Google How-To Video: "South Africa Stadiums in 3D"

Virtual tourists take note: Here's a Google produced video I stumbled upon just in time for the World Cup:

Cool Off In A Virtual Niagara Falls

As you read this today, chances are the thermometer is pushing 90 degrees--or more even--depending on where you are. Hopefully you've got the air conditioner going and you're thinking cool thoughts. Incidentally, here's a little help with those cool thoughts in the form of a fantastic virtual tour:

Check out this terrific 360 degree view of Niagara Falls that I found on the the Web site of bigeyeinthesky.com. This impressive panorama was created by photographer Edward S. Fink.

Is that the "coolest" thing you've seen today or what?

Take A Virtual Tour Of Versailles

It's hard to describe the majesty that is Versailles with mere words. Pictures help, but, better still are 360 degree panoramic views like the type you'll find at this impressive virtual tour of Versailles hosted on the Web site of Arounder.com.

The panoramic views of Versailles on the Arounder Web site include the Garden at Versailles, the Opera Royal, and Galerie des Batailles, among many other points of interest.

Also worth a look is the virtual tour of Versailles you'll find at Virtourist.com. They offer a ton of photographs and interesting facts to go along with 4 panoramic views of this famous landmark.

If you can't visit in person, click your way there instead!

Tour The Taj Mahal From Your Desktop

Unquestionably India's Taj Mahal is one of the great wonders of the world. But do you actually have to visit India to experience it? Not exactly. As long as you have an Internet connection, you can take a virtual tour with just a few clicks of your mouse!

Just point your browser to the virtual tour available on Taj-Mahal.net and discover breathtaking views both in and around this spectacular wonder!

Take A Virtual Tour Of The Acropolis

You don't have to travel to Athens, Greece, just to take a tour of the Acropolis. Thanks to the Web and Columbia University's Department of History and Archaeology you can take a 360 degree virtual tour of the Acropolis anywhere you can connect to the Internet!

Some of the virtual highlights include:

• The Parthenon


• Sanctuary of Zeus Polieus


• Theater of Dionysos

And much more! Enjoy the view!

Take A Virtual Stroll Through The Museo del Prado

It's one of the crown jewels of Madrid and now easily accessible with just a click of your mouse. What treasure do we speak of? It's the Museo del Prado, and when you point your Web browser to this terrific virtual tour hosted on Arounder.com, you'll enjoy 360 degree panoramic views of this Spanish mecca of fine art.

Admire masterpieces by renowned artists like Francisco de Goya and Diego Velazquez, among others--right on your desktop! Short of hopping a plane to Madrid, it's the next best thing!

Tour The New Yankee Stadium Right From Your Desktop

Today is opening day at the New Yankee Stadium but for all of you who can't attend this magnificent new ballpark, you can still get a sense of what it's like to be there, thanks to the Web.

You'll find a virtual tour complete with 360 degree panoramic views of the New Yankee Stadium on the Web site of nytimes.com. This terrific interactive feature provides an excellent view of the new park from three different vantage points: behind home plate, the stands high above the playing field, and Center field!

Grab yourself some peanuts and CrackerJack and enjoy!

5 Things To Do Online This St. Patrick's Day

If you plan on spending at least part of your St. Patrick's Day online, here are a few Web based activities perfect for the holiday. We mentioned several of these last year at this time, but we'd be remiss if we didn't note them once again!

1. Find holiday recipes. Search sites like MarthaStewart.com and AllRecipes.com for tons of St. Patrick's Day recipes.
2. Watch the the Parade online. Did you know that the official Web site of the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade will be offering live streaming video of the event?
3. Brush up on the History of St. Patrick's Day. Read up on St. Patrick, watch videos about the history of Saint Patrick's Day and take the "All Things Irish Quiz" at this online exhibit from History.com.
4. Go on a virtual tour of Ireland. At LookAroundIreland.com you'll find dozens of Ireland virtual tours where you'll enjoy 360 degree views of this magical country.
5. Catch a glimpse of a Leprechaun. At The Leprechaun Watch, from Irelandseye.com, you just might spot one of these mythical creatures--if you have faith that is!

Erin Go Bragh!

Escape To A Virtual Machu Picchu

Sure, you might be mired in boredom right about now or maybe the weather has you down, but since you're on the Web, a virtual escape is always at your fingertips. How about a quick visit to Machu Picchu, the legendary "lost city of the Incas" for example?

Simply point your browser to Virtual Tour of Machu Picchu and you'll experience a 360 degree panoramic tour of this remarkable city-complete with narration!

Tour A Medieval Castle Right From Your Desktop

Did you know that you can tour one of England's most famous medieval castles right from your desktop? That's right, and you don't even have to belong to the Knights of the Round Table! All you have to do is point your browser to BBC-Nottingham 360 - Virtual tour of Nottingham Castle, where you can enjoy a 360 degree virtual tour of this famous castle built by William the Conqueror in 1068.

Among other highlights, the virtual tour includes the Robin Hood Statue, the Victorian Bandstand, and the castle's main dungeon. For history buffs-especially Medieval History buffs-this site's a must-see!

