Archive for May, 2007

Half Dome

There’s a tradition in my house that for your birthday you get to take a trip. You get to pick where and when, and the other person has to plan it. These rules aren’t hard and fast, my husband isn’t a great trip planner so I usually help him plan my trip, sometimes the choice is mutual. Usually we go for a three day weekend. I chose Cape Cod this year, the hubby went for Yosemite. His sister and her roomie flew in from New York City and we were joined by another friend. It’s hard to pick a traveler of the week from this crew. The birthday boy? The NYC duo for getting back to nature? Definitely not our nameless friend, he’s fired for being too lazy to find his own driving directions (how hard is that!?).

The nominees for traveler of the week

This is somewhat embarrassing to admit, but I haven’t been to Yosemite since I was a kid (and then only once). I was fairly excited about seeing Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, El Capitan and all the other famous valley floor sights. I even brought along John Muir’s My First Summer in the Sierra to read. Yosemite is just as beautiful as it looks in all those Ansel Adams photos, but there was one thing I didn’t anticipate, the crowds. Yosemite is really crowded, and I heard it only gets worse in the summer. On Saturday we waited over twenty minutes to just enter the park. Mainly the crowds are around all the famous sites, once we got our fix of the falls and domes, and headed on some less popular trails (still gorgeous) we got a little more alone time with nature. So if you’re headed to Yosemite, beware of the crowds. Friday and Sunday were a lot less crowded, and I hear midweek is best.

But I digress. Yosemite is really amazingly gorgeous, and if you’re going to be in San Francisco, you really should try a day tour or overnight camping experience. It’s not to be missed. My favorite trail was the hike to Sentinel Dome: no crowds, and all the view of Half Dome without the killer hike.

The New Yorkers audibly gasped when they saw some deer, but to be fair they also got excited at the cows we saw driving up to Yosemite… yeah I think the birthday boy wins for traveler of the week.

– Kelly G

I am not the only Yosemite lover at Viator, Christine is training for the Yosemite Falls hike: 6 miles, but with over 3500 feet in elevation gain, so you won’t find me trying it!

Fancy a beach holiday in Malaysia?

Editor’s note: For more information about things to do in Malaysia, check out our Suggested Itineraries in Malaysia blog post.

I’ll let you in on a secret…

Thailand is not the only country in southeast Asia with stunning beaches. Malaysia has dozens of tiny islands on both the east and west coast that rival the beauty of southern Thailand. Plus, the beaches in Malaysia have the added advantage of being relatively unknown (read: cheaper, less crowded, more unspoilt).

One important fact to keep in mind when planning a trip to any of Malaysia’s beaches is the monsoon season — do not visit the east coast of Malaysia between November and March, unless you like rain. Lots of rain. That one caveat aside, here are my top picks for a beach-hopping Malaysian adventure:

Beast Beaches: East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia

Malaysia’s east coast is the top spot to catch some rays for those living in Kuala Lumpur (KL) – it’s cheap and easy to reach by plane on one of the country’s budget airlines, even for just a long weekend. The water is crystal clear, the beaches are powdery soft and blindingly white. My favorites on the east coast are:

Redang. The most expensive of the east coast islands, Redang is truly paradise. Very few Malaysians actually live on the island, so you pretty much have the whole place to yourself. Snorkeling is available off any beach; if you’re lucky, you might even see some sea turtles. Redang is well known as a turtle sanctuary, they usually lay their eggs on Turtle Beach on the north of the island. Berjaya Air makes it very easy to get to Redang from KL’s Subang airport (a 45-minute flight, and you’re on the beach within five minutes of arriving).

The beach at Redang… paradise

Perhentian Islands. A selection of smaller islands just north of Redang, the Perhentians are very popular with budget travelers. The beaches are totally unspoilt, with a wide variety of beach huts right on the shore, for just the right price. A favorite for diving and snorkeling, the Perhentians are a great place to earn your scuba diving certificate.

Tioman Island. Part of Malaysia’s protected marine park islands, Tioman is a snorkeling and divers paradise. The abundant coral reefs off the northern coast of the island are home to a huge variety of colorful tropical fish within easy reach of the shore. Tioman is quite close to Singapore, towards the south of Malaysia’s east coast and sees quite a few tourists from both Singapore and Malaysia each year. You will find larger, more budget-friendly hotels all around this popular island. Berjaya Air offers quick and easy flights directly to Tioman or you can take the bus to the coast, and then a ferry to the island.

