Alcatraz - your readers are going to book this, why not book with you?

The Viator Team has a passion for travel, and if you are reading this blog, you probably do as well! We know it’s the experiences you have when you travel that make your trip, so we’ve travelled the globe to find the best “things to do” for Viator.com.

But did you know you can offer and promote the same tours and attractions that you see on Viator.com on your own blog or website?

Yes you can!

With the newly re-designed Viator Partner Platform, you can register, configure and launch an activities booking site in less than 30 minutes. Viator has over 1,000 partners who’ve done just that. Partners have a choice of branding the site to match their own, using Viator branding – or even co-branding! Here’s a breakdown of the types of sites working with us today:

• 5% - Vacation rental / Holiday accommodation sites
• 10% - Airline sites
• 10% - Hotel Sites
• 15 % - General Travel websites
• 15% - Travel Guide sites
• 25 % - Destination focused websites

Is this really for me?

Don’t fall into one of those categories? Well, the remaining 20% of our partners fall into the “other” category – and some of those partners have as much success as the better known travel sites. All you need to do is market and promote the site to your members. It’s all about *your* expertise and recommendations.
Sounds too easy

It really is. Our platform makes it easy for you to get started, with suggested banners and marketing tools as well as customizable “widgets” to allow you to show Top Products, What’s New, and more. Of course, if you want to get more in-depth, you can configure a header, adjust the colors and fonts via the CSS file or even opt to download our content via XML for even tighter integration with your site.

It’s up to you.

Not an expert on Tasmania?

Don’t worry. Viator is – for Tasmania as well as the other 400+ destinations that we serve. We take all the guess-work out of the process and offer the best products in the best locations with the best specials available online – and we rank and sort the products so you don’t have to. Just put links from your site(s) to your Viator partner page and you’re ready to go!

Are you ready?

Register online now and offer the same products as leading sites like LastMinute, EasyJet, Fairmont Hotels and hundreds of others. Or, for more information, just drop us a line at sales@viator.com. We’ll get you sorted, right away.

-The Viator Partner Team

Online activities, events and tour specialist Viator.com advises travelers to plan ahead to save money and time, and avoid costly last-minute vacation mishaps

• One-third of vacation travelers say they are now more likely to purchase activities in advance than they were three years ago with 76% reporting they already do so
• Nearly 40 percent of vacation travelers (39%) have been forced to change plans because their activity was sold out
• Nearly 3 out of 4 tour operators around the globe report increase in advance bookings has limited availability for walk-up sales

SAN FRANCISCO (May 30, 2007) – The summer travel season is in full swing coming off the busy Memorial Day weekend and nearly every leading indicator points to tighter capacity and higher prices as more people are taking to the roads and skies than in recent years. According to two recent separate and independent surveys of travelers and tour operators, many travelers are now more likely to book their trip activities in advance than they were several years ago, further compounding the capacity constraints created by the rising demand for travel.

More Travelers Report Booking Trip Activities in Advance though Many Still Take a Gamble

One-third (33 percent) of vacation travelers report they are now more likely than they were three years ago to purchase tickets for local activities in advance of their vacation, with about 3 in 4 (76 percent) reporting they have done so, according to a recent survey(2) commissioned by Viator and conducted by Harris Interactive®.

Despite what Viator has identified in the market as the growing trend toward booking trip activities in advance, many travelers gamble space will be available when they arrive, and many have lost out. While on vacation, nearly 40 percent of vacation travelers (39 percent) say they have tried to purchase tickets for a local activity but were forced to alter their plans or forgo the activity entirely because it was sold out on the day/time they wanted to go. About one in four (24 percent) reported this has happened multiple times. Reinforcing a stereotype, women are more frequent/better travel planners, as significantly more men (45 percent) reported being affected by a sell out than women (33 percent).

The good news is people are learning from these hard lessons. Of those travelers who previously missed out, 42 percent are now more likely to book their trip activities in advance of travel than they were three years ago, more so than those who haven’t experienced the same disappointment (25 percent).

