Archive for July, 2007

Its the summer tourist season in New York City. New York is not a cheap city to start and with hotel occupancy levels and prices at record highs, your hotel costs can really take a big out of your Big Apple Vacation, leaving you less money for the real fun stuff – things to do! Below are three hotel ideas and two sightseeing ideas to make your money go a little farther in New York.

My Favorite Hotels:

Hotel Belleclaire – Tucked off Broadway and 77th Street, this is my favorite hotel in the city. It is just out of the tourist madness and in a nice residential area of the Upper West Side. Within walking distance are several great restaurants and the subway to midtown (Express trains at 72nd Street, Locals at 79th). The staff here is great and the hotel has a boutique feel without going overboard. Best of all – the rates start around $109 for a room. Though these rooms don’t have a private bath, you share with only 2 other rooms, making it convenient for larger groups. Belleclaire also has rooms with private baths and huge two-bedroom family suites.

Best Western Hospitality House- Located on Midtown’s East Side, all the units in this hotel are full apartments with complete kitchens. Great for families, there is plenty of room to spread out and even save a little money by cooking in or taking out from one of the many delis or Indian restaurants nearby. They also stock your kitchen for breakfast with juices, bagels and cereals. The hotel only has about 40 rooms, so book early to reserve space. They sometimes offer last minute deals on unsold rooms via RatesToGo.com. Another tip: The Downtown Loop of the New York Sightseeing Tour stops one block away at the Waldorf Astoria (49th and Lexington) making it an easy way to get back home.

The Pod Hotel is a hip and stylish new hotel with small rooms (Pods) at great prices. Sizes range from a single room to rooms with bunk beds – all of which are fitted with flat screen TVs, iPod docking stations and lots of cool stuff. Claustrophobics, beware! The rooms are tiny but the prices are right.

You have saved all that money on your hotel, so how about a recommendation of where to spend it??

One of the best ways to see all of Manhattan is on the Hop-On/Hop-Off Bus Tour. I know, I know – you are not really a “bus tour” kind of person, right? Neither am I. But this tour is worth it. For $49 you can ride all around Manhattan on one of four different loops and get off (and back on) wherever you like. You will be amazed at just how much more you can see from the open-deck buses that you would miss when walking around on the ground. Besides, you will probably spend nearly as much taking the subway back and forth and not get to see anything. There is also a “night loop” which is a great way to see all of the sparkling lights of Manahattan.

A great companion to your bus sightseeing is a New York Pass. Starting at just $55/day (with discounts for multiple days) this pass gets you free or reduced entry into dozens of great places in NYC, many of which are just a few steps from your bus stop. Best of all, the pass gives you freedom to see exactly what you want of NYC. Only want to see a few exhibits at the Guggenheim Museum? The pass allows you the flexibility. Don’t take my word for it; see what our customer’s have said.

As always, remember to book your shows and sightseeing in advance. The last thing you want to do is stand in line for an hour to buy your bus pass or theater tickets and find it is sold out!

–Ken Frohling

Ken Frohling works with Viator’s partners and vendors in New York City and is always looking for good tip on places to stay. If you have a favorite hotel, post it here!

It was happenstance that I was hanging out with a good friend in from LA last Friday and he miracled myself and two other friends with tickets to the 2007 MLB All-Star Game. Being a tomboy at heart and growing up playing America’s past-time a large grin grew across my face and the golden ticket was tucked away in a safe place until the day of the big game.

Now I already loved baseball. I mean really I do. There is this whole culture that most people who don’t embrace the game just cannot grasp. Sure the game is about two teams with 9 players starting on each side. There are rules, albeit strange for some, about field errors, pinch hitting, pitchers being swapped out, stealing bases…the list is endless. Fans are there to support their team or their ‘adopted’ team. All walks of life come out to enjoy come rain or come shine. You may see a man in an elvis costume, a couple kissing on a huge video screen, someone running around with bunny ears on, a cup being passed around for the next round of overpriced beer, thousands singing during the 7th inning stretch, or even a super fan jumping from the stands to run across and embrace his/her favorite player (not recommended).

You can eat and drink anything from a hot dog to pretzels, nachos, jerk chicken bowls, crab legs, sushi, burritos, ice cream, beers, water, wine, liquor, whatever your taste buds demand. What I am getting at is that attending a baseball event is about the entire experience. The game and the teams are the nucleus and are what brings people together but the energy and excitement around it cannot be matched. In a way it creates this tiny cultural representation of America.

So now onto the 2007 All-Star game. This was the real deal. The MLB’s best and most coveted all on the field at the same time. This wasn’t my first trip to AT&T park in fact far from it but my friend Bill who I was with had never been. What a way to be introduced to the stadium I would say. My other partner in crime was Jenny who had been in a kayak the day before waiting to catch a splash landing hit from McCovey Cove.

The three of us descended on AT&T park around 4.45pm on Tuesday, July 10th. When entering the stadium and headed up the ramps the smell of hot dogs and light beer filled the air. As we began walking across the bridge towards our right center field bleacher seats we stopped in our tracks to see the introduction of both the AL and NL team rosters. Red carpets adorned the field for this was the royalty of baseball about to be introduced.

