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	<title>Viator Travel Blog &#187; Deals, Specials &amp; Promotions</title>
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	<link>http://travelblog.viator.com</link>
	<description>Travel advice, inspiration, things to do, tours &#38; activities</description>
	<pubDate>Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:49:49 +0000</pubDate>
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	<language>en</language>
			<item>
		<title>[Contest] Win 2 Free Tickets on a Sydney New Year&#8217;s Eve Cruise</title>
		<link>http://travelblog.viator.com/sydney-harbour-new-years-eve-cruise-contest/</link>
		<comments>http://travelblog.viator.com/sydney-harbour-new-years-eve-cruise-contest/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:00:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>amberj</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Australia &amp; Pacific]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Deals, Specials &amp; Promotions]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Sydney]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[new year 2009]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[new years cruise]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[NYE cruise]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[sydney harbour]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[sydney new years]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://travelblog.viator.com/sydney-harbour-new-years-eve-cruise-contest/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We're giving away 2 free tickets on a <a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/Sydney/Sydney-Harbour-New-Years-Eve-Cocktail-Cruise/d357-2536NYE">Sydney Harbour New Year's Eve cruise</a>!! All you need to do is answer one question: why should YOU win?]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_3088" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 330px"><a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/Sydney/Sydney-Harbour-New-Years-Eve-Cocktail-Cruise/d357-2536NYE"><img class="size-full wp-image-3088" title="rosemarie" src="http://travelblog.viator.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/rosemarie.jpg" alt="Rosemarie, on her recent New Year's Eve Cruise in Sydney" width="320" height="240" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Rosemarie, last year&#39;s contest winner, on her Sydney New Year&#39;s Eve Cruise </p></div>
<p><a title="Sydney tours, activities and things to do" href="http://www.viator.com/Sydney/d357-ttd">Sydney</a> is home to one of the world&#8217;s most famous New Year&#8217;s Eve celebrations. The fireworks display is second to none, the weather is warm &amp; sunny, and the atmosphere is simply unbeatable.</p>
<p>This year, you can go as a VIP by entering to win 2 free tickets on a <a title="Sydney Harbour New Years Eve Cruise" href="http://www.viator.com/tours/Sydney/Sydney-Harbour-New-Years-Eve-Cocktail-Cruise/d357-2536NYE">Sydney Harbour New Year&#8217;s Eve Cruise</a>. Cruise Sydney Harbour in style aboard the <em>Bella Vista</em>, see the sights of Sydney and the harbour as the sun goes down and the city lights up the sky. At 9pm you&#8217;ll have a front-row seat for the Harbour of Light Parade, made up of 50 invited vessels decorated in rope-light. Continue to drink and dance the night away until the spectacular midnight fireworks show.</p>
<h3>How do I enter?</h3>
<p>Simply leave a reply for this post below to enter our &#8220;Sydney New Year&#8217;s Eve Harbour Cruise&#8221; contest. Like we did last year, we want you to answer one simple question: &#8220;Why should Viator send YOU on a Sydney Harbour New Year&#8217;s Eve Cruise?&#8221;.</p>
<p>Entries must be submitted by December 15, 2009. Winners will be announced on December 17, 2009.</p>
<p>Of course, there is a catch! We are only accepting replies that are <em><strong>10 words or less</strong></em>! That&#8217;s right, answer the question &#8220;Why should we send YOU on a Sydney Harbour New Year&#8217;s Eve Cruise?&#8221; in 10 words or less, and you could win 2 free tickets* for a Sydney Harbour New Year&#8217;s Eve Cruise.</p>
<p>You can enter our contest as many times as you like, but remember, your reply must be 10 words or less or it will not be considered.</p>
<div class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 550px"><a href="http://www.viator.com/Sydney/d357-ttd"><img src="http://travelblog.viator.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/sydneyharboursunset1.jpg" alt="Sydney Harbour New Year’s Eve Cruise Contest" width="540" height="130" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Sydney Harbour at sunset</p></div>
<p>Good luck! See you in Sydney for New Year&#8217;s Eve 2009!</p>
<p align="right"><em>-The Viator Team</em></p>
<p align="left"><em>* Our staff will pick the entry that we think best answers the question above, in 10 words or less. We are providing 2 free tickets on a <a title="Sydney Harbour New Years Eve Cruise" href="http://www.viator.com/tours/Sydney/Sydney-Harbour-New-Years-Eve-Cocktail-Cruise/d357-2536NYE">Sydney Harbour New Year&#8217;s Eve Cruise</a>. Airfare, hotel, taxes, and any other expenses are not included. We provide an unforgettable night of entertainment on New Year&#8217;s Eve, you need to get there on your own!  If you need a place to stay, check out <a href="http://www.planetware.com/sydney-hotels.htm">hotels in Sydney</a> on Planetware.com.</em></p>
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		<title>Oberammergau Passion Play</title>
		<link>http://travelblog.viator.com/oberammergau-passion-play/</link>
		<comments>http://travelblog.viator.com/oberammergau-passion-play/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:59:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Scott Mc</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Deals, Specials &amp; Promotions]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Europe]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Suggested Itineraries]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[2010 passion play]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[oberammergau]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[oberammergau passion play]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://travelblog.viator.com/?p=5542</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The 2010 Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany, is a once-a-decade event that takes over, consumes, and essentially overwhelms the entire town of Oberammergau. Once every 10 years, more than half of this Bavarian village's 5,000 inhabitants take part as actors in the world-famous <a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/Munich/3-Day-Oberammergau-Passion-Play-Tour-from-Munich/d487-5148PASSION">Oberammergau Passion Play</a>. This may be the world's most famous play... that you have never heard of!]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>This may be the world&#8217;s most famous play&#8230; that you have never heard of!</p>
<p>The 2010 Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany, is a once-a-decade event that takes over, consumes, and essentially overwhelms the entire town of Oberammergau. Once every 10 years, more than half of this Bavarian village&#8217;s 5,000 inhabitants take part as actors in the world-famous <a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/Munich/3-Day-Oberammergau-Passion-Play-Tour-from-Munich/d487-5148PASSION">Oberammergau Passion Play</a>.</p>
<div id="attachment_5543" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 550px"><a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/Munich/3-Day-Oberammergau-Passion-Play-Tour-from-Munich/d487-5148PASSION"><img class="size-full wp-image-5543" title="passion-play-stage" src="http://travelblog.viator.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/passion-play-stage.jpg" alt="Stage for the Oberammergau Passion Play" width="540" height="322" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Stage of the Oberammergau Passion Play</p></div>