Best Beaches: West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia

Langkawi. Malaysia’s duty-free island, Langkawi is the most touristy and lively island on the west coast. Although the beaches aren’t quite as beautiful as those on the east coast, there is a much wider variety of hotels, restaurants, and shops on this tourist hot spot. Langkawi has the added advantage of being available all year round – no monsoon closures for this northern island.

The island is big enough for more than just beach sports, which make it especially attractive for more active travelers. There is a beautiful hike up to the Seven Wells (waterfalls) on the north of the island or the absolutely beautiful cable car ride up to the top of the highest mountain on Langkawi – providing breathtaking views of the ocean and nearby islands. Langkawi is also home to the most luxurious hotels Malaysia has to offer – the Datai and the Four Seasons. If you’re looking for a weekend of pampering, look no further than the beautiful island of Langkawi.

Pangkor Island. Although not the most beautiful of Malaysian beaches, Pangkor is within an easy drive from KL – a great option for a weekend escape. There are several large hotels around Pangkor Island, but most expats opt for the Pangkor Beach Resort. If you’re looking to splurge, Pangkor Laut is a privately owned island resort with stunning over-water bungalows, 5-star service, and door-to-door transportation included. An easy weekend get-away from the hustle and bustle of KL.

Borneo. The island of Borneo, shared between Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia is quickly becoming a hot spot for well-traveled divers. On the west coast of Borneo, Turtle Beach and Golden Beach are part of the Similajau National Park. Both beaches are turtle nesting grounds, within a larger nature reserve full of tropical wildlife, jungle streams, waterfalls and plenty of animal residents. The natural parks of Sarawak are the perfect place to enjoy an invigorating jungle trek, bird watching, or just relaxing on the many perfect beaches. Sipadan, on the east coast of Borneo, is one of the top dive spots in the world, by far the best in Malaysia. The island is an environmental reserve area so there are limits to the number of visitors per day. Diving in Sipadan is an amazing experience – you may see schools of greenback and hawksbill turtles, barracuda, manta rays, even hammerhead and whale sharks! The island is best for diving, rather than snorkeling or sunbathing, so make sure you plan in advance for a full-on diving experience.

Travel Tips & Precautions

Not to sound like your mother, but…

• Pack plenty of sunblock. While sunblock should be available at most resorts, some hotels on the smaller islands can be understocked. Since Malaysia isn’t far from the equator, just a few minutes in the midday sun can leave you scorched.
• Bring mosquito repellent and walking shoes. Even if you plan to vegetate on the beach every day, you might find yourself trekking through Malaysia’s abundant and colorful rain forest at some point.
• Don’t lose your cool. As in most Asian societies, Malaysian culture values polite interactions which allow both parties to “save face”. Courteous persistence with resort staff or locals will probably get you further than getting visibly upset. Note that Islamic tradition dictates that you should hand things to Malays using your right hand, not your left.
• Safeguard your valuables. Regardless of how secure your resort might seem, tourists’ piles of expensive cameras and telephones can be tempting to locals, and things do occasionally go missing. Use the safe in your room, or leave valuables at the hotel desk, and keep an eye on your goods while bathing.

–Kim Cofino

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s list of things to do in Malaysia, tours in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Langkawi and Sabah & Sarawak. Also check out Viator’s list of Top 25 Things to Do in Asia.

With around 7 weeks to go until the July 7 deadline, the top 10 front-runners in the global poll to name the Seven “New” Wonders of The World has been revealed.

Leading the way so far after a pretty impressive 47 million votes are:

• Acropolis in Greece
  

  Where in the world did the Pyramids go?

• Ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza in Mexico
• Rome’s Colosseum
• The Eiffel Tower in Paris
• The Great Wall of China
• Incan ruins of Machu Picchu
• Petra in Jordan
• Statues on Easter Island
• Britain’s Stonehenge
• The Taj Mahal in India

Just in case you are wondering about the absence of Egypt’s Pyramids of Giza, they have been removed from the poll. As they are part of the original Ancient Wonders of the World, Egyptian officials felt their historical value should not be questioned and strangely enough submitted a protest at their inclusion. As a result of the protest, the Pyramids of Giza have been granted an honorary status and removed from the poll. Maybe it makes more sense in Egypt…?

