Can Virtual Reality Replace Real Travel? – A Reading Comprehension Adventure for English Learners

Have you ever dreamed of hiking the Great Wall of China or swimming with sharks in Australia — without leaving your couch?

With the latest Virtual Reality (VR) technology, these bucket list dreams might be closer than you think. VR travel is no longer just a tech fad — it’s becoming a real way to explore the world from the comfort of your living room.

But can VR ever truly replace real travel? Or is it just a flashy tool for jet-setters between flights?

Let’s take a journey through words, idioms, and ideas as we explore the highs and lows of this top-notch tech.

🧠 Part 1: A New Way to Travel – Reading Comprehension

Read the blog excerpt below from VR enthusiast Anton Rolda, and then answer the questions.

Hi everyone, Anton here! 👋 If you like travel, gadgets, and fun tech, you’re in the right place. Today we’re diving into Virtual Reality travel—the newest fad that’s actually got some serious staying power.

I strapped on a VR headset, slipped on some haptic gloves, and used my phone as the controller. If you’ve got the budget, you can even splurge on a full bodysuit. 😮‍💨

My virtual trip started at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Swimming with sharks without getting wet? Yes, please! Next, I set off to the icy North Pole, where I didn’t even need a coat. Then I decided to head out and look around one of the wonders of the world—the Great Wall of China. No lines, no crowds, just awe. And finally, I launched into space using a VR app from National Geographic. 🚀

All from my apartment in the city! It blew my mind.

✏️ Comprehension Check

• Where did Anton go first in his VR journey?

• What equipment does Anton recommend for a great VR experience?

• What is the final destination in Anton’s VR trip?

• What do you think he means by “it blew my mind”?

🗣️ Part 2: Dialogue Practice

Read the conversation and check your understanding.

John: I still don’t buy into VR travel. You don’t really feel anything—you can’t smell the sea or feel the wind on your face.

Abe: But have you tried the new model? It’s top-notch. You can feel textures with haptic gloves and even get scent feedback. You can literally travel in the blink of an eye.

John: Even so, you're sitting in your living room, not checking in to a new hotel. There’s no real pizza, no real people.

Abe: What if you use it in your travel agency? Offer virtual tours to customers before they book. That could give you an edge over your competitors.

John: Hmm. That might make for a brilliant sales pitch. What does something like that cost?

✅ True or False

• Abe believes VR travel is a gimmick.

• John agrees that VR could boost his business.

• The VR headset Abe mentions includes sound, smell, and touch.

🧳 Vocabulary Builder (in-text)

Awe — a feeling of deep respect and wonder:

Anton stood at the edge of the virtual cliff in total awe.

Bucket list — a list of things to do before you die:

VR let him tick off a few items on his travel bucket list without leaving home.

Fad — a short-lived trend:

Some people think VR is just a tech fad, but others say it’s here to stay.

Top-notch — excellent quality:

The new headset is top-notch, offering 360° visuals and scent simulation.

In the blink of an eye — very quickly:

You can jump from Paris to Peru in the blink of an eye.

✈️ Travel Idioms & Slang in Action

Jet-setter — someone who travels a lot:

Anton might not be a jet-setter in real life, but with VR, he visits more countries than most!

Off the beaten track — not a typical tourist destination:

He even explored a remote VR jungle off the beaten track.

Hit the road — to begin a trip:

After donning the headset, he was ready to hit the road… virtually.

Travel light — to bring few belongings:

With VR, there's no need to pack. You truly travel light!

A rolling stone gathers no moss — those always moving stay fresh and free:

Anton lives by the motto: a rolling stone gathers no moss—even in the virtual world.

🛫 Phrasal Verbs in Use

Set off — to begin a journey:

He set off on his VR adventure after a quick tutorial.

Check in — to register (hotel/airport):

No check-in lines in this world—just press start.

Take off — when a plane leaves the ground:

The space app simulated a rocket take off that felt real!

Get away — to go on vacation:

It’s the perfect way to get away when you can’t afford a real trip.

Come back — return from a trip:

When he came back to reality, he was smiling ear to ear.

Head out — to leave/start a trip:

Let’s head out to the Amazon next!

Look around — explore or investigate:

He loved to look around old ruins in VR.

Drop by — to visit briefly:

He even dropped by a medieval castle between lunch and his online class.

🧠 Something Cool: Real Uses of VR Travel

Did you know that many nursing homes are using VR to let elderly residents "travel" the world? Hospitals are using it to reduce stress in children, and schools are offering immersive lessons on history and geography. For people who can't easily travel—due to illness, disability, or finances—VR offers a sense of adventure that was once out of reach.

Apps like Wander, National Geographic Explore VR, and YouVisit allow anyone with a headset to explore the world with full immersion—some even offer 360-degree sound and smell simulation.

🗣️ Discussion Questions

• Would you rather visit 5 places in VR or 1 place in real life for free?

• Can VR give us the same emotions and memories as real travel?

• What’s something real travel gives you that VR can’t?

• How can VR help those who can’t travel physically?

• If you could design your own VR travel destination, what would it be?

📽️ Call to Action

Watch a short VR video tour on YouTube—like a 360° view of Machu Picchu or the Taj Mahal. Then write 3 sentences in the comments about how it made you feel.

✨ Final Thought

Virtual Reality may not replace real travel, but it certainly opens the door to a world of awe, imagination, and learning. Whether you're a globe-trotting jet-setter or just want to look around from your living room, VR is one journey you don’t want to miss.

📘 More Fun Lessons at Henry English Hub

Want more exciting reading comprehension practice? Check out free grammar, vocabulary, and real-world English content on Henry English Hub!

👉 Explore more blog lessons and resources for learners!

Real English, Real Stories. Learn, Think, Fly.

© 2025 Henry English Hub. All rights reserved.