Many have not been abroad for almost a year. We admit that we ourselves really miss Rome, Barcelona, Paris and London. But there is a way to find out how they are doing there! We have collected online excursions, videos from webcams and other opportunities to at least virtually visit your favorite city.
Tbilisi
See how things are going there now:
- A camera installed on Freedom Square.
- And here is a camera installed in one of the hotels with a wonderful view of the city and mountains in the distance.
- And another panorama of the city.
Visit excursions:
- You can see the exhibits of the Georgian Palace of Arts on Google Arts&Culture. You can visit a number of online exhibitions and view some of the paintings.
Immerse yourself in the atmosphere:
- The film “Tbilisi, my city” is a movie from the series “Cities of Love” (the most famous remains “Paris, I love you”). This is a collection of 10 short films, in each of which the directors show their favorite city from different angles. The cast is not only Georgian, but also American actors.
- The film “1001 Recipes for a Cook in Love” is not only about Tbilisi, but in general about Georgia and its wonderful cuisine. In 1997, the film received an Oscar nomination in the Best Foreign Language Film category. The main role, by the way, is Pierre Richard.
- Elena Bochorishvili’s book “Just Wait and Watch” is a collection of four works in which the country is revealed through its inhabitants. Ordinary people quarrel and make up, fall in love and break up, but the reader gets a picture of such a warm and lively Georgia.
Prague
See how things are going there now:
- Camera with a view of the Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock (sorry, you can’t see them well).
- And here is the camera installed on the tram. True, sometimes he arrives at the depot, and the image is paused, but at a good time you can ride along the city streets.
- And another camera for those who miss Karlovo bridge.
Attend excursions and walk around the city:
- Online walk through the streets of old Prague.
- The city’s Google Arts&Cultures page is very interesting. In our opinion, the most exciting thing is to visit the online exhibitions of the National Gallery and look at the collections of the National Theater.
Immerse yourself in the atmosphere:
- The film “The Unbearable Lightness of Being”, a film adaptation of Milan Kundera’s most famous book, filmed in 1988 with Daniel Day-Lewis and Juliette Binoche in the lead roles. You can watch it just for the acting, but the city itself acts as a wonderful backdrop.
- The film “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.” In the last film, where Sean Connery starred, you can see the Strahov Monastery, the Rudolfinum Palace and the Olsha Cemetery. In general, this is just a very good and interesting movie that will definitely brighten up your evening.
- Gustav Meyrink’s book “The Golem”. The book takes place in real and metaphysical Prague. The main character confused his hat with someone else’s and began to see strange fragmentary dreams in which he was a completely different person, a stone cutter and restorer from the Jewish Ghetto.
- Book by Jiri Marek “Panopticon of the City of Prague” ” A collection of detective stories with interesting plots that take the reader to the old city.
Paris
See how things are going there now:
- Wonderful view of the city from the roof of one of the hotels in the center.
- How is the Eiffel Tower doing? You can see it here.
- And the Luxembourg Gardens (I wish I could sit by the fountain now!.)
Attend excursions and walk around the city:
- Of course, it’s better to visit the Louvre in real life. But online is also possible.
- But here you can “go” to the Sacré-Coeur Basilica, even with an audio guide.
- Claude Monet’s famous water lilies are also more pleasant to look at in person. But there is such an option.
- The interiors of the Paris Opera on Google Arts&Culture can be viewed for as long as you like.
Immerse yourself in the atmosphere:
- Well, of course, let’s start with the almost cult film “Paris, I love you”! 18 short films show different corners of the city and the lives of completely different people (sometimes even fantastic).
- The film “Midnight in Paris”. A star-studded cast, a great plot, plus the opportunity to see the Golden Age of Paris – it seems that this is what you need for a good weekend evening.
- There are a great many books set in Paris – from the classics of Dumas and Balzac to the slightly more modern Arc de Triomphe by Remarque and the very recent Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. We recommend adding to your reading list “The Club of Incorrigible Optimists” by Jean-Michel Guenassia – a fascinating and very vital novel, which takes place in the city of the 60s of the last century.