If your favorites are not on this list of places in the lead for the coveted 7 positions, you better get voting, this is your last chance to have your say. Come on New York, where is the Statue of Liberty? Shame on you Australia, get voting to give the Sydney Opera House a fighting chance. Let’s get some “less ancient” places on the list!

-Kerrie O’Mahony

With the Great British pound rising dangerously close to nearly twice the United States dollar (or even worse for Australia and Canadian dollars, where its already twice as much plus some), when I think of traveling to London the first thing I think is of all the places that it would be cheaper to go, and by that I mean everywhere else in the world. But everywhere else doesn’t have Big Ben, afternoon tea, the Thames, lovely accents and gorgeous neighborhoods. Sometimes a substitute won’t do. I’m no stranger to figuring out how to have a great time without sacrificing all the comforts that make travel fun - traveling through Germany last year for the World Cup was definitely a budget challenge, but we had a great time and didn’t break the bank. What fun is a vacation if you’re worried about paying for it?

The Viator offices have been abuzz with the recent rises in the British pound, with more than one person expressing relief at having already traveled to London recently (ahem, Suzann) or those hopeful it will decline a bit before they need their next cream tea fix. For non-millionaires who aren’t waiting out the whims of the currency market, there is hope for a great trip. I undertook compiling all my travel resources and culled out the best advice I could find for saving money in London (without much sacrifice). You can also browse more budget London things to do here, as well.

My general overall advice first: plan ahead. It’s sometimes fun to travel spontaneously, but not when you’re trying to save a pound or two. Planning what you need to pack, so you don’t have to buy things you forgot or suddenly need (like an umbrella) is step one. Also, really good deals, whether on hotels, tours or airfares sell out. And the British pound is, in the near term anyway, probably going get worse for visitors, so if you book and pay now, you won’t have to pay later on your trip when it’s say $2.50 to the GBP (in my college economics classes, we called this currency hedging). So plan.

Hotels: London hotels are not cheap, I recall reading an article recently touting a great deal in the $300 per night range (c’mon, are you kidding me?!). As much fun as a hostel is when you’re young, it’s less fun we’re you’re married and pushing 30 like me. I like my own shower and a comfy bed that fits my husband, me, and comes with sheets. Here’s a few lovely hotels in London I’ve run across that don’t cost a fortune:

B&B Belgravia (from $196)
Sydney House Hotel (from $198)
K West Hotel & Spa (from $160)
The Pavilion (from $118)
The Main House (from $98)
EasyHotel (from $49, maybe not lovely, but certainly a good deal)

Transport: London is very walkable, which is good for your wallet, but if you want to visit a few neighborhoods or a couple of disparate attractions in a day, it’s a good idea to opt for public transport to get around. London taxis aren’t so cheap, and the Underground is in and of itself a tourist destination you’ll want to try at least once. If you think you’ll use the tube or buses a fair bit, it’s best to get a Travelcard, which will discount all your rides, and save you the hassle of paying a fare each time. If you plan to see some attractions (like the Tower of London, Kensington Palace or the the London Zoo) you’re probably going to save a heap by investing in the London Sightseeing Pass. The pass comes with a Travelcard, admission to over 60 attractions in London, and you get to jump the queues at most of them. Another cheap transport option, that also helps orient a new visitor to the city, is to take a London hop on hop off tour, either by land in a double decker bus, or by cruising along the Thames River.

Sightseeing: Though Viator offers a low price guarantee, in a place like London that could still mean a pretty expensive tour, even just around the city for the day. We just weren’t going to settle for that (especially not Annie, who’s in charge of all things London). She’s tenaciously dug up some fantastic budget tours of London. Have all the classic London experiences, Westminster Abbey and the changing of the guard, a day visiting places like Trafalgar Square and 10 Downing Street, or even get out of town to see Stonehenge, Bath, Oxford, Stratford-Upon-Avon or the Cotswolds. The best part? All these tours are $40 to $80 (a mere 20-40 GBP).

