
PhotoPills
An extremely useful photography tool for planning photos on your travels. Find out the exact time and location to be at to craft your perfect photos.
Search by word or location. Scroll for subjects and types of resources.
An extremely useful photography tool for planning photos on your travels. Find out the exact time and location to be at to craft your perfect photos.
Windy is a useful resource for all outdoor travelers, especially for planning photography shoots and for weather dependant activities.
Real-time live tours from sites around Italy to enjoy virtually from home.
Wingspan is the perfect game for nature loving travelers. Learn more about the birds living in your travel destinations before you depart.
To purchase or learn more, click on the image below: This resource is featured in the article: What to do From Home to Get the
To purchase or learn more, click on the image below: This resource is featured in the article: What to do From Home to Get the
https://www.airbnb.co.uk/experiences/1891122?s=67&unique_share_id=d4d69b32-0318-49c2-ae4e-5c4d6edc7d0c This resource is featured in the article: What to do From Home to Get the Most Out of Your Trip to Japan
AirBnB inexpensive online lesson on how to do origami. In English.
http://hpmmuseum.jp/ This resource is featured in the article: What to do From Home to Get the Most Out of Your Trip to Japan
https://emuseum.nich.go.jp/top?langId=en&webView= This resource is featured in the article: What to do From Home to Get the Most Out of Your Trip to Japan
Yuko Sensei does a great job in teaching basic Japanese, adding value to your trip.
This Youtu.be channel sets common phrases to music, making it fun for kids and adults alike!
Japanese 101 is a great resource to learn the basics of Japanese. Both written and oral forms.
While this is subscription based, anyone interested in anime would appreciate this online film festival.
Live Japan is an excellent resource in all things travel including handy tips in cultural etiquette.
A great resource for visiting Japan, particularly in learning about cultural etiquette of the country.
Japan Times offers a look into the country’s current news and events in English.
Hearty and filling and animal-friendly, Scotland’s veggie alternative to their signature dish.
This book illuminates the forgotten history of whisky smuggling through illustrated articles and features the importance of whisky to Scotland then and now.
This is a history book that does exactly what it says on the tin. It concisely documents the story of Scotland, from the first written words, the Picts and the Scots, the coming of the Christians, right through to Mary Queen of Scots, the Jacobite Rising and even up to Brexit.
Amy’s account of her return to her native islands after battling with alcoholism and depression in London will make you want to flee the city and reconnect with nature.
Here’s a great article to fill your imagination with wilderness experiences for your bucket list.
For a real picture of the wild and beautiful scenery of Scotland’s coastline, watch Grand Tours of the Scottish Islands series with Paul Murton, available on Amazon Prime and the BBC in the UK.
Liam Neeson’s depiction of Rob Roy MacGregor – the cattle-rustler and brigand of 17th – 18th century Scotland.
This show has been a huge international hit and the locations are real, many still exist.
This podcast highlights everything from Scotland’s historic sites, to politics and nature, and stories of ghosts and witchcraft.
A look at the conservation efforts in the Bukit Lawang area for orangutans and what you can do to help.
A collection of traditional Puebloan recipes compiled by Taos Pueblo resident Roxanne Swentzell, featuring a variety of mouth-watering dishes and gorgeous photography to match.
Part of the National Park Service’s Junior Ranger program, this interactive visit focuses on Aztec Ruins National Monument, just outside Farmington in New Mexico, and features several great activities for kids.
Produced by PBS New Mexico, Surviving Columbus tells the story of conquest and European colonization from a Native American perspective.
A podcast series showcasing the Ancestral Puebloan culture of Mesa Verde and other nearby sites in New Mexico.
A brief documentary that explores the various ruins and cultures of Mesa Verde in southern Colorado, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and important home to the Ancestral Puebloan culture.
A brief video documentary about the gorgeous Taos Pueblo UNESCO World Heritage Site in New Mexico, the longest continuously-inhabited settlement in North America.
A virtual tour of the Acoma Sky City Cultural Center and Haak’u Museum, near Albuquerque in New Mexico.
A brief video documentary introduction to the Chaco Canyon culture of New Mexico, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important Ancestral Puebloan culture sites in the state.
