Take a virtual field trip around the world through Amazon Explore

DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, CA - JULY 16: The tallest U.S. peak outside of Alaska, 14,495-foot Mount Whitney, is seen in the far distance as Carlos Alberto Gomas De Sa from Portugal, a first-time competitor in the event, runs up Whitney Portal Road on his way to win the AdventurCORPS Badwater 135 ultra-marathon race on July 16, 2013 outside of Death Valley National Park, California. Billed as the toughest footrace in the world, the 36th annual Badwater 135 starts at Badwater Basin in Death Valley, 280 feet below sea level, where athletes begin a 135-mile non-stop run over three mountain ranges in extreme mid-summer desert heat to finish at 8,350 feet above sea level near Mount Whitney for a total cumulative vertical ascent of 13,000 feet. July 10 marked the 100-year anniversary of the all-time hottest world record temperature of 134 degrees, set in Death Valley where the average high in July is 116. A total of 96 competitors from 22 nations attempted the run which equals about five back-to-back marathons. Previous winners have completed all 135 miles in less than 24 hours. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) /

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It’s incredibly rewarding to travel to a different country and learn all about its culture, but it isn’t always feasible. The cost is prohibitive to many, and even if you can afford it, not everyone has the luxury of taking extended time off from work. But Amazon’s new interactive, live-streaming platform hopes to connect you with foreign communities, landmarks, and merchants all from the comfort of your own home.

Amazon Explore has more than 500 one-on-one experiences for you to discover around the globe with the help of an English-speaking guide. The platform categorizes the sessions by location, theme, length, and price. They can range from 30 minutes to an hour, and cost anywhere from $5 to $165, with a special $15 sale section, so everyone can participate at their convenience. You can take an afternoon to design your own jewelry with a Parisian artist, walk among the ruins of Pompeii, roll sushi with a chef in Japan, or attend a gaucho rodeo in Argentina, all through your laptop.

Your journey will be through one-way video and two-way audio, which allows you to chat with your guide while focusing on the visual experience. You’ll also be able to purchase items directly from local merchants during each experience. Since the session is one-on-one, it’s tailored to your interests, so if a storefront catches your eye or you want to say hello to a local, ask your guide and they’ll help with the microphone.

Even though Amazon Explore is still a beta platform, customer reviews already look promising, with many experiences earning ratings over four stars. To participate in your virtual field trip, all you need is a computer or laptop with a microphone—it doesn’t work with mobile devices—an up-to-date browser, and an internet speed of at least five megabits per second (Mbps), which you can test here.

Learn more about all the different experiences Amazon Explore has to offer here.

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