Archive for May, 2007

With the news today that Twin Falls in Kakadu National Park have been temporarily closed as park rangers search for 2 large saltwater crocodiles which have moved into the plunge pool, and the menacing 3 meter crocodile stalking Broome’s Cable Beach, I can’t help but giggle. We love a good dangerous animal story Down Under - we have plenty of them, and we love visitors to our shores to hear all about them! Nothing is more fun for most Aussies than to terrorise tourists with stories of killer spiders, deadly snakes (we have 7 out of the top 10 deadliest snakes in the world, though some lists say we have all 10!), rogue crocodiles and giant sharks - it’s almost a national hobby!

Welcome to Queensland…

I spent last weekend in Queensland in a lovely town called Airlie Beach. Crystal clear turqoise water, rainforest surrounds, warm weather and of course the stunning Whitsunday Islands. It’s everything you could ask for in a pre-winter escape as the temparatures in Sydney plunge. However, it is the tropics and with that comes some of our less than cuddly creatures, that’s right there is more to Oz than Koalas and Kangaroos.

Spending a day on a cruise out to the islands there was the chance to go for a snorkel and check out the Great Barrier Reef. Absolutely, I’ll be in that, I love any time I can spend in the water, particularly when fish and coral is involved. Did I mention it’s the tropics and in Australia we love our dangerous creatures? Introducing Queensland’s favorite marine species - the Box Jellyfish and Irukanji!

As a result of these two charming local inhabitants, most cruise operators strongly recommend visitors hire a stinger suit (a kind of very lightweight wet suit) when going in the water. Naturally it’s not for the $5 per suit fee, they have your best interest at heart I’m sure. The funny thing is the way they sell the idea to people. “It’s up to you but we HIGHLY recommend it…”, “They don’t use Stinger suits in Cairns (not true by the way!) and they had 23 stings last month, we had none…”, “I’m not saying they will be here but do you get into a car without putting on a seatbelt?”. Not to scare the living daylights out of unsuspecting tourists or anything, but they do love a bit of the old “If a box jellyfish gets you, you’ll be dead before you can scream!”.

Hmmm, just when you thought it was safe to get back in the water…

Personally, I have never worn a stinger suit. Not out of misguided bravery or anything like that, I just hate them. They make you float (which can be a good thing if you aren’t a confident swimmer) and they smell! But it is important to differentiate between the two occasions on which one may wear them. If you are swimming at a beach at certain times of the year, there are netted enclosures which are designed to keep the deadly Box Jellyfish at bay. However, this particular species can have very long tentacles (up to 3 meters) which are thin enough to get through the net. If you are swimming in an enclosure, you should stay well away from the edges and wear a stinger suit - just in case.

Box Jellyfish are not to be messed with, if you are stung you really have little hope of surviving. The poison is extremely fast acting and if you make it out of the water before going into shock and drowning, you only have a matter of minutes until your heart stops, not to mention the excrutiating pain. Anyone who swims outside of the enclosures during stinger season has a serious death wish - these things are your worst nightmare! The good news? They are only found along the coastline, mainly around river estuaries, and Box Jellyfish have never been found on the Great Barrier Reef.

Look for the warning signs before taking the plunge in the tropics

So why the stinger suits? Well, that would be for the aforementioned Irukanji. These guys are not as terrifying as Box Jellyfish, but none the less worth knowing about. There has been occasional deaths by Irukanji stings, however these cases usually involve pre-existing heart conditions and allergic reactions. The problem with these little guys is that they are transparent and very small, only about 2 centimeters or an inch for our American metric friends, basically impossible to spot from in or out of the water. Not to forget as well, the sting is not pleasant. The initial sting is not that painful, but within about half an hour the whole body will hurt, the vomiting begins and the pain becomes unbearable. Sounds horrific, but you should live to tell the story. Unfortunately these are the stingers found on the Great Barrier Reef, so the Whitsundays has their fair share.