Kyiv
See how things are going there now:
- For now this is the only way to walk along Maidan Nezalezhnosti.
- Or along Sophia Square.
- It’s still difficult to get to the National Opera of Ukraine, but you can see what’s happening near the building.
Attend excursions and walk around the city:
- Take a virtual 3D tour of Kyiv (in summer, by the way!).
- Look at the frescoes and mosaics of the St. Sophia Cathedral.
- Explore the exhibits of the Ivan Honchar Museum, which features a detailed collection highlighting traditional Ukrainian culture.
Immerse yourself in the atmosphere:
- The film “The White Guard” by Sergei Snezhkin (2012) is an excellent adaptation of the novel of the same name by Mikhail Bulgakov. The movie was filmed in the places where the book takes place: on Sofiyskaya Square, Andreevsky Spusk and Vladimirskaya Gorka. In addition to Kyiv, you can also admire Vyborg, where many street scenes were filmed.
- Film “What Men Talk About.” According to the plot, the main characters go to Odessa, but along the way they stop in Kiev: they enter the city along the Paton Bridge, walk along Podol, go up to the Trekhsvyatitelskaya Cathedral to St. Michael’s Cathedral, go to St. Andrew’s Descent and finish the walk in Shevchenko Park.
- The book “Incredible Kyiv” by Lada Luzina tells the history of Kiev in the Gogolian style, with an admixture of folklore and magical realism. In fact, this is a book-excursion, but so interesting and unusual that it is impossible to tear yourself away.
Rome
See how things are going there now:
- You can see how the Trevi Fountain is doing there now (without crowds of tourists, imagine!).
- Or more for you I would like to go to Piazza Navona?
- But here is a gorgeous panorama of the city.
Attend excursions and walk around the city:
- Online walk through the old town.
- Here you can walk with someone around the Colosseum.
- And the Vatican Museums offer to “enter” all the main halls, including the Sistine Chapel.
- And of course, the city section on Google Arts&Culture can be studied endlessly (until the borders open for sure): there are 12,000 exhibits!
Immerse yourself in the atmosphere:
- The film “Roman Holiday”. Let’s start with the classics, especially since the city in this legendary movie with Audrey Hepburn is a stunning backdrop.
- Film “Walk in Rome”. A more modern film made in 2017 by an Italian director. Nine-year-old Francesco dreams of seeing the Sistine Chapel and finally receives tickets to the great city for his birthday, but due to difficulties at home, the family is forced to leave almost immediately. Francesco is not lost: together with his little sister he gets off at one of the stations and returns back.
- Book “Rome Was Here. Modern walks through the ancient city” by Viktor Sonkin. Most books about Rome are about history – and this one is no exception. The author goes through the places that great people who fell in love with the city saw, tells interesting facts – in general, just the thing for those who really miss the city.
Barcelona
See how things are going there now:
- Beautiful view of the Sagrada Familia.
- You can find yourself on the beach for a while.
- And even visit Montserrat.
Visit excursions and walk around the city:
- You can look at these photographs of the main city attractions and streets endlessly.
- Interesting online tour of the Church of the Holy Family with a Russian-speaking guide.
- You can walk around Casa Batllo (especially since in reality you wouldn’t be able to get into it now anyway, it’s temporarily closed to visitors).
Immerse yourself in the atmosphere:
- The film “Three meters above the sky”, a romantic story that takes place in Barcelona. You can admire the port together with the heroes or stroll through the streets of Eixample. The movie itself became so popular that the second part was filmed in 2012 (also in Barcelona).
- Film “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”. In addition to the excellent cast, the film is notable for the fact that it very subtly conveys the atmosphere of the city. In addition, the main characters walk through almost all the main attractions of Barcelona.
- Book “Shadow of the Wind” by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. An incredibly exciting novel set in mystical Barcelona. Together with the heroes you can walk through the streets, enter churches and solve amazing mysteries.
Tel Aviv
See how things are going there now:
- Most online broadcasts from cameras installed in Tel Aviv are not available. You can look at this picture from the beach (and at the same time check the weather).
- And another view of the harbor and sea. We admit that we missed him the most.