Theater: London is famous for theater, but again, seeing a new show can be a pricey proposition. Snag a London Theater Passport and get rush tickets without all the hassle, for less than $40, to some of the hottest shows in London.

Trains: Day trips from London by train are popular, and for good reason, the trains are comfy and reliable and pretty extensive, but again, sometimes not so budget friendly. If you’re thinking about hopping over to France, you can’t beat the Eurostar trip to Paris. More rail tours from London (under $250).

Food: You can’t go wrong with classic fish and chips, Indian, or a nice kebab, all of which are going to be some tasty cheap eats in London. But obviously, you also should have afternoon tea, preferably at a posh hotel. For $27, have tea at The Selfridge, such a good deal that one traveler review noted “It’s a great value for the price.”

Plan ahead, find some great deals, but more importantly, have a fabulous time in London!

— Kelly G

Check out 130+ things to do in London in all sorts of price ranges on Viator.com

Interior of the bar Murmur, Melbourne

Getting thirsty at Murmur, Melbourne

Bars. There are so many bars in Melbourne. Just 20 years ago, the central city area was a virtual wasteland; packed with suits from 9 to 5, and then empty.

I remember looking down Bourke St – one of the two main city thoroughfares – from the state Parliament building one Sunday afternoon in the mid-1980s and seeing no movement at all. No cars, no trams, no people. Back then, shops couldn’t open on Sundays. Back then, while there were lots of pubs in the city, none were especially safe to drink in. Back then, Melbourne had forgotten its laneways. Back then, there were no bars.

So much has changed. Shops are seemingly never closed. People now actually live in the city. Lots of them. And with them have come supermarkets, restaurants, more galleries, more diverse shopping and lots and lots of bars.

Each Friday night the decision is harder and harder: where will we go for a drink? Ten years back, you might go to the Lounge or you might join the too-cool-for-school set at Meyers Place, Spleen or Troika. They’re all still around (in fact, I knocked back a Melbourne Bitter long-neck at Meyers Place last Friday afternoon), but they’re now the old-timers in a seemingly endless parade of bar openings. Down every gritty laneway. Above every second shop. Up three flights of a rickety wooden staircase.

A quick search of the Yellow Pages gives me 107 bars and clubs in Melbourne’s compact CBD, but I can think of three or four not in the list – they open too quickly for anyone to keep track of! And they seemingly never go out of business. What’s this all about? Does Melbourne – as a city – have a drinking problem? Maybe, although I’m reminded of that great Tom Waits lyric “Don’t have a drinking problem / Except when I can’t get a drink.”

By that logic, no, Melbourne has no problem.

Top Bar Picks in Melbourne

So here I go, putting my reputation on the line and proving just how behind the times I am. Here are my favourite Melbourne bars. Some are years old, others are shiny and new, and each has something unique to recommend it. Have fun, try a good local beer from Mountain Goat, Little Creatures or Mildura Brewing, and keep yourself nice!

Murmur (17 Warburton Lane). Down a little street, around the corner into a nondescript dead-end lane, past the boxing gym and up a flight of wooden stairs. It’s a classic ‘hidden’ Melbourne bar, where just finding it is part of the experience. But once inside the mid-sized room, it’s time to relax amid the wrought-iron, floorboards and comfy couches. An impressive stock of imported beers sits alongside a neat stable of local brews. Music is cool and vibey – and not too loud – with DJs on some nights. Bar snacks are available and the martinis are a treat.

I was not kidding

MOO (basement, rear of 318 Little Bourke St). Once the postal service’s Mail Order Office (hence the name), MOO is a treat. Slightly overpriced lunches and dinners can be ignored in favour of the scrumptious tapas and unique cocktails in this intimate basement venue. Order an Escobar at the bar and watch the guys slavishly work over your drink, then nab a spot in one of the booths or on a Chesterfield and enjoy a quiet chat with friends. Forgot to pay last time I was there, and they chased us down the street. Fair enough.