“Findings from these surveys show that, as online travel has exploded and more travel sites have begun to offer a ‘side of tours’ with each booking, advance sales have steadily increased, squeezing availability,” said Rod Cuthbert, founder and CEO of Viator.com, a website specializing in activities, events and tours in 450-plus markets in 75 countries. “With greater travel volumes expected this summer, we’re predicting there will be tighter walk-up availability than in recent years.

“Unless you’re a gambler, we’re advising travelers take the time to secure activities before they leave home,” added Cuthbert. “A little time upfront can help save time on vacation for excitement and exploration versus waiting in long lines or being disappointed by sell-outs. Perhaps even more important in light of rising travel and fuel costs, planning ahead online can save travelers money by allowing them to quickly compare options.”

Tour Operators Underscore Advance Booking Trends, Need to Plan Ahead

The increasing incidence of limited availability is echoed by activity and tour operators of varying sizes around the globe. Approximately half (47 percent) of the respondents to an independent survey(1) conducted by eVOC Insights reported advance bookings through their own website or through an internet distribution partner like Expedia, Travelocity or Viator.com were “somewhat” or “much” higher than in recent years. And more than 75 percent said the increase in advance bookings has at least occasionally limited the availability for walk-up or same-day sales.

The space limitations and sell-outs were apparent in many markets over the busy Memorial Day Weekend. In top destinations like Las Vegas, New York and San Francisco, many unprepared travelers were turned away from popular activities because others had beaten them to it by securing space ahead of time.

“We were sold out for Memorial Day well in advance of the weekend and we’re seeing more advance bookings than we’ve ever seen for this summer, not just holidays,” said Eric Filipcic, director of sales and marketing for Sundance Helicopter Tours in Las Vegas. “As Las Vegas tourism has grown so has our business, but we’re seeing significant changes in how consumers are booking our tours. Historically, we’ve relied on local agents, wholesalers and hotel concierges to fill our seats, but the online travel business has grown in our current market and more consumers are doing their own research to find the best experiences at the best price.”

This trend is also becoming more apparent in overseas markets where online research and booking patterns are growing faster than the highly penetrated U.S. rates.

“Paris Vision looks after a million visitors to Paris annually, and over the last few years advance bookings have soared as the Internet has become our number one booking source. This has changed what travelers should expect, especially those who don’t use the Internet,” said Michel Barraud, president of Paris Vision, a leading provider of sightseeing excursions throughout Paris and its surrounding regions. “Just a few years ago, Paris visitors could wait and easily arrange activities with their hotel concierge or other outlets, but today that is simply impossible, especially for iconic attractions like the Moulin Rouge Cabaret, or romantic dining on the Eiffel Tower.”

Time and Money are Equally Precious Commodities for Booking Activities in Advance

When asked why they research destination activities and/or book tickets or passes in advance of travel, “saving time” (54 percent) and “saving money by trying to find the best deal” (54 percent) tied as the number one reasons cited by vacation travelers for doing so. These were followed most closely by:

• “so I can budget accordingly” (52 percent)
• “so I don’t miss out on interesting activities that I otherwise may not find out about at the destination” (48 percent)
• “so I know my itinerary before I go” (46 percent)
• “to avoid waiting in long lines for tickets or admission at the destination” (45 percent)

Viator.com Offers the Following Tips to help Travelers Experience More this Summer:

• Research your Destination. Once you decide where you’re going, set aside time to learn more about your destination. The web provides travelers the ability to read first-hand, practically real-time reviews from other travelers, as well as expert commentary, on what there is to do in any destination around the world – eliminating the need for guesswork.
• Book Ahead for Better Choice and Price. If you haven’t already booked a trip, you should really think about where and when you want to go since airfares and hotel rates are on the rise. Researching and booking your trip activities online before you depart lets you quickly compare options and prices to secure the best deal. By booking through Viator.com, travelers can take advantage of Viator’s low-price guarantee on more than 5,000 activities in 450+ markets in 75 countries.
• Get Below the Surface. While the most popular and historic attractions shouldn’t be missed, look for options that add a new twist on the traditional — like adding a private chauffeur or dinner to your tour. Or seek out unique opportunities you never knew existed – like dining in the home of a local family in Paris or training to be a Gladiator with historians in Rome.

