WARNING! THIS IS HIGHLY ADDICTIVE STUFF, DO NOT BLAME ME IF YOU GET STUCK ON GOOGLE EARTH 
Have you used Google Earth before? Then you know that it is AMAZING.
Have you used it to have a look around in the world? I am talking about another way of virtual travel, instead of the cyber cruise.
It is easy, just download Google Earth from here, install it and begin to drag, point and zoom to any place you want to explore at the earth globe – all in high-resolution 3D!
It has a very powerful search feature, so be sure to use it. Search style tips: “hotels near picadilly circus” – if that is what you want to get as a result.
Be sure to read the Google Earth Help information, you get a lot of very useful tips there.
Why not take a trip here:
The Victoria falls, between Zambia and Zimbabwe, probably the worlds largest falls. The only one that can be compared with the Victoria Falls is the Iguassu Falls in South America where I’ve been and Tor soon is going to, so I really can confirm that!
Write the name of the place you want to go to or the coordinates in this format: -17.925511,25.858223 (Latitude, Longitude)
Or to an awesome rock formation called The Badlands Guardians located in Alberta, Canada. Take a look – it looks like a human head dressed in feathers! (Coordinates: 50.010083,-110.113006)
You can placemark the places and share them with your friends. Add photos, your own words, restaurant reviews among other things.
Google Earth file formats are .KML or .KMZ.
Useful travel tools with Google Earth:
(You need to have it installed first before clicking the links)
Panoramio (Already in version 4.2.x)
An extensive collection of shared photos from around the world. Tip: Go to http://www.panoramio.com to upload and map your own photos to show up in Google Earth.
The World in Panoramic View
Fly around the globe exploring hundreds of high quality panoramic images taken by everyday people. Each placemark offers an image preview, a brief description and link to the full panorama.
Geographically Organized Webcams
With nearly 3000 webcams collected. Click on the placemark to view an image of the webcam and see what’s going on in that part of the world.
360 Cities (Google Earth 4.2)
Hundreds of panoramas. Each city has a variety of locations. From glitz and glamour to the hot deserts – something for all travel tastes.
Placeopedia
Collection of Wikipedia articles with their places.
Turn Here
Free city video guides for travel, restaurants, hotels, local events and music.
GeoBeats Videos
Each of the placemarks links to a video where you can hear from these experts giving information such as local etiquette, or how to use a city’s public transportation system.
Travel and Leisure Top 500
The 500 hotels Travel + Leisure readers named the greatest in the world.
Travel Adventures
With photos, descriptions and links, this KML is a highly informative and interesting account of one individuals jet-setting to the far reaches of our globe.
Earthbooker
Global discounts on hotels.
Booking.com
European hotel reservation service.
CBS Seismic Monitor
Display of real-time, worldwide earthquakes!!! I will try to avoid those hot spots…. *giggles*
Alaskan Motorcycle Trip
Follow two motorcycle enthusiasts trough spectacular scenery from the lush California to the wilderness in Alaska. Viewing tip: Turn “Terrain” on in your layers section.
Explore Nova Scotia
View photos, descriptions and links to learn more about the history and culture of Nova Scotia, Canada.
Other Google Earth Blogs to explore:
Google Lat Long Blog
Google Earth Blog
Google Sightseeing
Google Maps Mania
To get Google maps in your mobile phone, go here in your phones web browser: http://www.google.com/gmm/
Google Earth is a great tool – I have been using it for a while now to stay on top of travel arrangements… of course it does get pretty addictive and distracting!
Google Earth is indeed amazing. I have a collection of pics of the reported locations, by dns number, of readers of my MySpace page, taken from Google Earth, through a web visitor tracking widget. Kind of scary and big brotherish, I know, but It’s really harmless. The dns address reported by my computer at home is actually 50 miles off.
ROTUS’s last blog post..Blog of the Day, Whoo Hoo!
I’ve been checking it out today trying to figure out what is located near our house. So cool! I love the thing where you can see the stars too. I’m gonna have to check out the places you mentioned! hehe
Heather’s last blog post..Thank You!
WOW! What a great way to see the world from your computer! I will definitely have to check this out! Thanks for posting that.
Jeni Hill Ertmer’s last blog post..Under Attack!
yes.. Google earth is an amazing software… You can even find your residence in google.. If you cannot find it, just edit your house into google earth.. Its very easy…
vijay’s last blog post..Azhagiya Thamizh Magan –> Oru Kannottam…
Yes, I have used google earth many times but these links are new to me. You know what I’ll be doing this afternoon
Mar’s last blog post..Sightseeing in Seville (2) and TT 66
I installed it immediately when it came out ! It’s really a wonderful creation ! You can even see my Lion Hill, lol !
It’s an amazing tool.
First time I really got the impression of it, was when a common friend of me and Renny showed us his house in Menton. Like going down in a flying saucer.
TorAa’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday – November 21 – 2007
I love Google Earth! I haven’t experimented with most of the sites you pointed out above, but I think I’d better give a few of them a try. I’ve been using Google Maps in my blog for a while, so it’s probably time to step it up a notch anyway…
Forrest’s last blog post..Vivid Color in Photoshop
Pierre spoke me about it and it’s a nice way to visit the globe and always more learn! Spectaculare!
claudie’s last blog post..A new resident?
Wow what an incredible design you have!
I adore Google Earth and spend many an hour traveling the globe this way. I often then have to find out more about a place I am viewing which leads me on to further discovery and learning.
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