One year after Google Street View went international, the number of street maps increased from just a few here and there in the urban areas of big US cities to at least 50 regions worldwide! The maps included digital postcards, fascinating virtual museums, tourist attractions, and a whole slew of natural landmarks. It’s incredible that anyone with an Internet connection can visit the White House, the Great Barrier Reef and even Stonehenge without leaving their room!
Here are our picks of the 10 best Google Street Views that show good photography and the finished product is just too good to miss.
10. Palace of Versailles – Versailles, France
You’d like to visit the legendary Palace of Versailles but you have a meeting in 15 minutes and you’re not even in France? Worry not, Google’s got you covered! Visiting Versailles in person would, of course, be a different story but beggars can’t be choosers, so pour some wine, put on a beret and admire the most opulently decorated interior you’ve ever seen and don’t forget to check out the Hall of Mirrors, while you’re at it.
9. Stonehenge – Wiltshire, UK
Stonehenge has been around for over 5000 years, in a time when the United Kingdom wasn’t even a kingdom and certainly not a united one. Probably some druids after a few shrooms decided to mess with people from the future and came up with this circle of stones. World’s first prank, maybe? (In truth, nobody knows what it was used for, so my theory is just as valid)
8. Adelie Penguin Rookery – Cape Royds, Antarctica
Three words: Antarctica, snow, penguins! This particular Google journey will take you to the South Pole, which is a lot sunnier than I’d thought. No roads here, just snow, freezing wind and penguins. Thousands of penguins!
7. Smithsonian American Art Museum – Washington DC, US
Don’t like waiting in line to see some of the finest pieces of American art ever created? You’re in luck because now thanks to Google you only need to click a few times to be instantly teleported to the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
6. Grand Canyon National Park – Arizona, US
Words cannot fully describe the breathtaking depths of the Grand Canyon seen on plain postcards, just those post cards don’t do enough justice to the canyon in real life. Thanks to Google, we now have this monumental natural wonder in 360-degree digital view.
5. Wilson Island, Heron Island – Great Barrier Reef, Australia
This double-issue will take you all the way to the glorious Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, namely to Wilson Island, as seen above, and the fantastic underwater world of the Heron Island below. Don’t worry though, you don’t need your diving equipment for this journey but, to make it more immersive, hold your breath!
4. Nasir Al Mulk Mosque – Shiraz, Iran
Take a stroll inside the national treasure of Iran – the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, aka the Pink Mosque, and sneak a peek at one of the world’s most beautiful mosques. Also, since you’ll be there only virtually, you don’t have to worry about breaking anything or if you are female you don’t have to put a scarf on your head!
3. Diagon Alley – Leavesden, UK
This goes out to every Harry Potter fan, who can’t afford to visit the real Diagon Alley in London. Enjoy the virtual trip to one of the greatest markets on the planet and keep an eye on that mysterious shadowy figure!
2. Lamborghini Museum – Italy
Are you a car buff? If so, you’re in luck! This awesome Google Map will give you a tour of the Lambo museum all the way in Italy. The museum is packed with all the classic Lamborghini models but sadly no virtual test drive option… yet.
1. Everest base camp – Mount Everest, Nepal
And for dessert, let’s visit the tallest point on our planet. For 99 out of 100 people this is the closest they’ll ever get to climbing Mount Everest. Enjoy the view and keep in mind that there are hundreds of other hidden Google Maps gems out there, waiting to be discovered! Come to think of it this Google Street View might be the best idea for a budget vacation; your options are endless!