NOTE TO REPORTERS & EDITORS: Full details of each survey are available through Viator, which can also provide a host of destination-related data and travel photographs to assist in article development.

About the eVOC Insights Survey for Viator.com
(1) This survey was conducted by eVOC Insights LLC on behalf of Viator Inc. through direct email correspondence with 234 Viator suppliers between May 2 and May 23, 2007. Suppliers were surveyed from Europe, the United States and Canada, Australia and South Pacific, Mexico, Central America, South America, Asia, Caribbean, Africa and the Middle East. Overall results would have a sampling error of +/- 8 percentage points, at a ninety-five percent confidence level. eVOC Insights is a national customer experience consulting firm that provides online and offline “voice of the customer” market research. eVOC combines online technology, market research, and expert analysis to deliver insights into the behavior, thoughts and attitudes of consumers online. eVOC is headquartered in San Francisco, CA. More information is available at: www.evocinsights.com

About the Harris Interactive Survey for Viator.com
(2) This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Viator Inc. between May 17 and May 21, 2007 among 2,637 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for region, age within gender, education, household income and race/ethnicity were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. The data were also weighted to be representative of the online population of U.S. adults on the basis of Internet usage (hours per week) and connection type. With a pure probability sample of 2,637, one could say with a 95 percent probability that the overall results would have a sampling error of +/- 3 percentage points. Sampling error for data based on sub-samples may be higher and would vary. However, that does not take other sources of error into account. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

About Viator
Viator is the world’s leading online resource for travel experiences - the things you do when you get there - providing access to more than 5,000 sightseeing tours, attractions and activities in 450-plus destinations in more than 75 countries, as well as customer reviews, star ratings and the Viator Travel Blog. Viator — the Latin word for traveler — offers online consumers a one-stop shop to plan, research and book trip activities that meet a variety of tastes and preferences, including sightseeing tours, theater tickets, soft adventure trips, attraction passes, wine and culinary excursions, and many “well kept secrets” off the beaten path. Viator’s in-house travel experts help take the guess work out of planning by hand-picking respected and trusted local operators to ensure a quality experience, value and service. Viator, founded in 1995, sells its products directly to consumers at www.viator.com and through its growing global network of more than 3,500 affiliates that include major hotel and airline companies, online travel agencies, city-specific sites and more. Viator is headquartered in San Francisco with regional offices in Sydney, London and Las Vegas.

Contact:
Kate Sullivan
973-568-7589
pr@viator.com

SAN FRANCISCO (May 3, 2007) – Someone who’s already bestowed the gift of life shouldn’t be honored with a token that will be quickly forgotten – or worse, returned. Viator.com, the leading online resource for researching and purchasing destination activities in 75 countries worldwide has the perfect solution – the gift of experience.

From new ways to experience something familiar, to cooking classes, to special dining and travel getaways, Viator has a selection of more than 5,000 activities in every corner of the world, or for Moms staying close to home - right around the corner. Not sure what will suit her? Viator Gift Certificates, found at www.viator.com/gift-certificates, are the perfect gift solution that lets Mom choose what she would like to do, with whom, and when.

The memories Mom will make with the gift of a Viator experience will last a lifetime, never go out of style… and will never be returned!

Below is just a sampling of the experiences available to tickle Mom’s fancy selected by Viator’s team of experts. Viator offers experiences in more than 450 markets around the world, so visit www.viator.com to find what’s available in your backyard.