As I said, I have never worn a stinger suit and I have never been stung. I have been snorkeling on the reef more times than I can remember, so the chances of being stung seem pretty low. However who knows how close I have come to having this unpleasant and most importantly holiday ending, experience, so probably best not to listen to me!

If it’s any comfort - there are no sharks in the Whitsundays…ok, so maybe a couple of really little reef sharks visit from time to time, but there’s no REAL sharks!

Can I also take this opportunity to ask all foreign visitors to take note of the signs randomly dotted around the northern parts of Australia that say “No Swimming - Estuarine Crocodiles inhabit this area“. These are here for a reason, seriously it’s not just for tourists to take photos of, it actually means what it says yet every year at least one overseas visitor to Australia who has ignored it doesn’t live to confirm the fact.

Now, have I told you the story of the time when a cyclone flooded Port Douglas and there was a crocodile walking down the main street - maybe a story for another day…

-Kerrie O’Mahony

Next time, book ahead

Surprisingly, Las Vegas isn’t the only place where you can find people willing to play high stakes poker. Viator recently asked 2,500 travelers if they’d ever been disappointed on a trip by finding something they wanted to do was sold out or unavailable when they needed it.

One-third of them said “yes,” which meant they had to change their plans on the fly – something that isn’t always easy to do in an unfamiliar city where the locals may, or may not, speak the same language as you.

The lesson here? Don’t gamble with your trip.

Planning your trip activities before you leave home can save time, money and… headaches.

Now that Memorial Day has come and gone in the USA, summer travel season is in full swing. Whether staying near home or traveling abroad, travelers should expect crowded and oversold planes, limited hotel capacity and more people on the roads. This also means more people will be booking activities, events and tours in advance so we suggest you plan ahead and book the things you want to do early – preferably before you leave.

Since it’s what we do, it’s no surprise Viator has been monitoring traveler behavior around booking trip activities for years. In my recent travels, I’ve been having discussions with local tour operators on different continents who’ve shared how the internet has increased advance bookings and squeezed some availability for walk-up sales.

We decided to look a bit closer than our customer surveys and conversations with operators by commissioning two surveys – one for each of these segments. In short, we found what we’ve anecdotally known: more travelers are booking activities in advance than recent years and this has, in turn, limited capacity of many attractions. What we didn’t expect was just how many travelers have been shut out of doing what they wanted while on vacation. Some survey highlights (click here for full press release):

Tour operators are seeing more advance bookings, limiting on-site availability

• About 50% of tour operators said advance bookings have increased during the last year
• 3 in 4 tour operators (77%) said advance bookings has limited walk-up availability

More travelers are booking in advance as 2 in 5 say they’ve found “sell outs” while on vacation

• One-third (33%) of travelers say they are “more likely” to book trip activities in advance than they were three years ago
• More than one-third of vacation travelers (39%) say they have tried to purchase tickets for a local activity but were forced to change their plans or skip the activity because it was sold out on the day/time they wanted to go
• Those once burned have learned a lesson: Of those travelers who previously missed out, 42% are now more likely to book their trip activities in advance of travel, more so than those who haven’t experienced the same disappointment (25%).

Saving time (54%) and money (54%) tied for the most important reasons for booking in advance. Other reasons cited by travelers for planning ahead were:

• To budget accordingly (52%)
• To not miss out on interesting activities they may otherwise not find out about at the destination (48%)
• To know their itinerary before they go (46%)
• To avoid waiting in line (45%)

At Viator, we’re all travelers and understand the significant investments made in vacations. Why gamble on missing the activities you want to experience at a destination? It’s simply not worth it.