A video demonstration of traditional Puebloan wicker basketmaking, produced by the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Silly, fun, and honest look at teenage life in Ireland during the Troubles of the early 1990s.
Beautiful story of the Windrush generation, newly-minted British citizens immigrating from Jamaica after WWII, encouraged to come by the government, but then marginalized by most white Brits.
Penned by William Dalrymple, a famous historian, this memoir was an absolutely fantastic read prior to visiting New Delhi, India’s capital.
A documentary looking at the ramifications of the cocaine trade in Florida in the ’80s.
A look at how the economic boom in Florida could have triggered the Great Depression.
This story based on Hemingway’s wartime experience covering the Spanish civil war for the North American Newspaper Alliance will inspire your own travels.
A short podcast reflecting on why the Florida Keys unofficially seceded from the United States for one afternoon in 1980.
A look at all the weird and wild Florida has to offer from a resident of the Sunshine State.
A visually stimulating and informative documentary about the wildlife in the Everglades National Park.
Information about the diverse landscapes and wildlife that live in the Florida Everglades.
A look at the gentle sea cows of Florida and why it’s important to conserve them.
A look at the first colonial settlement in America and its history.
The culture of slavery in Florida and how it fueled the sugar plantations that covered the state.
A website dedicated to helping you identify the birds of Florida and where to find them.
A history of the Black Seminoles and slavery in Florida.
A history of Cuban immigration to America and why so many ended up in Florida.
An easy to learn card game for ages 8+ that helps players learn about world history and how the history of your travel destination fits into it.
A free, open-source tool that lets users create beautiful interactive timelines to use for travel studies.
This BBC series will help you understand the military history of Britain before you travel there.
A timeline of major civilizations over the last 4000 years with an attempt to represent them by relative power.
A useful way to organize places you want to visit on Google Maps.
The history of England is told from the perspective of characters stretching from the first humans to the mid-1980s.
Online language exchange community that helps you find language exchange partners and penpals.
A scientific journey into the jungles of Borneo exploring the lives of orangutans.
Food and cultural focused documentaries on less explored places in the world.
A great book about the Americanization of Hawaii. Essential learning if you intend to visit.
An entertaining dramatization of the Roman conquest of England. (Viewer discretion advised.)
A gripping historical fiction novel set is Iceland and inspired by Icelandic Sagas.
Delight the senses with this album and the included liner notes that explore the history of Moroccan music and some delicious recipes.
The BBC documentary about the popular TV show
Laszlo Montgomery provides a weekly deep dive into different aspects of Chinese history, detailing anything from a particular city, ethnic group, famous figures and much more.
Short, engaging videos from museums and cultural sites around the world. Smarthistory is the most-visited art history resource in the world.
A practical, armchair travel guide that explores eighty of the most iconic literary locations from all over the globe that you can actually visit.
A collection of forest and woodland sounds from all over the world…choose your listening location from the website’s map.
A video series by the Smithsonian Channel (and now streaming on CBS All Access) that provides beautiful views and educational information about each state.
The world’s constitutions to read, search, and compare. Created as a collaboration between the Comparative Constitutions Project and Google Ideas.
Drive through the streets of 50 cities around the world and listen to local radio or sounds from the street.
Explore the transition of 19th Century Scotland from an agricultural to an industrial nation in this fun game.
The most popular language learning platform in the world which uses a free gamified approach to learn over 35 languages.
Excellent site for travel inspiration and destination ideas with an interesting community offering a wealth of information about our world.
App to use from the window seat of a plane or for road trips or hikes that shows geological, geographical, and meteorological information in addition to flight tracking.
Fascinating book about Glacial Lake Missoula, the massive Ice Age floods that it created, and their colossal marks on the landscape of the northwest of the US.
Based on the popular book series by Terry Deary, the BBC brought to life these stories -with a funny twist – aimed to capture kids’ interests. These are also good for history-fearing adults.
Virtual tours of museums and galleries, and a treasure trove of articles on the arts.
Free app to study and quiz yourself with maps of the world, appropriate for beginners to experts.
The official website of the World Heritage Committee is a great starting point to learn about World Heritage Sites.
