The past couple years have made travel complicated. Travel bans, testing requirements, and simply the risk of infection have kept many of us closer to home than we would like. Not to mention the financial stress this has placed on those who make their living through the tourism industry. Thankfully technology has stepped in to fill some of the gap–allowing us to explore far off places from the comfort of our own couch…while providing income for tour operators.
A relatively new entry into the virtual tourism space is Amazon. In fact, their virtual experiences program, Amazon Explore, is still technically in beta testing at this time!
What is Amazon Explore?
Amazon Explore offers live, guided experiences across the globe. From tours…to cooking classes…to shopping experiences! Explore the busting streets of Tokyo from a rickshaw, see how Venetian masks are made (and purchase one of your own), learn how to make tortillas from scratch, and more!
Are these group or private tours?
Both! Amazon Explore offers group tours (no more than 7 participants) and private experiences!
Are children welcome?
Yes! But anyone under 18 years of age will need adult supervision during the experience.
How does it work?
Amazon Explore utilizes a proprietary, web based program for their sessions. To participate you will need a laptop or desktop computer as, at this time, the application does not support smartphones or tablets. Head to your session page (provided through an e-mail when you sign up or available at the top of your Amazon account) shortly before your start time and you will be provided a link to join the tour! It’s that easy!
Clicking on the link will launch the Amazon Explore program. After a quick introductory video, you’ll be prompted to enter your name (visible to everyone on the tour) and join the group. The video link is one way–meaning you’ll be able to see your host and their environment…but no one will be able to see you. Which is great if you want to take the tour in your pajamas! Audio, however, works both ways. So your guide will not only be able to speak to you, but you’ll be able to respond and ask questions as well.
Additional features of the program include the ability to take photos (which you can download to your computer after the session) and to click on the screen to indicate to your tour guide that you’re interested in something. Tour guides are able to pop up photos and sound onto the screen to further illustrate topics of discussion.
Some private tours even offer the option of shopping in local stores and having your purchases shipped to you (purchase price and shipping are additional, but the transaction can conveniently be completed through your Amazon account).
Happy 2022! 
One of many beautiful trees 
Christmas lanterns 
A foggy night in Ljubljana, Slovenia
My Amazon Explore Experience
I’ve taken two group tours through Amazon Explore. One was a tour of Christmas lights in Ljubljana, Slovenia led by Intrepid Urban Adventures and the other was a tour of Prague focusing on the legends and myths of alchemy led by Prague City Adventures. Both were group tours, though I was the only participant in the Prague tour…so I basically got a private one-on-one experience!
Amazon recommends high speed internet for the best experience…and I was a bit concerned because my rural internet is anything but! Amazingly, the program ran quite smoothly with minimal disruption even with my poor connection.
The video on the night tour was a bit blurry, however, the city was quite foggy that night as well–so it was hard to tell whether the fog, my connection, or Amazon was to blame. The hazard of live tours is that sometimes things don’t always cooperate–be that weather or technology! Either way, it didn’t ruin the experience–I was still able to appreciate the beautiful Christmas lights and my tour guide’s entertaining and informative talk about Christmas traditions in Slovenia. The video for my daytime tour in Prague was certainly on the blurry side, however my internet speed tested out considerably slower than usual that day as well. The audio came through just fine, though, and I very much enjoyed the conversation with my guide, learned a ton about a period of history that I don’t know much about, and the photos I took along the tour came out clear.
Those with a reliable, high speed internet connection will certainly have the best experience, but I was satisfied with mine even with technical challenges (which I expected given my limited internet connection).
A scenic view of Prague 
Old city walls 
Beautiful architecture! 
A courtyard in the palace complex
Extra Amazon Explore tips!
Everyone can enjoy! Your purchase of a tour is for one device (laptop or desktop only at this time) to access the experience. More than one person is welcome to gather around and participate…which means the whole family can get in on the fun!
Chromecast is your friend! Don’t want to crowd around the laptop screen? Consider casting the tour to your TV for a more enjoyable experience.
Connect with distant friends and family! Amazon Explore experiences can be perfect for connecting with far off friends and family. Book a group experience and enjoy the fun together! (Each location will need to purchase their own tour.)
Would I recommend Amazon Explore?
Yes! (Especially if you have access to reliable, high speed internet!) Amazon Explore is a great, inexpensive way to see the world, learn new things, and meet new people without ever leaving the comfort of your couch!