Setting aside some time to research and plan before you leave home can help save valuable vacation time since you won’t have to do the research while on vacation or wait in line to buy tickets. What sells out fast, has limited availability or long lines if you wait until you arrive to book? Lots of things, including iconic, “must-see” activities like:

• Helicopter tours in general, but especially helicopter tours in New York and Las Vegas helicopter tours
  
• Anything to do with the Moulin Rouge in Paris
• The British Airways London Eye
• Viewing Da Vinci’s ‘Last Supper’ in Milan
• Vatican and Sistine Chapel Tours in Rome

Researching before you depart can also help you uncover interesting things to do on your trip you might not otherwise know about. And, don’t forget the strain on your wallet as experts predict more crowds and higher prices this season. In advance, you can easily comparison shop online and get the benefit of Viator’s low-price guarantee.

Have you ever experienced “vacation disappointus?” Sold-out events or activities? Long, seemingly endless lines? Share the tale with your fellow travelers.

–Rod Cuthbert

I’ve been planning a trip to Italy for the last few months to see extended family. With nine days and six people to keep occupied in Tuscany, I need all the help I can get!

I’ve found Florence Italy sights and the Italian Tourism provided helpful information on what there is to see where I’m going, but after pouring over countless guidebooks and websites, I actually uncovered a few real “must see” gems by digging through our user reviews. “Best tour on our vacation” and “Most fun we had on our trip” were really common phrases used to describe the experience that our customers had. And with some of these tours having over 40 people who’ve reviewed the trip, I’m definitely persuaded. So here goes…the top five Florence Tours (as recommended by our very own Viator travelers).

1. Siena and San Gimignano Full Day Tuscany Tour from Florence. “Best trip we had on our whole 3 week vacation.” -Sarah B

2. Hop On Hop Off Tour of Florence “It’s a must for seeing all the sights around Florence. There are a hundred different places to visit of historical value.” - Mark C.

3. Chianti Region with Wine Tasting Afternoon Tuscany Tour from Florence “This wine tour was the delight of our two week trip to Italy.” -Kevin L.

4. Tuscan Cooking Course and Dinner in Florence “The cooking instructors were full of humour and patience and as well as learning some great recipes you can take your new skills home with you.” -Robyn R.

5. Florence City Sightseeing Morning, Afternoon or Full Day Tour “Our guide was a walking encyclopedia of knowledge.” - Carol G

-Suzann M

Got other hidden Florence tours and things to do that you recommend? Share them with us!

Viator Travel Advisory: Surveys Find More Travelers Booking Trip Activities in Advance, Tightening Supply Yet Many Still Gambling with their Vacation

Online activities, events and tour specialist Viator.com advises travelers to plan ahead to save money and time, and avoid costly last-minute vacation mishaps

• One-third of vacation travelers say they are now more likely to purchase activities in advance than they were three years ago with 76% reporting they already do so
• Nearly 40 percent of vacation travelers (39%) have been forced to change plans because their activity was sold out
• Nearly 3 out of 4 tour operators around the globe report increase in advance bookings has limited availability for walk-up sales

SAN FRANCISCO (May 30, 2007) – The summer travel season is in full swing coming off the busy Memorial Day weekend and nearly every leading indicator points to tighter capacity and higher prices as more people are taking to the roads and skies than in recent years. According to two recent separate and independent surveys of travelers and tour operators, many travelers are now more likely to book their trip activities in advance than they were several years ago, further compounding the capacity constraints created by the rising demand for travel.

More Travelers Report Booking Trip Activities in Advance though Many Still Take a Gamble

One-third (33 percent) of vacation travelers report they are now more likely than they were three years ago to purchase tickets for local activities in advance of their vacation, with about 3 in 4 (76 percent) reporting they have done so, according to a recent survey(2) commissioned by Viator and conducted by Harris Interactive®.

Despite what Viator has identified in the market as the growing trend toward booking trip activities in advance, many travelers gamble space will be available when they arrive, and many have lost out. While on vacation, nearly 40 percent of vacation travelers (39 percent) say they have tried to purchase tickets for a local activity but were forced to alter their plans or forgo the activity entirely because it was sold out on the day/time they wanted to go. About one in four (24 percent) reported this has happened multiple times. Reinforcing a stereotype, women are more frequent/better travel planners, as significantly more men (45 percent) reported being affected by a sell out than women (33 percent).