An inspiring resource for Minecraft players to learn more about the architecture and history of their travel destinations. Find lesson plans about building landmarks, cities, and more. There are also some prebuilt historic places to explore and build in.
A photo-journey of the Sulfur miners of Mount Ijen in Java, Indonesia complete with a look at how tourism is changing the area.
A foodie-centered docuseries. This episode focuses on traditionally prepared Indonesian dishes and the people that make them.
Discover the Junior Ranger Programs in our National Parks. There are many fun and interesting activites to do from home to prepare for your trip. During Covid, kids can also complete many Junior Ranger Booklets online to earn badges.
An inspirational account of one woman’s life-changing trip through India, Italy, and Indonesia.
A look at the history of Bali, Indonesia’s most popular tourist destination.
Bryson details the quirky and interesting, painting an intriguing picture of Australia as a travel destination. From the deadly Box Jellyfish to the wow factor of Uluru, Australia boasts a superlative landscape.
A look at the history of Indonesia outside of the political realm.
A look at the history of Indonesia’s 300 ethnic groups and the government’s attempt to unite them all.
An Australian soap opera, set in the fictional town of Summer Bay but filmed at Sydney’s iconic Palm Beach.
An Australian film confronting the reality of the Stolen Generation, the Aboriginal children who were removed from their parents by the national government.
A 2008 epic historical drama set in northern Australia of the 1940s and starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman.
A semi-fictionalised account of a young convict arriving in Australia, and generally considered to be the most accurate depiction of early convict life.
A free five week course touring the ancient city of Rome using a 3D digital model.
Learn about the 60,000 year history of Australia with this six-part documentary series, covering the First Australians to European settlement, the Gold Rushes, Federation, the World Wars, and the prosperous Modern Era.
The story of a logger-turned-environmentalist who committed environmental terrorism by felling a rare, ancient golden Spruce. The book details the story of logging in Canada and what the forests mean to coastal First Nations.
A PBS Digital Studios production hosted by curator Sarah Urist Green that explores art and art history through the lens of things happening today.
Learn about the nature and history of Seattle through these guided walks by David B. Williams.
A guide for bibliophiles to more than 500 literary sites across the United States and Europe.
Very useful field guide, both for a long read in order to understand the geology of the state and also for using in the field to know more about the geological features you are looking at.
Free app that highlights many of the major pieces of art in Western civilization with both study and quiz options.
Jamie Ford’s best selling novel based in Seattle.
Beautifully photographed and easy to use guide to identify and learn about the most common intertidal plants and animals of the PNW.
Online mapping resource which features quiz-based games to help teach country and state identification. Games provide scoring which leads to competition to see how well you do compared to others in your class / household.
One of the best tools I’ve found for help in memorizing vocabulary while studying a foreign language. It can be used for anything you are trying to memorize.
Documentary using both animation and live action to bring to life David Macaulay’s excellent book Cathedrals to learn about how and why they were made.
A list of 17 classic Australian foods, everything from unusual to mundane.
A 10 minute video explaining some classic Australian words and phrases, and how they compare with similar Americanisms. Warning: some crude language included.
A great five-minute introduction to Australia’s most popular game: Aussie Rules Football (AFL).
An Aboriginal-Australian dance company, blending together traditional Indigenous and contemporary dances.
A YouTube documentary series showcasing the World Heritage Sites in Australia, including Uluru, the Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Opera House, and more.
Heartfelt, award-winning documentary about a First Nations community.
As oceans are threatened by plastic waste and pollution, the Georgia Strait Alliance shares information on ocean health awareness, as well as organise events like beach clean ups.
Environmental group with a movement to protect old growth forests in British Columbia. Includes information on news, events, and ways to engage.
Parks Canada guide detailing rules regarding respecting the wildlife, and safety tips on what to do when encountering animals in the wild.
Articles about indigenous culture, business and heritage in British Columbia.
Information about First Nation community in BC. Online tutorials for traditional arts and crafts and details on events.
Podcast that discusses Indigenous histories, politics and etiquette relating to Indigenous communities in BC, Canada.
Illustrated and funny kids’ history books – perfect for grown-ups with little grasp on Scottish history!
