Travel to Italy without having to leave NYC

Planning on going to Grand Central soon, maybe to head to Rye Playland or a visit to New Haven? Consider a detour to Italy along the way.

The Italian Ministry of Economic Development, the Italian Trade Agency, and the Altagamma Foundation have brought the birthplace of the Renaissance to New York City’s busiest hub via their “Made in Italy” PANORAMA. Billing itself as "an immersion into Italian beauty" the attraction, a 360° video installation, is located in GCT’s Vanderbilt Hall East.

From 9am to 6pm daily through July 20, you can step inside and experience Italy’s “culture, landscapes and craftsmanship” without the cost and inconvenience of getting a passport, and popping for hotel and plane fare. Sure going there for real is better, but look it at it this way: If you work nearby, you could go on your lunch-break, which, absent a futuristic transporter beam, you couldn’t do otherwise.