. We especially enjoyed the theme park recipes and tutorials like OOOoooOOOooo! Learn from Pixar animator Ben Su how to draw a Toy Story-style alien. Disneyparks.disney.go.com/ blog/topics/magic-moments 2. Dolphin Quest Travel virtually to Dolphin Quest Bermuda, Dolphin Quest Hawaii, or Dolphin Quest Oahu, for your family and friends to interact live with dolphins and Marine Mammal Specialists. There is a free Dolphin Quest LIVE on their Facebook page daily for a fun and informative live interactive broadcast with Marine Mammal Specialists and dolphins. Families can also schedule private dolphin encounters via Zoom for an engaging, interactive visit with Marine Mammal Specialists and their favorite dolphins. Dolphin Quest provides a guided, personalized experience to meet and interact with the dolphins (they dance, leap, and more) from the safety of your home. Participation in the paid virtual program supports the continued professional care of the dolphins while Dolphin Quest’s onsite interactive programs are on pause. Dolphinquest.com/bermuda/bermuda-
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Wildearth allows kids to explore on a virtual african safari. exclusive-virtual-encounter 3. Hershey, Pennsylvania You can make sweet memories at home with Hershey-themed virtual experiences, like takeout dining, recipes, and more by visiting One Sweet Minute: The Stay At Home Edition (stories.hersheypa.com/ one-sweet-minute-experience-hershey-paat-home-in-may-2020). There’s a delicious collection of virtual experiences that cover the destination of Hershey, PA, like trivia and coloring pages. Our favorite is to grab the family, take a seat, and get ready to ride front row on your favorite Hersheypark coasters (hersheypark.com)! Take a ride on all 15 mild to wild coasters, including the new and thrilling Candymonium, and pick your favorite. It’s a sweet sensation! Hersheypark. com/chocolatetown/coaster.php 4. Africa Head to Africa with Wild Earth Kids(wildearth.tv/2020/03/wildearth-kidssessions-kids-at-home)by hopping in the back of a jeep for a virtual action safari. Kids of all ages will enjoy this free, live, and interactive safari experience as they join safariLIVE(wildearth.tv/kids) and tour
some of the famed wildlife areas, interact with experts, and drive through the African wilderness. Lions and tigers and elephants, oh my! 5. Australia Travel to the land down under with Live from Australia (australia.com/en-us/ travel-inspiration/live-from-aus.html) and virtually experience the one-of-a-kind events hosted by some of Australia’s most iconic personalities. Explore across the continent from the Great Barrier Reef (queensland. com/en-us/explore-queensland/greatbarrier-reef) to the Sydney Opera House (sydneyoperahouse.com), and along the way plan to dance with The Wiggles and learn Aussie BBQ secrets from Hayden Quinn. What a way to say g’day mate! 6. The Bahamas Visit the Bahamas with ‘At Home with Baha Mar.’ There’s a digital care package with ways for families and friends at home right now to get creative, relax, and connect with loved ones – all inspired by the Bahamian islands. With themed coloring pages, playtime with kids’ crafts, Happy Hour the Baha Mar way, and family game