<p>The local residents join together with director Christian Stückl (manager of Munich&#8217;s renowned Volkstheater), stage designer Stefan Hageneier, and music directors Markus Zwink and Michael Bocklet to stage this solemn and meticulous play depicting the suffering and death of Jesus the Nazarene. The plot has not changed in structure since the first performance in 1634; it begins with Christ&#8217;s entry into Jerusalem on a donkey, and winds up with a dramatic Crucifixion scene.</p>
<div id="attachment_5544" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 550px"><a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/Munich/3-Day-Oberammergau-Passion-Play-Tour-from-Munich/d487-5148PASSION"><img class="size-full wp-image-5544" title="passion-play-2010" src="http://travelblog.viator.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/passion-play-2010.jpg" alt="Scene from the 2000 Oberammergau Passion Play" width="540" height="296" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Scene from the Oberammergau Passion Play</p></div>
<p>This highly emotional play is expected to be watched by more than 500,000 people between May and October 2010, over a series of 102 performances. This is the 41st performance of the <a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/Munich/3-Day-Oberammergau-Passion-Play-Tour-from-Munich/d487-5148PASSION">Oberammergau Passion Play</a> itself - it&#8217;s always performed once a decade, and has been since 1634.</p>
<h3>Why Oberammergau, you may ask?</h3>
<p>The answer can be traced back to one of several outbreaks of the bubonic plague that struck Europe in medieval times. When faced with the horror of the disease in 1633, the villagers of Oberammergau vowed to perform a Passion Play both the next year and every 10 years thereafter, should they be spared from the disease.</p>
<div id="attachment_5545" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 305px"><a href="http://travelblog.viator.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/houses-oberammergau-kofel.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-5545" title="houses-oberammergau-kofel" src="http://travelblog.viator.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/houses-oberammergau-kofel.jpg" alt="Houses in Oberammergau" width="295" height="362" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Houses in Oberammergau</p></div>
<p>In 1634 they kept their promise and the Oberammergau Passion Play was born. Only twice (due to political reasons in 1770 and the World War II in 1940) has the Passion Play not taken place. Nowadays it is a permanent feature, held the last year in each decade here in Oberammergau.</p>
<h3>How is the play organized?</h3>
<p>As you would expect from an event organized in Germany, no detail is left to chance in the planning of the Passion Play! The cast, who must be born in Oberammergau or have resided here for at least 20 years, are chosen a full year in advance of the first play. Why? Mainly because the men must grow out their hair and facial hair to effectively depict their characters.</p>
<h3>Where can I find tickets to the Oberammergau Passion Play?</h3>
<p>Ah, we thought you&#8217;d never ask!</p>
<p>It is very, very difficult to book tickets. The Passion Play ticket policy requires that all tickets for non-German residents are reserved by tour operators and sold as part of tour packages. That&#8217;s where we can help. We at Viator have searched hard to source the best-value package and are delighted to present our <a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/Munich/3-Day-Oberammergau-Passion-Play-Tour-from-Munich/d487-5148PASSION">3-Day Oberammergau Passion Play</a> tour from Munich.</p>
<p>The tour - which includes train travel from Munich, a choice of two accommodation options and two &#8220;category two&#8221; tickets for the Passion Play - is ideal for people who want to see the Passion Play without being restricted to a specific tour itinerary. In other words, it&#8217;s perfect if you are holidaying in central Europe next summer and are desperate to witness this unique event, but want a degree of flexibility and independence on the way.</p>
<p>Be warned: all tickets must be returned to the Passion Play office a full 3 months prior to every performance date, so <a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/Munich/3-Day-Oberammergau-Passion-Play-Tour-from-Munich/d487-5148PASSION">book now</a> to guarantee your seat at Oberammergau 2010!</p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><em>-Viator Travel Team</em></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><em>Planning a trip? Browse Viator&#8217;s <a href="http://www.viator.com/Munich/d487-ttd">Munich tours &amp; things to do in Munich</a>, including <a href="http://www.viator.com/Munich-tours/Multi-day-and-Extended-Tours/d487-g20">multi-day tours from Munich</a>.</em></p>
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		<title>Matsuri in Las Vegas</title>
		<link>http://travelblog.viator.com/matsuri-in-las-vegas/</link>
		<comments>http://travelblog.viator.com/matsuri-in-las-vegas/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:28:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Scott Mc</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Deals, Specials &amp; Promotions]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Las Vegas]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[USA, Canada, Mexico]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[las vegas]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[matsuri]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://travelblog.viator.com/?p=5491</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[What's the latest in <a href="http://www.viator.com/Las-Vegas/d684-ttd">Las Vegas</a> shows? It's called <a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/Las-Vegas/Matsuri-at-Imperial-Palace-Hotel-and-Casino/d684-5084LASMAT">Matsuri</a>, at the Imperial Palace on the Strip. Matsuri means "Festival" in Japanese, and that's exactly what this show feels like - a festival of Japanese dancers and acrobats, full of dazzling color and bravado. For a limited time we're giving away 2 free tickets to Matsuri...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>What&#8217;s the latest in <a href="http://www.viator.com/Las-Vegas/d684-ttd">Las Vegas</a> shows? It&#8217;s called <a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/Las-Vegas/Matsuri-at-Imperial-Palace-Hotel-and-Casino/d684-5084LASMAT">Matsuri</a>, at the Imperial Palace on the Strip. Matsuri means &#8220;Festival&#8221; in Japanese, and that&#8217;s exactly what this show feels like - a festival of Japanese dancers and acrobats, full of dazzling color and bravado.</p>
<div id="attachment_5492" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 550px"><a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/Las-Vegas/Matsuri-at-Imperial-Palace-Hotel-and-Casino/d684-5084LASMAT"><img class="size-full wp-image-5492" title="matsuri-head" src="http://travelblog.viator.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/matsuri-head.jpg" alt="Matsuri Las Vegas" width="540" height="279" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Matsuri Las Vegas</p></div>
<p>If you&#8217;re looking for a show similar in concept to Cirque du Soleil but <em>not </em>Cirque du Soleil, Matsuri is right up your alley. Magic, hula hoops, amazing dancing and a bit of comic relief, all with a strong sense of Japanese style.</p>
<p>The Matsuri show is one of the most popular in Japan, where it&#8217;s known as the &#8220;Muscle Musical&#8221; (hmm, interesting title!). It celebrates the human mind, body and spirit by engaging audience members with an interactive, physical glimpse of Japanese tradition and culture.</p>
<h3>Get 2 free tickets to Matsuri in Las Vegas!!</h3>
<p>As part of our celebration of this new show, we&#8217;re offering a limited special offer: spend more than US$600 (or the equivalent in pounds or euros or Canadian dollars or Australian dollars) on Viator.com and we&#8217;ll send you 2 free tickets to Matsuri at the Imperial Palace in Las Vegas.</p>
<div id="attachment_5493" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 550px"><a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/Las-Vegas/Matsuri-at-Imperial-Palace-Hotel-and-Casino/d684-5084LASMAT"><img class="size-full wp-image-5493" title="matsuri-red" src="http://travelblog.viator.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/matsuri-red.jpg" alt="Matsuri Las Vegas" width="540" height="352" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Matsuri Las Vegas</p></div>
