For many, the idea of a travel bucket list is both inspiring and daunting. It’s a collection of dream destinations that often seems unreachable, a catalog of experiences that feel more like fantasy than reality.
In this article, we’ll explore a transformative solution: Virtual Reality (VR) travel using the Meta Quest 3. This cutting-edge headset brings distant, dreamy locales into vivid reality, right in your living room. Here, you’ll discover how VR can transport you to the world’s most coveted destinations, making your travel dreams virtually achievable, no passport required.
Travel Bucket List #1 – Explore Machu Picchu in VR
Machu Picchu, one of the most iconic and sought-after destinations, can be checked off your travel bucket list through three different apps: National Geographic Explore VR, Wander VR, and Supernatural: Unreal Fitness. Each offers a distinct perspective on this ancient wonder:
Comparison of the Machu Picchu Experience in 3 VR Apps
| Visuals | Interaction | Content | |
| National Geographic Explore VR | Immersive, detailed reconstructions | Engaging exploration and activities | In-depth historical insights |
| Wander VR | Google Street View-based realism | Passive viewing with navigation | Basic information via integration with maps |
| Supernatural: Unreal Fitness | Photorealistic environments | Fitness-oriented exploration | Focus on fitness with minimal historical context |
With each VR app offering a unique way to experience Machu Picchu, consider which approach resonates most with you: the immersive storytelling of National Geographic, the navigational freedom of Wander VR, or the active engagement of Supernatural: Unreal Fitness.
Travel Bucket List #2 – Expand Your Horizons with National Geographic Explore VR
Following our exploration of Machu Picchu, National Geographic Explore VR further broadens your virtual travel horizons. This app is not limited to the ancient Incan city; it also offers an engaging expedition to the icy landscapes of Antarctica. Here, users can navigate challenging terrains and interact with the native wildlife, blending adventure with educational content. This immersive experience is perfect for those who seek a journey that combines discovery with insightful learning in captivating environments.
Travel Bucket List #3 – Explore the World with Wander VR
Next up, Wander VR offers a broader scope for virtual exploration. Utilizing Google Street View, it allows you to virtually visit numerous global locations like Venice, the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids of Giza, and the Taj Mahal. This app caters to those who appreciate a more self-directed exploration, providing a realistic view of these destinations as seen on the streets, making it an excellent tool for both pre-travel scouting and educational purposes.
Travel Bucket List #4 – Take a Fitness Journey with Supernatural: Unreal Fitness
Supernatural: Unreal Fitness offers a unique twist by combining fitness with virtual travel. This app takes you on high-intensity workout adventures in photorealistic settings in addition to Machu Picchu such as the Galapagos Islands and Ethiopia’s Erta Ale Volcano. It’s ideal for those who want to blend their travel aspirations with physical wellness, offering a dynamic way to experience breathtaking locales while engaging in invigorating exercise routines.
Travel Bucket List #5 – Diverse Workouts with Holofit by Holodia
Holofit by Holodia takes virtual fitness journeys to new heights, offering a wide array of immersive environments beyond those in Supernatural: Unreal Fitness. From historical Babylon to the cyberpunk future, it turns exercise into an adventure:
- Ancient Babylon and Mystical Nihon for historical travels.
- Iconic sports venues like the Grand Sablon Ultramarathon.
- Outer space exploration, including Saturn and a Cyberpunk World.
- Fantasy realms with dragons in Troglodyte and Aurvangar.
- Global city tours of Paris and Venice.
- Natural landscapes from underwater worlds to snowy mountains.
Experience the fusion of fitness and virtual travel with Holofit by Holodia. Discover more in our detailed review.
Travel Bucket List #6 – Explore Nature with BRINK Traveler
For something a bit lower in intensity, BRINK Traveler offers a serene shift with its focus on natural landscapes. This app provides photorealistic explorations of over 20 stunning locations like The Wave in Arizona, Ulsanbawi in South Korea, and the Cirque de Gavarnie in France. It’s perfect for nature enthusiasts and those seeking a tranquil virtual escape into the world’s most breathtaking outdoor settings.
