Pride
26 Jul
Travel Tips

How to virtually celebrate Pride 2020 from home

 

Due to the impact of COVID-19, many Pride events have been cancelled or significantly altered for 2020. Naturally, we are devastated that our world is going to be a little less colorful this year and contain a little less Madonna. However, just because we can’t travel to Pride parades and celebrations, it doesn’t mean we can’t wave a flag for everything that Pride stands for – equality, diversity and acceptance.

Pride means something different to everyone. It is a time when people, no matter where they fall on the gender and sexuality spectrum, come to celebrate our diversity and help to increase the visibility of individuals from all parts of the LGBTQIA+ community. It is also a time when we remember those that fought for, and continue to fight, for LGBTQIA+ rights, and push for social and political change.

Each year, Pride has continued to grow across the world. This year, it will be a different kind of celebration. However, if the LGBTQIA+ community has proven anything over the years, it is strength and resilience. And that nothing will stand in the way of a good party!

Live stream Global Pride 2020

Under a banner of ‘Exist Persist Resist’, Pride organizations from across the globe will celebrate Global Pride 2020 on the 27th June. Live stream 24 hours of performances, speeches and a whole heap of rainbow-loving content from all over the world.

Hands forming shape of heart in front of Pride flag

New York: Attend Black Queer Town Hall

NYC Pride are putting on virtual events and performances all month, including this three-day virtual event with GLAAD on the 19-21st June to support and raise money for black, queer organizations, and LGBTQIA+ performers.

Group of people standing on a Pride parade float waving rainbow flags

London: Celebrate Bi Pride

Forced to cancel their September Pride event, Bi Pride UK will be live streaming a Bi-Fi Festival on the 20th June instead. The event will include a heap of bi voices, discussions and performances, plus a live DJ after party. (Obvs).

Pride flags waving against backdrop of building

Dublin: Log on to Digital Pride

If there’s a nation that knows how to celebrate, it’s the Irish. Dial in for Digital Pride Dublin on the 18-28th June, plus events throughout the month including discussions on mental health, political debates, a cook-along online breakfast and a pet parade!

Dog wearing rainbow Pride flag

Toronto: Support Stay Home Saturdays

Featuring an online Trans Rally, Dyke Rally and Virtual Pride Parade, Pride Toronto’s online festival weekend kicks off from the 26-28th June. Plus, log on every Saturday in June for Stay Home Saturdays, which showcases and supports LGBTQIA+ talent.

Berlin: Save the date for CSD

On the 25th July, the 42nd Christopher Street Day Berlin Pride is going digital. Under the slogan of ‘Don’t hide your pride’, expect a live stream of DJs, performers and political statements, Berlin-style. (aka, don’t hold back on the PVC…).

Support your local drag artist

Without being able to support themselves through their typical means during their biggest income month (June), drag and LGBTQIA+ artists need your love more than ever. Support your local performers through their online shows, follow their social media activity, or purchase a personalised video via Cameo.

Throw a living room party

Pride just wouldn’t be the same without a screaming version of ‘It’s Raining Men’, a bucket load of glitter and some baby oil. Put on this Spotify Pride Classics playlist and a full face of makeup, jump on a video call and have a living room blow out.

Group of people standing on Pride parade float with rainbow balloons

Contact your local government

Write to your local government representative and let them know that LGBTQIA+ issues matter to you. Every day people are discriminated against and unjustly treated, and taking a personal stand goes a long way to making a collective difference.

By Corey Waugh, STA Travel Marketing Exec, Melbourne.

 

Peru
26 Jul
Travel Tips

Your weekly Adventure Agenda: Explore Peru from home

 

As lockdown begins to ease for many of us and we start to think about getting back on the road in 2021, we’re taking you on an armchair adventure with virtual tour of Peru!

Try before you buy with virtual trips to Machu Picchu, Lima street art tours, and 360° museum visits. Plus, because we like to stir things up a bit, a Pisco Sour cocktail making class.

Climb Machu Picchu

Fake it ‘til you make it. All the views without any of the thigh burn or four-day sock stench, explore the ancient city of Machu Picchu with this interactive tour. (We’re joking about the Inca Trail, it’s epic. Make sure you plan ahead and add the real thing to your 2021 escape plan).

Go beyond the icons

When asked about Peru, many people jump straight to Machu Picchu (not literally, it’s quite a long hike). But what about the Amazon Jungle? Or this desert oasis near Ica? Plan your perfect Peru itinerary with this rundown of things to do in Peru that AREN’T Machu Picchu.

