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For many of us, the coronavirus pandemic meant canceled flights and postponing our travel plans. How we think about travel and how travel will be impacted in the future remains a mystery. We may be stuck at home, but that doesn’t mean we can’t dream of where we’ll go next.
There is still so much of the world we have left to see, so join us as we revisit our favorite locations in the Pacific and highlight the must-see spots. Take a plunge in one of Okinawa’s pristine island beaches, go for a swing over the rice paddies in Bali, or enjoy a nice cup of Vietnamese coffee in Ho Chih Minh City— all from the comfort (and safety) of your home. Join us, take notes, and don’t pack your bags, we’re going on a Virtual Vacation!
Vietnam
Here in the Pacific, Vietnam may be one of the spots on the top of your vacation wish list. Ho Chi Minh City is a great spot to consider when travel is safe again. Until then, let’s go on a virtual trip to explore what this beautiful city has in store for us. Here you’ll find French colonial architecture, and food and culture with and East-meets-West charm. We visit Dong Khoi Street for a stroll through “Petit Paris” and to Chua Vinh Nghiem, one of the largest Buddhist temples in the country. Don’t forget to take a break to grab a banh mi sandwich and a delicious cup of Vietnamese coffee.
Watch video here.
Philippines
On this virtual vacation, we head to El Nido in the Philippines. This tropical paradise is only about a one-hour flight from Manila and is made up of about 50 small limestone islands. Do you enjoy diving, kayaking, swimming and other marine activities? Then, this trip is one you’ll want to take notes on. We visit the area lagoons for a swim in the emerald waters, the Cudugnon Cave and the Puerto Princesa Underground River for some exploring. This trip has something for everyone, so don’t pack a bag and join us!
Watch video here.
Taiwan
Come along as we travel to exciting Taiwan for majestic mountains, pristine beaches, cheerful people and delicious cuisine. Here you’ll see traditional architecture comingle with cutting-edge skyscrapers. Our trip will take us to Chiufen Town, the inspiration for Hayao Miyazaki’s “Spirited Away” animated film, and for some shopping at the 111-year-old Shilin Night Market. We also make sure to grab some Paigu Chaofan, a pork sparerib and fried rice dish. Tasty!
Watch video here.
Singapore
Perhaps after watching the Hollywood movie “Crazy Rich Asians,” Singapore has been on your mind as a great place to vacation. This small island country is where old-meets-new and where influences of European, Chinese, Malayan, and other cultures collide. This virtual vacation will take you to the Raffles Landing Site for some Instagram-worthy pics, to the equally-photogenic Marina Area for a glimpse at a future-oriented cityscape. If you’re hungry you’ll want to try the Hainanese chicken rice, a well-seasoned steamed and chopped chicken on rice that is also steamed in chicken soup, topped with ginger and chili sauce. The flavorful dish will have you wanting more.
Watch video here.
Australia
Join us for a trip down under to the Australian Gold Coast. This area is rich in natural beauty, aboriginal culture, arts and delicious cuisine. We’ll shop ‘til we drop at Surfers Paradise, a coastal suburb with a wide sand surf beach, plenty of stores and a vibrant nightlife. A visit to Australia wouldn’t be complete without cuddling with a koala. Let’s make some new furry friends at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary which is home to one of the largest collections of the country’s native species.
Watch video here.
Hawaii
Get ready for some aloha time with a quick virtual trip to Hawaii. There is a lot to see and do here so get ready as we head out a beach day at Waikiki, a look at island history at the tribute to King Kamehameha in front of the State Supreme Court, and some hiking at Diamond Head. Hungry? That’s great, because we’re also going to Ewa Beach for some tender and juicy Kahlua Pork and a show!
Watch video here.
Bali
Let’s visit a spot that’s on many vacation bucketlists. Bali is a tropical paradise and is a great spot for delicious food and beach-hopping. Among the stops we’ll make on this virtual trip is Uluwatu Temple, Indonesia’s top religious and cultural landmark. The 1,000-year-old temple also hosts local traditional Kecak fire dancers in the evening. We’ll also go for a swing over the Jatiluwih rice terraces, a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site candidate.
Watch video here.
Miyako Island
Delicious mango, great diving and sandy beaches await at Miyako Island. This unique location offers great shopping and activities perfect for couples and families. On this virtual journey we visit Sunaama Beach, Higashihennazaki, a cape with a stunning view unlike anything you’ll find in Okinawa and Tooriike, a great dive spot accessible nearby. Catch up, we have a lot of exploring to do!
Watch video here.
Okinawa
Let’s travel to one of Okinawa’s remote island paradises— Ie Island. Here ocean meets sky in breathtaking hues of blue. We’ll stop for the view at GI Beach and Wajee. Then, we’ll climb Gusukuyama, a 172-meter-high mountain, for some exercise, fresh air and a bird’s eye view. This island is also rich in history and the monument to Ernie Pyle here is one you’ll want to check out.
Watch video here.
Kobe
You may think beef when you hear the name Kobe, but this port city has much more than juicy steak. We’ll go to Kitano Ijinkan Street known for its charming European architecture with cobblestone streets and picturesque buildings. Enjoy a look at the iconic Kobe Port Tower with its intricate lattice design which was the country’s first illuminated building. Get a spectacular view from the observation deck and take the pedestrian overpass to the Kobe Maritime Museum for some history on the 100-plus-year history of the city.
Watch video here.
Kyoto
Is a trip to Japan’s old capital on your bucketlist? Let’s plan ahead with a quick virtual trip to Kyoto. We’ll take you to a few of the area’s UNESCO World Heritage sites like Kyomizu Temple dating back over 1,200 years. Nearby we’ll check out Gion District known for geisha and then visit Arahiyama’s wooden bridge and bamboo grove. These are great photo ops you won’t want to miss. We’ll also try yatsuhashi, a soft, mochi-like sweet filled with bean paste—delicious!
Watch video here.
Osaka
Get ready to head to another hotspot in Japan – Osaka! We’ll visit Dotonbori, Osaka Castle and more in this video getaway. Hop on a boat ride to take in a good look at the city lights, try their signature octopus street food, takoyaki, and get a great view from above at the Umeda Sky Building. If you’re stationed in Japan and Osaka has been on your list, you won’t want to miss this virtual vacation!
Watch video here.
Jeonju
This quick getaway to Jeonju includes a stop at the Hanok Village home to over 800 traditional Korean houses for a walk among Korean history. We visit the Jeondong Catholic Church dating back tot 1914 with unique Byzantine and Romanesque architectural styles, which make it one of the most beautiful Catholic churches on the peninsula. A visit to Jeonju isn’t complete without trying the local bibimbap, a Korean rice bowl topped with an array of vegetables and meat and served with a gochujang.
Watch video here.
Busan
On this trip to Busan, we hope on the Songdo cable car for visits around the city. We visit the Gamcheon Culture Village for a look at the colorful architecture on the foot of the mountain and Haedong Yonggsa Temple, which boasts a magnificent ocean view. We also grab a bit at Nampodong BIFF square for the unique atmosphere and tasty Korean street food.
Watch video here.
The coronavirus pandemic is still impacting travel, and destinations around the world have different COVID-19 restrictions in place.. It’s important to check and adhere to local government policies as you’re planning any future trips.