<p>That&#8217;s right! We&#8217;ll give you 2 free tickets to Matsuri, with no blackout dates or other restrictions, for spending more than $600 on Viator.com. Our promotion ends on November 30, 2009.</p>
<h3>How do I get my 2 free Matsuri tickets?</h3>
<p>Go to Viator.com, purchase US$600 or more (or the equivalent in pounds or euros or Canadian dollars or Australian dollars), and enter the promo code <strong>Matsuri</strong> at check out. We&#8217;ll  with send all qualified purchases an email in mid-December, with information on how to collect your 2 free Matsuri tickets.</p>
<p>It&#8217;s that easy! Just remember to enter the promo code <strong>Matsuri</strong> at checkout - that&#8217;s the only way to qualify for our promo.</p>
<p>If you&#8217;re heading to Las Vegas check out our <a href="http://www.viator.com/Las-Vegas/d684-ttd">Las Vegas tours &amp; things to do</a>, from <a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/Las-Vegas/Grand-Canyon-All-American-Helicopter-Tour/d684-2280AAHT">Grand Canyon helicopter tours</a> to <a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/Las-Vegas/Death-Valley-Day-Trip-from-Las-Vegas/d684-3153DTHVALLEY">Death Valley day trips</a>. And read some of the <a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/Las-Vegas/Matsuri-at-Imperial-Palace-Hotel-and-Casino/d684-5084LASMAT/TR">Matsuri reviews</a> over on Viator, and get excited about this one-of-a-kind Vegas show.</p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><em>-Viator Las Vegas Team</em></p>
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		<title>[contest] Win 20 Free Nights at any Hampton Hotel!</title>
		<link>http://travelblog.viator.com/contest-win-20-free-nights-at-any-hampton-hotel/</link>
		<comments>http://travelblog.viator.com/contest-win-20-free-nights-at-any-hampton-hotel/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:30:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Scott Mc</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Caribbean]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Deals, Specials &amp; Promotions]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[S. &amp; Central America]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[USA, Canada, Mexico]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[contest]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[hampton hotels]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[viator]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://travelblog.viator.com/?p=5356</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Editor's Note: The contest is now closed. Thanks again for contributing such fantastic answers, and stay tuned for the announcement of a winner! Enter our Hampton Hotel contest to wins 20 FREE nights at any Hampton Hotel (you'll have 1,700+ locations to chose from... Manhattan to New Orleans, San Francisco to San Antonio, Puerto Rico to Mexico to Canada and beyond!). And you'll receive a $200 Viator.com gift certificate. All you need to do is answer one question: What do YOU wish in life came with a 100% guarantee?]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>Editor&#8217;s Note: The contest is now closed and we have a winner! Susan A has been selected as our grand prize winner, earning a $200 Viator gift certificate alongside a gift certificate for 20 free nights at any Hampton Hotel. Susan submitted a few entries to the contest (pumpkin sludge, anyone?). But the comment that impressed our judges most was: &#8220;I wish I had a 100% guarantee that my next family vacation will be fun, relaxing, and glitch-free (and that all of our careful research and planning will pay off with delightful, life-long memories for everyone)!&#8221; Thanks again to everybody who entered our contest.</em></p>
<p>Think back to 1989. The Berlin Wall has just fallen. The television shows <em>LA Law</em>, <em>Cheers </em>and <em>Murphy Brown</em> clean up at the Emmy Awards. George Michael&#8217;s <em>Faith</em> is the album of the year. And Hampton Hotels launches its &#8220;100% Satisfaction Guarantee.&#8221;</p>
<p>Yes, 1989 was a banner year.</p>
<p>Fast-forward 20 years. There are many anniversaries to celebrate in 2009, but the one we&#8217;re focused on is Hampton Hotel&#8217;s <a href="http://www.hampton.com/guarantee ">100% Satisfaction Guarantee</a> (not 100% satisfied? then you do not pay). Why? Because in honor of the 20th anniversary of Hampton&#8217;s guarantee, Viator and Hampton have joined together to give away <em><strong>20 free nights</strong></em> at any Hampton Hotel plus a <em><strong>$200 gift certificate</strong></em> at Viator.com!!</p>
<div id="attachment_5360" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 550px"><a href="http://www.hampton.com/guarantee "><img class="size-full wp-image-5360" title="hampton-guarantee" src="http://travelblog.viator.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/hampton-guarantee.jpg" alt="Hampton's 100% Satisfaction Guarantee: Not satisfied? Then you don't pay" width="540" height="264" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Hampton&#39;s 100% Satisfaction Guarantee: Not satisfied? Then you don&#39;t pay</p></div>
<p>Yes! The winner of our contest stays for 20 nights - free! - at any Hampton hotel. You&#8217;ll have 1,700+ locations to chose from&#8230; Manhattan to New Orleans, San Francisco to San Antonio, Puerto Rico to Mexico to Canada and beyond!. And you&#8217;ll receive a $200 Viator.com gift certificate.</p>
<h3>How to enter</h3>
<p>What&#8217;s the catch? There isn&#8217;t one!! All you need to do is answer one simple question: <strong></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>What do YOU wish in life came with a 100% guarantee?</strong></p>
<p>Leave your answer as a comment below. We will select the best answer to the question &#8220;What do YOU wish in life came with a 100% guarantee?&#8221; by November 5, and post the winning response below. That&#8217;s it. That&#8217;s all it takes to win 20 free hotel nights and a Viator.com gift certificate!!</p>
<h3>Contest rules: The fine print</h3>
<ul>
<li>The deadline for submissions is November 3, 2009. Winners will be announced by November 5, 2009.</li>
<li>To enter the contest, simply leave a comment below answering the question:&#8221;What do YOU wish in life came with a 100% guarantee?&#8221;</li>
<li>Viator will select a winner based on who they feel best answers the question above.</li>
<li>You may enter the contest as often as you like, as long as you supply a different answer with each entry.</li>
<li>The winner will receive a Hampton Hotels certificate entitling them to stay for 20 nights, free, at any Hampton Hotels location, subject to normal availability. The certificate is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. All hotel nights must be used within 12 months. The certificate has no cash value and cannot be exchanged or refunded.</li>
<li>The winner will receive a USD$200 <a href="http://www.viator.com/gift-certificates">Viator.com gift certificate</a>, valid for two years from the date of issue or as required by local law. Viator gift certificates are not redeemable for cash.</li>
<li>Viator, Hampton Hotel, and Hilton Inc. employees, contractors and their families are not eligible to win this contest - don&#8217;t even think about it!</li>
</ul>
<p>Good luck, and congratulations Hampton Hotels for 20 years of awesome customer service!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="425" height="344" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/s8pyf98tGDk&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/s8pyf98tGDk&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><em>-Viator Travel Team</em></p>
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		<title>[contest] Win 2 SF Helicopter + 2 Academy of Sciences Tickets!</title>
		<link>http://travelblog.viator.com/win-sf-helicopter-academy-sciences-tickets/</link>