Madame Brussels (Level 3, 59 Bourke Street). This one’s a bit strange. Named after one of Melbourne’s original brothel owners, MB’s is all English lawn tennis and fruity punch. Fake grass, little pathways, trellising and a hedged bar create a fun, foppish atmosphere. There’s a fabulous, large outdoor terrace, just perfect for summer (and if it’s cold, the staff will give you a blanket).

Cherry (ACDC Lane – seriously – behind Flinders Lane). Rock ‘n’ roll lives at this grungy late-night venue. Since it opened in 2000, it’s been all beer, bourbon and dancing in this high-volume some-time band venue and bar. It’s a great place to kick onto in the small hours. It’s always free, although it’s not uncommon to have to queue. Wear black. Wear flannelette. Whatever; but don’t wear a suit. And be ready to dance hard.

The laneway to Cherry

Syracuse (23 Bank Place). Not really a bar-bar, more a restaurant and wine bar, Syracuse is classy and classic. With a French bistro feel, wine is the main attraction, and their list is impressive (over 700 on offer!). The staff is famously knowledgeable and relaxed, and the atmosphere is casual in a semi-formal kind of way (know what I mean?). Their food – and especially the tapas – is top notch. This place is great for a light afternoon snack and a couple of glasses of red.

Melbourne Supper Club (Level 1, 161 Spring Street). Like Syracuse, but later at night and a bit more rowdy, the Supper Club is a Melbourne institution for the post-anything crowd. Queuing on the stairs is a right-of-passage, and well worth it. By the time you get settled on a leather couch and have your first-of-several European beers, you’ve been transported into another world. Sophisticated? Yes (the waiting staff will light your cigar if you’re that way inclined). But the Supper Club doesn’t take itself too seriously - you can order a cheap tray of piping-hot party pies (Australia’s favourite kids party snack). There’s an enormous window looking to the east, and when the sun starts to rise, you know it’s probably time to head home.

Croft Institute (Croft Alley). When it opened six or seven years ago, the Croft Institute was undeniably the coolest place I’d ever seen. Now a bit gimmicky (actually, it always was), this bizarre and slightly creepy place attracts an arty crowd all week long. Not just down a lane, but down a lane off a lane, this place is almost impossible to find. Nevertheless, the Croft Institute is worth a visit, even if just to see it for yourself. The ground floor has a 1950s science lab feel: brightly lit with medical instruments and beakers. Drinks are great. Next floor up is a ‘waiting area’ and the toilets (Department of Male and Female Hygiene), regarded by many as the strangest and most notable loos in Melbourne. Up one more flight of stairs and it’s old-school gymnasium décor and an always-pumping dance floor. The cover charge can sometimes be off-putting, but the Croft remains quite a place.

--John Ryan

Planning a trip? Browse all of Viator’s tours and things to do in Melbourne. Fancy a Yarra Valley winery tour? Or maybe a day at an Aussie Rules footy match. Colonial Tramcar Restaurant? Yup, Viator has that, too.

I’ve always been a great advocate of the hop-on hop-off bus tours that we offer in so many of our destinations. They provide a wonderful way to get acquainted with the city — its various districts, the key attractions and even the places to avoid — while at the same time getting you out in the sunlight and helping your body clock adjust to the new time zone. In Paris, we now offer a tour with all those benefits, but just a little more personalized and special: The private ‘Secret Paris Tour’ by Citroen 2CV.

Pierre, sans beret, in the Citroen 2CV

Before I describe this wonderful tour, a word about the 2CV, or as it is more commonly known the deux chevaux. Driving around Paris in a “dedeuche” — as passers-by will call out when they see you — is an experience in itself. The French have a great love of this car, and you will notice the reverence with which it is treated by pedestrians, traffic policemen and certainly other drivers, who seem happy to always give way to this iconic French auto!

This gives your driver a little more license to act with bravado, as you issue instructions to stop immediately for a photo opportunity, or to give you a moment to pop into the Robert Clergerie store to check if they have your size in those impossibly gorgeous boots you spotted in the window a moment ago.

