Virtual holidays now available

12th October 2007

Web users can now upload and watch videos relating to particular places with a new Google feature.

The search engine company says the new YouTube layer to Google Earth allows you to click on a location and "watch, hear and feel" the place. Videos of surfing, sea life or skiing can be added to the map application if users geo-tag them when uploading on to YouTube.

Google Earth uses satellite imagery, maps and user photographs to present accurate location information for users.

"Armchair tourists to Rome can now watch YouTube videos filmed at the Colosseum, providing a holistic experience and adding a new perspective for users," said Google.

Google bought YouTube in November 2006 and in August 2007 added extra-terrestrial data. With this users can change the view from planetary to celestial and see the sky from different locations.

Yahoo! Maps and Virtual Earth from Microsoft also allows users to offer location links to other sites, photos and videos.