Enjoy A Virtual Visit To Graceland

Are you a fan of Elvis Presley but never got to visit Graceland, his famous residence? Now you can visit it online-virtually! Just point your browser over to Virtual Tour:Graceland Mansion at Elvis.com and you'll enjoy 360 degree panoramic views of this world famous mansion.

Some of the highlights of the Graceland virtual tour include:

• The Jungle Room
• The Meditation Garden
• Graceland at Christmas

And more! Who knew you could step inside Graceland with just a click of your mouse?

Take A Virtual Tour Of A Submarine

One of the most fascinating things about the Web is that it lets you have unusual and even exotic experiences that would be difficult if not impossible to have otherwise. Take some of the virtual tours we've pointed out from various places on the Web. They can take you to faraway places like the International Space Station or, as in the example we're highlighting today, a place closer to home but no less exotic-the inside of a submarine!

If you aren't in the Navy or your name isn't James Bond, but you've always wanted to experience the thrill of being aboard a submarine, just point your browser to See Inside a Submarine, a 360 degree virtual tour presented by Nova.

This terrific site offers two virtual tours, actually-you can hop aboard both the USS Springfield and the USS Nautilus.

Enjoy A Virtual Tour Of Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is one of our great national treasures. Now, thanks to the Web, even if you can't get there to experience it firsthand, you can do the next best thing. Courtesy of MountainVisions.com, you can take a virtual tour of Yellowstone National Park whenever the mood strikes you, right on your desktop!

This remarkable site features more than 50 panoramic views of the park and what's more, they've even included the types of sounds that you'd expect to hear if you were actually there in person!

Here's one virtual tour that's a feast for the eyes and ears!

Take A Virtual Tour Of Stonehenge

Few sites are shrouded in as much mystery or inspire as much awe as Stonehenge. Now you don't have to travel all the way to Wiltshire, England to experience this remarkable ancient wonder. You can tour it virtually right on the Web!

To take a virtual tour of Stonehenge, simply point your browser to The Stonehenge World Heritage Site where you can enjoy a 360 degree panoramic view of one of the most intriguing places on the planet!

Tour The Great Wall Of China Right From Your Desktop

The Great Wall of China is arguably one of the greatest man-made wonders of the world. Now, thanks to the Web, it's also on your desktop! To see 360 degree panoramic views of this most impressive architectural marvel just point your browser over to the virtual tour of the Great Wall of China at TheBeijingGuide.com.

Maybe you can't really see the Great Wall of China from the moon, but you can definitely see it in 360 degree splendor on your computer screen!

Take A Virtual Tour Of The Gettysburg National Civil War Battlefield

Today marks the anniversary of the start of one of the most important events in U.S. History: The Battle of Gettysburg. If you're a history buff, you might be interested to know that you can take a virtual tour of the Gettysburg Battlefield right now on your desktop!

The tour is on the Web site of the Official Visitor's Guide To Gettysburg and includes 360 degree panoramic views of the following points of interest:

• McPherson's Ridge

• Spangler's Spring

• East Cavalry Battlefield

And many more significant battle sites! With just a click of your mouse, you'll feel like you're stepping right out onto the battlefield!

Take A Virtual Tour Of Popular Cruise Ships

Thinking of taking a cruise sometime soon? Perhaps yesterday's post on ocean liners piqued your interest. How would you like to experience right now what it's like to be aboard a cruise ship? You can-through a virtual tour!

To see a good example of this on the Web, point your browser to the 360 degree panoramic virtual tours available at Royal Caribbean International, one of the most popular cruise lines in the world. Just click on View Virtual Tour under the cruise ship of your choice and follow the instructions.

All aboard-virtually!

Tour The International Space Station Right From Your Computer

Want to take a virtual tour that's literally out of this world? What if, with just a couple of clicks of your mouse, you could wander around the International Space Station? Well, thanks to NASA's interactive Web site, you can.

To take a virtual tour of the International Space Station, just follow these easy steps:

1. Log on to the International Space Station section of NASA's Web site.
2. In the right hand column, under Interactive Features, click on Interactive Space Station Reference Guide.
3. In the "window" that pops up click on ISS 360 Tour.

This is one virtual tour that really is far out!

Experience The Majesty Of The Grand Canyon On Your Computer Screen

Have you ever had a chance to visit the Grand Canyon, one of the great natural wonders of the world? Well, even if you haven't there's a site online that will let you experience it virtually, with just a click of your mouse. But be warned, it's so real it will take your breath away!

Ready? Just point your browser to The virtual tour of the Grand Canyon you'll find on the Web site of VRMag.org. The Grand Canyon will come alive in 360 degree panoramic splendor right on your computer screen.

Remember, it's only a virtual tour!

Click To The Top Of Mt. Everest

In the news today you might have read about 75-year old Yuichiro Miura's quest to reach the summit of Mt. Everest. Now, if you're not quite as daring as Mr. Miura but would still like to experience the sensation of being on top of the world, you'll be happy to know that you can get to the top of Mt. Everest with just a click of your mouse!

You'll find a 360 degree panoramic view from the summit of Mt Everest on a Web site called Panoramas.dk, created by Hans Nyberg, a virtual reality photographer. Thanks to this terrific site, you can reach the top of the world by clicking instead of climbing!

Enjoy the view!