Want to experience the world, but can’t travel right now? Or maybe you are planning your next adventure and you’re not sure where you want to go? Part of a location’s appeal are the stories behind the architecture, people, and historical lore that make it what it is today.
What if we told you that you could explore the far corners of the world without leaving the comfort of your own home? It’s the next best thing to being there in person and, if you do it right, you can learn things that the travel guidebooks just won’t show you. Story City has a bunch of incredible experiences offered through the platform. While the beauty is often in tying stories to specific locations, you can also experience them digitally from wherever you are! Here are 5 places you can visit from your couch when you are looking for a little escape.
Jump to the end of the article to see how to use the Story City platform!
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires is known for its street art, night life, cuisine, architecture, and culture. It is also steeped in a rich history of political intrigue and power struggles. Much of the turbulent history can be traced back to Plaza de Mayo at the heart of the city. Allow yourself to be transported back in time to learn about the events that shaped Argentina as we know it today with local Buenos Aires storyteller, Travel Guide, and architect Juan Pablo. “See” Buenos Aires as you never have – through the eyes of a local! This tour is full of facts, local history, political drama, and tragedy.
Learn more about Buenos Aires City Hall, Buenos Aires Cabildo (site of the 1810 revolution), Casa Rosada (the site of a tragic bombing during a coup), and the centre for the Grandmothers of the Square demonstrations in the country.
For more information on the experience click here, otherwise jump on the Story City app and dive into this experience arm-traveller style via our Spoiler Mode (instructions at the end of the article!).
Ouro Preto, Brazil
UNESCO World Heritage Sites have cultural, historical, scientific, or other form of significance. As the world changes, it can be easy to forget where we have come from – and it is even more exciting to learn about places all over the world. From rebellion, hidden treasure, stories of heroic slaves, breathtaking artwork, and gold heists, the town of Ouro Preto is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that you definitely want to learn more about. Most of Brazil’s historic rebellions happened here.
Ouro Preto storyteller Marcelo Mortimer shares the town’s secrets linked to 10 different locations including Museum de Inconfidencia, Casa Dos Contos, Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosario, Igreja Matriz Nossa Senhora do Pilar, Igreja do Sao Francisco de Assis, The Oratory of the Vira Saia, and many more!
For more information on the experience click here, otherwise jump on the Story City app and dive into this experience arm-traveller style via our Spoiler Mode (instructions at the end of the article!).
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Canada has a lot to offer. The country is large and is proud of its diverse population. The beauty of the country is that you could be in two different places and feel like you are in a completely different country based on the local culture. There are eight different tours to experience in Edmonton on the Story City platform. Learn about the history of the ᐄᓃᐤ (ÎNÎW) River Lot 11∞ Indigenous Art Park through CONNECTION. CONNECTION is a storytelling experience performed by Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, performer and drummer Mackenzie Brown. She uses storytelling and music to educate about the history of the land. POETS OF AMISKWACIY-WâSKAHIKAN (Old Strathcona) uses poetry and spoken word to highlight nostalgic memories of home, discoveries of authentic self, truths of oppression, and calls to empowerment. Each performance piece is tied to a different location.
For more information on these and other experiences in Edmonton click here, otherwise jump on the Story City app and dive into this experience arm-traveller style via our Spoiler Mode (instructions at the end of the article!).
Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne is consistently ranked among the top three most liveable cities in the world. Not only is it laid back, but it’s also known as a cultural capital in Australia with amazing music, art, and museums. It’s also home to 3 incredible experiences that are steeped in Indian folk lore. Featured at the Jaipur Literature Festival Melbourne, these experiences were written by Indian expats, and they seamlessly tie in Melbourne’s city streets with exciting Choose Your Adventure stories and puzzle trails. In exploring the city virtually, you can help three Indian sages save Melbourne from destruction, investigate a mysterious murder, or rescue your best friend who has been kidnapped.
For more information on these experiences click here, otherwise jump on the Story City app and dive into this experience arm-traveller style via our Spoiler Mode (instructions at the end of the article!).
Brisbane, Australia
Not all city experiences have to be linked to history. Sometimes you just want to have a bit of fun. Brisbane has 24 exciting adventures to choose from that will challenge your decision-making skills, test your puzzle skills, and just entertain you. Will you choose to become the apprentice of death, the sidekick of a rather dim Hero or fight off a zombie invasion? Or maybe you’ll choose to be a pirate captain, become the assistant of a Private Investigator to solve a heist, or rid Sandgate of a cursed ship?
In case you are a huge fan of the fantasy genre, Brisbane also has the special distinction of having two adventure experiences created by internationally award-winning fantasy authors (who have written a combined 60 books!). Can you help Australia’s least competent heroes protect the city from an undead monster in 9 Fathoms Deep written by Kim Wilkins? Or will you find enough omicrons to become the Chosen One and stop the invasion of our world in The Omicron by Isobelle Carmody.
For more information on these and other experiences in Brisbane click here, otherwise jump on the Story City app and dive into this experience arm-traveller style via our Spoiler Mode (instructions at the end of the article!).
If you’re looking for something a little bit… extra, Story City helps bring the world around you to life by augmenting everything with locative storytelling and digital elements. Just download the Story City app to find more adventures near you!
How to Use Story City From Your Couch
While it would be nice to be there in person, the next best thing is to experience all of these incredible adventures from where you are! You just need to activate Story City’s (super secret) Spoiler Mode! Here’s how to do it:
1. Download the Story City app here
2. Select “See All Stories” to access experiences from all over the world and navigate to the city you want to “visit”. (The app will automatically open the closest city to you if you don’t.)
3. Select your experience!
4. Turn on Spoiler Mode. If you are not at the location, the app will automatically ask you to turn on spoiler mode when you select an experience. If you’re not prompted for some reason, then just tap the hamburger menu (the triple line button on the top right) to turn on spoiler mode manually.
5. Hit the Start button, take in the story! You can listen as an audio or in some cases watch the video.
6. Tap on the next pin on the map at the bottom of your screen when you are ready to head to the next location in the virtual tour.
7. Keep going until you reach the end!
Note: Pressing the back button will not take you back to the previous location! To end the adventure and go back to a previous location, go to the hamburger menu on the top right (the triple lines) hit the ‘End Story’ button to end the adventure. You will then need to re-enter the story and navigate to the right location.
Happy armchair travelling!