		<comments>http://travelblog.viator.com/win-sf-helicopter-academy-sciences-tickets/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:43:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Scott Mc</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Deals, Specials &amp; Promotions]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Press &amp; Publicity]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[San Francisco]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[USA, Canada, Mexico]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[academy of sciences]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[contest]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[helicopter tour]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[san francisco]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://travelblog.viator.com/?p=5326</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[[Editor's note: The contest is now closed! Thanks again for entering, stay tuned and we'll announce a winner soon.] We're giving away two free tickets on a San Francisco <a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/San-Francisco/San-Francisco-Vista-Grande-Helicopter-Tour/d651-3538VISTAGRANDE">helicopter tour</a> <em>plus</em> two free tickets on a behind-the-scenes <a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/San-Francisco/Skip-the-Line-California-Academy-of-Sciences-Behind-the-Scenes-Platinum-Tour/d651-5072BTS">platinum tour of the California Academy of Sciences</a>. We are asking everybody who enters the contest one simple question. Why YOU?]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>Editor&#8217;s note: The contest is now closed and a winner has been selected! The tickets have been awarded to Rachel L, who left this comment: Childhood dream of being an astronaut fulfilled: flying+science!</em></p>
<p><em>We loved how Rachel blended science and flying, and for that we salute her!</em><em> Thanks again to everybody who entered. </em></p>
<p>Yes, you read right - we&#8217;re giving away two free tickets on a San Francisco <a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/San-Francisco/San-Francisco-Vista-Grande-Helicopter-Tour/d651-3538VISTAGRANDE">helicopter tour</a> <em>and</em> two free tickets on a behind-the-scenes <a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/San-Francisco/Skip-the-Line-California-Academy-of-Sciences-Behind-the-Scenes-Platinum-Tour/d651-5072BTS">platinum tour of the California Academy of Sciences</a>. No tricks, no funny stuff - we&#8217;re giving all of this away with no questions asked.</p>
<p>Well, that&#8217;s not quite true. We are asking everybody who enters the contest one simple question:</p>
<p>We want to know - in 10 words or less - why we should give YOU these free tickets. To enter our <a href="http://www.viator.com/San-Francisco/d651-ttd">San Francisco</a> giveaway you must tell us (in 10 words or less) why we should we send you on a SF helicopter tour and behind-the-scenes at the California Academy of Sciences. Leave your 10-word reply as a comment and we&#8217;ll select a winner by October 30.</p>
<h3>SF Helicopter Tour? Yes!</h3>
<div id="attachment_5328" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 550px"><a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/San-Francisco/San-Francisco-Vista-Grande-Helicopter-Tour/d651-3538VISTAGRANDE"><img class="size-full wp-image-5328" title="sf-heli" src="http://travelblog.viator.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/sf-heli.jpg" alt="Win 2 free tickets on a SF Buena Vista Helicopter Tour!" width="540" height="404" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Win 2 free tickets on a SF Buena Vista Helicopter Tour...</p></div>
<p>Some people don&#8217;t get too excited about helicopter tours. Fair enough, but this isn&#8217;t your typical helicopter tour. This is a tour of San Francisco, after all, which means you go under the Golden Gate Bridge at about 120mph, swooping down and around Alcatraz Island on a stunning aerial view of the city. It&#8217;s pretty amazing stuff (click here to read Scott&#8217;s <a href="http://travelblog.viator.com/why-i-loved-my-san-francisco-helicopter-tour/">review of his SF helicopter tour</a>).</p>
<p>Oh, and did we mention it&#8217;s FREE!!! The winner of our contest wins 2 free tickets on an <a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/San-Francisco/San-Francisco-Vista-Grande-Helicopter-Tour/d651-3538VISTAGRANDE">San Francisco Vista Grande helicopter tour</a>.</p>
<h3>California Academy of Sciences? Yes!</h3>
<div id="attachment_5329" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 550px"><a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/San-Francisco/Skip-the-Line-California-Academy-of-Sciences-Behind-the-Scenes-Platinum-Tour/d651-5072BTS"><img class="size-full wp-image-5329" title="sf-academy-sciences" src="http://travelblog.viator.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/sf-academy-sciences.jpg" alt="...and 2 free tickets on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Academy of Sciences" width="540" height="404" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">...and 2 free tickets on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Academy of Sciences</p></div>
<p>But wait! There&#8217;s more. We&#8217;re also giving away 2 free tickets on a behind-the-scenes <a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/San-Francisco/Skip-the-Line-California-Academy-of-Sciences-Behind-the-Scenes-Platinum-Tour/d651-5072BTS">platinum tour of the California Academy of Sciences</a>. It&#8217;s the only place on the planet with an aquarium, planetarium, natural history museum and four-story rain forest all under one roof! The Platinum Tour is the ultimate behind-the-scenes experience at the Academy, and you&#8217;ll get special access to staff-only areas, interaction with Academy researchers and a private viewing of some of the Academy&#8217;s secured collections including the aquarium.</p>
<h3>A perfect weekend in San Francisco, in 10 words or less!</h3>
<p>OK, just to repeat, all you need to do is tell us, in 10 words or less, why we should give you 2 free tickets on a SF Buena Vista Helicopter Tour and 2 free tickets on a Platinum Tour of the California Academy of Sciences. The tickets are valid for 6 months from the time we issue them. There are no blackout dates, though availability is subject to normal restrictions by our local suppliers</p>
<p>Not to get all legal on you, but here’s some additional fine print: It’s your responsibility to get yourself to San Francisco. We’re simply providing 2 free tickets on a SF helicopter tour and 2 free tickets on a Platinum Tour of the California Academy of Sciences. Any hotel, train, plane, or other expenses are solely your responsibility.</p>
<p>Good luck in the contest. Happy travels and enjoy San Francisco!</p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><em>-Viator Travel Team</em></p>
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		<title>Contest: Win 2 Free Tickets to Oktoberfest in Munich!</title>
		<link>http://travelblog.viator.com/contest-win-2-free-tickets-to-oktoberfest-in-munich/</link>
		<comments>http://travelblog.viator.com/contest-win-2-free-tickets-to-oktoberfest-in-munich/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 19 Sep 2009 08:35:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Scott Mc</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Deals, Specials &amp; Promotions]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Europe]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Food, Drink &amp; Travel]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[munich]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[oktoberfest]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[oktoberfest 2009]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://travelblog.viator.com/?p=4976</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Editor's note: The contest is now closed, we'll announce a winner soon. Thanks again for entering. Happy Oktoberfesting!]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>Editor&#8217;s note: The contest is now closed. Thanks again for entering, we&#8217;ll announce a winner next week.</em></p>
<p><a href="http://www.oktoberfest.de/en/navitem/About+the+Oktoberfest/">Oktoberfest</a> may be the world&#8217;s largest party. Organizers estimate more than 6 million liters of beer will be consumed (drink, drank and - hiccup - certainly drunk) at this year&#8217;s Oktoberfest in Munich, which runs September 19 - October 4. It&#8217;s time to roll out the barrels, we&#8217;ll have a barrel of fun&#8230;</p>