Defining Moments of the Event:

Opening Ceremonies: The San Francisco Symphony played the Canadian national anthem and Chris Isaac belted out the Star Spangled Banner. The all-star players lined up single file for all to see. They honored Willie Mays who is a legend in baseball history. He threw a ball from center field and was escorted around the field in a 50’s vintage car. The icing on the cake was when the Air Force sent 4 fighter jets performed aerial acrobats over the stadium. Those planes high overhead made the stadium explode with sound.

Obnoxious Yankee Fan: We all know one or have heard of one. Our obnoxious Yankee fan was named Tom. He was a jolly drunk and was entertaining for the entire game. Spilt beer, hot chocolate dribbling, wearing a Jeter t-shirt, telling off-color jokes, you name it he did it. You have got to love the fans that get so intoxicated before the game that they focus more on socializing than the game itself. He loved us, he hated us depending on how the wind was blowing. He even disappeared for a bit and we actually got worried that he was passed out somewhere (don’t worry he returned). In a world full of chaos, he kept us laughing for the duration of the game. Thanks Tom.

Icharo’s in Park Home Run: During the fifth-inning drive, Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners hit the ball to the right-field wall for the first inside-the-park homer in All-Star Game history. Ichiro finished the night going 3-for-3 in his 7th All-Star Game. Go MVP.

McCovey Cove: Not sure if you aware but AT&T Park is unique in that behind the right field wall and walkway is the bay. McCovey Cove to be exact. This cove is named after a San Francisco Giants player Willie McCovey. This cove is known for its splash landing hits and unique perspective to participate in the game. People paddle out in kayaks, on surf boards, in boats, pretty much anything that will float. A new concept in enjoying a baseball game but exciting nonetheless. The party in the water on Tuesday was something to talk about.

The game was definitely memorable. There was a touching and emotional kick-off. The San Francisco hometown fans gave Barry Bonds a standing ovation. It was perfectly acceptable to get decked out in your favorite teams gear without getting heckled by the home team fans. The mood was festive. Light and heavy banter about AL vs. NL buzzed through the seats but people were just delighted to see the MLB all-stars do their thing. The only tragedy of the evening was when my National League team lost to the American League 5 to 4 giving up home field advantage for the world series and failing to break the AL All-Star winning streak for the past 5 years.

Better luck next year gentlemen.

-Liz P

All roads lead to chaos

For those of you interested in signs and signage (yes it’s a real word), consider the Thai road sign.

First, I quite like the directions on the left. All major Thai roads are numbered - single digit roads are major freeways, two-digit roads are highways, 3-digit roads are smaller arterial roads etc. Route 23 is a major highway through Isaan, running from the south east (down near Ubon Ratchatani) up north west. Kind of… here we approach a major intersection near Yasothon. So Route 23 runs straight ahead, and Route 23 runs to the left… and Route 23 runs to the right. Uh-uh? “All roads lead to Route 23 perhaps”? At least giving directions is easy. “Just follow Route 23,” you say!

Which probably wouldn’t surprise most Thai people, based upon the way they give directions. Our drinking water is naam fon - rain water. In the wet season the rain buckets down, it’s collected in large clay pots (some 2 meters high), and there’s your drinking water for the year. But sitting around the other day, I asked my wife Ann what happens if we run out of drinking water? “Oh, Dad goes over there” she said, waving her arm in a general northerly direction.

Um, thanks honey, but could you be a little more specific?

“Oh, alright”, says Ann frustratedly. “Dad goes over there, and turns left”. Ohh, *now* I understand!

The right-hand sign is also good. Here we have the helpful driving tip: if you come to a divided road, try not to cross over and drive down the wrong side of the road. Good general advice; thanks, I wouldn’t have thought of that!

But sure enough, two days after taking this photo, I’m driving down a major road, and there’s a large lorry, careering the wrong way down the right hand side. Maybe there were less cars on that side. At least there are when you see a lorry driving head-on towards you! He certainly has right of way over everything, according to Thai road rules. They go something like this: whenever a number of cars meet at an intersection, you all play a quick hand of Intersection Poker. Just look at what you’re driving:

• Truck beats Bus
• Bus beats Pickup
• Pickup beats Car
• Car beats Motorbike

Poor old pedestrians unfortunately don’t get a look-in!

–Jordan Digby

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s things to do in Thailand, Bangkok tours and activities in Phuket.

I’d been wanting to go to Moscow for a while, and when a friend started working there it was the perfect opportunity. Russia — and its bureaucracy, its history, its reputation — made it seem worthy of a bit more caution than I usually take when I hop on and off trains and planes. I was happy to be going there when I knew I had the backup of a friend working for a large foreign company, if I needed it.

There were three things I vowed not to do in Russia: catch the Metro at night, fly Aeroflot or eat sushi. And I did them all! Plus one I had not foreseen: getting into a private car and paying the guy to drive me home, which is the predominant taxi system. I don’t think I would have done any of them alone but with Steve, whose Croatian helped with understanding Russian, I felt safe. Oh, but I did eat sushi alone – and no polonium… guess I’m not important enough for anyone to waste an expensive isotope on.

Moscow’s skyline - on a sunny day

Getting the visa was my first challenge. There were questions about where I was staying and who was inviting me to Russia, or which tour group I was with. There was also confusion about which was the right form. Because I was staying with Steve, and because you have to be invited by someone who owns property (which he doesn’t) I used a visa agent. It wasn’t cheap but it saved lots of problems. And the visa is so shiny and lovely and solid there in my passport! Mind you, I was going from December 9 – 18 and the visa went from December 8 – 19; you must not, will not overstay!