That example really sums up the difference between this very, very personal experience and the albeit lower-priced but nonetheless group experience of the Paris hop-on hop-off bus. Your driver, inevitably Pierre and naturally wearing a beret, picks you up at your hotel door. By the time you arrive at the car he is in conversation with your concierge, who is relating his own dedeuche-owning experience back in the ’70s, and marveling at how well this particular model has stood the test of time. Pierre will now quiz you about your special desires as he prepares to tailor a tour just for you. The best hot-chocolate in Paris? Vinyl stores that specialize in ’60s jazz? Hidden architectural treasures? Little-known museums and galleries? Or just a leisurely drive to get you acquainted with this city that he loves…

One of Pierre’s girlfriend’s favourite sculptures…

And his knowledge of Paris, it turns out, is immense. All the company’s drivers are young and quite suitably enthusiastic about their city. Their English is perfect and many speak Spanish and German, too. My Pierre described each of his personal Paris highlights in terms of his girlfriend: “This is where my girlfriend and I buy the best ice cream in Paris,” and “This is where my girlfriend and I like to eat our ice cream.”

Pierre’s girlfriend is indeed a lucky young woman, as each of these recommendations turned out to match their billing. And Pierre’s advice helped on the negative side too: “Oh, yes, this restaurant certainly has a good reputation, but they didn’t lower their prices as Michelin took away two of their stars!”

So whether you’re coming to Paris for the first time, or have been before but wish to get a little further under the surface than your guidebook will take you, I can’t recommend this tour enough. You’ll love the open-top 2CV, marvel at the stick-shift and how anyone could possibly determine the difference between first and fourth gear, and delight at your guide’s intense knowledge and very personal connection to Paris. Right now the company is running a summer promotion that includes a bottle of TerraVentoux wine with every tour. A maximum of three passengers per vehicle, but the fleet is quite large so don’t hesitate to book a whole convoy if you have a group!

–Rod Cuthbert

Planning a trip to Paris? Browse Viator’s Paris tours, Paris shows & concerts and, d’accord, our tours by 2CV Citroen.

I’m not going to tell you who found this “Toilets of the World” book, but I will say that “ellyKay” was a “ecretSay antaSay” for someone in San Francisco and this was the gift. Alas, our site director never had a chance to take his inspirational reading material home, as his fellow co-workers kept borrowing it.

The person-I’m-not-naming can be credited with introducing us to this fantastic website, the Bathroom Diaries. These folks were inspired to put together a site on the belief that toilets and their surroundings can make or break an otherwise excellent outing. As the Bathroom Diaries site puts it “From feng sui serene to funky bohemian to cutting edge science, bathrooms are as varied as snowflakes.” I think I’d take any of those bathrooms over the ripe 1 AM toilets at Tornado in the Haight or, by far my worst of the worst, the Doggy Diner (which is no more thankfully). The latter is such an unspeakably horrorible experience for me that it has become the scale by which I judge all my “bad bathroom” experiences. The cool thing that I’ve learned from this site is that if I’m in Union Square, avoid Macy’s (rated bad) and head across the way for Neiman Marcus (rated excellent). So, for any traveler braving the unknown trail without clue where to find the loo, here’s a site that will help you mark your map with “rest” stops.

Got tips of your own? Share them with us!

-Suzann M

If I had a dollar for every time a friend asked me if I knew of any discounts or promotions or stuff on sale on Viator, I’d have say, fifteen or twenty dollars at this point, which is coincidentally often the amount of money my friends could have saved had they been subscribing to the latest deals and sales from Viator Voyages, Viator’s monthly email newsletter.

Besides getting in on the latest specials and deals from Viator, here’s three more reasons you should subscribe to the newsletter.

1. It’s funny. It’s written by several of us who regularly post on the blog, and there’s usually something in it to get at least one laugh, at the very least we shoot for a chuckle.
2. We will never, ever, spam you. Seriously. That sucks, and we get enough spam, and probably so do you. No one sees your email but us and we treat it very gently.
3. The newsletter has all the news that’s fit to print from Viator. We regularly feature new destinations, experiences, contests, trends and travel planning tips and advice.

So give it a whirl and sign up for the newsletter or browse some past issues to see for yourself.

– Kelly G

(subscriber #1)

P.S. If you’re really interested in deals, check out the new Today’s Deals section on the right hand side of the Viator.com homepage.

After reading Kerrie’s post on our latest Viator London attraction addition (which has coincidentally started an avalanche of “spankometer” sprinkled conversations), I’ve been thinking of all of the things I managed to miss on my last trip to London. While I did manage a lot in one week, I thought I’d share my new “top five things to do” in London wishlist.