What’s old is new again
Viator.com is thinking outside the flower box with a sampling of ideas to help Mom see something familiar in a whole new light, or, to try something new - whether she’s a world traveler or likes to stay close to home:

• The Private Tour of New York City with a Personal Photographer will allow Mom to see the city that never sleeps through a fresh lens, with expert photographs capturing the memories along the way.
• The “millionaire mile” shopping Mecca may be familiar to Chicago Moms and visiting matriarchs, but the Downtown Chicago Deco walking tour highlights the area’s intricate and unique architectural backdrop.
• Cajun cooking becomes the “Big Easy” for Mom after she takes the New Orleans Cooking Class featuring specialties like gumbo and jambalaya, taught in an old converted molasses warehouse in the French Quarter.
• If Mom’s favorite actor is Jimmy Stewart, Clint Eastwood or Harrison Ford, she will gain a new affinity for City by the Bay landmarks during the San Francisco Movie Tour, exploring sites featured in films like Vertigo, Dirty Harry and Raiders of the Lost Ark.
• The fruits of her new labor will be enjoyed as Mom masters the art of Tuscan cooking and wine pairing during the Tuscan Cooking Course and Dinner in Florence taught in the kitchen of a classic Florentine home by a skilled chef in this special Italian city.

Make the ordinary, extraordinary
A small twist on an every day activity (like eating or shopping) can turn a regular activity into an extraordinary adventure for Mom to enjoy – Mother’s Day or any day.

• Mom can make any day Mother’s Day and take to the seas for a brunch or dinner cruise in cities like Boston, Chicago, London, Maui, and Washington DC. Special annual Mother’s Day Brunch or Dinner Cruises are also being hosted by the World Yacht in New York City, and the Magistic II or Sydney Showboat in Australia’s Sydney Harbour, but space is limited so book quickly.
• Exchange the car ride to the restaurant around the corner for an executive helicopter ride to the Grand Canyon West Ranch at sunset where Mom will enjoy a candlelit dinner, campfire, and traditional cowboy entertainment.
• The red carpet is rolled out for Mom in Los Angeles during the Warner Bros. Studio Tour and Santa Monica – Private Tour which includes a VIP tour of the working studio back-lot, lunch in Beverly Hills and shopping at the Third Street Promenade.
• If Mom has a taste for Chardonnay and a passion for adventure, the American River Rafting and San Francisco Wine Tour will be the perfect experience to provide both thrills in the rapids and relaxing tasting time on shore.
• Saturday Antique Shopping in Paris Markets with a local expert explores a selection of flea markets and auction houses and includes a tutorial on auction bidding and how to spot an amazing find.

A Gift with Confidence
Booking an experience with Viator.com gives local consumers and travelers the comfort of knowing they will be able to do what they want when they get there with the security of a low-price guarantee. Perhaps more importantly when it comes to a gift for Mom, Viator customers also have the confidence of knowing the Viator in-house team of travel experts routinely review and validate the quality, value and service of its local operators and attractions to ensure the best possible experience. And, every booking through Viator - including gift certificates - is eligible for airline miles through participating airline programs, including United Mileage Plus, Delta Sky Miles, American AAdvantage.

San Francisco, CA (April 10, 2007) – As the annual commemoration of Earth Day approaches on April 22, Viator.com, the leading online resource for researching and booking activities in 75 countries worldwide, is helping travelers minimize their climate footprint. Viator’s diverse selection of eco-friendly activities in destinations around the world and new suggested guidelines for sustainable living and travel will help travelers truly experience their destination while taking steps to protect the environment.

As part of its Earth Day commemoration, Viator is also giving away 100,000 miles of carbon offsets from Carbonfund.org and Viator Gift Certificates as part of a Writing Contest to encourage traveler awareness and participation.

Last week, Viator announced a partnership with Carbonfund.org and its intent to become 100% carbon neutral, starting with offsetting the company’s corporate travel, and helping to educate travelers about minimizing their own climate footprint. Information on Carbon Offsets, Sustainable Life and Travel, as well as the Earth Day Writing Contest can also be found on the Viator Travel Blog.

Viator’s in-house travel experts have hand-selected some popular eco-friendly activities around the globe.