The good news is people are learning from these hard lessons. Of those travelers who previously missed out, 42 percent are now more likely to book their trip activities in advance of travel than they were three years ago, more so than those who haven’t experienced the same disappointment (25 percent).

“Findings from these surveys show that, as online travel has exploded and more travel sites have begun to offer a ‘side of tours’ with each booking, advance sales have steadily increased, squeezing availability,” said Rod Cuthbert, founder and CEO of Viator.com, a website specializing in activities, events and tours in 450-plus markets in 75 countries. “With greater travel volumes expected this summer, we’re predicting there will be tighter walk-up availability than in recent years.

“Unless you’re a gambler, we’re advising travelers take the time to secure activities before they leave home,” added Cuthbert. “A little time upfront can help save time on vacation for excitement and exploration versus waiting in long lines or being disappointed by sell-outs. Perhaps even more important in light of rising travel and fuel costs, planning ahead online can save travelers money by allowing them to quickly compare options.”

Tour Operators Underscore Advance Booking Trends, Need to Plan Ahead

The increasing incidence of limited availability is echoed by activity and tour operators of varying sizes around the globe. Approximately half (47 percent) of the respondents to an independent survey(1) conducted by eVOC Insights reported advance bookings through their own website or through an internet distribution partner like Expedia, Travelocity or Viator.com were “somewhat” or “much” higher than in recent years. And more than 75 percent said the increase in advance bookings has at least occasionally limited the availability for walk-up or same-day sales.

The space limitations and sell-outs were apparent in many markets over the busy Memorial Day Weekend. In top destinations like Las Vegas, New York and San Francisco, many unprepared travelers were turned away from popular activities because others had beaten them to it by securing space ahead of time.

“We were sold out for Memorial Day well in advance of the weekend and we’re seeing more advance bookings than we’ve ever seen for this summer, not just holidays,” said Eric Filipcic, director of sales and marketing for Sundance Helicopter Tours in Las Vegas. “As Las Vegas tourism has grown so has our business, but we’re seeing significant changes in how consumers are booking our tours. Historically, we’ve relied on local agents, wholesalers and hotel concierges to fill our seats, but the online travel business has grown in our current market and more consumers are doing their own research to find the best experiences at the best price.”

This trend is also becoming more apparent in overseas markets where online research and booking patterns are growing faster than the highly penetrated U.S. rates.

“Paris Vision looks after a million visitors to Paris annually, and over the last few years advance bookings have soared as the Internet has become our number one booking source. This has changed what travelers should expect, especially those who don’t use the Internet,” said Michel Barraud, president of Paris Vision, a leading provider of sightseeing excursions throughout Paris and its surrounding regions. “Just a few years ago, Paris visitors could wait and easily arrange activities with their hotel concierge or other outlets, but today that is simply impossible, especially for iconic attractions like the Moulin Rouge Cabaret, or romantic dining on the Eiffel Tower.”

Time and Money are Equally Precious Commodities for Booking Activities in Advance

When asked why they research destination activities and/or book tickets or passes in advance of travel, “saving time” (54 percent) and “saving money by trying to find the best deal” (54 percent) tied as the number one reasons cited by vacation travelers for doing so. These were followed most closely by:

• “so I can budget accordingly” (52 percent)
• “so I don’t miss out on interesting activities that I otherwise may not find out about at the destination” (48 percent)
• “so I know my itinerary before I go” (46 percent)
• “to avoid waiting in long lines for tickets or admission at the destination” (45 percent)

Viator.com Offers the Following Tips to help Travelers Experience More this Summer:

• Research your Destination. Once you decide where you’re going, set aside time to learn more about your destination. The web provides travelers the ability to read first-hand, practically real-time reviews from other travelers, as well as expert commentary, on what there is to do in any destination around the world – eliminating the need for guesswork.
• Book Ahead for Better Choice and Price. If you haven’t already booked a trip, you should really think about where and when you want to go since airfares and hotel rates are on the rise. Researching and booking your trip activities online before you depart lets you quickly compare options and prices to secure the best deal. By booking through Viator.com, travelers can take advantage of Viator’s low-price guarantee on more than 5,000 activities in 450+ markets in 75 countries.
• Get Below the Surface. While the most popular and historic attractions shouldn’t be missed, look for options that add a new twist on the traditional — like adding a private chauffeur or dinner to your tour. Or seek out unique opportunities you never knew existed – like dining in the home of a local family in Paris or training to be a Gladiator with historians in Rome.