Once there, I had to go through the formality of getting a hotel stamp on my exit papers to fulfill some other piece of bureaucracy. As I wasn’t staying in a hotel, I had to pay someone to get a hotel to pretend I was. There is always someone you can pay… But the day my passport was off on this excursion, I stayed home; it’s not a great idea to wander around without identification. I was never stopped by the police but was warned that people often are. And that there is often a problem with your papers. But then there is always someone you can pay…

One of the first things that struck me about Moscow was its size. It took nearly an hour and a half to drive in from the airport – past what looked suspiciously like a nuclear reactor – and that was not in rush hour. The next thing is the sheer volume of traffic – it’s estimated there are 3 million cars in Moscow alone. And the dirt: you can’t tell what colour most of the cars are because they are just coated in pollution and dust. Except the large, black Mercedes with the drivers. They are shiny clean.

Moscow’s skyline - not a sunny day

The differences between rich and poor in Moscow are very obvious. The black shiny cars sweep down the 8 lane city roads (I’m not exaggerating, some of the roads are huge) passing the poorly dressed old men and women holding out bunches of twigs for sale for a few rubles by the side of the road. I later found out these twigs are veyniks, birch branches for whipping yourself into cleanliness and relaxation in the banyas (bathhouses).

So I went to a banya on my own. No one spoke English. I spoke no Russian. But I was determined to go having read about them and with my ongoing obsession with the rituals of bathing. And the Russians are so friendly. With sign language and lots of smiling we understood each other; I was given a locker, a towel and another to protect my hair, and a veynik. Protecting your hair is really important as the banya is soooo hot your hair will fry. The regulars have fantastic pointy white felt hats and I desperately wanted one but I was only a visitor so had to make do with a towel.

And as for the veynik – I never used it. With no language and somewhat intimidated by the large banya mistress who controlled the temperature in the sauna itself and wielded the veynik until the recipient could hardly stand, I wimped out. My novice status was obvious by the fact I could barely get right up to the platform where everyone sat in the sauna – the heat was so intense I thought my head would melt, so I ended up crouching at the top of the steps enduring the mirth of the regulars as well as the hottest place I had ever been. I did however have a soap scrub and that was great, very thorough. A harsh block of soap, a strong Russian girl and a powerful hosing down and I was pure of any dirt from the Moscow streets.

Many Moscovites do speak English and there are lots of restaurants where the menu is in English as well as Russian. But be careful that you don’t end up sticking only to hotels or tourist places or you’ll pay a lot more than you need to. The sushi place I became fond of was really cheap and at peak times had queues of locals waiting for a table. The food was good too. And the menu had pictures.

It’s very common in Moscow to have a battered, dirty car pull up next to you if you’re walking, and offer to drive you anywhere. Although if it’s too far out of their way they just drive off. It’s pretty safe too I guess, seeing as it’s so common, but I wouldn’t have done it alone. Or late at night. A better and quicker and cheaper alternative is the Metro which is great, and the stations are beautiful in their communist grandeur. Buy a ticket and just look at all the stations.

Wild dogs in Moscow

We ended up catching the last Metro home one night and had to go in the exit past all the wild dogs sleeping in the phone booths for warmth – Moscow is full of wild dogs – but there were plenty of people on the train including women on their own so I guess it is quite safe. Although once a friend of mine was verbally abused by a drunk guy and felt really threatened. One of the things that continually fascinated me on the Metro was the diversity of people’s faces. It reminded me just how much of the world Russia incorporates.

Of course when in Moscow, you have to go to Red Square – see Lenin in his tomb if you can, when I was there he was off being rewaxed; to Saint Basil’s Church, to the Kremlin and the Armoury, tour Stalin’s Seven Sisters (grand Gothic buildings ringing the city) and tour the art galleries. Given its size, a Moscow city tour is also a good way to tackle exploring the city.

I was amazed by how much of the really important modern European art Russia houses, and by the sheer ostentation of the sleds and carriages and other possessions of the Tsars – no wonder there was a revolution. I was also interested in how many young people are returning to religion post-Communism. I wondered if it is seen as a symbol of the new freedom, or is popular out of respect for parents and grandparents who were banned from practising their faith. Another indicator of respect is the cemeteries – fascinating and beautiful sculptural homages to heroes and ordinary people alike.

When you get bored with being amazed – which is unlikely – you can retreat to GUM, the department store on one side of Red Square, and be amazed by how much money is now in some hands in Russia. Then retreat to a bar or club for a vodka, which must always be taken with food; it is the height of rudeness to drink vodka without at least a snack. And notice that on the doors of some of the more chichi places it says ‘Face Control’. At least they are honest in their snobbery about money and beauty. But generally, reasonably dressed tourists will get in, even if we’re not the height of beauty or wealth.

–Philippa Burne

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s tours and things to do in Russia, from Moscow’s Red Square to St Petersburg’s Catherine Palace.

Welcome to the Medina

One of my favorite things to do in any destination I visit is a little shopping. I am not talking postcards, logo shot glasses or t-shirts (..My uncle went to Paris and all I got was this lousy t-shirt!..). I am talking about the places where the real locals shop. Instead of the Supermarket start by visiting the local Boulangerie, Patisserie and Fromagerie in Paris and create your own picnic lunch. (Don’t forget the wine!) Find the local café or coffee shop and not the big chains. Visit the flea markets and street vendors to get a real taste of the destination.

