Whether you’re planning to escape the cold, surprise someone with a Valentine’s Day trip, or just treat yourself to a fun excursion, we’ve got February travel deals and giveaways to help you plan your next getaway! Plus, the votes are in for our Top Travel Photos of 2011 and Top Travel Destinations for 2012. Read on to see the highlights of the Viator Travel Awards, our latest travel news, and what travelers are up to this month!

2011 Top Picks

The 2011 Viator Travel Awards have come to a close, and we would like to congratulate some of our top travelers and things to do from last year.

Our #1 travel photo of 2011!

Top Travel Photos: After compiling almost 1400 votes from our Facebook page, we have named the Top Travel Photos of 2011! It was a close race—Bernie, the photographer for our #2 photo, even created a mini-campaign to try to win!

Our predictions for the World’s Top 50 Travel Destinations in 2012 were chosen by our Facebook fans as well.

The World’s Top 25 Attractions have also generated some debate—let us know what you think should have made the list!

Top Travelers of the Year: These travelers spent 2011 visiting Europe, touring Australia, hopping around North America, planning day trips, eating foreign foods, taking bike tours, writing reviews, submitting photos… they must be exhausted!

Our Top 10 Viator Travel Videos give you a first-hand look at some of our top tours.

Viator’s Top 10 Private Guides make sure your tours are fun and memorable.

The Top 25 Travel Blogs advise and entertain travelers with stories and photos.

Our Top 10 Dining Experiences can help you decide where to plan your next foodie adventure.

What’s Happening in Travel

Valentine’s Day is a great time to give the gift of travel! Surprise a loved one or treat yourself to an Oahu Valentine’s Day Dinner Cruise, New York City Valentine’s Dinner Cruise, Paris Paradis Latin Dinner and Show, or Melbourne Valentine’s Day Dinner Cruise!

Say hi to the fish for me!

Spring Break is just around the corner, and there’s no better way to beat the winter blues than to escape to somewhere sunny. Plan a getaway with Viator’s beach and island tours. Some highlights: Party on the Key West Pub Crawl, tour the Mexican jungle on an Extreme Zipline Canopy Tour, or go on a Bavaro Splash Speed Boat Ride in the Dominican Republic!

What’s Happening at Viator

We love our Twitter followers!

Our Twitter page recently passed 100,000 followers! Follow @ViatorTravel to be the first to know about giveaways, exclusive promo codes, travel news, and updates about our destinations.

Our mobile app was recently nominated in all three categories for the EyeForTravel Mobile Innovations Travel Awards. Vote for us here!

New tours: Looking for an adventure? Experience Sydney Harbour from a unique perspective on a guided Sydney Harbour kayak tour, cruise the palm-fringed waters of India on a private boat tour of the Kerala backwaters, learn how to surf in Puerto Rico, see the Rockies from above on a Helicopter Tour over the Canadian Rockies, or go on a Karlstejn Castle Bike Trip from Prague!

If you prefer a more leisurely pace of travel, try Wine Tasting in Budapest, Wine and Cheese – An Introduction to Bordeaux Wines, Private Evening Tour of Central Amman with Arabic Meza Dinner, Bearizona Drive-Thru Wildlife Park or our Lisbon Old Town Small-Group Walking Tour!

Or just sit back and be entertained with War Horse on Broadway, Iris by Cirque du Soleil at the Kodak Theatre, or La Nouba at Walt Disney World Resort!

Floriade comes to the Netherlands this year! Photo courtesy of WindoC via Flickr

And we can’t forget that Floriade 2012 is coming up! Don’t miss the world’s largest flower and gardening exhibition–it’s held only once every 10 years! Want to learn more? Read about it here.

Giveaways and discounts: Planning a trip to Amsterdam, Paris, or San Francisco soon? Check each destination’s Facebook page for giveaways this month! Similarly, find a promo code for 10% off all Cancun tours on our Cancun Things to Do Facebook page.

Plus, find our best weekly travel deals right here on the Travel Blog!

Here’s wishing you safe and happy travels in February. Keep checking back for more travel news, promotions and inspiration throughout the month, and look forward to another update from us in March!

- Viator Travel Team

Travel with Viator: What’s Happening in February by Viator Travel Team from Viator Travel Blog

Remember your vacation just the way you imagined it!

At the recent PhoCusWright Travel Innovation Conference a speaker waxed lyrical about their new web site, which would relieve its users of the burden of travel planning, letting them get hours of planning done in a few minutes instead. And they considered that a good thing!

I have to disagree. As far as I’m concerned, the process of planning, researching, dreaming and anticipating exactly where you are going, where you will stay, what you will do and all the little details surrounding those things is every bit as much fun as the trip itself. And it can certainly last a lot longer!

Studies show…

That might sound like an over-the-top claim, but there’s plenty of academic research that supports the view that not only is the anticipation as enjoyable as the reality, in time it often replaces the reality in our memories of what actually occurred. Here’s a for-instance: let’s imagine you are planning a week’s getaway to the Caribbean. You anticipate blue skies, clear water, white sand and blissful days of rest with your partner, punctuated only by sensational meals at cute little beachside restaurants serving fresh-from-the-ocean seafood.

What happens might be a little different: it rains half of your time there; there’s an algal bloom that makes swimming hazardous for the first few days; your partner is stressed about work and can’t stop checking email; and by the third day you have tried every item on every menu in a three-mile radius. Which isn’t to say that your vacation isn’t going well, or that you’d rather be home… it’s just not what you anticipated.