(more…)

For most people in the US, Memorial Day means the glorious three-day weekend that kicks of the official start of summer. Backyard barbeques, baseball games, iced beverages, patio furniture sales, and the Indianapolis 500 mark the occasion for many Americans. But, what started as a day to remember American soldiers that died during the Civil War, has now evolved into a day to remember soldiers who died in war or military conflict.

Like Australia’s ANZAC day, Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day are our days to remember American soldiers who’ve lives have been lost in war. With family in active military duty, I am even more keenly aware of our current political struggles and the real families who’s lives are caught up minute by minute in global conflict. These men and women in service to the United States Military are friends, brothers, fathers, mothers and sisters separated from loved ones. But, how each of us honor the memory of our soldiers who’ve died in service might be harder to see if you are just watching us from afar. Certainly, the big race starts, the bbq charcoal sparks, and the families and friends gather. But amongst the summer fun, you’ll find the parades, the moment of silence observed at the games, the flowers and flags on tombstones, and lots of American flags at half mast.

I might not have understood the tradition when my step-dad would carefully pull out and dust off our American flag and place it at half mast during this weekend growing up. But after years of listening to family stories from both sides of the Civil War, World War I, and World War II, I began to understand. What I learned as history lessons in school, also became family ones. So for me, saluting our fallen soldiers has become a story about my grandfather, my great uncle and my great grandfather as much as it is my brother and my neighbor. Politicians and presidents have come and gone for generations, but the legacy of those who’ve served in military service lives on, not just in history books and newspapers, but in the hearts of their families and friends.

-Suzann M

Interested in historical World War I and II sightseeing? Check out our World War I and World War Sites on Viator .

Lately I’ve been really irritated that taxis aren’t all hybrid or biodiesel. In our age of high prices at the pump and increased environmental awareness that seems like an easy first step to cutting down on pollution and emissions. A lot of mass transit (trains, buses) are already electric or hybrid, so the next group of gas guzzlers is taxis. I know that it places an economic burden on taxis to change, and I’m not saying make them buy or convert cars right now, but it would be a good idea to require it by a certain deadline, or offer incentives to convert. Doesn’t that seem obvious?

At least New York City is getting on the ball - New York’s mayor Michael Bloomberg ordered that all city taxi cabs must be hybrid by 2012. Gavin Newsom I am looking in your direction…. San Francisco can go hybrid any day now as far as I am concerned (props to Green Cabs already operating in San Francisco).

In a similar vein, I am also irritated about the lack of green car rentals. I’m heading to Cape Cod next month and I need to rent a car in Boston, but try as I might to find a hybrid rental, none are to be had. Super lame. I was even willing to pay more for it. It just seems like (to me anyway) making big car fleet owners switch their cars, even slowly, would be top of the list of ways to cut down on pollution from driving. I don’t run a rental car company, but if you’re in the business of renting cars for a spell and then selling them off (as most major car rental companies do) you’d want some with really high resale value, and the Prius and other hybrids have amazing resale value (at least in the Bay Area anyway). So it just makes economic sense to have hybrids in your fleet. I don’t think it is going to hurt their gas fees either, hybrids still generally require some gas, so you still need to fill up before returning it.

Am I crazy to think these things? Why can’t people (besides the mayor of NYC) just do what’s obviously right?

– Kelly G

Being part of a travel company and having been a traveler for many years now I am always on the lookout for sites that might spark my interest about a destination, give me some off the beaten path idea for fun or provide useful tips about accommodations.

