But good thing is you can still travel during your free time!

Of course there are plenty books, magazines travel blogs to read, or to watch travel channels, but you also can go on virtual tours through hundreds museums.

Google Arts & Culture collections

Google Arts & Culture collections over thousand museums in different parts of World. Some of them you probably would never visit, so now you have an opportunity to do it.

MoMA The Museum of Modern Art in New York, Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Museo Dolores Olmedo in Mexico, The State Tretyakov Gallery
in Moscow, The Munch Museum in Oslo, Tokyo National Museum in Tokyo, National Museum in New Delhi and list goes on and on. Just don’t spent too much time in these museums. You need to do some exercise too not just sit on coach

Louvre

Louvre in Paris was one of the first museums closed during this coronavirus time. But you can visit Louvre virtually too.

National Museum of the United States Air Force

National Museum of the United States Air Force offers virtual tour and allows visitors to take 360-degree, self-guided tour of the entire museum.

Web cams

Web cams allows as to see live what is happening in the World. Here is big collection of web cams.

You can watch Niagara Falls live or life on Times Square in New York, or watch waves in Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia and may be you will be lucky to see a whale.

Enjoy your virtual travel and let us know if you know any other good virtual tours in museums or parks and we will add it to our list.

The post How to travel while you are on COVID-19 lockdown appeared first on Vi Travel Tips.

Sit back, pour a glass of your favorite varietal and start dreaming of your next trip. If you’re considering a wine tour through Europe and wondering what destinations are of top tasting value, then here are a few to mark on your map.

Bordeaux, France

Bordeaux is situated in the southwest of France and is home to the largest wine producing region in the country – which itself is the largest wine producing country in the world. Tours here give visitors the chance to experience a beautiful port city surrounded by rolling hills lined with grape vines. The town of Saint-Émilion is a great place to head for tours and tastings.

Montepulciano, Italy

Tuscany is known throughout the world for being a major food and wine centre, and if you’re looking to experience both wonderful tastes and stunning sites, including Renaissance churches and artwork, then the region of Montepulciano is for you. The famed Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a dry, full-bodied red, and was for a long time the only wine to be served to region’s nobility.

Porto and the Douro Valley, Portugal

Today people will commonly call any dessert wine a Port, but true Port can only be produced in one region of the world. The Douro Valley is known for producing sweet red wines in a variety of styles, from Tawny Port to Late Bottle Vintage. Visitors to this region of Portugal will also quickly discover that it is home to one of Europe’s most stunning natural landscapes.

La Rioja, Spain

La Rioja is home to what most will consider Spain’s finest wine, made from the country’s noble grape, Tempranillo. If you’re a fan of food and wine pairings than Spain is the perfect destination for you, as most tastings can be paired with delcious servings of Tapas. La Rioja is also home to a number of quaint towns such as Arnedillo, and famous sites like the Monasterios de San Millán de Yuso.

If you’re looking for some of the best places to not only taste wine, but also enjoy local food and stunning vistas, then the above destinations will not disappoint.

The post Best Wine Destinations in Europe appeared first on Vi Travel Tips.

Boutique hotels are plentiful in Paris, and finding the right one for your budget can take some searching. These independently run hotels offer an enticing alternative to the larger, often more expensive international chain hotels.

Paris has gained a reputation as the world’s most romantic city, but also for an occasionally stuffy or elitist attitude. By finding the friendliest lodging, travelers can avoid the attitude and maximize their experience of romantic charm.

Often, these smaller hotels have been family businesses for many generations and provide a more personalized and casual atmosphere for guests. It is possible to find Paris hotels that are charmingly French and friendly — if you know where to look. Here are seven of the friendliest boutique hotels in the City of Light.

These hotels are also friendly for your pocketbook and will cost you under $200 per night during most seasons.

Hotel des Saints-Peres

The renowned poet Edna St. Vincent Millay stayed here in 1921 when she was a foreign correspondent for Vanity Fair. She favored the hotel for its affordability and historical appeal. Today’s guests are greeted with the same combination of practicality and charm that so enticed the famous poet nearly a century ago. The Hotel des Saints-Peres is in the bohemian Left Bank of Paris, still an international beacon for artists and writers. One of the hotel’s suites features a 17^th-century fresco on its high ceiling, and all 39 rooms now feature the convenience of Wi-Fi access and mini-bars.