Read or watch this

No trip to Latin America (real or virtual) would be complete without reading or watching The Motorcycle Diaries. Documenting Che Guevara’s journey across the continent, it’s his trip through Peru and to Machu Picchu that is a turning point in his path to revolution.

… while drinking this

As you’d expect from a cocktail containing a fermented grape brandy liquor and an egg white, the origins of Peru’s national cocktail are a bit foggy. However, the taste is amazing. Mix things up with this quick Pisco Sour cocktail class from our friends over at Contiki.

Glass of pisco sour in front of scenic plaza in Peru

Do a street art tour

The walls of most South American cities are famous for their color, artistry and storytelling. Lima is no exception. The first Latin American Street Art Festival was held in Lima in 2012, and turned the streets of Miraflores into a canvas for 30 artists from across the continent.

Have a night in

… at the museum. Peru has a fascinating mix of culture, with customs and traditions inherited from their Inca heritage, mixed with Spanish, African and Chinese influences and settlers. Courtesy of Peru’s Ministry of Culture, you can now take 360° trips around 20 major museums.

Watch this video

Bring on the panpipes! Part of National Geographic’s Short Film Showcase, this six-minute film takes you from the heights of the Andes down to the floating islands of Lake Titicaca. Plus, there’s an awesome alpaca floppy-fringe-in-a-wind-machine moment at 2:47 mins.

Group of llamas

Ready for the real thing? Visit our Peru destination guide or call for a chat. We’re WFH and are on call for 2021 trip planning and cyber hugs.

If you’re thinking of traveling in 2020 or 2021, make sure you check out our advice about traveling around COVID-19 here.

 

USA
26 Jul
Travel Tips

YOUR WEEKLY ADVENTURE AGENDA: EXPLORE THE USA FROM HOME

 

Just because we’re inside, that doesn’t mean we can’t explore what’s outside. Quaranstream USA from the comfort of your couch. Think live big rig road trips, to living room gigs and virtual hikes… we got it all.

No passport required, just passion. (And Wi-Fi). #PauseTheAdventure

Spot bears in Alaska

The bear necessities of lockdown? Animal cams. Tune into watch Brown bears trying to catch leaping salmon in Katmai National Park in Alaska. Or our personal favorite, the underwater salmon cam.

Brown Bears in America's national park

Get weird

This 15-part video series by Atlas Obscura on GoUSA TV (Brand USA’s streaming platform) documents unique destinations across the United States, including Alaska’s surfing culture and O’ahu’s Koko Crater. Oh, and the world’s largest egg in Chicago.

Go on a road trip

“Reality trucking in realtime”, live stream life on the road with Big Rig Travels as these 18-wheelers traverse across the United States. It’s fair to say we’re more than a little bit obsessed with this. 10-4-rubber-duck.

Cars stopped at a red light on a palm tree lined road

See a live gig

Live stream living room gigs from the USA and around the world courtesy of the coolest hostel brand on the planet, Selina. SIMS Online connects local talent with their global community, meaning not only do you get to support independent artists and creatives, but you also get to have a nosey into people’s homes.

See a NYC show

All the world’s a stage. Even The Worldwide Web. Get dressed up and stream a nightly opera at The New York Metropolitan Opera, a performance at the New York Ballet, or Broadway musical.

Get wowed

So spellbinding you can hear a jaw drop. As we throwback to some of the incredible filmmakers we’ve worked over the years, join Thibaud Lomenech and Leo Cannone on this journey through the lesser-travelled landscapes of New York State.

Take a hike

Thanks to the genius that is Google Earth, you can now take a virtual hike through the canyons, gorges and trails of 31 of America’s national parks. We mean, you’re already dressed in sweatpants, right?

Western America National Park

Get cultured

The most highbrow rabbit hole you’re ever likely to digitally venture down, get lost in the virtual museums and exhibitions of Google Arts & Culture, including MoMa, the Smithsonian, and the Guggenheim.

Virtual tour inside of a museum with people walking around next to statues

And then get baked

Join Christina Tosi (of East Village flagship bakery and edible empire Milk) for a free daily baking class at 2pm EST on Instagram. For other timezones, it’s just business as usual, and cake for breakfast or dinner then, yeh?