Travel Bucket List #7 – Explore Cities with Wooorld
Broaden your destination list with Wooorld, which presents a unique mixed-reality experience covering over 550 3D-rendered cities. This app combines detailed information from Wikipedia and Google Maps, allowing users to immerse themselves in the culture, history, and architecture of global urban landscapes. Wooorld turns city exploration into an interactive and educational adventure, ideal for those who are curious about the world’s diverse urban settings and their rich cultural tapestries.
Travel Bucket List #8 – Travel Internationally with OtherSight
Transitioning from Wooorld’s cityscapes, OtherSight offers immersive explorations of five unique locations: a museum in Madrid, a back alley in Tokyo, a famous street in Havana, the Santes Creus Monastery in Catalonia, Spain, and Joaquin Sorolla’s main studio in Madrid. Each location is presented with virtual tour guides, adding narrative depth to the experience. This app is perfect for those who seek a culturally rich virtual journey.
Travel Bucket List #9 – Dive into Historical Locations with Assassin’s Creed® Nexus VR
Finally, Assassin’s Creed® Nexus VR presents a unique, albeit different, travel experience. Though not a traditional travel app, it invites you into some of history’s most desirable locations with unparalleled quality. From the ancient streets of Venice to the historic paths of Monteriggioni and Athens, this VR experience is so exquisitely crafted that it becomes an essential part of any virtual explorer’s collection. It stands as a testament to the deep experience and quality the Assassin’s Creed® franchise is known for, making it a virtual adventure you don’t want to miss.
Preparing for NYC: A VR Exploration Challenge
As I gear up for a real-life journey to New York City this December, I plan to put the Meta Quest 3 to an intriguing test: exploring the Big Apple virtually before setting foot in it. I’ll be using both Wander and Wooorld for this VR exploration challenge. Wander, with its Google Street View-based realism, will offer me a chance to virtually walk the streets of NYC, providing a sense of the city’s layout and famous landmarks. Meanwhile, Wooorld’s extensive 3D-rendered cityscapes will give me a broader understanding of the city’s geography and major points of interest. This pre-travel VR exploration aims not just to familiarize myself with New York City but also to enhance the actual travel experience. Stay tuned for a post-trip update.
Embarking on Your Own VR Journey
As we conclude this exploration of the world through the lens of VR, I invite you to embark on your own virtual journey. Whether it’s a city you’ve always wanted to visit or a natural wonder you’ve dreamt of exploring, the Meta Quest 3 offers a gateway to these experiences. Share your virtual adventure stories in the comments – where did you go, what did you discover, and how did it compare to your expectations? Let’s build a community of virtual explorers, sharing and inspiring each other with the endless possibilities that VR travel has to offer.
If you don’t have a Meta Quest 3 yet, you can get one from Amazon.
The Top 8 VR Apps for Virtual Travel
Start checking destinations off your travel bucket list with any of the following eight VR apps. Each app offers a unique window to different corners of the world, from historical sites and natural wonders to virtual fitness adventures. Here they are, sorted alphabetically, along with their cost details, providing a comprehensive starting point for your travels:
| VR App | Estimated Cost |
| Assassin’s Creed® Nexus VR | $39.99 |
| BRINK Traveler | $14.99 |
| Holofit by Holodia | Free trial |
| National Geographic Explore VR | $9.99 |
| OtherSight | $17.99 |
| Supernatural: Unreal Fitness | Free trial |
| Wander | $9.99 |
| Wooorld | Free trial |
With a total estimated cost of around $92.95 (excluding any subscription fees or in-app purchases), you can unlock an expansive list of destinations. From the historical streets in Assassin’s Creed® Nexus VR to the serene landscapes in BRINK Traveler and the interactive journeys in Wooorld, each app brings a slice of the world to your living room.
Start your virtual exploration today and transform how you experience your travel bucket list!