Guess what? Exhaustive studies show that many of us–to some extent–replace the reality with what we’d anticipated, and use these combined, curated memories to inform our plans for future trips; even more surprising, we describe our vacation to friends without the low points, thereby luring them into our constructed reality.

Take your time!

Viator understands the power of anticipation and the pleasure you can derive from researching your next trip. We assist your process by providing detailed tour descriptions, customer reviews and photos, along with videos for many of our tours. We also make suggestions for alternative tours in the same or nearby locations, in many cases alerting you to tours and activities you would not have guessed existed.

We think the trip planning process can be a lot of fun, and rather than make it shorter, we’d like to make it longer, helping you make better decisions about what you’ll do on vacation, all the while enjoying the unhurried, pleasure-filled process of making them.

- Rod Cuthbert

The Joy of Trip Planning by Rod from Viator Travel Blog

It has already been an unusually hot, dry summer in the Chilean Patagonia, where more than 500 wildfires have raged across the famed glacier-carved landscapes of granite and wildflowers. The worst is still burning in the Bio Bio region, known for its high rainfall, strong winds, and thick forests that are at the heart the region’s economy. This area is also home to spectacular Torres del Paine National Park.

The park was closed earlier this week as the blaze swept through the usually well-watered park and surrounding communities. Hundreds of people were evacuated from picturesque Patagonian timber towns like Quillón. So far, at least one person is dead and more than forty homes have been destroyed. Famed Hotel Salto Chico was almost devoured in the inferno, but thanks to international firefighting teams survived with little or no damage; it is expected to reopen in mid-January.

Helicopters fly over the town of Quillón - photo courtesy of The Guardian

About 80% of the Torres del Paine National Park reopened on Wednesday, so most tours will be unaffected; be sure to check for the latest updates.

Unfortunately for those planning to make the iconic five-day hike on the W circuit, some 31,000 acres around gorgeous Grey Lake have been charred, and 20% of the park will not be reopened in the near future.

President Sebastian Pinera blamed the “La Nina” weather pattern and “global warming” for the lack of rain and fires. (Though a fierce neoconservative on most points, Pinera has been inspired by Chile’s shrinking glaciers to become of a climate change warrior, spearheading innovative approaches to mitigating global warming.)

Bio Bio Governor Victor Lobos said it was suspicious that “eight of Arauco Forest fires started simultaneously Friday morning in different places.” Arson is suspected, and a 23-year-old backpacker from Israel has been taken into custody; the Israeli government, in response, has sent aid and equipment to Chile to combat the fires.

No matter what or who is behind the blaze, however, travelers should make a special effort to get up-to-date information before heading into the Chilean Patagonia, particularly Torres del Paine.

-Paige Penland

Travel Alert: Fires in Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park by Paige Penland from Viator Travel Blog

The wonderful Musée d’Orsay in Paris, home to one of the finest Impressionist and Post Impressionist collections in the world, celebrated its 25th anniversary on 9th December 2011. Marking the occasion, the museum has just undergone a two-year, €20 million refurbishment, the centrepiece of which is the splendid redesign and re-hang of the Impressionist Gallery, the “beating heart of the museum” as Museum President Guy Cogeval puts it. The complete restructuring of Pavillon Amont, the section which houses the gallery, is masterful. “Nouvel Orsay” is born, without the museum actually having had to close at any time.

The Musée d

Musée d’Orsay, situated beside the Seine, is housed in what was once a magnificent railway station (Gare d’Orsay) with a luxury 370 room hotel attached. The original buildings, station and hotel, were remarkably completed in under two years in time to open on 14 July 1900 as part of the Paris World Fair of that year. Mechanization, its early ally, ultimately led to the decline of the station’s functionality with the arrival of rail electrification and by 1939, it had ceased to operate mainline services. In 1945, the building served as a clearing house for prisoners of war and was later a set for Orson Welles’ film “The Trial”, shot in 1962. When questioned about the set for the Franz Kafka inspired film, Welles complained about financial constraints, saying  ” …all I had was that old abandoned railroad station”.

With plans to build a gigantic hotel on the site of that “old abandoned railroad station” well-advanced and with the demolition detonators virtually in place, in 1973 the government of President Pompidou interceded, saved the grand structure by the Seine and initiated what was to become one of Paris’ landmark attractions, providing a showcase for art dating roughly from 1850 to 1905.  Upon completion, the Musee d’Orsay, which opened in 1986, had bridged the art history gap that had existed between the prestigious and more wide ranging classical collections of the Louvre,  and Europe’s largest gallery of modern art,  The Pompidou Centre.

The great open space which confronts you on entering was once the station concourse and it is still significantly lit by the original vast curved glass roof. High above you is the huge gilded clock. At ground level, there is a Babylonian feel to the exterior design of the various rooms which are off the central area. In places, you will find evidence of industry; rivets and girders visible – a reminder of the industry that fuelled the Belle Epoque.

Within these walls exist several floors of art – about 2000 paintings and 600 sculptures. Among the Impressionists and Post Impressionists alone, there are 34 Manets, 86 Monets, 43 Degas, 56 Cezannes, 46 Sisleys, 81 Renoirs, 24 Van Goghs and 24 by Gauguin.

Looking towards the Louvre from inside one of the great clocks

You will be need a little time to see it all! And on the subject of time, you can revive yourself at the brand new Cafe Campana (designed by Humberto and Fernado Campana), situated behind one of the two great external clock faces. Indulge yourself with even more glamor by dining in the thoroughly baroque main restaurant which retains all its decadent splendour dating from the 1900 hotel building.

