Virtual Museum Tours and Other Ways to Get Your Culture Fix
These much-loved museums, theatres and galleries are offering free, virtual tours
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If you’re used to spending your weekends gallery hopping and meandering around museums, then this period of social distancing has probably got you craving culture more than ever. But, as you might have seen over the past few days, a number of our favourite institutions have opened themselves up virtually. Here’s a list of some of the places we’ll be visiting this weekend across Plum Guide's cities.
The Vatican Museums, Rome
Discover The Vatican Museums as you’ve never seen them before – empty, that is – with this collection of 360 tours. Ever thought you’d be peering around the Sistine Chapel from your couch wearing your silk pyjamas? No, neither did we.
Ceiling in the Vatican Museums, Vatican City @vaticanmuseums
Atelier Romano, Plum Guide home in Rome
J Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles
LA’s Getty Museum is set across two campuses – the Getty Center and the Getty Villa – meaning visitors would normally need to take a trip across town to get from one to the other. Now however, thanks to this virtual museum tour, you can digitally browse the Getty Museum’s art collections all in one go. That is convenient.
Exterior of the J Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles @egealaura
The Glamper, Plum Guide home in Los Angeles
National Theatre, London
As the saying goes, the show must go on, and thanks to London's theatres, it will. Starting on the 2nd of April, the National Theatre will be streaming its series of National Theatre Live shows on YouTube for free. First up was James Corden’s award-winning performance in One Man Two Guvnors, and it was fantastic.
Exterior of the National Theatre, London @realrobbentley
The Bengal Tiger, Plum Guide home in London
Carnegie Hall, New York City
Fancy learning all about the history of this internationally renowned music venue in Midtown Manhattan? Well, good news because here you can. Then, get ready to sit back, relax and enjoy the show as The Philadelphia Orchestra perform for you in 360 from Carnegie Hall’s main stage. What a treat.
Performance at Carnegie Hall, New York @carnegiehall
Blue Velvet, Plum Guide home in New York City
Musée d’Orsay, Paris
Take a ‘stroll’ through one of Paris’ most popular museums with this virtual museum tour. You’ll find artworks by masters of Modern-art such as Gaugin, Cézanne, Monet and so much more. Keep an eye out for van Gogh’s self-portrait and his ‘Starry Night over the Rhône’.
Musée d'Orsay, Paris
British Museum, London
If you’re in search of some serious culture, then a look around the most-visited museum in London and one of the oldest museums in the world this weekend should do the trick. Start your virtual museum tour here.
British Museum, London @josephowen
Tate Modern, London
Britain’s national museum of modern art is continuing to bring us the cream of the contemporary crop through its 360 online tour of the Blavatnik Building. Nick Grimshaw and the museum's director, Frances Morris take us through the works of Louise Bourgeois and more.
Art installation at the Tate Modern, London @tate
Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid
The Thyssen in Madrid is very kindly offering a virtual museum tour of its latest exhibition, Rembrandt and Amsterdam portraiture between 1590-1670 for all to enjoy. As the first exhibition ever to focus on Rembrandt’s work in Spain, it’s virtually (get it?) impossible to miss, with many of the works never before displayed in Europe.
Self-portrait of Rembrandt at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid @museothyssen
Louvre Museum, Paris
Lockdowns can’t stop us getting lost in the Louvre. Through its 360 tours, you can explore Egyptian antiquities, admire some masterpieces by Delacroix and Tintoretto, or go right back to the Louvre’s roots as a fortress with a wander around its original moat.
Staircase in the Louvre Museum, Paris @museelouvre
Planning a future trip to one of these cities? Browse our collection of homes and find your dream place to stay. Our Home Critics have personally tested each and every Plum Award winner in our collection to make sure it's up to the (high) standards you deserve.