Besides supporting the locals, the markets can be not only a place to shop, but a great place for people watching and socializing. And when you get off the beaten path a bit, the markets are one of the best places to truly interact with the locals. Take your time and make your shopping trip just another experience of the destination. With this in mind, I came up with my Top Ten places to Shop in the World…

Counting down:

10. Magnificent Mile, Chicago, USA. Let’s start with something pretty simple: Good ‘Ol American-style commerce. Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago, aka “The Magnificent Mile” is a great shopping street. It has all the chains that you expect in an American shopping experience and some you don’t. It is also a good place to get all your high end goods and designer fashions. It’s also part of the friendliest city in America (sorry San Francisco colleagues) and a beautiful flower-lined street – at least in the summer.

9. Les Puces de Saint-Ouen, Paris, France. Known as just “Les Puces” (The Fleas) to the French, this is the place to go for antiques in Paris, everything from a rough around the edges clock to a $50,000 armoire. Open Friday – Sunday, officially at 8:00, but alas, this is France, so no need to show up at opening time. The vendors will be having a café-au-lait and a smoke and will be there around 9:00. Why not join them?

8. Souk, Muscat, Oman. Not the biggest souk in the Middle East, but one of the friendliest, the Muscat Souk is know for its Gold and Silver Bazaars. The narrow lanes are almost too bright to walk down with all the gold jewelry in the shops. Know what you are looking for and what its worth and you can find some very high quality bargains here. Don’t know and you may end up with a very expensive gold plated piece of junk.

7. Chinatown, New York City. Can’t afford The Magnificent Mile? Then try Chinatown, NYC. You know you need that Louis Vuitton handbag and that Rolex watch but you only have $25 dollars, right? Don’t fret – they’re all here for you! And I am assured that everything here is “genuine”. I just wonder why the street tables pack up every time the police come by…(PS – Don’t play the street shell / card games. You will get swindled every time, just ask Viator CEO Rod!)

6 . Rastro Flea Market – Madrid, Spain. The area known as El Rastro area in Madrid is supposedly the largest flea market in the world, but I am not sure if I buy it or not. It is open on Sundays and Holidays from around 10:00am to 2:00pm, but the coffee shops and tapas bars are open earlier and later. You can buy just about anything you need (or don’t need here). Of course, with any big flea market, watch your wallets and purses. This area is known for some pretty adept pickpockets.

Curses-R-US

5. Voodoo Fetish Market, Lomé, Togo. Need to put a hex on your mother-in-law or a particular colleague? Need to remove that hex your mother-in-law put on you? Then you need to go to the Voodoo Market in Lomé, Togo, in West Africa. Its not the easiest place in the world to get to, but it is teaming with all the necessary ingredients for any curse – think Monkey heads, bat’s wings, snake blood and goat’s testicles. Its all for sale and the merchants can likely help you with your “recipe”. Really, this is a must visit – but not for the faint-hearted.

4. Pete’s Antiques, Swakopmund, Namibia. Where? Swakopmund! This town is a little piece of Bavaria set in South Western Africa. The town has beer halls, timbered buildings and some good schnitzel, but the place to go is Pete’s Antiques. Ask anyone into African Art and they will tell you so. Housed in a small shop, this place is literally filled to the (timbered) rafters with African antiques – wood carvings, tribal masks, drums, baskets, pottery – the list goes on and one. Pete and his staff travel all around Africa and support local tribes and craftsman. They are extremely knowledgeable on the artifacts. They can tell you exactly where your mask came from and what ceremony it was used for. This is the place to go if you can’t make it to Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Mali in one trip!

Aerial view of Fez Media

3. Old Medina – Fez, Morocco. Filled with winding alleys, dead-end lanes and teaming with people, donkey carts and activity, the local lore is that you must have a guide to visit the Medina (Old City) in Fez or you will never find your way out. Alas, we did have a guide when I went and we were hustled into several carpet shops. You decide if you can make alone it or not, but either way, this place is incredible. If you enjoy total chaos and have a sense of adventure (and patience), this is a great spot. Within the Medina are the famous dye pits – a must see.

2. Grand Bazaar, Istanbul, Turkey. It’s not the “Fair Bazaar” or the “Good Bazaar” – it’s the GRAND BAZAAR! This covered market in Istanbul is often stop #1 for visitors. A great place to buy carpets, pottery, handicrafts as well as just about anything else, you can spend hours per day here. My advice: go early or go late. If you see busses pull up with hundreds or cruise ship passenengers, take a break, visit the Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque and come back later. The prices are directly related to the amount of people shopping and the time you are willing to spend negotiating.

1. Chatuchak Weekend Market – Bangkok, Thailand. Easy to get to on the new Bangkok SkyTrain, this is the best (and hardest to pronounce) outdoor market in the world! The market is open officially on Friday and Saturdays, but is also open to the wholesale trade on Thursday – you won’t be turned away if you have a fistful of dollars or Baht. The market is huge, but very organized with maps of all the various sections – crafts, art, household goods, pets, furniture, wood carving – everything in its place. The Thai people are incredibly friendly and polite, making this a very pleasant shopping experience. Stop mid-day for a steaming bowl of green curry and a cold Singha beer and watch the throngs buying and selling. A great way to spend a Saturday!