When heading for the new area, Pavillon Amont, at the far end of the concourse, plan the most comfortable approach to the fifth floor Impressionist Gallery. Use either the lift or the escalator because, on your descent on foot, you must not miss any of the smaller rooms on the any of the four floors . They are absolutely lovely and the curators have used the contributions made by furniture designers and decorative artists to the great Art Nouveau  movement (occurring at the turn of the 19th/20th century). Frank Lloyd Wright, Adolph Loos, Otto Wagner, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, William Morris and Louis Comfort Tiffany are joined by painters such as Bonnard and Vuillard.

Manet’s “Déjeuner sur l’ Herbe” (Lunch on the Grass) quite literally stops you in your tracks on entering The Impressionists Gallery. Take a rest on one of the seats provided for visitors; they are also works of art.! The “Water Block” benches are created by Japanese artist Tokujin Yoshioka. He has  worked for Issey Miyake since 1998 and designed the seats specially for the space.

The large Manet work is so familiar, so vivid and inviting and one is instantly drawn into this picture which scandalized Paris in the 19th century. It’s at this early stage of the gallery that it becomes clear that the “Nouvel Orsay” has triumphed in its re-hang of the collection of Impressionists. “Optical Realism” was their mantra in the redesign and it seems that optimal intervention by lighting experts and decorators has provided us in the 21st century with a near perfect engagement with original works of art which, despite there being many people in the gallery, briefly become our own. The very crafty part of the presentation though seems to be the selection of wall colour. What I saw as a bluish grey sits supportively behind the pictures respectfully aiding illumination.  Brilliant!

On leaving the Impressionists Gallery, notice the information board which thanks benefactors, contributors and supporters who helped to create the collection and very tellingly and most delicately they also mention the “….acquisitions and works accepted by the state in lieu of taxes”. One would imagine in these uncertain economic times in Europe that there ought to be many more similar acquisitions since more traditional methods of tax payment have become rather unpopular.

The whole tantalizing experience of Musée d’Orsay can barely be achieved in a day. After all, the period it represents was one of the most prolific and prodigious in history, let alone just art history, and the museum contains not only the traditional art forms of painting and sculpture but  achievement in photography, architecture, decorative, industrial and applied arts.

The “Nouvel Orsay” project continues unobtrusively within other areas of the Musée d’Orsay probably until 2015 by which time they will deserve another large birthday celebration.

- Martin Mitchell

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s Paris tours and things to do, Paris attractions, and Paris travel recommendations, or book a private tour guide in Paris for a customized tour!

Nouvel Orsay – The New Musee d’Orsay by Martin Mitchell from Viator Travel Blog

In the wild world of apps we live in, travelers now have tens of thousands of available iPhone apps at the ready to enhance their travel experience. Problem is, which ones are the best? So we did our research and handpicked what we think are the best travel apps on the planet. From translation and packing to on-the-ground and travel planning apps, here are our top choices to help you make your next vacation easier than ever.

And while you’re downloading, check out Viator’s iPhone and iPad apps. Named by Apple as one of the top 5 Best Travel Apps of the Year on iTunes and a Winner of a Travel Weekly Magellan Award, the Viator iPhone app enables you to connect with Viator’s 9,000 tours and activities around the world. You can book tours before or during your trip, map top attractions, and find great last-minute deals. The Viator iPad app–also one of the iTunes Rewind Best Travel Apps this year–lets you browse a 3D interactive globe and zoom in on more than 2,000 attractions and experiences in the world’s top 100 cities. Photos, reviews, and tours are only a touch away.

Blackberry, iPhone, iPad, Android, let’s take off!

1. Skype

Skype is without a doubt the cheapest way to keep in touch while you’re traveling. All you need is Wi-Fi or 3G and you can make video calls or send instant messages over mobile for free to other Skype users. If you’re calling to a regular phone, the service offers reduced rate calls. Cost: free. Works for Blackberry, iPhone/iPad, Android.

2. Kayak

Need an easy way to book hotel rooms and flights? Kayak is fast and simple. The easy-to-use interfaces lets you scroll through fares, choose flight preferences and times, and sort your results by their trademark sliders. Hotels are easy to book, too, and come with descriptions, photos, and rates. Cost: free. Works for Blackberry, Windows, iPhone/iPad, Android.

Don't get stuck using a payphone in the snow! These travel apps will get where you need to go.

3. JiWire

Navigating a city to find a Wi-Fi spot can be a chore. JiWire‘s Wi-Fi Finder makes it easy, with mapped listings of both free and paid hot spots in your vicinity. Best part is the app will find Wi-Fi spots in more than 140 countries, and just a click on an icon will give you directions to the nearest spot. Cost: free. Works for Blackberry, iPhone/iPad, Android.

4. Google Translate

One of my personal favorites, Google Translate enables you to translate phrases via keypad or by using the speaking option. Set the language you want to translate from (more than 50 languages), then the one to translate to. Cost: free. Works for Blackberry, iPhone/iPad, Android.

Don't miss your flight! Track times, find airport maps and more with these apps.

5. TripIt

Stay organized while you’re traveling with this handy app. TripIt keeps your itineraries in one place, from flight information and hotel reservations to activities and dinner reservations. You can also export the information to your calendar, so if you misplace your phone, you won’t misplace your travel plan. Cost: Free. Works for Blackberry, Windows, iPhone/iPad, Android.

6. Yelp

We’ve all used Yelp online before, but as an app, Yelp is great to find locations for everything from restaurants and pharmacies to movie theaters and retail stores. Plus, as with the online version, you get all the user reviews you want, along with addresses and directions, which it gets from your phone’s GPS. You can even bookmark your locations. Cost: free. Works for Blackberry, iPhone/iPad, Android.

