www.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/wildcamafrica/ — Go on a virtual safari with live streaming video of the Mashatu Game Reserve in Bostwana, Africa. Watch lions, tigers, bears, deer and other animals feed at a watering hole. The best viewing times are 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. EST or 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. EST, according to the site. (Note: You have to sit through a commercial — or two — before the live video).

Inside an aquarium

www.earthcam.com/oceantank.php — One of EarthCam's top 25 webcams. Watch more than 150 species of sea life, including sharks, eels and turtles, in the circular, four-story Giant Ocean Tank at the New England Aquarium in Boston. Check www.neaq.org/webcams/gotcam—stream.php for feeding times. Double click on the image to make it full size to set up a virtual aquarium at your desk. Note: The lights in the exhibit are turned off at night, so make sure you take this vacation during the day.

Old Faithful

www.nps.gov/archive/yell/oldfaithfulcam.htm — Watch an eruption of the Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park. The geyser erupts more frequently than any of the other big geysers, according to the National Park Service, with an average interval between eruptions of around 91 minutes. The geyser shoots as much as 8,400 gallons of boiling water into the air at heights that can reach about 185 feet. (Note: The image updates every 30 seconds, so you may have to watch for awhile to see the eruption).

Niagara Falls

www.earthcam.com/canada/niagarafalls/ — The camera is on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. The image updates once every two to three seconds. (Note: The camera has an automatic windshield wiper, which can be distracting).

For skiers

www.skisugar.com/sugarlive/smrbase.phtml — Race down the slopes at Sugar Mountain Resort in North Carolina. The live streaming video shows skiers at the base of the Lower Flying Mile beginner slope. For the summit webcam, check out www.skisugar.com/sugarlive/index-sum mit.phtml which shows the Tom Terrific expert level slope. Double click to make them full size for a real virtual skiing experience. (Note: Skiing stops at 10 p.m. and lights are turned off.) Many other ski resorts have webcams as well.