Everyone is born with a curious nature and for many this leads to travelling adventures!

But for those of us with no budget for travel, or a lack of time-off from our 9 –5, we spend most of our 365 days a year dreaming about our next holiday.

With technology becoming more powerful, it’s not surprising that the innovative Google Inc. has managed to change the way things work – from search engines, cars, and apps, to phones and maps. In short, they find ways to organise the world’s information without being evil … we hope.

Speaking of maps, the street view option of Google maps (with the little yellow man) is a great source of inspiration for travellers and travel lovers world-wide – in fact, it’s your own virtual expedition base where you can engage in some couch travel!

Just think about it, you’ve always wanted to see the bustling streets of New York complete with their yellow cab taxis – so type New York into Google maps and take a trip to Times Square. Had your fill? No problem, type in Paris next and view the Eiffel tower as if you were right below it.

Eiffel Tower, Paris France. By Google Maps

Of course there are certain limitations to viewing the world in this manner, such as not every area being accessible and you don’t get the smells or sounds … but this could also be a blessing in disguise. Though there are no known outside discussions of how they’re planning to change this, they have given us several new offerings from Google Street View – and are currently busy with a fantastic underwater view of the Great Barrier Reef for Google SeaView, coming soon.

A look at the Amazon Jungle. By Google Maps

1.  The Amazon Rainforest

The Amazon Rainforest is a place rich with wildlife, vegetation, and even tribes living a traditional lifestyle along the banks. This rainforest is one of the last large green lungs of the world, and it is in danger of being de-forested and having large portions cut down to create a massive dam.  Modern changes like these would disrupt the indigenous population, as well as introduce poisonous chemicals to the environment – possibly damaging it forever. Teaming up with the Foundation for a Sustainable Amazon, Google managed to capture an area of 30 miles along the Rio Negro River. They took around 9 months to complete this, and there are over 50,000 still images stitched together. This may be the only proof in the distant future that the earth was in fact, once green. You can view some behind the scenes footage here.

A look out at the icy Antarctic area and Cpt. Scott's cabin. By Google Maps2.  Antarctica

The land of ice and snow was brought to the forefront of history and our imaginations by the heroic voyage and subsequent death of Captain Robert Falcon Scott. Though this continent may not be your first choice for a vacation, you can safely brave the sub-zero conditions and follow in the footsteps of the original pioneers, all the way to the South Pole itself!  Google has even managed to capture pictures of the interior side of the base camp that the original expedition was launched from – giving many the chance to imagine how life was spent in the confined area for months on end. You can tour the late Captain Scott’s tent, view the surrounding landscape, and really get a feel for the frozen wasteland.

As technology continues to change and grow, people will be able to explore the world around them in many different ways. Let us know your thoughts on these new features, and which other amazing World Wonders you’re looking forward to seeing from Google.

All images taken via Google Street View.