We can all acknowledge that Covid-19 has turned our daily life upside down. We've started working remotely, meeting our friends on Zoom, doing fitness sessions in our living room, and spending more time together as a family. All social events, gatherings and activities have been cancelled or postponed and staying indoors is a phenomenon which many of us have been struggling to come to terms with.

What have we been doing so far? Catching up on our favourite movies and TV series, following live Covid-19 updates fervently, watching pandemic news from all over the world hoping it will soon be over… and we can all agree that we need new entertaining stuff to watch on TV while locked inside. You must be yearning for alternative things to do from home, and if you're a couch potato, here are some options you can consider to keep yourself entertained:

1. Take Virtual Tours around the Seven Wonders of the World

Taking virtual tours to the Seven Wonders of the World from your very own sofa is now possible and the best thing about them is… you'll find no crowds!

• The Great Wall of China: Walk along the longest man-made structure in the world- China's most renowned landmark and enjoy the breathtaking panoramas from this ancient fortification system.
• The Colosseum, Rome: Take a virtual walk in 4K around the mighty Colosseum and listen to the binaural audio for a super realistic experience around this ancient amphitheatre.
• Petra, Jordan: Discover this archeological wonder through an audio-led 3D tour from Google Maps. This magnificent ancient city of stone is truly worth a tour.
• Machu Picchu, Peru: Follow this virtual 3D guide through this Inca city in the Andes Mountains and use the audio clips to learn about the Inca Empire.
• Taj Mahal, India: Discover the world's most beautiful building and its surrounding gardens through Google Street View and take in the beauty of this masterpiece.
• Christ the Redeemer, Brazil: This massive statue of Jesus Christ is a must-see landmark in Rio de Janeiro and here's your chance to enjoy a virtual tour and beautiful shots of this gigantic monument.
• Chichen Itza, Mexico: Watch panoramas of these ancient Maya ruins and read about the history behind this collection of temples and pyramids.

2. Watch a Circus Performance

Are you a circus fan? This is your chance to watch the Cirque du Soleil do what it does best- offering mind-blowing performances and impressive acts. This renowned circus is now offering online shows and they're free of charge! These 60-minute specials from the show 'Zed' are being streamed every Friday on Youtube at 8pm till Friday May 29th. Keep up-to-date with Cirque Connect and enjoy one spectacle after another.

3. Watch a Musical

The Shows Must Go On! West End and Broadway Musicals have now been transported from stage to screen and all musical lovers can enjoy a different musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber every Friday evening on this new Youtube channel. It's free as well! Full performances from the most renowned musicals in history will be shown and will remain active for 48 hours. Subscribe now to benefit from this one-time opportunity!

4. Go on a Virtual Safari

Watching animals in the wild is always a delightful experience and game reserves are now giving us the opportunity to go on an online safari from our very own sofa. Time to put Covid worries aside and revel in what nature has to offer, and observe wild species in their natural habitat. Check out these channels to get started:

• Manyeleti Game Reserve, South Africa
• Shamwari Private Game Reserve, South Africa

5. Go on a Virtual Museum Tour

The brick-and-mortar museums and heritage sites may be closed, but that doesn't mean you can't explore renowned historical sites. Discover the national treasures which Malta has to offer from the comfort of your home. In collaboration with Google Arts & Culture, Heritage Malta has launched a platform which is brimming with online exhibits, extraordinary artworks and virtual tours around the megalithic temples and several historic sites all over Malta and Gozo. All free of charge! Documentaries and interactive activities are also available for all.

You can also explore countless museums from all over the world on your screen. Some of these include:

• Louvre, Paris
• Met Museum, New York
• British Museum, London
• MoMA (Museum of Modern Art), New York
• Tate Britain, London
• Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
• Uffizi Gallery, Florence

More virtual museum tours can be found on the Google Arts and Culture platform.

6. Watch a Live Concert

Celebrities and artists, local and international alike, are switching to virtual screens, offering live concerts and participating in various festivals, in an endeavour to stay connected with their audiences and keep people in a positive mood through their music. Some concerts you can watch include:

• Malta Together- A Festival of Gratitude and Inspiration: This virtual festival will showcase the best local artists and a special performance by Joseph Calleja. It will be held on May 3rd in support of healthcare workers and all frontliners in this Covid-19 situation, in an endeavour to raise morale and thank everyone for their contribution.
• LiveNation is streaming live performances from various music tours from all around the globe.
• Pink Floyd is streaming live concerts for free.
• Radiohead is uploading concert videos on a weekly basis.
• Metallica has started a new concert series by streaming live shows on their Youtube channel and on Facebook every week.

7. Go on a Virtual Hike

Yes, these are actually possible and the best thing about them is that you get to enjoy breathtaking views without even dripping one drop of sweat! Here are a couple of hikes you can take around the US:

• Bryce Canyon
• Grand Canyon National Park
• Redwood National Park
• Baker River Trail in Washington
• Kodiak Island
• Yellowstone National Park

8. Play live DJ gigs

Now's your chance to organise a funky home party! DJs from all over the world are live-streaming gigs for all their fans who still want to continue partying in their homes:

• Melita is live-streaming DJ sessions every Saturday and Sunday in collaboration with Sound Salon/G7.
• WorldClubDome is providing attractive DJ line-ups which are not to be missed.

9. Watch a Theatrical Performance

Although theatres are closed, theatrical performances are still being streamed online and you can all enjoy front row seats for these virtual plays. The British National Theatre and Globe Theatre are amongst the theatres live-streaming performances, so stay tuned to their channels!

10. Watch DIY tutorial hacks

Youtube is an infinite pool of ideas, so use this downtime to watch DIY tutorials which will make your life so much easier when life gets back to normal. Discover quick cleaning hacks, practical ways to organise your clothes, beauty hacks, fun ways to restore your old furniture and so much more.

Lockdown has brought about a new era of live-streaming, and technology has enabled us to stay connected with the whole world. Kick boredom aside once and for all with these fun activities and enjoy new experiences thanks to the power of virtual technologies.