<p>While entry is free to the Oktoberfest beer tents, you won&#8217;t be served beer unless you&#8217;re sitting down. And  seats in the beer tents require advance reservations. As in - you shoulda reserved 6 months ago because most seats are sold out by now.</p>
<p>Don&#8217;t panic - we said <em>most </em>are sold out, not <em>all</em>. If you&#8217;re stuck for a ticket to the world’s biggest beer festival, Radius Tours has limited tickets left – so hurry as they are selling fast! Call them in Germany at +49 - 89 - 5502 9374 to secure your reserved seat in the legendary Hofbrauhaus beer tent! Tell &#8216;em Viator sent you.</p>
<h3>Win 2 free tickets to Oktoberfest!</h3>
<p>If you love beer, Viator and Radius Tours are your new best friends. That&#8217;s because we&#8217;re giving away 2 free tickets to Oktoberfest&#8217;s closing ceremonies on October 4 in <a href="http://www.viator.com/Munich/d487-ttd">Munich</a>. What&#8217;s the catch? There isn&#8217;t one! All you need to do is answer the following question in <em>10 words or less</em>:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Why should we give YOU two free tickets to Oktoberfest?</strong></p>
<p>Post your answer as a comment, below. And remember your answer must be 10 words or less. Eleven words is one too many, keep your replies to 10 words or less. You can enter our contest as ofter as you like. We&#8217;ll pick a winner by September 25.</p>
<div id="attachment_4978" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 550px"><img class="size-full wp-image-4978" title="oktoberfest-beer" src="http://travelblog.viator.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/oktoberfest-beer.jpg" alt="Win 2 free tickets to Oktoberfest! Read on..." width="540" height="405" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Win 2 free tickets to Oktoberfest! </p></div>
<p>So what do you win? The 2 tickets include a guided tour of the grounds, telling you all you need to know about the world&#8217;s greatest beer festival; a ride on the famous Oktoberfest Ferris wheel; seats at a private reserved table – guaranteed places for up to five hours in the Hofbrau Tent (Oktoberfest’s sister to the legendary Hofbrauhaus and the biggest and most popular tent at Oktoberfest); your first 2 litres of beer; and half a roast chicken!</p>
<p>Not to get all legal on you, but here&#8217;s some additional fine print: It&#8217;s your responsibility to get yourself to Munich. We&#8217;re simply providing 2 free tickets to the Oktoberfest closing ceremonies on October 4, 2009. Any hotel, train, plane, or other expenses are solely your responsibility.</p>
<p>Good luck in the contest. Happy travels and enjoy the beer!</p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><em>-Viator Travel Team</em></p>
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		<title>7 Tips on Finding Cheap Flights</title>
		<link>http://travelblog.viator.com/tips-cheap-flights/</link>
		<comments>http://travelblog.viator.com/tips-cheap-flights/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2009 19:04:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Scott Mc</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Deals, Specials &amp; Promotions]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Guest Bloggers]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[budget travel]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[cheap flights]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://travelblog.viator.com/?p=4762</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As America continues to look a bleak economy straight in the face, it is more important than ever to leverage all options to find the cheapest flights and trips online, so we can still enjoy an affordable vacation.

Done right, the intelligent traveler can chop considerable dollars off his or her airfare and invest it somewhere else, where it would be better used. Unfortunately, there isn’t one answer to finding the cheapest fare available. Getting the lowest price requires diligence and careful planning.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>Editor&#8217;s Note: Ross Hudgens is a travel writer for <a href="http://www.lowfares.com/blog/">Low Fares Blog</a>, which specializes in <a href="http://www.lowfares.com/">cheap flights</a>. Ross is an expert in travel, with years of experience traveling and working in the travel industry. </em></p>
<p>As America continues to look a bleak economy straight in the face, it is more important than ever to leverage all options to find the cheapest flights and trips online, so we can still enjoy an affordable vacation.</p>
<p>Done right, the intelligent traveler can chop considerable dollars off his or her airfare and invest it somewhere else, where it would be better used. Unfortunately, there isn’t one answer to finding the cheapest fare available. Getting the lowest price requires diligence and careful planning.</p>
<p>Read on to find a list of the best tips that will allow you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the vacation you deserve – instead of having to worry about your pocketbook.</p>
<h3>7 Tips for Finding Cheap Airfares</h3>
<ol>
<li><strong>Be flexible.</strong> If you have to fly in at 5PM and leave at 12AM, you’re probably not going to find a cheap flight. Sacrifice a few hours or decide to spend another day wherever you are and you’ll be able to drop a good amount off your bill. Don’t, and you’ll suffer the consequences of stubbornness.</li>
<li><strong>Book far in advance</strong>.  There is probably no stronger tip than this. If you have some leadership ability, start planning up to a year in advance, push your friends and family on a trip, and you’ll save considerably. However, there is always risk involved with this that comes with booking so far in advance. It’s never too late, though. If you’re within a month, think of the trip, plan it, and book it that day. Generally, the longer you wait, the larger the cost.</li>
<li><strong>Continue checking prices</strong>. If you know you have a flight in the future, and it’s already not too late, don’t book immediately. Fares can fluctuate like the stock market, so it can be the most cost effective to continuously plug in your iteniary online until you find the best deal available.</li>
<li><strong>Buy late</strong>. For the spur-of-the-moment traveler, several options exist for dirt-cheap flights. The first is to find all your local airlines online and sign up for their newsletters. You’ll often get tips about last-second deals that can make a great trip affordable. There are also several specialized sites available online that will help you find a great last-second flight.</li>
<li><strong>Fly on weekdays</strong>. Think about what most people do when they travel, and do the opposite. If you do this, you will save the most money, because airlines are always trying to fill these seats. This means fly on the weekdays, when their planes are the least crowded, and the flights are the cheapest.</li>
<li><strong>Air Passes</strong>. Many countries offer air passes at low prices for tourists to promote tourism and inter-country travel. If you have plans to see the scope of Asia or Australia or any other large body of land, looking into Air Passes can be the most cost-effective way to see the country or continent coast-coast. These passes will generally give you a certain number of preordained flights within the country to go with your round-trip airfare.</li>
<li><strong>Investigate</strong>. Use multiple travel sites. Don’t assume that the first one you check is going to have the same airfare deals as the others, they won’t. To save the most money, check all the online agencies. There are also several multi-search engines available online. Also, you can sometimes find the best deals on the airlines’ own websites. Southwest sells fares on its own site exclusively, and other airlines are not opposed to posting the lowest possible fare on their own domain.</li>
</ol>
<p>The more complex you get, in terms of mixing fares, buying hotels, and doing your homework, the more likely it will become that you find the best price available. As it is with most things, hard work pays off. Work hard and you’ll save the money that you don’t need to be spending on your next flight.</p>
<p style="text-align: right;">-<em>Ross Hudgens</em></p>