Instagram + Legoland = fun photos!

7. Instagram

With the ever-improving mobile camera quality, taking pictures while you travel has never been easier—or more fun! Instagram allows you to customize the look and feel of your photo, whether you want the image sepia-toned or blurred on the edges like a fish-eye shot. From here, you can easily share it on social media sites like Facebook and Google+. Cost: free. Works for iPhone/iPad, Android.

8. Trip Advisor

A traveler’s favorite biased companion, Trip Advisor is a must-have iPhone app. Like its older online sister, TA lists thousands of restaurants, hotels, and attractions, all complete with reviews and recommendations. If you want to submit your own recommendation and photo, the app allows you to do that, too. Cost: free. Works for iPhone/iPad, Android, Windows.

9. HopStop

Need to find the easiest and fastest way to get around the city? HopStop will get you there, using a combination of transport methods including rail, bus, walking, and taxis. You can use the app in nearly 20 cities in Europe and the U.S. Cost: free. Works for Blackberry, iPhone/iPad, Android, Windows.

10. FlightTrack Pro

Stay on top of your flight status with this handy travel app that not only keeps you updated with gate numbers and flight times, but also provides terminal maps, flight alerts, and weather delays. FlightTrack Pro lists more than 5,000 airports and monitors flights from more than 1,400 airlines. Cost: $9.99 Works for Blackberry, iPhone/iPad, Android.

11. Packing Pro

Packing for a trip takes some thought; you want to make sure you have essentials alongside necessary items for spontaneous adventures. Next thing you know, you’re at your destination and you’ve realized you’ve forgotten something. This is where Packing Pro comes in. A favorite app for all types of travelers, Packing Pro allows you to make lists, create trip templates (business, family, etc.) for easy reference, and design a preset list of reminders. Essential! Cost: $2.99 Works for iPhone/iPad.

- William Travis

Planning a trip? Browse thousands tours and things to do in hundreds of destinations on the Viator iPhone and iPad apps!

Top 11 iPhone Travel Apps by William Travis from Viator Travel Blog

Give the gift of Viator this season with a Gift Certificate! Available in 5 currencies in amounts ranging from 25 to 500, this is the perfect gift for every traveler. Gift Certificates can be put toward thousands of tours and activities around the world – there’s truly something for everyone!

Now that you’ve taken care of your holiday shopping list, read on to find out the top travel news and what Viator travelers are up to this month… 

December Top Picks

A few member highlights from Viator.com – check out our:

#1. Top Traveler of the Month
Our featured traveler this month is Charlotte. She recently submitted reviews and photos from her tours around San Francisco and Las Vegas. Thanks for all the great contributions – we’re glad you had a fabulous time!

Traveler of the Month - Charlotte

#2. Photo of the Month
Photo by Rodrigo E at Machu Picchu along the Inca Trail!

Rodrigo E posing in front of Machu Picchu, a stop along the Inca Trail in Peru

#3. Review of the Month
This review was written by DaveyMcC about the Madrid Bike Tour. Him and his family thought it was a great way to get to know the city. He took some fantastic photos too!

What’s Happening in Travel

With the holiday season in full swing, December is jam-packed with travel opportunities. Whether you’re visiting family or taking time off to enjoy (or escape!) the snow, take advantage of Viator’s seasonal tours offered this month. From Christmas in London to New Year’s Eve in Sydney, we’ve got tickets to the hottest events happening around the globe that will make this year’s celebrations extra special.

Not looking for a white Christmas this year? Spend the holiday in the Southern Hemisphere where things are just starting to heat up. With deals on tours in Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Argentina and South Africa, there’s no good reason NOT to go!

Staying close to home but want an exciting place to countdown to the new year? Ring in 2012 in Melbourne, Paris or New York! Choose from elegant dinner cruises and VIP packages to make this evening one to remember.

December Deals, Contests & Promotions: Our Ultimate Holiday Giveaway continues! Every Tuesday, we are giving away two free tickets to the tour featured in a Viator Video. There are only three weeks left, so don’t miss your chance to win! Simply watch the featured video and comment on the video’s YouTube page telling us why YOU want to go on THAT tour.

More deals can be found in our Things to Do Network. Featured deals and promo codes for tours and activities in 30+ top travel destinations are often posted on a destination’s individual blog, Facebook page and Twitter page, so bookmark the pages for your favorite cities and check back every day!

Viator Holiday Parties

Here’s a look at how two of the Viator offices celebrated the holidays in 2010. We can’t wait to out-do ourselves this year!

Members of the San Francisco team bundled up in winter sweaters while wine tasting in Napa

The Sydney office taking advantage of the beautiful weather with a bocci ball tournament

Here’s wishing you safe and happy travels in December. Keep checking back for more travel news, promotions and inspiration throughout the month, and look forward to another update from us in 2012!

 - Viator Travel Team

Travel with Viator: What’s Happening in December by Viator Travel Team from Viator Travel Blog

Whether you’re taking a long Thanksgiving break or a weekend getaway to relax before the holiday season, we’ve got November travel ideas and giveaways for you! And our new Sydney Tower New Year’s Eve package will get you excited about ringing in 2012. Plus, we’ve got some of the best destinations for November travel. Read on to find out the top travel news and what Viator travelers are up to this month… 

November Top Picks

A few member highlights from Viator.com – check out our:

#1. Top Traveler of the Month
Our featured traveler this month is Saké from Thailand. Thanks Saké for all the great reviews and photos!