Well, there you have it, Ken’s Top Ten Shopping Sites. The most important thing to remember in any of these markets is to respect the locals. Too smoky for you in Paris? Too bad! Don’t like the kids following you around in Marrakesh trying to sell you a scorpion and some turmeric? Get over it! It’s their country and you are a guest. Learn a few words in the local language, and most important of all, smile! A friendly smile and “no thanks” in the local language go a long way.

Check back next week for my Top Ten Tips on negotiating in the local markets.

–Ken Frohling

Ok, so technically it’s a bit of a stretch to make Live Earth a travel related event, but let’s just say it was a global event and we are a global company. Viator are proud partners of Carbonfund.org and try to educate our customers of the impact which travel can have on the environment. Is that enough of a connection to include it on the Viator Travel Blog?

I say yes!

John Butler joins Paul Kelly on stage

Despite the cynics of the world joining forces to disparage the event, the Live Earth concert series was a huge success around the world on the weekend. They may not have been organized by the almighty Bob Geldof and incessantly meddling Bono of U2 fame, but Al Gore proved there are more members of the global music community with a conscience than just these 2 aging rockers.

Yes these guys often live extravagant lifestyles with what appears to be little regard for the environment, but that does not automatically disqualify them from being part of the event. If we apply that logic, surely only those who already live a “green” life should be allowed to attend. Maybe, just maybe the whole point of these concerts was to raise awareness and provide a little education for those feeling a little helpless.

Ok, rant over, onto the fun stuff - Live Earth Sydney!

In a word, awesome! The first few acts got the crowd warmed up for the big guys to come later on. The line-up was an Aussie music fans dream come true. The only way it could have been improved is if Hunters and Collectors and Midnight Oil reformed (not going to happen, but I came live in hope…), and possibly if the organizers had reconsidered the order of play. Seriously guys, Jack Johnson second billing? He may have been the only international act, but he was oddly out of place in the who’s who of Oz rock. Don’t get me wrong, he was good, but following on from Wolfmother, not the best choice.

Eskimo Joe get the crowd on their feet

For me the show started with Paul Kelly. He has been around for years and is responsible for some classic pub songs, including From Little Things Big Things Grow, a particularly apt song for the day which got the crowd cheering as he was joined on stage by Missy Higgins, Kev Carmody and crowd favorite, John Butler.

Surprisingly early in the play order, Eskimo Joe hit the stage for their 30 minute set. One of the hottest Australian bands around at the moment, the Joe blew the crowd away and didn’t stop to take a breath, using every minute of their allocated time.

Up next, Missy Higgins took to the stage for her solo set and was clearly happy to be there. One for the girls, it wasn’t long before the crowd sing-a-long got back into full voice as she belted out Scar. Things got a little more serious when the ever political John Butler Trio hit the stage with a blistering drum solo and some serious banjo playing. JB himself took the opportunity to spread his views on Nuclear energy but as with Wave Aid 2 years ago, the glaring omission of Something’s Gotta Give left the crowd wanting just a little more from the boys.

Next up it was time for the big haired Andrew Stockdale and Wolfmother to let rip with a few eardrum bursting numbers. Clearly one of the big name drawcards to the event, they hit the stage running and didn’t stop until the very last riff of Joker and the Thief. The high energy of Wolfmother was followed by the gentle, laid-back melodies of Canadian Jack Johnson. He sounded OK, but I admit I used the opportunity to do another beer run so I can’t really comment!

John Butler Trio sends a message to the world

By the end of the night, the 48,000 strong crowd were well and truly warmed up for the long awaited performance of the reformed Crowded House. Let’s face it, this is what the majority of the crowd were here for. As they took to the stage it was like they had never gone away and the crowd loved it! Sticking to the old classics, the crowd swayed and crooned along to Don’t Dream it’s Over and Weather With You. No more complaining about the long queues at the bar (reportedly up to 1 hour, but I queued longer than that for the bathroom!), all was forgotten as the masters did their thing.

At the end of the day, the musos put on a fantastic show, it didn’t rain and a few people got a little education on the state of the planet and what needs to be done to fix it. Rome wasn’t built in a day and global warming won’t be reversed with one series of concerts.

It’s easy to criticize events like this but for those who didn’t attend or even watch the televised coverage, what gives you the right to comment on the impact of the shows. I consider myself fairly aware of environmental issues and do what I can to reduce my impact on the earth, but I don’t claim to be perfect. I had never considered that buying locally produced products saves the emissions created when transporting goods from afar, therefore I learnt something from the day. If everyone who saw the shows took away one piece of new information, isn’t that a start?

Let’s face it, it’s just a concert, it’s not meant to change the world.

-Kerrie O’Mahony

If Live Earth has awakened your inner travel bug and inspired you to check out our planet before we destroy it, check out Viator’s list of things to do in the cities which hosted concerts over the weekend - Sydney, Tokyo, Shanghai, Johannesburg, London, Hamburg, New York and Rio de Janiero.

The city of Berlin captured my heart when I first visited in 2002. And on each return visit I have discovered more reasons to love it. There is a certain magic that takes place when you surrender yourself to Berlin’s charms and let chance meetings and synchronicity take you on a series of strange and wonderful adventures…

Kreuzberg still rocks!

