We have all seen the commercials where the child is in his bedroom and exploring the Great Wall of China, or the rings of Saturn all on a PC/laptop/tablet/insert the next go-to device here. The voiceover comes on and tells people that they need to go out and buy said device for their kid so that he can travel the world because they can't afford to do so in real life.
After all, experiencing it online is the next best thing, right? The Earth has become a much smaller place in the last 30 years, and technology is allowing us to touch the other side of the world just by using a touchpad. The experiences that you hope to gain from traveling can start from the dreams you build at home.
So, how can we build our dream using the internet?
The View
One of the best things about traveling is seeing something different. Sure, we would love to say that we are most consumed with seeing things that are beautiful, but there are many travelers who would state proudly that they have been to the slums, to the poorest parts of the world, to the recently devastated areas.
Fortunately or not, the internet has been giving us a close-up view of all of those things for a few years now. Google Maps gives you the ability to visit some of the coolest places on Earth with Street View. You can actually go right up to buildings like the Taj Mahal, cruise along rivers in The Amazon, and ride along train tracks in The Swiss Alps.
So when you watch a movie about Amsterdam, go search out the street view of the red light district so you can get a feel for the place. Google is actually taking to the next level with Business View, where you can have people walk right into your store to take a look around. (Wouldn't that be interesting in the red light district? Good thing Google has some standards).
The Food
Culinary adventures have become ever increasing in popularity as of late and for some is the go-to reason for travel. But how can you set yourself up for success to make sure that you are going to like the native cuisine? Well, because of the internet, the culinary world has gotten smaller, too.
Finding out the traditional food of a destination is an easy internet search. The recipes are another.
There are forums and chat rooms where you can talk to others about authentic foreign cuisine and even peer to peer meal sharing where you can go to a meal in your hometown and have someone demonstrate / teach / cook for you a meal from their heritage. One way or another, you are going to find out what you expect for dinner in-country.
MORE: Meal Sharing 101: Peer-to-Peer Comes to Dining
The Culture
Culture is a diverse term that everyone seems to define differently. If you look at the textbook definition, culture is, "the behaviors and beliefs characteristic of a particular social, ethnic, or age group." These are the unwritten rules of a society that can make or break a vacation, so the research is essential so as not to offend and to prepare yourself for what you are going to experience.
That research that once meant consuming a trip to the public library is now available on the screen in front of your face, right in the comfy confides of your home. Between the Internet and speaking with local travel professionals that have "insider" experience in an area that you are interested in, you are going to have a pretty good Idea of what the culture will be should you actually take the trip.
What you aren't going to get
Although you can Skype with those abroad, you can cook the traditional cuisine and view some of the most magnificent buildings and areas on the web, nothing can replace the smell and feel of getting off of the plane and wandering into the local downtown. The buzz of emotions, the conversations, the smells, the sounds all make up a place. The technology is just the whetting of the chops before you take that first bite of the juicy new travel destination.
When you come out of Grand Central Station in New York City, smell those dirty-water dogs from the hot dog cart, get hit with the sounds of a guy playing saxophone under the overpass you know right away that there is a certain je ne sais quoi that just makes it New York City.
No matter how many bagels you have overnight-ed to you or how many videos of street performers you watch on YouTube you just aren't get the true feeling of being in New York City. Technology is a great way to make sure you are setting yourself up for success in your travels but you won't able to duplicate the experience of actually being there.
In the meantime, until you can afford that trip to the Great Wall of China, borrow that tablet from your son after he goes to bed and explore!
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