Hotel Verneuil

It’s rare to find a hotel that exudes historical style but without the pretentious attitude that often accompanies extraordinary design.

Hotel Verneuil manages to maintain its friendly, inviting atmosphere while preserving its distinctly Parisian romantic flair. The Verneuil is owned by Parisian hotelier Sylvie de Lattre who meticulously restored the hotel’s handsome 17^th-century wooden beams in order to preserve its authentic look. The two closest cafes — the Flore and Deux Magots — are both frequented by locals and rarely by tourists.

Hotel Le St. Gregoire

The St. Gregoire is run by a couple whose passion is to provide old-fashioned personal service. Guests report that the couple truly loves running the hotel and spend their days joyously tending to the needs of guests. Family friendliness exudes in the attention to detail at the St. Gregoire, a hotel that attracts repeat customers because of its comfortable amenities. The couple oversees the small kitchen in the stone cellar where they create rustic-style, home-baked meals and pastries for guests.

Hotel Luxembourg Parc

If you’re seeking a hotel that’s in between a palace hotel and a tiny boutique hotel, the Luxembourg Parc is your spot. The hotel maintains a classic Louis XV style, including fine linens and extravagant bathrooms, but is not quite as decadent as some of the larger hotels. This hotel manages to find a balance between eccentricity and extravagance that appeals to those who favor boutique hotels. One of its stranger features is a “24-hour room service” which mostly involves delivering food directly from local restaurants — a rare service among most smaller hotels.

Hotel de l’Abbaye

Its name is the French word for “abbey,” true to its origins as a 17^th-century abbey. This hotel’s tiny rooms are small enough to be monastic cells, and yet they are charmingly quaint. Most rooms offer views of a medieval church, St. Sulpice. Hotel de l’Abbaye is decorated in phenomenally bright floral fabrics, amplifying the warm and comforting mood. The quaint lodgings here provide a convenient escape from the hustle and bustle of modern Paris with its original cobbled patio and leafy green gardens. Stay here and you’ll have Paris at your doorstep and a contemplative sanctuary while you sleep.

Hotel Buci Latin

The Buci Latin is the essence of quirky, artistic decor. The hotel’s facade is constructed to resemble a flying saucer, and its main staircase features a gigantic graffiti mural. The lobby is buzzing with busy abstract wall paintings, and zebra stripes are a common fabric motif throughout the rooms. While its wacky look does not appeal to everyone, the hotel strives to maintain a warm and comfortable atmosphere and doesn’t veer into the pretentious attitude that sometimes accompanies the art world. During fashion week, this hotel is a favorite of editors, photographers and designers who favor a more low-key hotel experience.

Hotel Duc de St. Simon

This 34-room hotel resembles an 18^th-century townhouse with its dazzling pleated fabric-covered salon and pansy-filled gardens. The staff wear stylish uniforms but maintain a more casual approach to guest service. The famed model and actress Lauren Bacall opted to stay at the Duc de St. Simon as often as possible during her stays in Paris. Students of design frequent the hotel to take note of its unique interior décor, which focuses on folded and molded textiles. While this hotel is fashion forward, it retains the vibe of a boutique hotel.

You’ll know you’ve found the right boutique hotel when you go to sleep smiling and wake up the same way.

About the Author: Samantha Jansen is a travel and tourism writer based in New York City.

The post Smile While You Sleep in Paris: The 7 Friendliest Hotels appeared first on Vi Travel Tips.

The island of Saint Martin is unique in that even though it’s 34 sq. miles (87 square kilometers⁾, this country is divided in two. Part French and part Dutch, St. Martin offers travelers some amazing sites and activities to experience while in the Caribbean. If you’re like most guests, you’re probably only staying for seven days – make the most of your precious vacation time with these “must see” travel spots!

Orient Bay Beach

Orient Beach is known for its clothing optional side, a foreign concept to most North Americans. Plenty of people have bathing suits on so don’t let this deter you from going. Orient Beach is also known for its great variety of bars, restaurants and beach activities. It’s become a very popular tourist spot so come early if you want prime seating.

Casino Royale

St. Martin’s largest casino is located only a few minutes from the airport, in what has become the go-to area for nightlife on the island. Gambling isn’t permitted in many parts of the Caribbean, but this Maho Beach hotspot offers plenty of action, as well as live cabaret shows on Friday and Saturday nights.