It really is better in Kreuzberg

I have to confess to never having visited the East-Side Gallery, that remaining stretch of wall at Warschaeur Strasse where the tourist buses set down throngs to view the 1990s artwork left celebrating peace after the fall of the wall. The place I like to go is on the other side of the canal along the back of the wall, where you can view more recent graffiti and enjoy a take-away coffee from one of the nearby shops while sitting under the willow trees, accompanied by fishermen and escapees from the Berlin disco scene.

The strangely satisfying redbrick ramparts of the Oberbaumbrücke provide a nice backdrop (with a recent sighting of actor Martin Donovan walking across, probably visiting Hal Hartley, who I hear hangs out in Berlin these days…). The first café you come to directly under the bridge towards Schlesische Str. will top up your caffeine levels with cool Berlin music and local ambiance. Or walk on down Falckenstein Str. to the best pizza and ice cream bars in the city, 2 euro a slice freshly made thin crust delicacies, mouth-watering sorbets and gelato. Continue on to Görlitzer Park to burn off some of the indulgence, and enjoy the family mix in the park.

The Görlitzer Bahnhof area is not as trendy as it used to be, that scene has moved deeper into Kreuzberg around Schönleinstrasse. After your walk in the park, there is some excellent food opposite the pool on nearby Spreewaldplatz. The Assam Indische Specialization on the corner is cheap and tasty, while the Morrokonisch Rissoni does a huge fresh Haloumi Teller or couscous with vegetables for around 4 euro.

Berlin’s Oberbaumbrucke

Across the road from the U-Bahn the best breakfast buffet you will find in Berlin is at Morgenland. If you end up in this area at night, take a moment to discover the World’s Smallest Cinema, a few blocks farther down Manteuffel Str., which could be playing cult westerns or schlock horror, the fake rain in the doorway is worth the visit, and make sure you go all the way to the basement. Crossing over to Oranienstrasse is NGKB New Society for Fine Arts, a democratic contemporary art gallery with an excellent art bookshop.

Berlinische Galerie, the state museum of modern art, photography and architecture, shows work related to Berlin, with a current exhibition: HANNAH HÖCH – ALL BEGINNING IS DADA! It’s worth the extra walk if you go to the Jewish Museum. Ankerklause in summer is one of the best places to imbibe caffeine while sitting over the canal, watching swans and tourists float by. During the week also check out the Turkish market on Kotbusser Damm along the canal. Take the U8 back to the city purely for the space-travel effect as the train bends and twists around the curving subway route, giving a sense of the wormhole in the movie Contact.

Discover Bohemian Neukölln

Körnerpark is a magnificent Baroque garden, laid out with precision along pathways of relaxing green, reached by a walk down the stairs into this sumptuous sanctuary. The elegant terrace café serves an excellent campari and orange, with a summer program of jazz on Sundays and art in the gallery. A short walk across Karl Marx Str. towards Bohemische Str. brings you to the village settled by Protestant Bohemians fleeing their Moravian hometown in the early 1700s. Stroll through the quiet streets, past a blacksmith’s cottage to one of the beer houses and enjoy the rustic atmosphere.

Rathaus Neukölln is the local town hall. You may never have to register your address with the Berlin authorities, so could miss out on this spectacular piece of German bureaucratic architecture. There is an intricate mosaic of the local area just inside the entrance hall, and a sunny courtyard café by the fountain. Thoben Bakery, across the road, has delicious fruit Kuchen at only 75 cents apiece, take it in to sustain yourself during the following. Step inside the cool green halls and wander around looking for information to get the authentic experience. If you really want to mess with the system, enact your own conceptual art performance in a contemporary Beckett piece. First find the Bezirksamt, realise the strange opening times mean you have to come back again tomorrow, take a number and while away a few hours’ people watching in the waiting room. Once your number is called, go to the German official and tell them you’re having existential angst and don’t know what you want, or who you need to speak to, but maybe they can help?

If you really must go to Prenzlauer Berg…

The Barista Cafe in Prenzlauer Berg

Tisch-Tennis is fun. And the nightly round-robin at Dr Pong gets a little crazy! The best tables for playing ping-pong in the park are at Helmholtzplatz, opposite the wonderfully decadent Wohnzimmer café on Lette Str., where you can retire afterwards for a beverage with the Prenzlauer Berg hipsters. Bring your own bat and ball, but be prepared to wait in line as the tables are in high rotation during the summer months.

Don’t get stuck in one of those annoying soulless café’s on Kastanien Allee. Nip around the corner to Barista Coffee Shop at Oderbergerstrasse 54 and savor the delicious aroma and satisfying taste of their excellent coffee and freshly baked pastries. If the Stadtbad next door is open it’s a wonderful space, the only time I have been inside was for a sound art exhibition, with tiny speakers along the end wall of the empty pool, and the boiler room out the back amplified into a droning concerto.

A moment in Mitte

That’s all I need before the relentlessly cool vibe makes me run screaming from the asymmetric fashions and minimalist galleries. However, the Ballhaus on August Str. is very enticing, KW (Kunstwerke) on opening night can be fun, and Dolores does great burritos, don’t even try any other Mexican food here, this is the only place with any taste. Take refuge in the Weinereicafé, on the corner of Veteranen Str and Fehrbelliner Str, where coffee and cake are 1e, the soup is 2e, but it’s damn fine and the dilapidated bohemian interior offers a welcome respite from that over-designed over-priced scene down the hill.

