2009 August | Viator Travel Blog

An Open Letter to Complainers

31. August 2009

Being a frequent traveler has its memorable moments, and one of them occurred recently when I had the chance to dine at a well-known Georgian restaurant in Moscow, Russia. It was a great meal, and the restaurant’s location combined with the balmy summer weather provided the perfect opportunity for a late-night stroll through the streets [...]

Viva la Summer: San Francisco

28. August 2009

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As part of Viator’s celebration of summer 2009, we’re pointing a spotlight at top summer destinations around the world. This week’s featured destination is San Francisco. As always our first order of business: we’re pleased to honor our Viva la Summer traveler of the week. This week it’s Eduardo S. from the USA. He submitted a photo of himself and his daughter taken on a Muir Woods & Sausalito day trip from San Francisco. We love the smiles and the tall trees - the redwoods of Northern California are truly amazing if you've never seen them up close.

The Art of Travel Writing: Stonehenge Part 1

27. August 2009

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The Art of Travel Writing: Stonehenge Part 1

Editor's note: We recently sent two of our hard-working travel writers on a private tour and private viewing of Stonehenge from London. We covered the cost of the tickets, and in return we asked for them to write about their experiences. And who knew their experiences would be so similar, yet so different. Here's the first go, from the slightly deranged Jack Brown and cohort Tina Grace. Jack went to bed Aussie and woke up with a nasty case of Cockney accent.

Cruising the Canals of Paris

26. August 2009

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When your feet are tired from climbing all those stairs in the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, try a nice relaxing cruise along two of the most fascinating waterways in Paris, the Canal St Martin and the River Seine. I love a good boat trip, and jumped at the chance to take a Paris canal tour for a few hours of blissful floating through some of my favourite Paris scenery.

Tokyo in 4 Days

25. August 2009

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So much to do, and so little time. It’s a saying we’ve all heard countless times before, and unfortunately it’s quite often true. This is no more apparent than in Tokyo. As one of the world’s largest cities, Tokyo offers a host of things to do. Now let us assume for a moment you’d like to see as much of this sprawling city as possible, but you’ve only budgeted yourself 4 days. Will this be possible? Most would say no. I say, of course!

3 Days in Vienna

22. August 2009

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Maybe you already know Vienna for it's culture, architecture and pastries. Now come with me and discover some unlikely features of this charming city. The 'mobile generation' can log into "Vienna Unlike" for GPS locations to all the hippest bars, clubs, shops and 'wellness' haunts, and experience the creative energy of the city, living like a local in the Viennese 21st-century avant garde.

Top 13 Weird and Wonderful Things to Do

20. August 2009

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They’re creepy and they’re kooky, mysterious and spooky - welcome to the all-together kooky Top 13 Weird and Wonderful Things to do list. No offense but, I am getting bored of all these Top 25 this and that. Bring on something a little unique! Viator’s travelers are all over the weird and wonderful. Everyone still seems to [...]

Maui: Just the Ticket for Beach Novices

20. August 2009

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Maui seemed suspiciously easy. It could be reached in five hours via a non-stop flight from San Francisco, on the airline that awards me bonus miles for my travel. There would be no issues with language, immigration, food, water, weather, currency, or driving on the wrong side of the road. What wasn’t there to like, other than the possibility that the inviting stream we had waded into would gather speed and carry us over a lovely waterfall and into oblivion.

Suggested Itineraries: Vietnam

20. August 2009

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Let's start with the coffee. Because in Vietnam coffee is more than just a drink. It doesn't come venti or frappuccinoed or with whipped cream. And it definitely does not cost $3.75 a shot. No, coffee in Vietnam is thick, cheap and super-sweet. And it is beautiful.

2009 TRAVELtech Awards: Vote for Viator, Mate

19. August 2009

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2009 TRAVELtech Awards: Vote for Viator, Mate

2009 has been a good awards season for Viator, knock on wood. Our blog has been nominated (and won!) a handful of awards. And yesterday we learned that Viator.com has been nominated by TRAVELtech as one of Australia’s Top 25 travel websites. What, you didn’t know we spoke Australian? Well we do, mate. Don’t believe me? Then [...]