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		<title>Behind the Scenes at the California Academy of Sciences</title>
		<link>http://travelblog.viator.com/behind-the-scenes-at-the-california-academy-of-sciences/</link>
		<comments>http://travelblog.viator.com/behind-the-scenes-at-the-california-academy-of-sciences/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:05:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Scott Mc</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Deals, Specials &amp; Promotions]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Family &amp; Kids]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[San Francisco]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[USA, Canada, Mexico]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[california academy of science]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[golden gate park]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[san francisco]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://travelblog.viator.com/?p=4651</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The first time I went to the newly re-opened California Academy of Sciences in <a href="http://www.viator.com/San-Francisco/d651-ttd">San Francisco</a> I didn’t feel like I got the most out of my experience. On the plus side, I <a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/San-Francisco/Skip-the-Line-California-Academy-of-Sciences-General-Admission-Ticket/d651-5072CAS">skipped the line outside</a> with my pre-bought ticket and I saw the aquarium and the living roof, but I didn’t go in the rain forest and I didn’t see the show at the planetarium. And the reason I didn’t do those things is that the line inside for them, while well managed, was long, like an hour long.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The first time I went to the newly re-opened California Academy of Sciences in <a href="http://www.viator.com/San-Francisco/d651-ttd">San Francisco</a> I didn’t feel like I got the most out of my experience. On the plus side, I <a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/San-Francisco/Skip-the-Line-California-Academy-of-Sciences-General-Admission-Ticket/d651-5072CAS">skipped the line outside</a> with my pre-bought ticket and I saw the aquarium and the living roof, but I didn’t go in the rain forest and I didn’t see the show at the planetarium.</p>
<p>And the reason I didn’t do those things is that the line inside for them, while well managed, was long, like an hour long. At 10:30 am, the next available seats for the planetarium show were at 4 pm. I still had a great time, but I left thinking I really only experienced part of the Academy of Sciences and that I’d have to go back, maybe in a year when it’s a bit less crowded.</p>
<div id="attachment_4652" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 550px"><a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/San-Francisco/Skip-the-Line-California-Academy-of-Sciences-Behind-the-Scenes-Tour/d651-5072BTS/photos"><img class="size-full wp-image-4652" title="roof" src="http://travelblog.viator.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/roof.jpg" alt="Inspecting the roof on a behind-the-scenes Platinum Tour" width="540" height="385" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Inspecting the roof on a behind-the-scenes Platinum Tour</p></div>
<p>I heard about the new <a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/San-Francisco/Skip-the-Line-California-Academy-of-Sciences-Behind-the-Scenes-Tour/d651-5072BTS">California Academy of Sciences Platinum Tour</a> and decided it was time to go back, and this time I was going to see <em>everything</em>. And not just everything I could have seen with my regular ticket, but literally, everything at the Academy – where they make the food for the animals, where they clean the aquarium water, where the scientists on staff do research, and I was going to bust into the high security vault.</p>
<h3>Me? I am a fancy-pants VIP</h3>
<div id="attachment_4653" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 287px"><a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/San-Francisco/Skip-the-Line-California-Academy-of-Sciences-Behind-the-Scenes-Tour/d651-5072BTS"><img class="size-full wp-image-4653" title="vault" src="http://travelblog.viator.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/vault.jpg" alt="Inside the vault, on the Platinum Tour" width="277" height="208" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Inside the vault, on the Platinum Tour</p></div>
<p>Determined in my quest, I skipped the entrance line and picked up my fancy-pants Platinum Tour VIP badge. The behind-the-scenes tour was led by a California Academy of Sciences staff member with a degree in environmental science who could seriously answer any question about the building, the animals, the plants on the roof and ecology in general.</p>
<p>For anyone curious about how the largest indoor live coral reef in the world is maintained, seeing the workings behind the Philippine Reef is amazing. Ocean water is pumped in directly from Ocean Beach in San Francisco and then treated to match the salinity and temperature of the reef.</p>
<p>My favorite part of the works – huge bags labeled &#8220;Instant Ocean.&#8221; I also really enjoyed the kitchen chart on which animals eat which food and watching the food prep. Fun fact: the Academy grows their own coral rather than harvesting it from the wild.</p>
<p>I did say I saw the living roof on my first visit, but on the <a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/San-Francisco/Skip-the-Line-California-Academy-of-Sciences-Behind-the-Scenes-Tour/d651-5072BTS">Platinum Tour</a> we got to meander out on the roof beyond the restricted visiting area to really see how the roof is structured and maintained and ask any questions about the plants and animals. Fun fact: living roofs, besides all their green benefits, are actually cheaper than a traditional roof.</p>
<div id="attachment_4654" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 312px"><a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/San-Francisco/Skip-the-Line-California-Academy-of-Sciences-Behind-the-Scenes-Tour/d651-5072BTS"><img class="size-full wp-image-4654" title="cal-academy-science-behind-scenes" src="http://travelblog.viator.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/cal-academy-science-behind-scenes.jpg" alt="Chatting with one of the scientists" width="302" height="227" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Chatting with one of the scientists</p></div>
<p>The tour was superb, I learned tons about the new California Academy of Sciences architecture (the largest LEED Platinum rated building in the world), the history of the Academy, and we even chatted with Peter, a scientist working that day on bird specimens.</p>
<p>The tour ended with a viewing in the vault, where the precious and rare metals are kept under lock and key and not accessible to the general public. Icing on the cake: the tour guide presented each of us with a parting gift from the Academy. I’m not going to tell you what it was; you have to go on the tour to get one. It is cool. That’s all I’m saying.</p>
<h3>Rain Forest &amp; Planetarium Show: Skip the lines!</h3>
<p>All well and good, but I still had a planetarium show and a rain forest to see. At the end of the tour our guide walked us around the back of the rainforest exhibit, to the front of the line, and, somewhat to the chagrin of the people who were patiently waiting in line, ushered us into the rain forest. Tip: wear a brightly colored shirt and you will have many new butterfly friends in the rain forest. Also keep an eye out for the tiny frogs, seriously tiny, like pinky fingernail sized.</p>
<p>And last on the list, my confirmed planetarium show time (included with the tour!). There’s no bad seat in the house, but I tried to pick one where I could see the whole screen, which I now think is impossible for any human since the Morrison Planetarium is the largest digital planetarium in the world. Sigourney Weaver took over tour guide responsibilities for a tour of our universe with interjections from the planetarium staff on recent events in astronomy (the planetarium also has a live NASA feed).</p>