When too much Klangkunst is never enough

Those among you who can’t get enough experimental sound art will be glad to worship at the Electronic Church at Greifswalder Str. 223. Almost impossible to find, with no sign, you may have to loiter outside until some uber-hipster shows you the way. It is in the first block after the corner of Greifswalder Str. and Konigs Tor in the building next to xyz club. The program varies from avant garde to extremely avant garde, and the couple who run it will be happy to discuss the music while serving drinks between sets. The high ceilings and intimate space make this pilgrimage worthwhile for devotees of strange sound art.

The art scene in Berlin

Craving more? Ausland is a darker more club-like space with a cavernous area dedicated to intense auditory experiences. This venue is not for the faint-hearted; expect to be assaulted by high-octane electronic noise. The cover charge is a little high for Berlin, around 6 euros. Salon Bruit hosts a semi-regular night for experimental sound art and improvised music, currently held in the Lichtblick Kino at 77 Kastanianallee, the performances take place on the tiny cinema stage. Chill out in the bar afterwards and chat with the regulars.

C-Base is a legendary geeky bar and workshop, home to a cult-like organization who truly believe that Berlin is built on the remains of an ancient spaceship, and the Fernsturm (Alexanderplatz TV Tower) is the ship’s antenna. Certain areas of the city allow access to parts of the old spaceship, and this is one of them. If you’re lucky, there may even be a password for entry, and your biometric data will be checked through their database. Go on a Thursday night for the bar with live performance and musical warp drives. Bootlab alternative media space offers a diverse series of film, music and a community radio platform. Radio Tesla is at Podewil Palais on a Wednesday night, with various music, art projects and a salon during the week.

Fun frolic in Friedrichshain

Sunday is perfect for lounging in the Intimes Cinema or Bulgarian Café across the road (both have free wifi) and then take a wander through the Boxhagener Platz flea market. True bargain-hunters will schlep all the way out to Treptower Park, but there are still fabulous finds to be made here. Retire for a drink afterwards to any number of cozy hip bars, Goldfisch (Grünberger Str. 67) and Stereo 33 are my favorites, and the 2 euro pizza next to the latter is fabulous, or 100Wasser for hearty serves and dark wood ambience. Schraub und Dreh has a great selection of cool analogue musical instruments, and is on Rigaer Str. where some of the last of Berlin’s squat culture is hanging on. Pick up a copy of the ex-berliner for the latest tips and listings in English.

–Jodi Rose

Plannnig a trip? Browse Viator’s list of things to do in Berlin, Munich tours and what to do in Germany. Or read Rod’s post about his favorite bike tours in Berlin.

Congrats to the Colosseum in Rome

If you’ve been following the news about the ‘New 7 Wonders of the World’, you’ll know that today was the BIG day, the day that the final ‘winners’ were announced at a star-studded gala in Portugal… you know, performances by Jennifer Lopez and Chaka Khan, hosted by Hilary Swank, Ben Kingsley and Bollywood star Bipasha Basu.

Nope, doesn’t ring a bell? OK, in a nutshell — the campaign to nominate the ‘new’ 7 wonders of the world was dreamed up by a Swiss businessman, Bernard Weber, to allow people around the world to vote, online, for a modernized set of ‘world wonders’, since only one of the original 7 Wonders still exists (the pyramids) . His goal: “So everybody can decide what the new seven wonders should be and not some government, not some individuals, not some institutions.”

So who won? We’ll get there in a moment. First we want to address one of the main critiques of this effort.

The Pyramids: The world’s eighth 7th wonder

A lot of people were concerned that the ‘new 7 wonders’ campaign was a mere marketing effort and meaningless publicity stunt. UNESCO went out of its way to disassociate itself from the voting. And some countries — notably Egypt — were miffed at the contest’s popularity-driven voting system. CNN quoted Egypt’s top antiquities expert saying that “Egypt’s pyramids are a ’symbol of the genius of the ancient people’ — and are above any sort of online poll.”

Fair enough. It’s obvious that the campaign was always going to annoy some people and countries, especially those (hello Egypt) whose ancient wonder didn’t make it onto the short list of new wonders. Sour grapes, anybody?

Happily, in a nice finesse move, the ‘New 7 Wonders’ people granted honorary status to the pyramids when it was becoming clear that the pyramids weren’t going to make it onto the list of ‘new’ wonders. Got all that?

So to make a long story short, here’s the just-announced list of winners in the ‘New 7 Wonders of the World’ contest, as voted on by 50+ million people around the world.

The New 7 Wonders of the World

1. The Great Wall of China
2. Petra, Jordan
3. The statue of Christ the Redeemer in Brazil
4. Peru’s Machu Picchu
5. Chichen Itza in Mexico
6. The Colosseum in Rome
7. India’s Taj Mahal

Apologies to some of the world’s other famous sites that didn’t make the final list, from Stonehenge in England to New York’s Statue of Liberty to Sydney’s Opera House. You may not have won, but we think you’re wonderful all the same.

–Scott McNeely

Poor, poor Hugh

If you took a straw poll at the Viator offices, I reckon the Dearly Departed tours in Los Angeles would rank among the most popular we offer, anywhere.