Podcast that uses humor and wit in introducing historical figures with an important story.
A podcast celebrating remarkable lives throughout history and around the world.
Online platform for music artists and their fans. Find new music and gig updates. The website is favoured by most artists as they are directly supported by the fans.
Articles on history, geology, culture and geography for destinations anywhere in the world.
Mika Waltari’s rich account of a love story amid disaster in 1453 Constantinopole about to be conquered by Muslims.
An accurate memoir of a family’s destiny during the twilight of the Ottoman Empire.
Nobel prize winner Orhan Pamuk recalls his years growing up in the city on the Bosphorus.
One of the best guidebooks to Turkey, covering up to date information and traveler’s needs.
A true travel literature classic, this book outlines the author’s trip from Ephesus to Side and the experiences he makes along the way.
The classic walking guide to Istanbul by Hilary Summer-Boyd and John Freely, published over 70 years ago, in a revised and updated version.
A series outlining the reign of Ottoman sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, rich in historical detail and accuracy.
Burmese Days is a fictional story set in Burma (Myanmar) based on the author’s time spent there as a military police officer.
The Famous Five by Enid Blyton is a fictional series about four children and a dog that solve mysteries in England.
Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery is a lovely piece of historical fiction that is set in Prince Edward Island, Canada. A great read for kids and adults alike.
This charming animated series depicts the changing seasons in Japan and important cultural events such as cherry blossom viewing and summer fireworks festivals.
Learn about your travel destinations from the internet’s largest community of World Heritage Site enthusiasts.
World Heritage Journey’s collection of site visits in China, including major sites like the Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, and the Forbidden City.
Memoir of Li Cunxin, a ballet dancer from an impoverished village in China, who struggles to reconcile his upbringing and education with his experiences of visiting the United States.
An animated adaptation of China’s favorite adventure story, Journey to the West (better known in the English speaking world as Monkey, or Adventures of Monkey).
A big-budget 2010 production of China’s most beloved and important historical novel, Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
In this PBS documentary, historian Michael Wood travels across China to discover the many cycles of Chinese history, and how it has shaped the modern nation of China.
This incredible memoir details the shockingly mostly-true story of one man’s surreal adventures living in Mumbai, India in the 1970s-80s. It provides a vivid and accurate portrayal of the city and India in general, and many of the places mentioned in the book are still open today.
Perhaps the best India travel blog on the internet, this blog has hundreds of articles on everything related to travel in India, with a special emphasis on the State of Goa.
A massive Facebook group where Indian and foreign travelers can connect and ask and share information about hotels, locations, restaurants, etc in India.
Naveed is a professional Urdu teacher living in Lahore, Pakistan who offers affordable online Urdu (the national language of Pakistan) lessons.
This is the most up to date and comprehensive guidebook on Pakistan that currently exists.
A Facebook group where primarily foreign travelers can seek advice and receive real-time information on everything related to travel in Pakistan.
Become a wildlife enthusiast by watching these live streams of animals in the African bush. You can see elephants, leopards, lions, crocodiles, impalas and much more!
Easily search this database to find books set in the travel destination of your choice, anywhere in the world.
Taking as territory everything from the Big Bang to the rise of civilization, Bryson seeks to understand how we got from there being nothing at all to there being us.
Bill Bryson shares his experience on his walk along the Appalachian Trail from its start in Georgia to its finish in Maine. The terrain includes mountains, streams, lakes -and the occasional parking lot – told from a wry and humorous perspective.
In Neither Here nor There he brings his unique brand of humor to bear on Europe as he shoulders his backpack, keeps a tight hold on his wallet, and journeys from Hammerfest, the northernmost town on the continent, to Istanbul on the cusp of Asia.
Bill Bryson’s wit, research and superb writing scintillates once again in the telling of an incredibly exciting time in American history when multiple events and people helped shape the nation. Featured icons include Charles Lindbergh, Calvin Coolidge, and Babe Ruth, to name a few.
Listen to Cascadia (2019) by Said the Whale (an alternative rock band from Vancouver, Canada), which references locations around North America’s Pacific Northwest and proposes the country of Cascadia.
