Many of us not been abroad for almost a year. We admit that we miss Rome, Barcelona, Paris, and London very much. But there’s a way to find out how they’re doing out there! We have collected online tours, videos from webcams, and other opportunities to at least virtually visit your favorite city.
Tbilisi
See how things are doing now:
- A camera installed in Liberty Square.
- And here is a camera installed in one of the hotels with a wonderful view of the city and the mountains in the distance.
- And another panorama of the city.
Visit excursions:
- You can see the exhibits of the Palace of Arts of Georgia on Google Arts’Culture. You can visit several online exhibitions and see some pictures.
Dive into the atmosphere:
- The film “Tbilisi, my city” – a movie from the series “The City of Love” (the most famous remains “Paris, I love you”). This is a collection of 10 short films, each of which the directors show their favorite city from different angles. The cast includes not only Georgian but also American actors.
- The film “1001 recipe of a loving cook” is not only about Tbilisi, but in general about Georgia and its excellent cuisine. In 1997, the film received an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. In the title role, by the way, 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 reconcile, fall in love and part, and the reader is drawn to such a warm and lively Georgia.
Prague
See how things are doing now:
- The camera overlooks the Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock (sorry, they can’t be seen well).
- And here’s the camera installed on the tram. True, sometimes he comes to the depot, and the image put on pause, but in a reasonable time, you can ride through the city’s streets.
- And another camera for those who miss the Charles Bridge.
Visit tours and walk around the city:
- An online walk through the streets of old Prague.
- The city’s page in Google Arts’Cultures is exciting. In our opinion, the most exciting thing is to visit the online exhibitions of the National Gallery and consider the collections of the National Theatre.
Dive into the atmosphere:
- The film “The Unbearable Lightness of Being,” the adaptation of Milan Kundera’s most famous book, was shot in 1988 with Daniel Day-Lewis and Juliette Binoche in the lead roles. You can watch just for the sake of acting, but the city itself in it performs beautiful scenery.
- The film “League of Outstanding Gentlemen.” In the last film, starring Sean Connery, you can see Stragovsky Monastery, Rudolfinum Palace, and Olshan Cemetery. In general, it’s just a perfect and exciting movie, which will brighten up your evening.
- Gustav Mairink’s book “Golem.” The book is set in natural and metaphysical Prague. The main character confused his hat with a stranger and began to see strange fragmentary dreams in which he was a very different man, stonecutter, and restorer from the Jewish Ghetto.
- Jiri Marek’s book Panoptitum of the City of Prague. A collection of detective stories with exciting stories that take the reader to the old city.
Paris
See how things are doing now:
- Wonderful view of the city from the roof of one of the hotels in the center.
- What about the Eiffel Tower? You can see it here.
- And the Luxembourg Garden (here to sit at the fountain now!.)
Visit tours and walk around the city:
- Of course, the Louvre is better to visit in reality. But online, too, you can.
- And here you can “go” to the basilica of Sacre-Coeur, even with an audio guide.
- The famous water lilies of Claude Monet are also friendlier to look live.
- The interiors of the Paris Opera in Google Arts’Culture can be viewed for as long as you like.
Dive into the atmosphere:
- Well, of course, let’s start with the most iconic film, “Paris, I love you”! 18 short films show different parts of the city and the life of entirely other people (sometimes even fantastic).
- The film “Midnight in Paris.” Star crew, great plot, plus the opportunity to see the Golden Age of Paris – it seems, this is what it takes for a good weekend evening.
- Books set in Paris, a great variety – from the classics of Dumas and Balzac to the slightly more modern “Arc de Triomphe” Remark and very recently “The Da Vinci Code” by Dan Brown. We advise you to add to the list for reading “Club of incorrigible Optimists” Jean-Michel Genassia. This fascinating and very vital novel takes place in the city of the 60s of the last century.
Kiev
See how things are doing now:
- Walk on independence Square so far you can only so.
- Or in Sofia Square.
