Are you missing travel and sick and tired of just staying at home? I know I am! The borders may be shut but that doesn’t mean that you can’t experience a little bit of Europe. And the best part is…..no crowds! These 26 virtual activities will help curb your wanderlust until we can all travel again.
Wish you were in England?
Are you intrigued by tales of Jack the Ripper? Why not have a British murder mystery night. There are a variety of virtual murder mysteries online that you can play and try your hand at finding out who the killer is. Some online games are hosted by the company and others can be self hosted which means that each one of your guests can become their own unique character.
Here are a few British themed games to try:
Feel like getting a little fancy? How about having an afternoon tea with friends over Zoom? You can get as dressed up as you want, or go completely casual. You can even deliver tea party swag bags to each of your guests before the date of the party. If you want ideas of what you can include, you can find some here. You could even get a little crafty and give everyone a plain mug that they can paint or decorate during the event.
Wish you could be hanging out in a pub with your friends? Why not host a Virtual British Pub night over Zoom. Everyone can BYOB and have their own appetizers. You can also play your own British Pub trivia.
Wish you were in France?
Do you wish you could visit amazing art museums but not have to deal with the crowds? You could actually have the museum all to yourself right at home. Try a virtual tour of the Musee D’Orsay or the Louvre. Both sites offer multiple exhibits that you can browse through whenever you want.
Did all that art inspire you to want to create your own Rembrandt or Picasso? Why not try an at home painting class. Painting With a Twist offers at home kits that you can purchase and pick up curbside. Some kits are offered with live Zoom classes and others are offered with a video so you can paint whenever you want.
Wish you could have a trip to wine regions of France? How about trying a virtual wine tasting? Some tastings allow you to purchase your choice of wine from a list in order to participate.
For serious wine lovers, you can even choose a specialized wine tasting just for your group. These bespoke packages can get pretty expensive. Some virtual options include shipping the wine directly to you but these options vary by state according to local liquor laws. The Vice Wine is a mid range option where wine can be shipped directly to you.
You can also just organize your own wine tasting event with friends. Have each person recommend their favorite, and you can buy a small bottle of each one and drink during your Zoom event.
Wish you were in Italy?
If you’re missing Italy, why not take a virtual cooking class. There are classes for those of us that just need a little help in the kitchen, as well as classes for the more advanced serious foodies.
Here are a few online options:
You can also try your hand at making your own Venetian Carnival Mask. You can find instructions at the Venetian Mask Society or you can find more inspiration on Pinterest. Once you’re done making your mask, order some pizza and relax and enjoy the evening.
Wish you were in Switzerland?
Host your own fondue night at the house. You can purchase your own fondue kit and then just buy whatever bread and fruit you like to create your own fondue dinner or desserts. Need some ideas for recipes? Here are 13 recipes to try.
After all of that fondue, you may feel the need to walk it off. If the weather is nice, you could take a walk around the block, or you could take a virtual hike in Switzerland. Now you can hike one of the most beautiful trails in Switzerland, the Panorama Trail, right from your home.
Wish you were in Belgium?
Start off the day by eating chocolate and waffles in bed. If you add a little bit of powdered sugar to them, it’s like having dessert for breakfast!
Belgium is also known for its chocolate. You can learn to make your own chocolates at home. This make your own truffles kit has everything you need to learn to make your own. Want to get a little more advanced than just a kit? Try an online chocolate making class.
If chocolate is not your thing, what about making your own beer instead. There are many kits out there, like this one,so you can create your own beer right at home.
Wish you were in Ireland?
Do you love exploring castles? Some of Ireland’s most beautiful castles are now available for virtual tours. Check out these castle tours:
After you take in some of the history, why not get in a little exercise? There are several studios online that now offer virtual adult Irish dance classes.
If music is more of your thing, how about joining in an online traditional set or concert. You can just hang out a while and listen to traditional Irish music or if you’re musically inclined, you can join in yourself.
Here are a couple of sites that have weekly events:
Trad Fest (must purchase tickets for concerts)
And if listening to Irish music inspires you to want to learn how to play an instrument, you can go to the Online Academy of Irish Music and take fiddle, flute, banjo, tin whistle, harp, and even guitar lessons.
Wish you were in Scotland?
You can now tour one of Edinburgh’s most visited sites online. Virtually walk around a 3D model of Edinburgh Castle without the crowds and without leaving the house.
After touring the castle, you may feel like listening to some music. Last year many renaissance festivals were cancelled. Some, however, were able to host virtual renaissance festivals. Performers recorded their acts to post online. Now you can take part in a little medieval fun without worrying about the weather or dressing up. (You could still dress up at home if you want!) Visit this festival site for links to all the performances.
For the serious Outlander fans out there, you can also take a virtual tour of the Outlander filming locations in Scotland.
Wish you were in Germany?
Have you ever wanted to go to Germany for Oktoberfest? Last year’s festivities were cancelled, but that shouldn’t stop you from visiting Munich’s famous Hofbrauhaus. You can take a tour of this famous landmark online.
And if you really want to feel like you’re at Oktoberfest, how about an online beer tasting? Events can vary from those that can ship a variety of beers to those that require you to purchase certain beers from a list. Often, it comes down to which states allow the shipment of alcohol. Here is a list of upcoming beer tasting events. These events take place in different countries so be sure to check the time zone before you book.
Wish you were in Greece?
What about hosting your own Olympic Games? Some of these ideas could be done with your family members at home. Others could be done over a Zoom party with friends. In events that require more than one person, each family could participate as a household and the family with the best time or the most reps could be considered the winner. At home Olympic games could include:
Relays
- Egg on a spoon- (carry an egg on a spoon across the room and back.)
- Potato sack/ garbage bag race
- Three-legged race
- Tipsy Waiter (spin around a bat and try to carry a tray of glasses filled with water)
- Backwards Race – walk backwards towards the finish line.
- Balloon Race – Place a balloon between your knees and try to race across the room. You can also have partners back to back with a balloon between them and try to race to the finish line.
Games
- Egg toss- toss an egg to your partner, each time moving further and further apart.
- Corn hole/Bean Bag Toss
- Planking challenge – How long can you hold it?
- Jump rope contest/ hula hoop contest
- Who can build tallest Lego tower in five minutes
- Discus Throwing (glue two paper plates together and try to throw them into a taped off area)
- First to finish a doughnut hanging on a string
- Pie eating contest
Are you more into history than sports? Greece is full of many ancient ruins. Some of them are becoming fragile over time. But now, you can visit the Acropolis without ever leaving your house!
Wish you were in Spain?
Are you more into dancing? Have you ever wanted to try dancing the flamenco? Several studios are currently offering online flamenco lessons that can be taken over Zoom. Flamencura offers beginner and advanced classes and LS Flamenco school offers beginner classes as well as choreography classes.
If you’re more of a foodie, you could try your hand at making your own tapas. Spain is known for their appetizers better known as tapas. Try taking an online Tapas class taught by a real chef.
Wish you were in Austria?
If you are an opera fan, the Vienna State Opera is streaming live events from their website. You can watch beautiful performances without ever having to leave the country. Follow it up by listening to a little Mozart.
After a year of lockdowns and closed borders, everyone is getting anxious to travel. While we don’t know how long it will be before the borders are open again, and life looks more like normal, these virtual activities will help relieve some of that boredom. These 26 activities are just the start though. There are many more out there, so go start exploring!
Need ideas for your virtual swag bags or your pub night trivia? Get those and more with your free virtual activity pack.