Traveler of the month - Saké

#2. Photo of the Month
Photo by Jenny C at the Las Vegas Gun Store and Firing Range!

Lethal Weapon 5: Las Vegas

#3. Review of the Month
This review was written by Dimitrie S about the Roman Gladiator School. It’s a great review for parents looking for something fun and unique to do with their kids in Italy.

What’s Happening in Travel

As Halloween passes us by and we turn the calendar page to November, many of us start thinking about the holiday season, particularly Thanksgiving in the US. If you happen to be in New York City on Turkey Day, enjoy your dinner with a side of New York skyline on a Thanksgiving dinner cruise.

Is your family visiting you over the holidays? Play tour guide and start planning some fun things to do together! Browse tours and activities in your city on Viator.com, or see if your home base is one of the destinations in our Things to Do Network, where our trusted guides, experts and freelancers across the planet keep you informed on local events and attractions.

Beat your cold-weather blues in Hawaii!

If the cold November weather is getting you down, there’s nothing like a tropical vacation to put a smile back on your face. Some of the best places to travel in November, where the weather is pleasant and crowds are often few, include Oahu, Hawaii, where you can go snorkeling or enjoy a sunset luau; Fiji, where you can enjoy a full-day snorkel cruise to various islands; and South Africa, where you can spend three days in amazing Kruger National Park.

For happiness of a grape-fueled variety, head to California Wine Country, where November means harvest, and the vines have turned into gorgeous autumn hues of red and gold.

What’s Happening at Viator

New Tours: Food- and drink-lovers, we’ve got two new tours for you in San Diego! Discover the city’s scandalous past on the Brothels, Bites and Booze culinary tour, and have some fun on the Tequila, Tacos and Tombstones culinary tour. Or, for something a little more kid-friendly, pack up the family and make your way to Florida to check out the new LEGOLAND.

Social Media in More Languages: We’ve expanded our worldwide social media network with new blogs and pages in three languages! Check out our French blog, Facebook page and Twitter account; German blog, Facebook page and Twitter account; and Spanish blog, Facebook page and Twitter account.

November Deals, Contests & Promotions: Our Ultimate Holiday Giveaway continues! Every Tuesday, we are giving away two free tickets to the tour featured in a Viator Video. There are still seven weeks left, so don’t miss your chance to win! Simply watch the featured video and comment on the video’s YouTube page telling us why YOU want to go on THAT tour. We’ll also have a great Australia sale in mid-November, so keep a close watch on the blog and our Facebook and Twitter pages.

More deals can be found in our Things to Do Network. Featured deals and promo codes for tours and activities in 30+ top travel destinations are often posted on a destination’s individual blog, Facebook page and Twitter page, so bookmark the pages for your favorite cities and check back every day!

New San Francisco Office:The San Francisco-based Viator staff moved into a new office a few weeks ago, and we think it’s a pretty sweet place to come to work every day. Orange and blue paint livens up the space, bright orange chairs and appliances can be found in the kitchen, and our favorite user photos and reviews adorn the walls to keep us inspired and thinking of you – our valued users – as we work.

Welcome to our new SF office!

Here’s wishing you safe and happy travels in November. Keep checking back for more travel news, promotions and inspiration throughout the month, and look forward to another update from us in December.

 - Viator Travel Team

Travel with Viator: What’s Happening in November by Viator Travel Team from Viator Travel Blog

Cancun is no stranger to hurricanes

As Hurricane Rina churns toward the Yucatán Coast, with Cancun in its sights for a Thursday afternoon touchdown, a familiar drama is playing out up and down the glittering Caribbean coastline. Alerts are out to some 45,000 tourists estimated to be staying in Cancun, Cozumel, and along the Riviera Maya, based on careful analysis of the storm, recommending evacuation for most resort areas, and requiring it in places deemed high-risk, in this case Isla Holbox.

Like clockwork, windows are being boarded up, generators checked, cruise ships diverted, Jet Skis secured, and airline tickets reshuffled at the packed Cancun Airport. Even the markets fluctuate predictably when a hurricane approaches; yesterday Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste SAB, a Mexican airport operator, suffered a 2.4% drop in Mexico City markets on speculation of a Rina landfall.

Rina is the sixth major storm of the 2011 hurricane season, which typically runs from May through December, bookended by the rainiest months in the Yucatán microclimate. Though this year has been a thankfully slow for Mexico, Central America has been hit hard with deadly rains, and no one on the Caribbean Coast has been lulled into complacency. This is a hurricane-prone region, something that has been factored into Cancun’s development from the beginning.

Cancun is a planned city, and was chosen in the late 1960s for a tourism megaproject (some say by computer analysis) based on a number of variables—access to Mayan ruins, beautiful beaches, and drinking water; the projected expense of improving roads, building airports, and other infrastructure; and of course, the weather.

Hurricanes have been carefully documented in the region since the 1870s, so the Mexican government was well aware that hurricane-force winds affect Cancun approximately every 2.90 years, with a direct hit every 6.95 years. Thus, Mexico’s most famous resort has been designed with tropical storms in mind, and has survived several: Gilbert in 1988 and Wilma in 2005 were both direct hits, while Dean in 2007, and Gustav in 2008, were near misses. None could destroy Cancun.

While the Mexican and Quintana Roo governments are geared to mobilize before every storm, there are several precautions that savvy travelers can make to help. TripAdvisor offers excellent advice for travel during hurricane season, such as using your credit card (rather than debit card) to pay for your vacation, as it is more likely to refund expenses in the case of an evacuation. Click on the link for more.

