Viator Travel Blog

A Guide to Hawaii Island Hopping

Of all the place names across the globe there is something special about the word “Hawaii”.

It isn’t just the way it rolls off your tongue, or the 2:1 ratio of vowels to consonants; what makes this six-letter word unique is the way in which simply mouthing the phrase can bring a smile to the face of whomever is speaking. Over the course of only two syllables (three if pronounced in its proper, phonetic form of Huh-VAI-ee), this single word conjures mental images of palm trees, gentle trade winds, and an all-around warm-weather paradise.

Mexico’s Burgeoning Wine Country

Mexican wines are proving themselves to rival vintages found anywhere across the globe. In fact, the soil in Baja was historically so amenable to grape production that in 1699 Spain banned the production of Baja wine because of the dire effects it was having on wine exports to the New World.

In modern, independent Mexico, however, the production is growing, the grapes have returned, and two shifts are slowly beginning to take place: The secret is getting out, and the Mexican people are warming to the taste of wine.

Follow the Lord of the Rings in New Zealand

While Middle Earth may be a fictional combo of legend and lore, the actual setting for the Lord of the Rings couldn’t be more real. Shot on location in some of the most scenic corners of New Zealand, a swath of Lord of the Rings tours now allow fans to stand in the same location as the characters who once roamed these mythical peaks and pastures.

11 Movies Sure to Inspire Travel

There are few better sources of inspiration than movies. The dramatic scenery, the complex character development, the range of raw emotions—all are elements of films which successfully make the viewer feel as if we’re there. When it comes to travel, movies give us the ability to soar across the world and experience foreign cultures without ever having to leave the comfort of our couch.

8 of America’s Lesser-Known National Parks

The U.S. National Park system is arguably one of the greatest collections of preserved space the world has ever seen. From snow-capped glacial peaks to meandering coastal shorelines, some of the United States‘ most awe-inspiring natural sights are found within the national parks. That being said, utter the phrase “national park” and most people will only be able to cough up a few of the usual suspects: Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon. In 2010, the most visited national park in the United States was Great Smoky Mountains National Park with an astounding 9.4 million visitors.

10 New Zealand Hot Spots Off the Beaten Track

With only 4 million people inhabiting an area the size of Great Britain, and blessed with arguably the most striking scenery on the planet, the Pacific outpost of New Zealand has long been a traveler’s dream destination. The perfect country for camper van touring, a well-worn circuit has been established for visitors jetting from one coastal, adventure, or cultural destination to the next.

[PHOTOS] 7 Southeast Asian Islands You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

With tens of thousands of islands in the Southeast Asian region, there is no end to the exploration opportunities constantly rising from the nearest horizon.

Here’s a list of seven islands to keep your Southeast Asian wanderlust alive.

About this blog

The staff at Viator are passionate travelers. When we’re not busy talking about our last trip, we’re busy planning our next adventure. In that spirit we’ve created the Viator Travel Blog. It’s a place where we can discuss travel, discuss what’s new on Viator.com, answer your questions, and generally post and discuss news, features, wishlists [...]