Recently I have found this at DivineCaroline. This is a new place on the web where real voices rule and where women can write and publish stories about anything that matters to them including travel. The site is full of words and wisdom just the way women like them – dripping with honesty. Travel is why I went to peruse the site but DivineCaroline covers topics outside of travel too including style, relationships, body & soul and much more.

DivineCaroline’s Travel category is full of interesting stories about singles destinations, romantic getaways, family excursions, mishaps and discoveries. Everyone’s welcome to browse around and read. You can even participate, it just takes a few seconds to register and it’s free. So if you’ve got a travel story to tell – and what woman doesn’t? – you have found a valuable, new home online. Most recently I have read about shopping in India , language lessons in Florence, and budget travels to London. Go check out DivineCaroline.com.

--Liz P. 

Your chariot awaits.

I’ve ridden in a helicopter before for practical reasons — it was the only easy way to get to the top of a glacier for hiking. And while it was cool to fly over the ice fields of Juneau, the highlight of the experience for me was strapping on the crampons and having a great hike, the helicopter ride was incidental. It never occurred to me to take one for sightseeing. First off, they seem fairly expensive compared to other tours, and are they really all that special?

Once I started working at Viator I rapidly discovered that helicopter tours are hugely popular amongst travelers. Helicopter tours are one of the top things to do in Las Vegas and New York. And when you read traveler reviews like, “This San Francisco helicopter tour was excellent. Definitely worth the money”, it makes you think.

The Golden Gate.

So I thought I should find out for myself. I booked (and paid for) the San Francisco Vista Grande Helicopter Tour. The tour meets at the private terminal of SFO, which was in and of itself pretty cool. If you’ve ever wondered where people like the Jolie-Pitts wait to board their private planes, it is in places like the private terminal. I need to consider becoming a gajillionaire if only to continue to enjoy the pleasant security(!), flat screen tvs and free coffee bars of the private terminals of the world.

Ocean Beach from above.

Back to the helicopter flight.

It was a gorgeous day, and San Francisco was looking its best, sunny and crisp. We flew from the airport over my old neighborhood (Inner Richmond in ‘da house!), and onto Golden Gate Park. Seeing the waves lapping Ocean Beach in the sunlight was truly beautiful. Then we flew past Sharon Stone’s house, which was not (salmon pink?! c’mon Sharon!). Sausalito, the TransAmerica Pyramid, and the ballpark were all great as well, but the greatest part of the flight, the one that made me think every penny I paid was worth it and all those traveler reviews are right, was when we flew under the Golden Gate Bridge. Flying near the bridge, around sunset, was breathtaking enough, but then to descend just above the water and fly under it was, well, amazing.

I’m a convert. I never should have doubted. Helicopter tours are special, and like other happy Viator customers have said, “Definitely worth the money.”

– Kelly G

Thinking of taking flight? Browse a list of all the Viator helicopter tours.

Yes, it really is fabulous.

With the ubiquitous slogan and ad campaign “What Happens In Vegas, Stays In Vegas,” one would think that all there is to do in Sin City is to commit one of the seven deadlies…

For a starving college student, the allure of avarice will on occasion call me to the gaming tables, but I do resist and try to find a less expensive albeit entertaining alternative for an evening out.

So what is there to do in Las Vegas besides releasing your id? How about a show? Would you be surprised that hidden among the world-renowned Cirque shows, the brand-new Love (another Beatles tribute) and the tried-and-true Mamma Mia! you can find truly amazing shows for any budget?

Recently I had the pleasure of seeing The Rat Pack Is Back, a spot-on tribute to ‘ol blue eyes and his crew with a surprise cameo by Marilyn Monroe, who made a lucky audience member’s day – va va va voom! The show adds a little street cred with the addition of the Rat Pack’s original Maitre D greeting you at the door.