Cancun Travel also offer advice, with links to sites where you can monitor Cancun weather, and register with your nation’s foreign ministry or state department. “If a hurricane strikes while you are travelling, the most important thing to do is stay calm,” they continue. “The hotels and authorities have tried and true plans for keeping you safe and dry during the storm.” They also suggest charging electronic gadgets, collecting documents, visiting the ATM, and grabbing some bottled water before the storm hits.

There’s no such thing as a safe hurricane, but preparation and mobilization help keep Cancun and the Caribbean Coast as safe as possible. Keep calm and carry on!

- Paige

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s Cancun tours and things to do, Cancun attractions, and Cancun travel recommendations. Or book a private tour guide in Cancun for a customized tour!

Hurricane Rina Won’t Be Cancun’s Last by Paige Penland from Viator Travel Blog

Saying that New Zealand is thrilled about the outcome of the 2011 Rugby World Cup is the understatement of the year. Ever since my arrival in Auckland, I’ve see nothing but All Blacks jerseys, posters, signs and merchandise. And rightfully so – the mighty All Blacks have only won the World Cup once, during the first ever RWC which was held here in New Zealand in 1987. The same four teams made it to the final and bronze final in 1987 and 2011, and the same team came out victorious.

The Kiwis do play other sports (namely football (soccer), basketball and field hockey), but rugby is the national sport of choice. As children, they religiously follow the All Blacks and grow up playing the sport after school, dreaming to one day become a player on the national team.

The games took place at Eden Park in Auckland - photo courtesy of Su Yin Khoo via Flickr

The days leading up to the final between New Zealand and France were a little tense here in Auckland. If you asked the average Kiwi walking down the street, he or she would tell you that they hadn’t slept properly all week. You could sense the nerves coming from the locals as they thought, “What if France ends up beating us on Sunday?” France – whom many of the people thought – did not deserve to even be in the finals after luckily beating Wales in the semis.

Bronze Final

On the Friday before the finals, the Bronze Final took place – Wales vs. Australia. We had tickets to this game, so after enjoying a few beers by the harbor, we jumped on the train and headed towards Eden Park. We were rooting for Wales, who were the underdogs and the team with the best fans. The Aussies were of course present in the stands, but to my surprise, thousands of green and red colored fans sure travelled the distance to support their team.

We grabbed a Kiwi lamb burger (I would recommend trying one!) and a few beers each and took our seats behind a set of goal posts. The game then kicked off and the chanting began, dominated by the Welsh who would chant, “Waaaaaales” at any given time. The other chant that the Welsh (and even the Australians) had fun in screaming was the booing every time number 10 (Quade Cooper) on the Australian team touched the ball. Not many people like Cooper, and I won’t go into details as to why not.

The game ended 21 – 18 in favor of Australia. An expected outcome but the Welsh sure gave it their best. We headed home after that, counting down the hours until the All Blacks were to take the field.

Leading up to the final game

By Sunday afternoon, the streets in Auckland were packed with people wearing nothing but black. The city actually reported that there had never been so many people downtown before and that they were worried about overcrowding. There was a line at least 40 feet long outside of any bar with a TV nine hours before the game even began. People drove in from all parts of New Zealand to support the All Blacks and take part in the festivities.

We were lucky to get into a good sports bar for the game and counted down the hours until kickoff. The fans were positive that the All Blacks would win. After the disaster that happened four years earlier (France beat New Zealand in the quarter-finals), the All Blacks were looking for revenge. New Zealand had actually opened a national suicide hotline in 2007 after that defeat, something they did not intend to do again in 2011.

Fans out celebrating the NZ win!

As the All Blacks took the field and performed the Haka (a pre-match Maori dance ritual), the French were arm-in-arm and staring down their opponents. As soon as the referee whistled for kick-off, it was obvious that the French meant business. The game was low-scoring, but exciting nonetheless, as both teams played a strong defensive game. It was a stressful 80 minutes for the Kiwis as the beloved All Blacks never crept away (points-wise) from the French. With a few minutes left in the game, a 1-point lead by New Zealand and a French possession, the stands at Eden Park, every bar in Auckland and all private residences in the city fell silent. Could it be that the French were going to score a drop goal and take the trophy?

Victory!

But as the All Blacks held on defensively and the referee whistled the game to an end, the entire city exploded, millions of people taking to the streets in celebration. Fireworks erupted over the harbor, All Blacks flags were raised high and the party continued until the early hours of the morning. The next day was Labor Day in New Zealand, so the country woke up with hangovers and didn’t have to work.

Fireworks over the harbor in Auckland after NZ won the finals

Looking at the bigger picture and looking into the future, 2015 should be yet another exciting year for the RWC. New Zealand, Australia and South Africa will all have two World Cup championships, England will have one. And where will it be held next time around? Yep, in England, and I think the host nation will be looking to tie the All Blacks, the Wallabies and the Springboks at two championships apiece. Or will we have a new winner (Wales?!) next time around? I’m not sure, but I’ll try and make the trip either way.

- Daniel Hackett

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s New Zealand tours and things to do, New Zealand attractions, and New Zealand travel recommendations, or book a private tour guide in New Zealand for a customized tour!

2011 Rugby World Cup – an update from the ground in Auckland by Daniel Hackett from Viator Travel Blog

October is one of the best months to travel – the weather is crisp, celebrations are aplenty and the fall foliage is at its most vibrant. We have some very exciting new tours this month too, including a doors-off helicopter tour of the Las Vegas Strip, plus new contests and videos to keep you inspired. Not to mention loads of information on the best October events and festivities. Read on to find out the top travel news and what Viator travelers have been up to this month…

Trick or Treat!