- It is still challenging to get to the National Opera of Ukraine, but you can see what is happening near the building.
Visit tours and walk around the city:
- Go on a virtual 3D tour of Kiev (by the way, summer!).
- Consider the frescoes and mosaics of Sofia Cathedral.
- To study the exhibits of the Museum of Ivan Gonchar, which presents a detailed collection illuminating traditional Ukrainian culture.
Dive into the atmosphere:
- The film “White Guard” by Sergei Snezhkin (2012) is an excellent adaptation of Mikhail Bulgakov’s novel. The film was shot in the places of action of the book: on Sofia Square, St. Andrew’s Descent, and Vladimir Hill. In addition to Kiev, you can admire and Vyborg, which filmed a lot of street scenes.
- The film “What Men Talk About.” According to the story, the main characters go to Odesa, but on the way, stop in Kiev: enter the city on the bridge of Paton, walk on the Hemola, on the Three Saints climb to St. Michael’s Cathedral, go to St. Andrew’s descent and finish a walk in Shevchenko Park.
- The book “Unbelievable Kiev” by Lada Luzina tells the story of Kiev in the Gogol style, with a mixture of folklore and magical realism. It is a book excursion, but so exciting and unusual that it is impossible to break away.
Rome
See how things are doing now:
- You can see how the Trevi Fountain is now there (without crowds of tourists, imagine!).
- Or would you instead go to Navon Square?
- And here is a gorgeous panorama of the city.
Visit tours and walk around the city:
- An online walk through the old town.
- You can go out with someone to the Colosseum.
- And the Vatican museums offer to “go” to all the main halls, including the Sistine Chapel.
- And of course, the section of the city on Google Arts’Culture can be studied endlessly (until the boundaries are opened for sure): there are 12,000 exhibits!
Dive into the atmosphere:
- The film “Roman Holidays.” Let’s start with the classics, primarily since the city in this legendary movie with Audrey Hepburn performs stunning scenery.
- The film “Walking in Rome.” A more modern film, shot in 2017 by an Italian director. Nine-year-old Francesco dreams of seeing the Sistine Chapel and finally gets tickets for his birthday to the great city. Still, because of the difficulties of the house, the family is forced to leave almost immediately. Francesco is not lost: together with a little sister goes to one of the stations and returns.
- The book “Here was Rome. Modern walks in the ancient city” by Viktor Sonkin. Most books about Rome tell a story – and this one is certainly no exception. The author goes through places that have seen great people in love with the city, means interesting facts – in general, the very thing for those who miss the city very much.
Barcelona
See how things are doing now:
- A beautiful view of the Church of the Holy Family.
- You can be on the beach for a while.
- And even visit Montserrat.
Visit tours and walk around the city:
- These photos of major city landmarks and streets can be viewed endlessly.
- A fascinating online tour of the Church of the Holy Family with a Russian-speaking guide.
- You can walk around the house, Balo (especially in reality you would not get into it now, it is temporarily closed to visitors).
Dive into the atmosphere:
- The film “Three meters above the sky,” a romantic story that takes place in Barcelona. You can enjoy the port with the heroes or walk through the streets of Eschample. The movie itself has become so popular that in 2012 the second part (also in Barcelona) was filmed.
- The film “Vicky Cristina Barcelona.” In addition to the excellent cast, the film is notable because it is very subtly conveyed the atmosphere of the city. In addition, the main characters walk through almost all the main attractions of Barcelona.
- The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Safon. An incredibly fascinating novel, the action of which takes place in Barcelona mystical. Together with the heroes, you can walk through the streets, go to the church and reveal amazing riddles.
Tel Aviv
See how things are doing now:
- Most online broadcasts from cameras installed in Tel Aviv are not available. You can see this picture from the beach (and at the same time find out the weather).
- And another view of the harbor and the sea. We admit that we miss him the most.
Visit excursions and walk around the city:
- You can bypass the main attractions of the city and admire the colorful, professional photos.