Watch these 5 American dramas

The Bold Type: Think Sex & the City meets Gossip Girl. For those who have not yet had the opportunity to visit ‘the City that never sleeps’, this show is everything you expect New York to be. For those who have, it will have you reminiscing Central Park and trendy SoHo bars.

Tiger King: If you haven’t had the opportunity to watch this yet (what else could you possibly be doing in lockdown?!), the only way to describe this docu-series is ‘Wild’. It might even have you wanting to avoid society and return to lockdown when this is all over.

Friday Night Lights: Although the idea of ticking any kind of American sporting match off the bucket list is not an option right now, this series is will give insight into a small town in Texas where everyone worships football like it’s a religion.

The O.C: California here we come! An oldie, but a goodie full of teen angst and drama. An easy one to binge watch multiple times whilst imagining you were the super-spoilt child of rich parents in one of the USA’s most beautiful beach side towns.

When They See Us: Get the tissues ready and expect to cry through all four episodes of this mini-series. Based on a true story, When They See Us depicts the story of 5 boys from Harlem who were wrongly accused of a crime they didn’t commit.

Ozark: This is where Mexican drug cartels meet US suburbia! Get ready for the unexpected from behind white picket fences. When a money laundering scheme goes wrong it is up to Marty Byrd to save his family and overcome all odds.

For more inspiration, visit our USA destination guide. Or call for a chat. We’re WFH, but it’s business as usual for trip planning and cyber hugs.

Australia
26 Jul
Travel Tips

Your weekly Adventure Agenda: Explore Australia from home

 

We’re going out. Outback.

This week, we’re taking our lockdown daydreams all the way Down Under. Travel Australia with 360° virtual tours, an interactive scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef with everyone’s favourite nonagenarian (David Attenborough), and – to keep your spirits up – a Whitsunday Island Iced Tea.

No passport required, just passion. (And Wi-Fi). #PauseTheAdventure

Dive with David

There’s only one thing that could improve a virtual dive on the Great Barrier Reef, and that’s having Sir David as your dive buddy. Learn about life beneath the waves from the world’s greatest storyteller on this interactive journey. Plus, a cameo from Obama! Mind. Blown.

Explore in 360

Try before you fly! Thanks to Tourism Australia (and some pretty epic drone footage) you can virtually explore some of Australia’s greatest wonders in 360. The series includes the Whitsundays, Great Ocean Road, Great Barrier Reef and Biddlecomb Cascade.

Crush on these guys

Find inspiration for your own Australia road trip by following our favourite Aussie adventurers @saltytravellers (Monique, Jasper and their dog Bowie). Advisory warning, will lead to a serious travel crush. Plus, you know, dogs who travel. Scroll while knocking back the below…

Mix this Whitsunday Island Iced Tea

The spirit is strong with this one!
Add 1/3 oz rum, 1/3 oz gin, 1/3 oz tequila, 1/3 oz vodka, 1/3 oz Cointreau, 2/3 oz lemon juice, 1/3 oz sugar syrup and ice to a cocktail shaker. Shake and strain into an ice filled glass. Top with cola and garnish with a lemon wedge. Finally, imagine you’re on an island in the Whitsundays. #lovewhitsundays

Rock out here

Along with ACDC, Australia is home to some pretty ancient rockers. Take for example, Uluru, at 600 million-years-old! Learn about the Red Centre’s sacred sites and their cultural significance from their traditional owners with these 360° videos of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

Hot like Hemsworth

Tourism Australia recently hosted a weekend of live stream events. Missed it? Watch them here. Videos include a workout with Chris Hemsworth’s trainers, sunrise yoga with Elements of Byron Bay, and a BBQ cook-along with Aussie MasterChef favourites Hayden Quinn.

Make a change

For many of us, time at home channel surfing has made us reset and think about the future. Maybe that future involves living the dream and training to become a surf instructor at the Mojosurf Academy? Or at the very least, it should involve watching this awesome video.

Cook with Maggie

Join national treasure and co-host of The Great Australian Bake Off, Maggie Beer, for free lockdown cooking classes from her home in Barossa. Learn how to cook delish homespun dishes (with the added benefit of having a nosey around a celeb’s kitchen).

See the Opera House

Fancy a night in at the museum? From virtual tours of the Sydney Opera House to online exhibits from the Australian National Surfing Museum, get lost in the cultural rabbit hole of Google Art & Culture’s virtual museums, galleries and tours.

For more inspiration, visit our Australia destination guide. Or call for a chat. We’re WFH, but it’s business as usual for trip planning and cyber hugs.