October Top Picks

A few member highlights from Viator.com – check out our:

#1. Top Traveler of the Month
Our featured traveler this month is Jaclyn D from the United States. Thanks Jaclyn for all the great reviews & photos!

Traveler of the Month - Jaclyn D

#2. Photo of the Month
Photo by Briana S while Horseback Riding in Cancun!

"I feel like Miss America... howdie peeps!"

#3. Review of the Month
This review was written by Robert M about the Rome Angels and Demons Half-Day Tour. It is a great example of how an excellent tour guide can make all the difference! Do you have a story about a great tour guide? Tell us about it on our recent Top 10 Characteristics of a Great Tour Guide blog.

What’s Happening in Travel

October is one of the best months of the year – there’s Halloween, the changing colors of the leaves, and the lead-up to the winter holidays puts everyone in a festive mood!

New England Fall Foliage

Get in the Halloween spirit on spooky tour or ghost encounter; we’ve got Halloween-related tours and activities across the US. Or, if you’re more into stunning scenery than trick-or-treating, admire the beautiful autumn foliage in New England on a day trip from Boston to Cape Cod or the countryside.

If you’re patiently waiting for October to pass you by so you can start planning for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve, get a head-start on the holiday fun by pre-booking a holiday tour – they sell out fast! There’s nothing like Christmas in New York City, filled with millions of twinkling lights, or in Salzburg, where a horse-drawn sleigh ride is a romantic way to enjoy the snow.

Make your plans to ring in 2012 somewhere fabulous like Melbourne, Sydney or Paris.

What’s Happening at Viator

Mobile Apps Win the Gold! Big news on the Viator mobile front – Viator’s iPhone and iPad apps took home two Gold medals at the 2011 Magellan Awards! We won first place in two awards in the Online Travel Services category. Our mobile apps help you travel easier and smarter, and we’re happy to report that our iPhone app has had more than 100,000 downloads since its debut in May 2011. And we have just released version 1.2 – so if you haven’t downloaded it yet, get on it! It’s FREE!

2011 Magellan Awards

New Tours: We’ve got an awesome selection of new tours this month, including a chance to see the new 9/11 Memorial, which just opened in New York on September 12. We’ve also got an exhilarating jetpack adventure in Key West and two adrenaline-pumping tours in Las Vegas – the doors-off helicopter tour and a Top Gun-like air combat experience.

October Contests & Promotions: We’re working on our collection of travel videos every day, continuously adding new ones to provide you with travel inspiration – watch the latest and greatest on our YouTube channel.

We’ve also got some great contests this month! Our Christmas Markets Tour from Salzburg contest is live and open for entries, so if you haven’t submitted your comment yet, hurry – it ends October 15th!  And word on the street is that we’ll be launching one of our biggest giveaways mid-October (wink, wink), so keep a close watch on the blog, Facebook and Twitter pages.

Hot Deals: Have you taken advantage of our Member-Only Deals yet? If not, you’re missing out! Viator members can save big this month on featured tours and activities in Europe and the USA. To start cashing in on these exclusive deals, become a member today!

Here’s wishing you safe and happy travels in October. Keep checking back for more travel news, promotions and inspiration throughout the month and look forward to another update from us in November.

- Viator Travel Team

Travel with Viator: What’s Happening in October by Viator Travel Team from Viator Travel Blog

Today is World Tourism Day! The United Nations World Tourism Organization started World Tourism Day in 1980 to raise awareness about tourism and its effects on economies, societies and politics in countries around the world.

World Tourism Day - Photo courtesy of the UNWTO

The theme for 2011 is “Tourism – Linking Cultures” and this year’s host country is Egypt, a country whose history and culture attract millions of tourists, making it the perfect host for the 2011 theme. We at Viator know that the whale-watching cruise through icy waters, the off-roading tour through the desert or the zipline ride through the jungle may have been the most exciting part of your last vacation, but digging deeper into your destination and getting a look at its history, food, music, art or other forms of culture is often the most rewarding.

Whether you’re currently traveling in some far-flung locale or you’re reading this from the comfort of your own home, you can participate in World Tourism Day with one of our cultural tours.

Top Cultural Tours & Activities

If you happen to be in Hong Kong, soak up some of its culture on the Buddhist Monastery, Temples and Villages Tour. If you’re currently sweating in the hot center of Australia, try the Kuniya Sunset Aboriginal Tour and Uluru Cultural Center. If you’re in Munich for Oktoberfest, take a break from the beer-drinking on an art gallery tour or a small-group tour to Dachau concentration camp.

If you’re in New York, take a half a day off work and have fun on the Best of Brooklyn Sightseeing, Food and Culture Tour, or play hooky on Wednesday and head to Harlem on the Wednesday Morning Gospel Tour. If you’re ringing in the fall season in London, partake in an age-old tradition with Afternoon Tea at Grosvenor House. If you’re chillin’ in Dublin, get a taste for traditional Irish music on a musical pub crawl.

These tours are just a smidgeon of the cultural and historical tours we offer! For more, simply head to our homepage, select your destination and then click on “Cultural & Theme Tours” on the right side of the page. Happy World Tourism Day from Viator!

- Viator Travel Team

Happy World Tourism Day! by Viator Travel Team from Viator Travel Blog

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) chief Ramon Gamarra says the decision was based on “a deterioration of their technical ability, which allows it to meet safety standards.” The airline had been monitored since April 25, when an airplane had severe problems taking off from the Cuzco airport.