Sunset Bar & Grill

As a traveler you’ve probably seen your fair share of planes landing at airports, but chances that you’ve never seen them quite like this! Planes glide just a few feet over Maho Beach before touching down and there’s no better place to see them up close than from the Sunset Bar & Grill. Some thrill-seekers will even hang onto the nearby airport fence to catch the jet blast as planes take off!

Climb Paradise

St. Martin may be better known for its beautiful white sandy beaches but its mountains offer travelers both a challenging hike and great photo opportunities. Work those legs and challenge yourself to a hike up Pic du Paradise (Paradise Peak) which at 1,492 feet (424 meters) is the island’s highest point. Get the most out of your experience with a local guide – with their expert eye you’ll have better chances of spotting the local wildlife.

Day Trips

A short ferry ride will take you to the island of Anguilla. You can easily get a feel for this exclusive island in a full day and still make it back to your luxury St. Martin villa in time for dinner. Some travelers may also venture to another neighboring island, the glamorous St. Barts. It’s very similar to St. Martin in that St. Barts is also French, offers great shopping, mountains to hike and pristine beaches. During the peak Holiday season, expect to see some mega yachts!

There’s just so much to see and do in St. Martin, so try to find your ideal balance between relaxing by the pool or on the beach and venturing out. Sometimes the “must see” thing is just you and your loved ones playing on the beach!

About Susanne Richards: Susanne writes about villas in St. Martin and Caribbean travel for Luxury Retreats. She loves to explore new beaches and activities throughout the Caribbean Islands.

The post The ‘Must See’ Spots in Saint Martin appeared first on Vi Travel Tips.

The Brits Guide to Camping in France: The location that has it all

So often camping holidays in the UK are sodden affairs that don’t offer the kids much opportunity to get out and play and leave the parents feeling miserable and claustrophobic. If this rings a bell with any of your experiences from camping within the UK have you ever thought about taking a trip abroad to go camping? Camping in France and across most of central Europe is popular amongst the residents of those countries and it is becoming increasingly popular with campers from the British Isles.

Camping in France: Who to book with?

A camping trip abroad can be a cost effective way of enjoying some sunshine and also offer all the same charm that a camping trip in the UK provides. Pitching up a tent in one of Frances glorious regions with their scenic countryside and enjoying their culinary delights goes down as one of my favourite family holiday destinations of all time. France provides almost guaranteed sunny weather and a huge range of diverse locations to choose from. To get a better idea of what the country can offer and to explore camping opportunities we recommend Thomson Al Fresco who specialise in camping and outdoor holidays. If you visit their website you will be spoilt for choice because they have a wonderful range of camping destinations that are spread across every popular region of France. To help you make your decision I here’s my quick guide to French camping destinations based on my families experiences in the country.

The Alps

If you have an adventurous side and you enjoy walking and hiking the French Alps is the perfect choice for you and your family. The Alps are renowned for their amazing and spectacular views from the valleys between the rising peaks of the mountains. There are numerous highly regarded campsites in the Alps that offer great access to the lakes, villages and towns that are scattered across the mountain range. Chamonix is a popular destination that has plenty of tasty restaurants and bars to explore.

Brittany

Renowned for its endless sandy beaches Brittany is one of the most popular destinations for anyone thinking of camping in France. Children will relish the prospect of spending all day on the sand and exploring the hidden coves and rock pools that are a feature of most of the regions beaches.

Paris

Camping in the countryside that surrounds the French capital is is a great destination for people who like to explore cities. Paris is obviously easily accessible by car and Lyon is only a stone’s throw away as well. Paris has a great number of interesting sightseeing opportunities to take advantage of including the world famous Eiffel Tower and the Arc De Triomphe. Disneyland Paris is also close by which will keep the kids happy because it is one of the top theme parks in Europe.

When to go camping in France

While most people prefer to go camping in the summer months because of the almost guaranteed sunshine and hot weather, it should be said that France often has glorious conditions in early spring and during autumn. Out of season the prices can also be found as low as half price.

Tom Watson is a travel writer who has spent a lot of time abroad with his family and this is something that he enjoys sharing amongst the blogging community so that others can enjoy the same experiences.

The post The Brits Guide to Camping in France appeared first on Vi Travel Tips.