If a little taste of Old Vegas doesn’t suit you, head over to Planet Hollywood’s new casino for V - The Ultimate Variety Show, with an ever-changing lineup of magicians, acrobats, comedians and more. Or, check out “The Best Beatles Show in the World” at Fab Four Mania (I could not believe they weren’t lip synching).

How about something a little naughty? If you are thinking strip clubs, that’s definitely a different blog (and one I may write given enough incentive). There are some great adult-only options on the Strip. For the fetish-friendly, I suggest Fashionistas, especially if you like vinyl! Or you can check out Mesmerized – just hope you don’t get called up on stage for a hypnosis-induced moment of embarrassment. Just remember: what happens here, stays here. Unless someone catches you on their cell phone, then you’ll have to take it up with them (and pray they don’t post it to You Tube). Or head over to the west side of the Strip, where you’ll find the stars of the Showtime Show Bullshit – Penn & Teller – catching bullets, getting political and showing you the tricks of the trade.

I bet you’re wondering – what about the topless shows? Well, I was getting to that… of all the topless revues offered in Las Vegas, Folies Bergere gives you a taste of Old Vegas with a dash of the new. It’s a similar vibe with An Evening at La Cage at the Riviera Hotel. Continuing the theme of Paris-inspired shows, the MGM presents Crazy Horse Paris, a mirror image of the original with a Las Vegas twist. Or try the Crazy Girls Fantasy Review.

Are beginning to wonder why you’re bringing your kids to Las Vegas when there are so many shows for adults? Don’t despair - Sin City need not be sinful. With kid-friendly magicians like Nathan Burton and Ronn Lucas, you can keep the kids busy during the day. Vegas even offers a Comedy Pet Theater at Planet Hollywood – what more could a kid want?

Hopefully with my advice, Las Vegas entertainment need not make a huge dent in your budget. That said, remember that excess is best – this is Sin City, after all. So if you want to splurge a little try La Reve at the Wynn, the water acrobatics were simply amazing. If you are a big Monty Python fan (even if you’re not) you need to see Spamalot! And don’t forget the world-famous cerulean boys, the Blue Man Group, who are opening a brand-new Blue Man Group show at Universal Orlando on June 7. So, if your vacation plans send you to Orlando instead of Las Vegas, think of me, the lowly college student, as you soak in the Florida sun!

–Melissa Llanes Brownlee

Planning a trip? Browse the complete list of Las Vegas tours and things to do. Helicopter tours from Vegas to the Grand Canyon? Yes, indeed. Las Vegas show tickets? Yup. Elvis weddings? But of course.

Go shorty, it’s your birthday, we gon’ party…

Did you know June 11 is a public holiday in Australia?

It’s the Queen’s Birthday. Well, actually, it’s not the actual Queen’s birthday. Liz gets her cake in London on April 21, but for some reason, Aussies celebrate on 11 June. That Australia celebrates anything to do with the Queen of England strikes many as odd. Elizabeth II’s position as Queen of Australia remains a fairly controversial issue down under. But – even though I’m not a monarchist and voted (unsuccessfully) for Australia to become a republic back in 1999 – I’ll take this holiday and I’ll damn well enjoy it.

Just as we slide into winter here in the Great Southern Land, we have a long stretch of uninterrupted working weeks before us. The next nation-wide holiday isn’t until Christmas Day. That’s more than six months away!

Each state has a holiday between now and then; folks from the Northern Territory have Picnic Day in August; splitters in Western Australia delay the Queen’s birthday until October (with so much cake, it’s a wonder the old girl isn’t fatter than she is); locals in northern Tasmania have Recreation Day; the remaining states and territories mark Labour Day on 1 October; and – finally - in my home state of Victoria we have to wait until November for the world’s only public holiday to celebrate a horse race – Melbourne Cup Day.

So – like it or not – I’ll be toasting the Queen on her ‘birthday’, knowing that I’ll be waiting another six months for a day off. Hmmm, no wonder the pro-republic movement lost that referendum…

–Mr. X