Google Street View was a magnificent feat – a great way to see the world outside your front door without moving at all.
But the restrictions are all in the name, you can see streets. Sure, the Street View cars have taken rough terrains over vast landscapes and brought back some fantastic images, but there are some places a car just can’t go.
That’s where Google Treks comes in. It’s for those seeking some inspiration for future adventures, or those simply looking to explore without the hassle, cost or energy.
The places Google can transport you to are some of the most magnificent on earth. You can blast off to the Kennedy Space Centre, journey through the Amazon Basin, dive into the Great Barrier Reef, climb to the Mount Everest base camp, take in the grandeur of the Grand Canyon, explore the icy ridges of the Canadian Arctic, see the world’s tallest building from dizzying heights, say bonjour to the Eiffel Tower and bask in the beauty of Mount Fuji. The latest addition is the stunning images and videos from the Galápagos islands. Google Maps have partnered with the Charles Darwin Foundation to allow people to explore the Galápagos National Park.
The next destination on the agenda is Venice; I imagine there’ll be some beautiful views from the gondolas floating between the streets.
Obviously this will never be as good as seeing the real thing and exploring the wild and wonderful world for yourself. But there are some people who are simply not able, whether they physically couldn’t travel to these places or it’s a matter of time and money. For some, this may be a great way of planning your future trips, for others, this may be the world at their fingertips, a way of seeing without going. I think it’s a fantastic way to share the wonders of the world with everyone; forget the luggage and hiking boots, all you need is an updated browser and a decent internet connection.
So, in the words of Google itself, "unleash your inner explorer" and take an online journey into the world of Treks. It may not be the real thing, but for those who can’t make it there any time soon, it’s the perfect substitute.