A Little Legwork Means a Smaller Footprint
Cycling tours are a great way to help protect the environment and to truly experience the vibe of a destination by riding through its streets without any barrier between the traveler and the local sights, sounds or smells. Viator offers nearly one-hundred cycling tours around the world. The Half Day Cycling Tour of Barcelona with an entertaining native English speaking guide offers a different perspective of the city, some fun, and the chance to meet other travelers. The Sydney Cycling Tour features the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbor Bridge, The Rocks, Darling Harbour, and more than 30 other important sights. A quick trip on the train from Paris with bike in hand culminates in the Cycling Tour of Versailles with up-close access to Marie Antoinette’s Petit Trianon, the Grand Canal and the famous Chateau of Versailles. The Half Day Berlin City Afternoon Cycling Tour packs two full days worth of independent sightseeing into a 4-hour, expertly guided experience including historical overviews and glimpses into the Berlin of today. Other cities easily explored on two-wheels through Viator.com include Chicago, London, Maui, Montreal, Paris, San Francisco, and Washington, DC.

Travelers Stepping Lightly
Walking tours are among some of the most popular activities in any destination because of the full exposure they provide to the atmosphere of a destination, not to mention being carbon free. During the Venice Past and Present Walking Tour - St Mark’s Square, Bridge of Sighs, Grand Canal and Rialto, this enchanting city is discovered through its extraordinary architecture, labyrinth of narrow alleyways and prevalent medieval flavor. The roots of rock, punk and glam can’t be traced to one city or club, but the people and places that formed much of the foundation of those musical genres are explored on NYC’s Original Rock ‘n’ Roll Walking Tour throughout the historic Lower East Side. The goal of the Madrid Tapas Evening Walking Tour is to leave travelers with a lasting affinity for the city through an introduction to the real Madrileno lifestyle accompanied by traditional Spanish food and drink enjoyed in some of the hidden corners of central Madrid. Viator offers walking tours in more than 70 destinations, including favorites like Amsterdam, Florence, New Orleans, Prague, San Francisco and Tokyo - also well explored by foot.

Nature as the Destination
When the environment becomes a destination’s main attraction, one way to get close to it is by grabbing a paddle and taking to the water. The 3 Bay Cruzade from Los Cabos is a combination kayak and snorkel adventure that discovers the magnificence of secluded bays in Mexico like Twin Dolphin, Santa Maria and Chileno Bay. During the Canoe Cave Explorer Tour at Phang Nga Bay, Phuket, Thailand, a skilled canoe guide takes travelers through the famous Phang Nga Bay and up close to newly discovered sea caves and ‘Hongs’, open-air cliff-lined cylindrical tidal lagoons. The Half Day Double Island Sea Kayaking Tour explores Palm Cove Beach in Australia aboard single or double kayaks and includes time for snorkeling and spotting local wildlife like dolphins, turtles and manta rays. The Cayman Islands, Mission Bay in San Diego and Lake Mead in Las Vegas offer more opportunities to take to the water with Viator.com.

San Francisco, CA (April 3, 2007) – Viator.com, the leading online resource for researching and booking activities in 75 countries worldwide, has formed a partnership with Carbonfund.org to offset its company-related carbon emissions and help educate travelers about minimizing their carbon footprint on the environment.

Through its partnership with Carbonfund, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting climate change education, carbon offsets and green power, Viator is targeting a 100 percent carbon-neutral corporate environment. As part of its roadmap to reach its goal, Viator will offset its corporate travel – estimated at 1.2 million miles in 2007 – with renewable energy credits, and minimize business-related CO2 emissions through conservation practices and more conscientious technology purchases. As an e-commerce business, Viator’s operations are virtually paper-free and involve limited shipping, often associated with high CO2 emissions.

Viator will also serve as an information source for travelers who want to learn more about carbon offsetting and environmental sustainability. As Viator’s customers research and book destination activities, they will also have the opportunity to link to Carbonfund.org to offset their travel-related emissions, and any CO2 emissions related to their annual household carbon footprint.

“At Viator we are passionate about travel, but also sensitive to the effects many types of travel can have on our environment,” said Rod Cuthbert, CEO and founder of Viator.com. “As a global travel company, we have an important responsibility to neutralize our impact on the environment while also helping our customers around the world minimize theirs. Carbonfund.org is an ideal partner and we’re excited to join with them to work toward a solution to this very complex problem.”