- The Tel Aviv Museum of Fine Arts is temporarily closed (not only for tourists but also for locals) but announces many online exhibitions.
- And Google offers a walk through the White City.
Dive into the atmosphere:
- The film “Medusa” (2007) co-produced by France and Israel. The action takes place in Tel Aviv. You can see many familiar travelers attractions. But the focus is on the fate of the three heroines representing modern Israeli women.
- The film “Dizengoff 99”, an Israeli cult film about the lives of young people in Tel Aviv in the 70s. There is a conflict of generations, and crazy nightlife (which has hardly changed since then), and rather provocative scenes for the cinema of those times.
- Etgar Keret’s book “Suddenly they knock on the door.” A collection of short stories by one of the most-read contemporary Israeli authors about everyday life, written with humor, sadness, and a slight amount of absurdity. Translated by Linor Goralik.
Berlin
See how things are doing now:
- Beautiful views of Alexanderplatz Square and the TV tower.
- And here you can see what is happening at the Brandenburg Gate.
- And a beautiful view of the city with a turning panoramic camera of the hotel located in the Tiergarten area.
Visit tours and walk around the city:
- Here you can make an almost real walk through the main iconic places of Berlin (the sound on the tab will turn on automatically, so perhaps it is worth reducing the volume).
- And here is the most careful selection of online excursions to Berlin museums.
Dive into the atmosphere:
- The film “Victoria” about a night walk of a Spanish girl in the company of local guys in the districts of Kreuzberg and Mitte.
- The movie “Berlin, I love you!” from the series of films-declarations of love to cities, which we have already written above. There are ten short stories in which star actors are filmed.
- The book “Umbrella for This Day” by Wilhelm Genacino. The novel begins on Kudamma, in the zoo area, and then continues throughout the city. After all, the main job of the main character – to walk the streets, testing new models of shoes.
Milan
See how things are doing now:
- Stunning, almost postcard views of the Milan Cathedral (carefully, the tab may include sound).
- View of one of the small parks in the western part of the city. You can watch the ordinary life of ordinary people – people walk on the tracks, sometimes children play on the playground.
- And a cool view from somewhere above on Sempione Park and the square in the central part of the city.
Visit tours and walk around the city:
- Milan Cathedral can be seen in all the details.
- You can admire the exhibits of Sforza Castle on Google Arts’Culture.
- Pinacoteca Brera also offers a decent virtual tour of the halls.
Dive into the atmosphere:
- The film “I Am Love” starring Tilda Swinton. Filming took place at Villa Nekka in the center of Milan, and the production of the film took 11 years.
- The film “Happy Family” (2009), a comedy about the life of the Milanese playwright Enzio, is experiencing a creative crisis in the city’s scenery.
- The book “From Milan to Rome. Walking in Northern Italy” by Henry Morton. Here, as the name implies, not only about Milan, but it is not a dry guide with stories about the sights. The book of The Englishman Morton Italians themselves recommends those who want to learn more about the culture and customs of the country.
London
See how things are doing now:
Visit tours and walk around the city:
- The city itself can be viewed here.
- An interesting online tour “Secrets of the British Museum” with a guide.
- In general, most museums in London today you can walk online. Here are the main virtual tours.
Dive into the atmosphere:
- The 2009 “Sherlock Holmes” movie with Robert Downey Jr. Films, which are set in London, a lot – specifically this we love for a beautiful picture, cool special effects, plot, actors … For everything, in general.
- The movie “Real Love” is a modern classic. The film is set all over the city: at the airport, in the center, and on the outskirts, and even you can look into the official residence of the Prime Minister recreated in the pavilion at 10 Downing Street.
- The book “London: The Time of Moscow” is a collection of short stories and short stories by contemporary Russian writers and journalists living in the British capital. There is a wonderful excursion of Alexander Piatigorsky, and the story of Evgeny Chichvarkin. In general, quite atmospheric and certainly curious.