The reason? Partly it’s that fantastic mug shot of Hugh Grant. And partly it’s the concept of the tour itself: a 2-1/2 hour romp across Hollywood in a ‘Tomb Buggy’ tracking down gruesome, ghastly and notorious episodes in Tinsel Town history. From the Manson murders to George Michael’s favorite LA public restroom, from Sunset Boulevard to the last-gasp locations of Frank Sinatra, River Phoenix, Dee Dee Ramone, Bela Lugosi… how cool is that!

So we tracked down the founder and driving force behind the tours, Scott Michaels, and asked him a few questions about Los Angeles, the Golden Era of Hollywood, and some of the funny (as in strange) things he’s encountered over the years.

Viator: What’s the most gruesome episode or event you cover in your tours?

Scott Michaels: Probably the most gruesome event that is covered… well, actually there are three. First is the Black Dahlia, which was the murder of Elizabeth Short is 1947 (a woman severed in half, and carved beyond recognition - we have the crime scene photographs). Second is the Menendez murders, which was two boys killing their parents as they sat watching TV (we park out front the house and play the actual 911 call made by one of the brothers, which is chilling - he was totally acting when he called). But my personal obsession is the Tate - LaBianca murders, orchestrated by Charles Manson in 1969. That case is so bizarre, it’s better than any fiction you’ll ever read.

Viator: Who’s the most famous person you’ve taken on a tour?

Scott & his ‘Tomb Buggy’

Scott Michaels: I’ve had some fun celebrities on the tour. Leeza Gibbons – who I can now call a pal – has sort of taken me under her wing, and I’m now a part of her weekly syndicated Hollywood Confidential radio show. I’ve taken the Playboy Playmates Kendra, Holly and Bridgette from The Girls Next Door – who were a scream, and just as nice as I had hoped they would be. My absolute favorite celebrity was the woman who played Snow White on the 1989 Oscars, Eileen Bowman. She sang “Proud Mary” with Rob Lowe, and that brought an end to the wonderfully tacky production numbers at the Oscars. The Oscars never got permission to use the Snow White image, and before the show was even finished, lawsuits were filed. Fantastic.

Viator: What’s the strangest thing that’s ever happened to you (presumably, while giving one of your tours)?

Scott Michaels: One consistently odd thing, I find fingernail clippings in my bus a lot.

Viator: If you could offer a similar ‘dearly departed’ tour in any other city in the world, where would it be? Paris? New Orleans?

Scott Michaels: I would love to start a Dearly Departed tour in London. I lived in London for 6 years, and did tons of research for a tour. I even had a tour company prepared to sponsor me, but unfortunately my residency wasn’t established yet, and I had to let it go. It would certainly merit a guidebook – at the very least.

Viator: What is the most unusual ‘celebrity’ item in your collection?

Hollywood ain’t what it used to be…

Scott Michaels: My collection of oddities includes a piece of the Hindenburg, a hunk of John Denver’s airplane, rocks from the fireplace of the Tate/Polanski home, a tile from the pool that Brian Jones of the Rolling Stone’s drowned, upholstery from the car Jayne Mansfield was killed in. But the oddest thing I have is probably Sharon Tate’s autopsy report, signed by the coroner, Dr Noguchi, who actually performed the autopsy 30 years prior. He said it was probably the absolutely the weirdest thing he’d ever been asked to sign.

Viator: What do you like / dislike about Hollywood today compared to the ‘golden era’?

Scott Michaels: What irritates me about Hollywood today, is that no one in Hollywood today knows or cares about Hollywood then. It seems like our heritage is being carted away in dump trucks, one by one. The Ambassador Hotel where RFK was assassinated, but also hosted six Academy Awards ceremonies – gone. The Brown Derby? Gone. Well, the hat still exists, now it’s on a Korean karaoke restaurant. Perino’s restaurant, the Villa Capri, the Trocadero – all gone. Stars today go out of their way to cover their faces when they drive by the tour bus. Like we’re going to turn around and chase them. Get real. I remember when Jimmy Stewart or Gregory Peck would come out and greet tour buses. They knew how to work it. Stars today are just common.

–Scott McNeely

Special thanks to Jenny Crossling. Because of Jenny and her team, we think — no, we know — Viator’s selection of tours and things to do in Los Angeles is unbeatable. Have a look for yourself.

Is the drought over in Australia? From where I sit, in the Melbourne suburbs, it sure sounds like it. The tin roof is getting a pounding from an old-fashioned winter downpour.

Over the past couple of years, most Australians’ attitude to rain has completely reversed. Not so long ago there was nothing like a downpour to dampen the spirits of Aussies, who mostly live near the ocean and love nothing more than a sunny afternoon, a barbecue or a kick of the football. And for visitors taking in the sights of Sydney Harbour or enjoying a cruise along the Brisbane River or the Yarra River in Melbourne, a rainy day was a total drag.

But times have changed. Australia’s big cities are running out of water and our farmers are doing it tough. It could be climate change, it could just be a cyclical pattern, or it could be both. Whatever the cause, the effect is the same: the worst and most widespread drought on record. So now, rain is good. But you know what they say: It never rains…

…it pours. Over the past couple of weeks, the east coast of Australia – where most of the population lives – has taken a beating by strong winds and downpours of near-biblical proportions. Roads and houses have been literally washed away in raging floods. It’s a far cry from last winter when the rain just didn’t come. For most locals, rain – even too much rain – is better than no rain at all. The farmers, in their laconic way, have a saying: There’s money in mud. There’s no money in dust.

For visitors, though, it’s still a drag. The Sydney Opera House looks mu