“Carbonfund.org is thrilled to partner with Viator in the fight against climate change,” said Carbonfund.org Executive Director Eric Carlson. “Climate change affects every one of us, we are all responsible for it and we all must be part of the solution. Viator’s leadership is further proof that protecting our climate is good for the environment and business.”

Many of the products in Viator’s range of more than 5,000 destination activities have low-to-no impact on the environment they explore. Walking and hiking tours, bicycle tours and Segway excursions (battery operated) are all increasingly popular (and aerobic) ways to explore a destination that help to minimize any environmental impact.

Las Vegas, NV (March 28, 2007) – The Native American Indian tribe, the Hualapai, has constructed a 70-foot promenade made of glass and steel and secured it to the edge of the West Rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, adding a new dimension, a Skywalk, to the beautiful wonder that nature has continued to carve for millions of years.

The West Rim of the Grand Canyon, and the Skywalk which opens to the public today, are a short journey from Las Vegas. Travelers can choose from a variety of air and land options from Viator’s (www.viator.com) vast collection of Las Vegas and Grand Canyon excursions, including those that feature the Skywalk experience, to customize their own West Rim adventure. Booking in advance through Viator provides travelers with peace of mind that their preferred option won’t be sold out when they arrive. In addition, all Viator activities are tested for quality and service by Viator’s in-house travel experts and backed with a low-price guarantee.

Travelers Take to the Skywalk with Viator
The late-nights often associated with the bright lights of the Vegas Strip are not always conducive to an early morning wake-up call. Travelers who want to start the day at their own pace can choose either the Self-drive Tour (standard vehicle) or the Self Drive Hummer Tour, to the Grand Canyon West Rim. With their own wheels, a full tank of gas and an interactive map, travelers take in Boulder City, Lake Mead, and the Hoover Dam on their way to the Canyon. The journey continues with a visit to Guano Point, Hualapai Ranch, Indian Village and Eagle Point. A horse-drawn carriage delivers travelers to the rim for the Skywalk experience of a lifetime. The Grand Canyon West tour enables travelers to relax and take in the scenery on their way to the base of Diamond Road to begin the tour along the West Rim. The wagon ride and Wild West Show can be accompanied by a visit to the Skywalk (Grand Canyon West with Skywalk upgrade) or a helicopter ride to the canyon’s base for a brief Colorado River boat ride (Grand Canyon West Explorer upgrade).

On the Road Again
The Grand Canyon Luxury SUV Tour is the perfect choice for couples or small groups. A professional guide takes travelers from Las Vegas to Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and onto rugged Joshua Tree Forest before heading to the West Rim where visitors have more than three hours to explore the canyon or choose to take a separate Skywalk experience.

A Taste of History and Adventure
Travelers hoping to mix it up can travel to the West Rim in a helicopter, travel back to the city in a fixed-wing plane, and enjoy a horseback ride or wagon ride in between during the Grand Ranch Adventure. Cowboys on the Hualapai Ranch prepare lunch for their guests before their own exploration of Eagle Point and the Skywalk begins. The Indian Country Deluxe Air and Ground Tour features a flight over Las Vegas, Boulder City, Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, and the West Rim of the Grand Canyon before landing at Hualapai Indian Nation Airport. A tour guide from the Hualapai Nation narrates during a five mile motor coach tour, stopping at both Eagle and Guano Point. A barbeque lunch is served in time for travelers to enjoy the Skywalk on their own.

Earth, Sky and Water
The Ultimate Grand Canyon Tour Combo features a few stops along the way to Diamond Bar Road (Indian Hwy.) before arriving at the crest of the Grand Canyon. Sandwiched between a 4,000-foot descent and ascent by helicopter, travelers enjoy a brief pontoon boat ride down the Colorado River and a deli style lunch, after which there is plenty of time for Skywalk exploration. The Grand Voyager Exclusive Helicopter Tour departs Las Vegas taking in the views before descending into the Canyon and landing alongside the Colorado River. A short pontoon boat ride is followed by the trip back to the Rim where a motor-coach departs for a tour to Eagle Point, Indian Village and Guano Point, where travelers can enjoy a Native Hualapai Indian Buffet lunch and breathtaking views enhanced by a visit to the Skywalk. The return to Las Vegas is made by helicopter.