<p>While I did have an excellent lunch at the café, one that puts other museum food to shame (local, organic, yum!), I did not eat in the fancier Moss Room, named one of the best new restaurants in the USA by <em>Travel + Leisure</em> magazine. So it turns out my totally complete see everything, do everything day at the California Academy of Sciences was not quite complete. I did peek in to see the wall of moss and the very posh décor, but I am going to have to make a reservation for dinner soon…</p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><em>-Kelly G</em></p>
<p><em>Planning a trip? Browse Viator&#8217;s <a href="http://www.viator.com/San-Francisco/d651-ttd">San Francisco tours &amp; things to do</a>, including the new <a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/San-Francisco/Skip-the-Line-California-Academy-of-Sciences-Behind-the-Scenes-Tour/d651-5072BTS">California Academy of Sciences Platinum Tour</a>, which, for a limited time, Viator is offering at an exclusive 20% off.  Yes, you too can have Kelly’s fancy-pants all-access day at a seriously cheaper price (around $20 savings). You can also read <a href="http://travelblog.viator.com/san-franciscos-academy-of-sciences/">more about the California Academy of Science</a> here on the Viator Blog.<br />
</em></p>
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		<title>What&#8217;s New in Las Vegas</title>
		<link>http://travelblog.viator.com/whats-new-in-las-vegas/</link>
		<comments>http://travelblog.viator.com/whats-new-in-las-vegas/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:26:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Scott Mc</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Deals, Specials &amp; Promotions]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Las Vegas]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[News &amp; Alerts]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[las vegas]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[vegas shows]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://travelblog.viator.com/?p=4646</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<a href="http://www.viator.com/Las-Vegas/d684-ttd">Las Vegas</a>? There is no better place to visit right now! The weather is beautiful (not too hot yet), the prices of hotel rooms are the same as they were 15 years ago (hellloooo 1994!) and Viator has more to offer than ever before (no joke - we really do).]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.viator.com/Las-Vegas/d684-ttd">Las Vegas</a>? There is no better place to visit right now! The weather is beautiful (not too hot yet), the prices of hotel rooms are the same as they were 15 years ago (hellloooo 1994!) and Viator has more to offer than ever before (no joke - we really do). In the last few weeks, we have some new offerings available on our site to make that vacation even more memorable!</p>
<div id="attachment_4647" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 550px"><a href="http://www.viator.com/Las-Vegas/d684-ttd"><img class="size-full wp-image-4647" title="las-vegas-new-shows-events" src="http://travelblog.viator.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/las-vegas-new-shows-events.jpg" alt="What's new in Vegas? Read on...." width="540" height="366" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">What&#39;s new in Vegas? Read on....</p></div>
<h3>New Las Vegas Shows</h3>
<p>First up, the incomparable <a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/Las-Vegas/Donny-and-Marie-at-Flamingo-Hotel-and-Casino-Las-Vegas/d684-5084LASDON">Donny &amp; Marie at the Flamingo</a>. This is a great show that highlights the talent, rapport and voices of this brother and sister act. They sing a variety of songs – both individually and together to form a show that is suitable for all ages. You’ll be rocking out in your seat to this duo - guaranteed!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/Las-Vegas/Legends-in-Concert-at-Harrahs-Las-Vegas/d684-5084LASLEG">Legends</a>, in their new home at Harrahs Hotel and Casino, is not only one of the longest-running shows on the Las Vegas Strip, it also features the best of the best impersonators. The show is constantly changing their roster of stars, so you’ll rarely get the same show twice. Your entertainers for the night may include Whitney Houston, Garth Brooks, Elvis Presley, David Bowie or Britney Spears.  This is another show that is suitable for all ages.  Amnd right now we&#8217;re running a special 10% off tickets (which equals a free seating upgrade) as well as 50% off the buffet (this is Vegas, after all, the buffets are de rigeur).</p>
<p>Next up, the <a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/Las-Vegas/The-Vinnie-Favorito-Comedy-Show-at-Flamingo-Las-Vegas/d684-5084LASVIN">Vinnie Favorito Comedy Show</a>. You may not have heard of this comic, but once you see Vinnie, you’ll never, ever forget him! He starts out innocently enough – just asking you questions, your name, who you’re with, then POW! You just never know where Vinnie is going to take the conversation,  and you can’t help but have tears of laughter by the end of the show. Because his show is based on the audience members, you will never get the same show twice. Don’t be put off by the audience participation aspect of this show – you will honestly feel left out if he doesn’t speak to you. Just a word of warning – this show features colorful language and is not for the feint-hearted, but if you’re OK with that – you shouldn’t miss this one! As a special offer, if you book and travel by August 31, 2009, you will receive either a free ‘Best of Vinnie Favorito’ CD or free T-Shirt.</p>
<p>Who would have ever thought that 4 white guys from Sydney, Australia could ever be the new darlings of Motown? <a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/Las-Vegas/Smokey-Robinson-Presents-Australias-Human-Nature-The-Ultimate-Celebration-of-Motown/d684-3232LASHUM">Human Nature</a> are well known back in their hometown (and mine), but are just commencing their year-long engagement at the Imperial Palace. Smokey Robinson is presenting this show, and if he’s put his name to it – you know it must be great. They sing 2 incredible a capella songs – “People get Ready” and “Ooh Baby Baby”, but the harmonies on the other songs are simply not to be missed. And yes, we have a special! Book and travel by August 31, 2009, and all general admission seating will be upgraded to VIP seating for free.</p>
<p>Last of the new shows on Viator, <a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/Las-Vegas/Carrot-Top-at-the-Luxor-Hotel/d684-3232LASCAR">Carrot Top</a> at the Luxor. This is a truly funny show. Carrot Top combines the physical comedy of someone like Gallagher, with the cerebral comedy of a Dennis Miller. His show features  a bottomless pit of ever-changing props and these are incorporated into his up-to-the-minute topical jokes featuring politics and pop culture. For a limited time, when you book on Viator.com, you will receive a free Carrot Top CD.</p>
<h3>Las Vegas NASCAR to Hoover Dam</h3>
<p>For those adrenaline junkies out there – we have just launched the <a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/Las-Vegas/Las-Vegas-Richard-Petty-Ride-Along-Experience/d684-5089RPDA">Richard Petty Ride Along</a> at Las Vegas Speedway. Here, you can take a few laps around the track with a professional NASCAR driver for that once-in-a-lifetime experience! To make the most out of your experience, you can upgrade to a tour of the speedway facility which also includes transport from the Strip. As a special offer, if you book and travel by July 31, 2009 – every guest will receive a free photo in the race car!</p>
<p>What better way to spend an evening than a romantic <a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/Las-Vegas/Las-Vegas-Night-Flight-by-Helicopter-with-Dinner/d684-3441NEONDINNER">dinner and a helicopter flight over the famous Las Vegas Strip</a>? We just released a brand new package that includes a 3-course meal, your helicopter flight over hotels such as the Bellagio, Paris, New York New York and the soon to be completed City Center, and all your transportation to and from the venues. For travel until July 31, you’ll receive a 20% discount off the retail price!</p>