Make the most of your American or Canadian road trip with a vast database of points-of-interest (restaurants, attractions, etc.), snippets of historical and practical information, and an interactive route planner.
Read historical accounts of silly roadside attractions in the United States and Canada; save them to your online account.
Follow the funny, thrilling adventures of a young Vietnamese American traveling through several locales in Vietnam.
Learn about the animals of our world as you play minigames, attend virtual events, participate in scavenger hunts, and watch videos.
A travel podcast that covers topics as diverse as cultural appropriation, voluntourism, and travel accessibility.
An informative blog with a focus on travelling responsibly and fitting more travel into your lifestyle through detailed posts and itineraries.
Real recipes straight from the kitchen of a Malaysian family — this unique cookbook will show you well how to replicate the goodness of the Malaysian street food scene and beyond.
Jho Low’s criminal activity in the financial world is detailed in what reviewers are calling a “thrilling” read about global intrigue, criminal activity and wealth porn. Low’s home country of Malaysia figures into the scene. Nothing short of a wildly fascinating thriller, only true.
Jim Baker’s walk through Malaysia and Singapore reveal the intertwined nature of this region’s politics and history. A compelling read for anyone interested in visiting the area either virtually or in real time.
Life and diversity were vibrant. And, while it still is, deforestation and palm oil plantations have caused serious hurt – to the tune of nearly 70% clearing. International pressure has forced Malaysia’s hand in taming this travesty, but the fight is still far from over.
Malaysia’s Borneo Tiger and other diverse wildlife face serious threats. As the country has one of the most precious ecosystems in the world, it is a main focus of conservation organizations to protect it.
It takes place in parts of Spain during the annual Running of the Bulls festivals of the north; a timeless tradition of Spanish culture which has changed very little but, yet, oh, so much.
Laurie Lee’s explorer soul took him across the country; from the Galician port city of Vigo, over the Sierra de Guadarrama and into Madrid, and along the Costa del Sol — during a period of rare peace in Europe during those times.
Goulding provides another well-researched look at what he refers to as his ‘adoptive home’ of Spain. He includes elements of its history, culinary scene, and everything in-between.
Conrad Rudolph chronicles his journey on this important pilgrimage.
Excellent and useful website about nature journaling including videos, free lessons, workshops, books for sale, and many resources for educators.
A pair of Australian travel bloggers on an ambitious journey to document all 1,121 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and produce a brief documentary on each site.
A card game for ages 14+ that helps players learn about world history and how the history of your travel destination fits into it.
Language learning that actually works, re-wiring your brain for hearing, speaking, and thinking in a new language.
Choose books based (among other variables) on the country where the story is set.
An enormous compendium of historical recipes and information about the history of food.
A complete illustrated history of costume from ancient times to the nineteenth century for every level of society.
Month by month nature guide for exploring the Pacific Northwest
Anne Mustoe was a retired schoolmistress turned round-the-world solo bicyclist who wrote a number of extraordinary memoirs detailing her travels. She’s a lay historian who plotted her trips around her historical interests.
Learn about the history and culture of Iceland on the Saga Museum website.
Useful pocket guide to learn about the wildlife of the Galapagos!
The website of Seattle based geologist, naturalist, and historian, David B. Williams. Read his articles, blog posts, and books or sign up for one of his interesting tours of Seattle, which he is currently hosting virtually.
Marvel in the genius of Jimi Hendrix as you watch him play in different locations throughout his life. The film also includes interviews with him and people in his circle.
Award winning documentary about the Duwamish and Chinook tribes and their fight for the restoration of treaty rights.
Local James Beard Award recipients host a podcast about Seattle restaurants, recipes, and beverages.
Website and app that allows us to learn who the indigenous people were/are in a particular area. We can learn more about the territories, treaties and languages of many regions around the world.
Knute Berger mines Seattle’s historical and cultural nuggets in these short and entertaining videos.
An informative and moving documentary about the Duwamish and Suquamish peoples.
Orca Network allows us to learn all about these majestic creatures and what we can do to protect them. We can also follow their most recent sightings in the area and be alerted when we can listen to them on the hydrophone.
The Seattle Aquarium has many activities and lesson plans to enjoy from home to prepare for your trip.
