Virtual Vacations

...especially for some older adults. Whether it be financial, physical, or situational barriers, many seniors do not get the opportunity for travel. However, technology opens up new opportunities for those people to visit places that they might otherwise never get to see.

If youre someone who cant go away on a vacation or you know someone who cant - here are ways that you can recreate the vacation experience with the computer and internet:

1) Research your destination

When we travel, we learn about different cultures, lifestyles, histories, and peoples. Researching the place you want to visit is the first step to recreating the vacation experience from the comfort of your own home.

2) Take a virtual tour

There are so many sites that offer virtual tours of cities, museums, historic sites, etc. You can take an aerial tour over Hawaii or walk through the Smithsonian Natural History Museum as if you were really there. YouTube also has thousands of videos of popular vacation spots.

3) View pictures

Why not take advantage of other peoples vacations? Many people post pictures publically for others to view online. Flickr is a popular photo sharing website where you can search for pictures in a particular place. Vacation websites also curate photographs of popular destinations. Check out these amazing shots of Australia from the National Geographic Travel site.

4) Enjoy new cuisine while you travel

Another great part of vacationing is new foo! If youre able to cook, find some different recipes to try out. If youre unable to cook, find a local food establishment that offers the type of cuisine from your vacation destination. Order out a meal from a local Cuban restaurant or try out a dish from that new Ethiopian place downtown! Eat your fancy cuisine as you view photos and take virtual tours.

Computers offer so many new adventures for seniors who learn to use them - whether it be the chance to see their baby granddaughters face for the first time or to virtually visit the beaches of Hawaii. Telikin customers often tell us that their computer opens up a whole new world to them that they otherwise wouldnt have known!

So pick a spot anywhere in the world and take a virtual vacation there this weekend! And the best thing about a virtual vacation? No jet lag when you come home!

Photo courtesy of "dan" on Freedigitalphotos.net.