Peruvian Airlines officials replied that “the observations were on purely administrative issues that did not warrant suspending the company’s flights.”

Travelers, both Peruvian and international, were stranded all over the country. Although other domestic carriers took up some of the slack, the Peruvian military was forced to fly scores of tourists from Cuzco to Lima so they could make their international connections. Stranded travelers, severe delays, and overbooked airplanes and buses have plagued Peru’s top destinations since.

The shutdown may (coincidentally) pave the way for a new set of wings. Peru has been without a national carrier since 1999, when AeroPerú (a subsidiary of AeroMéxico) went bankrupt. New President Ollanta Humala, sworn in this past July 28, had already discussed the creation of a new flagship airline. An extended shutdown could conceivably create a vacuum that would help catalyze the proposed project.

In the meantime, travelers planning to take internal flights while in Peru should make reservations well in advance on other carriers, which are already overbooked. It might even be worth waiting to purchase tickets on Peruvian Airlines until after November 18, when the airline should be cleared for takeoff. These days, you just never know.

Travel Alert: Peruvian Airlines Grounded for 90 Days by Viator Travel Team from Viator Travel Blog

We’re breaking out the bubbly at Viator – we just found out we’ve been nominated for a 2011 British Travel Award (Best Holiday Attraction/Ticket Provider)! We’re thrilled to be nominated, and we know with your help* we can win.

Our number one goal at Viator is to provide you with unforgettable travel experiences (trek through the Thai jungle on an elephant; enjoy a private nighttime viewing of the Sistine Chapel; fly to Niagara Falls for the day), and we thank you for continuing to rely on us to make your trips and vacations as amazing as they can be.

Considered the UK’s most definitive monitor of public opinion on the travel and tourism industry, the prestigious British Travel Awards recognize the industry’s best companies and tourism organizations, from airlines to cruise lines to websites. If you’re a UK resident, we want your vote!

Voting will run until September 30, 2011. All you need to do is click here, register and vote in the relevant category – Best Holiday Attraction/Ticket Provider. You do NOT need to vote in every category for your vote to count.

*Voting in the 2011 British Travel Awards is open to UK residents only – you must enter a valid UK postal code to vote.

Viator Nominated for British Travel Award! by Viator Travel Team from Viator Travel Blog

July 2011 is going to be amazing for two reasons. First of all, the month will have five full (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) weekends. This only happens once every 823 years. Secondly, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been to, will be celebrating its 100-year re-discovery anniversary.

That’s right; it’s been 100 years since Machu Picchu was discovered by Hiram Bingham on July 24th, 1911. An entire century has passed since Machu Picchu was transformed from a Incan secret into one of the most visited places on Earth.

One of the natives (a llama!) enjoying the view

Machu Picchu was built in the mid-15th century, at the height of the Inca Empire, which lasted from 1438 until 1533. The Inca Empire, known in Quechua as Tawantinsuyu (“The Four Territories”), stretched from Columbia to Chile but its capital remained in Cusco, the closest city to Machu Picchu.

Cusco and its surroundings hold both mystery and magic. There are so many archeological wonders in the area, including Pisac, Ollantaytambo, the Sacred Valley, Sacsayhuaman and of course, Machu Picchu. I recommend staying there for at least four days, although you can find both weekend getaways and weeklong packages as well.

If you’ve decided to pay a little tribute to Machu Picchu and head to Peru for its 100-year re-discovery anniversary, here are a few things to expect. First of all, it’s the dry season in Peru that time of year. Dry and cold. At night, temperatures hover just above freezing; during the day, in the upper 60s (18 or 19 degrees Celsius). You probably won’t run into any rain, that’s a shame. The lush jungle and tropical Andean mountain range is greener and more alive after rainfall – giving you breathtaking views and allowing for great photo opportunities. The locals love the area after rainfall.

Though definitely showing its age, Machu Picchu's ruins are still breathtaking

This time of year (June, July, and August) is considered the high tourism season in Peru. Although the South American winter, it is the dry season and coincides with the North American and European summer vacation period. So expect crowds, bustling city squares and packed restaurants and bars.

There are over 100 reasons you should visit Peru (and 11 beautiful World Heritage Sites) and this country should definitely be on your bucket list. If you can’t make it down in July, that’s ok – Peru’s historic cities, stunning mountain ranges and mythical archeological sites will wait for you.

- Daniel Hackett

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s Cusco things to do, Cusco attractions, and Cusco recommendations.

Happy Anniversary, Machu Picchu by Daniel Hackett from Viator Travel Blog

A powerful 8.9-magnitude earthquake hit part of Japan and Tokyo this past Friday night, generating a subsequent 23-foot tsunami that submerged some of the Japanese coast. Our hearts here at Viator go out to everyone, and our thoughts are with our Japanese friends and local tour operators.

Japan Earthquake & Tsunami - Incredible Whirlpool Effect

We are monitoring the situation in Japan carefully and are doing our best to get timely information from our local operators throughout Japan.

Travelers are advised to call their airlines for the latest flight information on flights to and from Japan. For customers with already purchased tours, we will be waiving any fees for cancellations received by Saturday, 19 March.  For any bookings cancelled after 19 March, normal cancellation fees will apply. Please contact our customer care team for more specific information.

We are thankful that the tsunamis that hit Hawaii and the west coast of the US – including San Francisco – have not caused major damage or injuries.

-Viator Travel Team

Viator Travel Update: Tokyo by Viator Travel Team from Viator Travel Blog