<p>And finally, what trip to Vegas is complete without a visit to Hoover Dam? New on Viator this week is a <a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/Las-Vegas/Hoover-Dam-Helicopter-Tour/d684-3441HDT">helicopter flight over Hoover Dam</a>. You will have incredible, unobstructed views of the dam, the incredible bridge that is soon to be complete as a Hoover Dam bypass (seriously amazing feat of engineering here), and stunning Lake Mead. Roundtrip transportation is also included from your hotel. Once again, we have a great deal for you – if you book now, you’ll get a 10% discount of the retail price.</p>
<p>Stay tuned … we have more great new things coming up in the not too distant future, so be sure to keep checking back on our site for updates!</p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><em>-Viator Las Vegas Team<br />
</em></p>
<p><em>Planning a trip? Browse Viator&#8217;s <a href="http://www.viator.com/Las-Vegas/d684-ttd">Las Vegas tours &amp; things to do</a>, from <a href="http://www.viator.com/Las-Vegas-tours/Shows-Concerts-and-Sports/d684-g11">Las Vegas shows</a> to</em></p>
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		<title>Contest: Las Vegas Dinner &#038; Show</title>
		<link>http://travelblog.viator.com/contest-las-vegas-dinner-show-tickets/</link>
		<comments>http://travelblog.viator.com/contest-las-vegas-dinner-show-tickets/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 28 Jun 2009 08:31:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Scott Mc</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Deals, Specials &amp; Promotions]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Las Vegas]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Travel Wishlists]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[USA, Canada, Mexico]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[contest]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[dinner in sky]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[las vegas]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[vinnie favorito]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://travelblog.viator.com/?p=4447</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Editor's note: The contest is now closed and we're pleased to announce the winners! It was not an easy decision, there were a lot of great entries. But we've selected 2 runners-up and 1 grand prize winner for answering one simple question: "Why should Viator give YOU free tickets to a Las Vegas dinner &#038; show?" The catch -- your answer must be 10 words or less! We've written about the new <a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/Las-Vegas/Las-Vegas-Dinner-in-the-Sky/d684-5075_DS1">Dinner in the Sky</a> in <a href="http://www.viator.com/Las-Vegas/d684-ttd">Las Vegas</a>, involving a large crane, an elevated outdoor table, and amazing views of the Las Vegas skyline...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>Editor&#8217;s note: The contest is now closed and we&#8217;re pleased to announce the winners! It was not an easy decision, there were many great entries. In the end we selected 2 runners-up and 1 grand prize winner. </em></p>
<p><em>The runners-up are Shawn (his answer: 6 kids, $200 a month wages, wife needs break. thanks) and Dana (Two Lovebirds / Perched and Dined / Over the Strip / Were Roasted). Shawn and Dana, we are sending you a promo code good for 5% off your next Viator booking, as our way of saying thanks!</em></p>
<p><em>The Grand Prize Winner? A unanimous decision, our Las Vegas team voted C. Mayes the Grand Prize winner. C. Mayes submitted a few entries, all of them worthy of prizes. However what impressed us most was this post-contest post, where C. Mayes reminded a late contest entrant that they missed the deadline (in a reply of exactly 10 words): &#8220;Kinda clever, but too late. Registration deadline was June 30th!&#8221;</em></p>
<p><em>Nicely done, C. Mayes. Enjoy your dinner and show in Las Vegas!</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">* * * * * * * * * * *</p>
<p>We&#8217;ve <a href="http://travelblog.viator.com/dinner-in-sky-las-vegas/">written about</a> the new Dinner in the Sky in <a href="http://www.viator.com/Las-Vegas/d684-ttd">Las Vegas</a>. Here&#8217;s the recap in case: there&#8217;s a new dining experience in Las Vegas, involving a large crane, an elevated outdoor table, and amazing views of the Las Vegas skyline. It&#8217;s called <a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/Las-Vegas/Las-Vegas-Dinner-in-the-Sky/d684-5075_DS1">Dinner in the Sky</a>. It is either the coolest experience <em>ever</em>, or the worst idea yet conceived by mankind, all depending on your opinion of heights.</p>
<div id="attachment_3485" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 550px"><a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/Las-Vegas/Las-Vegas-Dinner-in-the-Sky/d684-5075_DS1"><img class="size-full wp-image-3485" title="dinner-sky-feet" src="http://travelblog.viator.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/dinner-sky-feet.jpg" alt="Mind your fo" width="540" height="340" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Win 2 free tickets to Las Vegas Dinner in the Sky &amp; Vinnie Favorito at the Flamingo!</p></div>
<p>The best news of all: Viator has scored 2 free tickets to Las Vegas Dinner in the Sky!! And yes, we are giving them away!! (Free tickets, woo hoo!)</p>
<p>We&#8217;ve also scored 2 free tickets to the <a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/Las-Vegas/The-Vinnie-Favorito-Comedy-Show-at-Flamingo-Las-Vegas/d684-5084LASVIN">Vinnie Favorito comedy show</a> at the Flamingo hotel, which we&#8217;re including as part of the prize. The show is getting excellent reviews. With Vinnie you will laugh, you will cry (from laughter), and you may very well become the butt of Vinnie&#8217;s jokes. This is an interactive &#8216;roast&#8217; and audience members spend plenty of time in the comedic hot seat.</p>
<h3>Las Vegas Dinner &amp; Show Contest: How do I enter?</h3>
<div id="attachment_4455" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 237px"><a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/Las-Vegas/The-Vinnie-Favorito-Comedy-Show-at-Flamingo-Las-Vegas/d684-5084LASVIN"><img class="size-full wp-image-4455" title="vinnie-favorito-las-vegas" src="http://travelblog.viator.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/vinnie-favorito-las-vegas.jpg" alt="Vinnie Favorito at the Flamingo" width="227" height="301" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Vinnie Favorito at the Flamingo</p></div>
<p>Simply leave a reply for this post below to enter our “Las Vegas Dinner &amp; Show&#8221; contest. We want you to answer one simple question: &#8220;Why should Viator give YOU free tickets to a Las Vegas dinner &amp; show?&#8221; Entries must be submitted by June 30, 2009.</p>
<p>Winners will be announced on July 2, 2009.</p>
<p>Of course, there is a catch! We are only accepting replies that are <strong>10 words or less!</strong> That’s right, answer the question &#8220;Why should we give YOU free tickets to a Las Vegas dinner &amp; show&#8221; in 10 words or less, and you could win 2 free tickets to Dinner in the Sky and 2 free tickets to Vinnie Favorito at the Flamingo.  You can enter our contest as many times as you like, but remember, your reply must be 10 words or less or it will <span style="text-decoration: underline;">not</span> be considered.</p>
<h3>Las Vegas Dinner &amp; Show Contest: What do I win?</h3>
<p>Our staff will pick the entry that we think best answers the question above, in 10 words or less. We are providing 2 free tickets to <a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/Las-Vegas/Las-Vegas-Dinner-in-the-Sky/d684-5075_DS1">Dinner in the Sky Las Vega</a>s (valid thru December 2009; the only blackout dates are July 4 and New Year&#8217;s Eve). We are also providing 2 free tickets to <a href="http://www.viator.com/tours/Las-Vegas/The-Vinnie-Favorito-Comedy-Show-at-Flamingo-Las-Vegas/d684-5084LASVIN">Vinnie Favorito</a> at the Flamingo hotel (valid thru December 2009).</p>
<p>Airfare, hotel, taxes, and any other expenses are not included. We provide an unforgettable night of entertainment in Las Vegas, you need to get there on your own!</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><em>-Viator Travel Team</em></p>
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