Attend excursions and walk around the city:
- You can walk around the main attractions of the city and admire colorful professional photos.
- Tel Aviv Museum of Fine Arts is temporarily closed (not only for tourists, but also for local residents), but announces many online exhibitions.
- And Google offers a walk around the White City.
Immerse yourself in the atmosphere:
- The film “Jellyfish” (2007) co-produced by France and Israel. The action takes place in Tel Aviv, you can see many attractions familiar to travelers. But the focus is on the fates of three heroines, representing modern Israeli women.
- The film “Dizengoff 99”, a cult Israeli movie about the life of young people in Tel Aviv in the 70s. There is a conflict of generations, and a crazy nightlife (which has not changed much since then), and quite provocative scenes for the cinema of those times.
- Etgar Keret’s book “Suddenly there is a knock on the door.” A collection of short stories about everyday life by one of the most widely read contemporary Israeli authors, written with humor, sadness and a touch of absurdity. Translation by Linor Goralik.
Berlin
See how things are going there now:
- Beautiful view of Alexanderplatz and the TV tower.
- And here you can see what is happening now at the Brandenburg Gate.
- And a beautiful view of the city from the rotating panoramic camera of the hotel located in the Tiergarten district.
Attend excursions and walk around the city:
- Here you can take an almost real walk through the main iconic places of Berlin (the sound on the tab will turn on automatically, so it may be worth lowering the volume).
- And here is the most detailed selection of online excursions to Berlin museums.
Immerse yourself in the atmosphere:
- The film “Victoria” is about a Spanish girl’s night walk in the company of local guys in the Kreuzenberg and Mitte districts.
- Film “ Berlin, I love you! from a series of films-declarations of love to cities, which we already wrote about above. Here are ten short stories starring star actors.
- The book “Umbrella for this day” by Wilhelm Genazino. The action of the novel begins in Kudamma, in the zoo area, and then continues throughout the city. After all, the main character’s main job is to walk the streets, testing out new shoe models.
Milan
See how things are going there now:
- Stunning, almost postcard view of the Milan Cathedral (be careful, the sound may turn on in the tab).
- View of one of the small parks in the western part of the city. You can spy on the ordinary life of ordinary people – people walk along the paths, children sometimes play on the playground.
- And a cool view from somewhere above of Sempione Park and the square in the central part of the city .
Visit excursions and walk around the city:
- The Milan Cathedral can be seen in all details.
- You can admire the exhibits of the Sforzesco Castle on Google Arts&Culture.
- Pinacoteca Brera also offers a good virtual tour of the halls.
Immerse yourself in the atmosphere:
- The film “I Am Love” starring Tilda Swinton. Filming took place at Villa Necchi in the center of Milan, and the film took 11 years to produce.
- The film “Happy Family” (2009), a comedy about the life of Milanese playwright Enzio, who is experiencing a creative crisis in the scenery of the city.
- The book “From Milan to Rome. Walks in Northern Italy,” Henry Morton. Here, as the name implies, it’s not only about Milan, but this is not a dry guide with stories about the sights. The Italians themselves recommend the book by the Englishman Morton to those who want to learn more about the culture and customs of the country.
London
See how things are going there now:
- Great view of the London Eye.
- In general, the maximum number of working cameras is here.
Attend excursions and walk around the city:
- The city itself can be seen here.
- Interesting online tour “Secrets of the British Museum” with a guide.
- In general, most museums Today you can walk around London online. Here are the main virtual tours.
Immerse yourself in the atmosphere:
- The movie “Sherlock Holmes” 2009 with Robert Downey Jr. There are many films set in London – we love this particular one for its beautiful picture, cool special effects, plot, actors… For everything, in general.
- The movie “Love Actually” is a modern classic. The film takes place throughout the city: at the airport, in the center, on the outskirts, and you can even look into the official residence of the Prime Minister recreated in the pavilion at 10.
The book “London: Moscow Time” is a collection of stories and short stories by contemporary Russian writers and journalists living in the British capital. There is a wonderful excursion by Alexander Pyatigorsky and the story of Evgeny Chichvarkin. In general, quite atmospheric and certainly interesting.
Photos: unsplash.com