For more information about the Grand Canyon Skywalk, related tours and activities, and a first-hand account of the inaugural walk by Viator CEO Rod Cuthbert, travelers should visit www.viator.com, and the Viator Travel Blog at http://travelblog.viator.com/.

While Europe may be the second-smallest continent as measured by geographic landmass; the countries that make up the region are massive in culture, history and diversity. Evidence of this are the trends that are emerging from Viator’s customer booking patterns, which clearly illustrate a desire to submerge oneself in the local culture, to spend more time getting to know a destination, and to indulge in the traditional experiences for which certain cities have become most well-known.

“These are the types of trends that help the team at Viator validate the broad selection of destination activities we strive to offer to our customers,” said Rod Cuthbert, CEO and founder of Viator. “It is easy to stay on the path most-traveled, but it is a true ‘traveler’ who appreciates what is unique about their destination and does all he or she can to truly experience it.”

Digging Deep into the Culture
To truly experience a destination, whether a new city or old favorite, a deep connection needs to be made. More and more, travelers are choosing activities that help them go beyond their comfort zone and enable them to be moved, to be taught, to be in the moment. How better to learn about Paris than Dining with Parisian Hosts in a private home, discussing culture and unique experiences over a gourmet catered French meal? In the kitchen of a typical Florentine home in Italy, travelers are taught to prepare a traditional Tuscan meal and the appropriate wine pairings during the Tuscan Cooking Course and Dinner, before sitting down to indulge in their accomplishments. Private guided tours of museums like the Louvre, Uffizi and Accademia give travelers the opportunity to gaze upon masterpieces by Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Botticelli while listening to compelling narration detailing the impact of those artists and their work on European culture and history.

The Best of Both Worlds
With more than 2,000 activities in 40 European cities, Viator customers can create itineraries that are leisurely and independent, busy and group-focused, or a combination of both. More and more travelers are taking advantage of multi-day tours, in many instances to help them explore smaller, more remote cities, or to consolidate multiple journeys out of the city. Visitors to Dublin can become immersed in the Emerald Isle with the Three-day Rail Tour to Cork, Blarney Castle, Ring of Kerry and Cliffs of Moher. Territory throughout the dramatic Highlands of Scotland can be experienced from Edinburgh with the Three-day Isle of Sky Tour by Minicoach. Travelers to Spain who want to venture beyond Barcelona and Madrid can take a Four-day Excursion to Cordoba, Seville and Granada. With hopes of crossing borders with a group of fellow travelers, the Five-day Morocco Tour from Costa del Sol explores the exotic cities of Rabat, Meknes, Fez, Casablanca and Marrakech.

Tried and True
As more travelers branch out to create unique destination experiences, Viator Traveler Reviews and ‘most popular’ ratings also point to the continued significance of the perennial favorites which can also serve as an important part of the overall experience of a destination. Activities like the Tour of the Vatican and Sistine Chapel and the Papal Audience at St. Peter’s in Rome; Dinner and Show at the Moulin Rouge in Paris; viewing Da Vinci’s Last Supper in Milan; admiring the Queen’s Royal Collection during the Summer opening of Buckingham Palace; may seem conventional and expected but they continue to draw crowds and sell out on a regular basis. By purchasing these activities before departure, travelers avoid waiting on long lines or the dreaded sold-out sign upon arrival, ensuring their memories will be complete.

The Viator Europe Trip Planner and the Viator Travel Blog are useful resources for anyone planning a trip to Europe, whether first-timers or return visitors, featuring suggested itineraries, first-hand accounts and Traveler Reviews.

With Spring Break season getting into full swing in the U.S., Viator has selected its Top Ten Hottest Spring Break Destinations with suggestions on ‘the things you do when you get there’ to help travelers, whether students or their parents looking for action or relaxation, make the most of their warm weather excursions this time of year.

