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Got a hankering to travel right now? Happily for housebound globe-trotters, the insanely beautiful Faroe Islands have just launched a first-of-its-kind online experience that lets you wander the nation’s rugged landscapes by controlling the movements of an actual, IRL Faroese tour guide.
Thanks to the new Remote Tourism website, you can now explore the Danish territory’s dramatic waterfalls, grass-topped cottages and endless unspoilt countryside through the eyes of a local. And yes, we mean that literally. Official tour guides on the archipelago have been equipped with live cameras, meaning you see exactly what they see in real time, while a ‘joypad’ allows player to take turns instructing them to walk, run, turn and jump – like a computer game come to life. It’s weird, but brilliantly fun and escapist.
Users take turns to have a one-minute go at controlling the islander, who provides insights into their surroundings as they go, and there’s no limit on the number of players who can simply watch and listen.
Covering all the archipelago’s key viewpoints and landmarks, the tours will run once or twice daily for the next 10 days, with the first taking place today at 2pm BST (9am EDT, midnight AEDT). Some tours will involve hiking; others will involve kayaking, horse riding and even a quick helicopter trip over the tiny 18-island nation.
And if that persuades you to visit in person, you’re in luck if you live in the UK, as Faroese airline Atlantic Airways recently announced it would re-open direct flights from London Gatwick. It might not be sensible to book quite yet, but it’s well worth bookmarking.
After more travel inspiration? Check out these virtual tours of museums, landmarks, attractions and castles and palaces around the world.