Plan a trip to Washington with Nick on the Rocks by learning about the geology of the state through short videos.
Admire the masterful live performances and enjoy the history and interviews with, and about, the band.
Explore this history of Civil Rights and Labor primarily of Seattle and Washington, but also more broadly of the nation. Learn through a variety of mediums, including lesson plans, oral history interviews, photographs, and more.
Former BBC journalist Bridgette Kendall soberly outlines how decisions agreed to in the Hall of Mirrors over 100 years ago, shaped future wars in Germany, Yugoslavia, Vietnam, Poland, and Iraq.
Historian Philip Mansel takes you far outside of Versailles to see Louis XIV’s reach across the globe and history.
A collection of four of Moliere’s most influential comedic plays.
Listen to Miserere (1664) by Lully, Master of the King’s Music and considered the founder of French Opera.
Historian Aurora Van Goeth’s blog with all kinds of details about the Sun King.
Written by the modern father of the fairy tale, and advisor to Louis XIV, Charles Perrault. Enjoy sharing these with the kids in your life while talking about how they are related to the culture of the time.
Lavish TV series about Louis XIV as a young man. This historical fiction hit was the most expensive series ever produced in France.
The official app for the Palace of Versailles allowing for a tour from home or in person.
The Chateau de Versailles teamed up with Google Arts and Culture to create this intimate VR tour of the palace. Requires a VR headset.
A free online class about Shakespeare both in print and online with a focus on the Globe Theater.
Free online course exploring the culture of modern China.
A free online course exploring the history of books in Japan.
Not sure where to go on your next trip? Go here! A very inspiring and informative website gathering high quality articles about cultures of our world.
Series of fun dance tutorials by Jey Colon teaching how to dance chamapeta, popular throughout Central and South America.
Short tutorial teaching the Polka so you’ll be ready to kick up your heels on your next trip.
A top board game connecting some of the major cities of Europe, perfect to play before you buy a rail pass of your own! Extensions are available for Africa, Asia, Japan, Italy, Holland, Germany, France,England, the United States, and India.
A fun game for world management. Adds a bit of history into the fun. Though not as good as Civ V, still great fun. 🙂
World traveling at its finest by the first solo circumnavigator
Long time circumnavigators Hal and Margaret take us along a sailing voyage following Homer’s The Odyssey.
Classic strategy game set in the Loire Valley of medieval France with great replay value.
Scientific explanation of the acoustics of the amphitheater at Epidavros, and by extension other ancient theaters of the Greco-Roman world.
Video game exploring history and culture of medieval Japan in the age of the samurai.
Four Season Masterpiece Theater show based on Gerald Durrell’s best selling, My Family And Other Animals, set on the island of Corfu.
Explore wondrous locations within the pages of this book. It covers locations, events, and beautiful structures alike around the world that engage the mind and inspire wonder. – Oliver, age 12
This is the best selling and authoritative classic on Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology that will help you better understand all of the European culture that follows.
Great online language learning—good for beginner through intermediate learners.
The animation and anime of Japan is at its best with Hayao Miyazaki’s “Princess Mononoke”.
Informative short film on the history of Dutch windmills on the website. This is also an opportunity to stay in a unique Miller’s cabin next to a 1632 Dutch Windmill, with a boat experience/tour available.
Comprehensive book about the history and natural history of the Burren region with each chapter written by an expert.
Comprehensive language learning system offering instruction in 25 languages.
Animated film combining Celtic mythology and a fictional account of the history of the Book of Kells.
Lecture and performances by American academics and musicians about the history of Irish music.
An overview of the Medici family and their incredible influence on Florence, Italy, and the world by Christopher Hibbert.
Interactive and engaging video game exploring ancient and classical Greece.
This website is incredibly useful for many travel destinations. It often provides the most up-to-date information for archeological sites, as well as tours, and information for families.
High quality free online course about medieval manuscripts and history in general, and specifically the Book of Kells.
Official guide to Book of Kells with illustrations and informative text.
Award winning film about the Irish fight for independence in the 1920’s.
A film documenting a cello player who travels through Ireland learning the stories behind Irish Airs.
A comprehensive and broad exploration of the natural history of the Puget Sound region.