Make friends as you travel the world virtually

Sign up for our new VR Travel Club and you'll become a member of a core group that meets regularly for six weeks exploring the world together. Each week is something different, from adventures in Asia, Europe and popular U.S. destinations, to Cuba and North Africa, South America and other places around the globe.

Each narrated 3-D video is 2 to 8 minutes and we take a couple minutes in between to chat about what we saw and experienced together as we are in the same place virtually at the same time, seeing the same amazing historic sites and natural landscapes. We'll end each week with an awe-inspiring virtual excursion, like the Rise of the Lantern Festival and tour of Buckingham Palace. There are also virtual encounters like "Surrounded by Elephants," "Toucan Encounter," "Wild African Animals" and "Swimming with Whale Sharks" during the last week.

Because these travel adventures are based on actual video, this 3-D experience makes you feel as if you're really there. 

Over the six weeks, you'll get to know your travel companions. Each travel group will come up with its own name. The group decides! Maybe it's Wanderlust, Nomads or TSA-Free. You'll wear a lanyard with your group photo and club name as you create memories that connect you. After Week 1, bring your own snacks for a post-experience Snack & Chat with your new friends.

As fun as it is, virtual reality is also being widely used in some uncommon ways. For example, VR has proven to help improve quality of life and a sense of well-being by reducing loneliness, addressing depression, and reducing barriers to socialization through common experiences. According to the study “Impact of Virtual Reality Experience on Older Adults’ Well Being” published by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Design and Management and MIT AgeLab, "VR is believed to be beneficial to older adults due to its immersive interaction capabilities.

"Participants who used the VR system reported being less socially isolated, being less likely to show signs of depression, experiencing positive affects more frequently, and feeling better about their overall well-being.”

Camarillo Health Care District's first Travel Club will be offered 2-3:30 p.m. on Mondays, Jan. 27-March 10 (no traveling Feb. 17). There are only six spots available. Cost is $30 for the six-week series (non-District residents add $4).

Call 805-388-1952 to join our first travel club (itinerary below) or join an interest list for our next club with a different itinerary of new destinations and memories to make.

WEEK 1

Beautiful World: From tulips to trails, gondola rides to hot air balloons and sunsets by kayak, to vistas far and wide, immerse yourself in this Beautiful World. Your excursion will be kayaking at sunset.

WEEK 2

Asian Adventure: Our wanderlust takes us to five Asian countries on this adventure with stops in China, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. Immerse yourself in the beautiful landscapes, each unique culture, architecture and historic sites. End this amazing adventure with an excursion with a Longtail Boat Ride.

WEEK 3

Trio of Continents: Start your travels in Central Europe with visits to Slovakia and its national parks, and Belgium before zipping over the North Atlantic Ocean to Havana, the capital of Cuba. Check out popular Cuban towns and beaches before jetting over to the African continent for stops in Egypt and Morocco, the two most popular tourist destinations in North Africa. Your excursion will be the Rise of the Lantern Festival.

WEEK 4

European Vacation: Take in the unique culture and landscape of Germany, Netherlands, Denmark and Ireland before a total immersion in Italy, with stops in all the famous cities (Rome, Athens, Florence, Milan, Pisa). We will end with London, England, with our excursion taking place in Buckingham Palace.

WEEK 5

Back in the USA: We are hitting all popular tourist spots in an adventure that takes us to our nation’s capital, the Big Apple and Sin City before dropping us off in our own backyard with a coastal drive to Santa Barbara. We will stop in some of our favorite spots, including Napa Valley Vinyards, San Francisco and the very familiar LA LA Land.

WEEK 6

Off to the Races & More: Now that you’ve traveled most of the world and enjoyed a lot of leisure time, it’s time to get back to an exercise routine. Put on your favorite pair of sneakers and settle into a chair for an experience that combines real-life cycling with virtual reality landscapes. In your down time, go on a few virtual excursions using VR.