1. Take a day trip to Stonehenge. Rocks, a circle, no big deal, right? The guide books I consulted were hot and cold on this as something you must see. But, after talking to other travelers to Stonehenge and reading the customer reviews, I’m putting it at number one.

2. Harry Potter & English Authors Tour. Yes, book seven is on the horizon and I suspect that more than a few of my co-workers are closet Potter fans. While I’m sure there will be much “good Snape, bad Snape” talk on this mini-van, this tour says “accio” to Tolkein fans, too.

3. Jack the Ripper, Sherlock Holmes & Sinister London. I loved the guided “underbelly” mob tour of Vegas, and I expect nothing less from exploring the gangster villain haunts and haunted of London.

4. Afternoon Tea at Fortnum and Mason. Seriously, how did I miss this the first time? I’m usually on top of any ritual snacking in my vacation destination.

5. See Wicked. I know that this is playing closer to home. But, theater in London, even with the outrageous exchange rate, is still one of the best deals going.

-Suzann M

You might know from past posts that I am a big proponent of getting out of the hotel and seeing some sights on business trips. On my last trip to Australia I stepped things up a notch by taking off a full week before my meetings and dragged my husband along. We debated visiting the Outback, or Melbourne, and we’d heard Western Australia is gorgeous, but in the end Rod’s post convinced us that Tasmania was worth a week’s visit.

Obviously we were going to have to take the Gordon River Cruise in Strahan.

Driving near Derwent Bridge

It’s got 4 star reviews, and everyone I talked to about Tasmania said it was not to be missed. But the thing is, it’s a long drive to Strahan from Hobart. Like four hours, maybe five. And it seemed like it would be much easier to say stick to the eastern-middle side of Tasmania than go all the way west on sometimes windy roads just for a cruise. When I mentioned this to Rod he shot me a look like I said I was going to Rome, but thought the Vatican seemed like it might not be cool enough to stop by. And some emails to coworkers in Sydney indicated that not going on the cruise in Strahan was a ridiculous notion and really why was I going to Tassie then? So, we booked the cruise, rented the car and flew into Hobart to get over our jet lag before we made the drive (and by we, I mean my husband who drove the whole way, I manned the road atlas).

So one day in Hobart later we hit the road straight West for Strahan. And the drive was long, but beautiful. Farms, fall leaves, forests and small towns peppered the view. And no one really told us about all the places we’d want to stop along the way, not just to get a break from the car, but because they are cool places to stop.

Stop #1 (~90 min from Hobart)- Something Wild Wildlife Sanctuary.

Little Devils

Orphaned wombats, possums, hurt owls, and a bend in the river nearby with a pesky platypus (smaller than you might think), and our first visit with the Tasmanian devil.

Stop #2 - (~3 hours from Hobart) - Derwent Bridge, The Wall in the Wilderness. A kind of kooky, political sculptor is recounting the settlement of Tasmania through elaborate wood carvings. You can see the work in progress.

Stop #3 - (~3.5 hours from Hobart) - Lake St Clair National Park. A great place to have lunch on the lake. Stretch your legs on the Aboriginal Hertiage Walk, and you might spot a wallaby (we did).

Stop #4 - (~4-4.5 hours from Hobart) -Queenstown. You’re going to want o get out of the car and have a coffee after the windy roads to Queenstown. It’s an odd little historical mining town at the bottom of a valley, one of those places you stop at on the road and think “How do people live here? And why?”

And then, 45 minutes later or so, in time for dinner, the arrival at Strahan.

Was the Gordon River cruise worth the drive? Absolutely. It’s all Rod said and more. Clean air, great history, amazing natural wonders, and a relaxing day on the sea.

We spent the rest of the week hiking at Cradle Mountain, making friends with pademelons, getting hissed at by a cranky wombat, seeing the cave at Mole Creek and heading back to Hobart in time for the Saturday Market at Salamanca. My top Tasmania souvenir? A pair of silver camel leather sandals.

The final verdict? Definitely a good choice, a fun road trip and some great hiking. Tazzy is jazzy.

– Kelly G