How to Travel the World from Your Apartment with These Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Experiences

Apartment: Have you ever dreamed of visiting exotic destinations, exploring ancient ruins, or witnessing natural wonders but don’t have the time, money, or opportunity to do so? Thanks to the advances in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technology, you can now experience the world from the comfort of your own apartment. All you need is a smartphone and a VR headset or an AR app, and you can immerse yourself in stunning 360-degree videos, interactive simulations, and realistic 3D models of various places and cultures. Here are some of the best VR and AR apps for travel that you can try today.

• Within VR: One of the best apps for experiencing VR on mobile devices, Within VR has several videos on offer. You can travel to real and animated worlds, all vivid and complete with audio. Among real-life options, you have North Korea, Hong Kong, Rwanda, and the Olympic National Park on offer. You can also enjoy fictional stories, documentaries, and musical performances. VR is available for Android and iOS devices, as well as Oculus Quest, Rift, Go, Gear VR, HTC Vive, PlayStation VR, and Windows Mixed Reality headsets.

• Google Earth VR: Google Earth VR lets you fly around the world in VR. You can zoom in on any part of the globe and see it in 3D. You can also use Street View to explore the streets of major cities and landmarks. You can even create your tours and share them with others. Google Earth VR is available for Oculus Rift and HTC Vive headsets.

• Boulevard: If you are a fan of art and culture, Boulevard is the app for you. Boulevard lets you visit some of the world’s most famous museums and galleries in VR. You can view high-resolution artworks, learn about their history and context, and interact with others. You can also listen to audio guides from curators and experts. Boulevard is available for Oculus Rift, Go, Gear VR, HTC Vive, and Windows Mixed Reality headsets.
• Ascape VR: Ascape VR is another app that offers a variety of 360-degree videos from around the world. You can choose from different categories such as nature, city, adventure, culture, etc. You can also watch videos from travel agencies and brands that showcase their products and services. Ascape VR is available for Android and iOS devices.
• Wikitude: an AR app that enhances your real-world surroundings with digital information. You can use it to scan objects, images, or locations with your smartphone camera and get relevant information from Wikipedia, Yelp, TripAdvisor, and other sources. You can also use it to create AR content and share it with others. Wikitude is available for Android and iOS devices.
• HoloTour: HoloTour is a VR app that lets you visit two iconic cities: Rome and Machu Picchu. You can see them in photorealistic detail, hear authentic sounds, and learn about their history and culture from a virtual guide. You can also interact with some elements of the environment using hand gestures. HoloTour is available for Windows Mixed Reality headsets.

These are examples of how VR and AR apps can let you travel the world from your apartment. There are many more apps out there that offer different kinds of experiences for different tastes and preferences. So grab your smartphone or headset and start exploring!

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