Viator’s Spring Break Party Guide is a useful resource for travelers of all ages to help them save time at their destination for fun in the sun, not planning. By booking Spring Break activities before departure, travelers can confirm their excursions during one of the busiest times of the year, and, save money with a low price guarantee on all Viator activities. Not leaving any Spring Break stone unturned, Viator provides a broad selection of reliable pre-arranged airport transfers to help eliminate the headaches often associated with getting back and forth from the airport at a cost that fits within anyone’s Spring Break budget.

Viator’s Spring Break Top Ten

1. Cancun, Mexico offers a vibrant nightlife amid a tropical paradise experienced during the Snorkeling Excursion to Isla Mujeres (from $65) and Caribbean Carnival double-decker boat cruise (from $70 with buffet dinner, open bar and Caribbean show).
2. Las Vegas, Nevada offers the hip spring break travelers pool-side lounging, Grand Canyon exploring or all-night partying during the Ultimate Nightclub Hopping Package (from $119), or the Hosted VIP Club Access for the Ladies (from $69).
3. Los Cabos, Mexico, with its own international airport is a popular destination where “breakers” can be extreme in the day with the Costa Azul Xtreme Canopy Tour (from $85) and at night during the Rhythm of the Los Cabos Night tour (from $50).
4. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico features mountains and volcanoes explored during the Tequila Tour (from $100, including breakfast, lunch and Tequila 101) and hot evenings with folkloric dancers and Mariachi singers during the Mexican Fiesta (from $60 with buffet and open bar).
5. Key West, Florida boasts a ‘wild’ atmosphere year-round which can be experienced during the Key West Pub Crawl (from $35 with free drinks and T-shirt) or the Ghost Walking Tour (from $15) � think pirates and smugglers…
6. Acapulco, Mexico offers daytime beauty and nighttime heat during the Coyuca Lagoon Tour (from $60) and the Acapulco Cliff Divers at Night Dinner and Show (from $75).
7. Miami, Florida and its sun-drenched beaches, warm waters and hot nightlife can be thoroughly enjoyed with a Private Boat Charter (from $92) and the Miami Party Pass (from $25).
8. Nassau, Bahamas has beach bars and nightclubs galore, but to get below the surface travelers can zoom through underwater coral gardens in their own submarine during the SUB Bahamas Adventure (from $99) or explore a private island during the Robinson Crusoe Cruise (from $50 with lunch and wine).
9. Negril, Jamaica with its laid back charm offers beaches for relaxing and surroundings for exploring like Waterfall Adventures (from $119) and Tubing down the Negril River (from $65).
10.Punta Cana, Dominican Republic is the Caribbean’s fastest growing resort area with powdery white beaches and exciting activities including Sunset Cruises (from $37with snacks and drinks) and the Villages All Terrain Truck Tour (from $81).

Viator has hundreds of additional tours and activities at these Top Ten Spring Break destinations so travelers planning a getaway should visit www.viator.com for “the things you do when you get there.”

*All prices indicated are per person, and are current at press time.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (February 13, 2007) - Since only a handful of Oscars will be awarded during the 79th Annual Academy Awards on February 25, most people won’t be getting up close and personal with the world’s most famous gold statuette. But there can be plenty of Hollywood winners with blockbuster tours and activities in and around (and above and below) Tinsel Town and other ‘on location’ cities, available at Viator.com. With more than 100 tours and activities boasting the Hollywood theme among a selection of more than 5,000 activities in 450 destinations around the world, Viator helps every traveler experience their “15 minutes of fame,” as well as their destination, during every trip.

That’s a Wrap
Stargazers can visit the studio that produced two of the Oscar nominees for Best Picture – The Departed and Letters from Iwo Jima - during The Warner Bros. Studio Tour and Santa Monica Private Tour, starting at $179.00, including full VIP access to the studio back lot, lunch in Beverly Hills and shopping on Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica. The VIP Experience at Universal Studios, starting at $159.00, includes exclusive access to the studio’s movie and production facilities, a visit to the prop warehouse, front-of-the-line and reserved seating for theme park attractions and shows, and access to a relaxing VIP lounge. The Hollywood Movie Stars Experience, starting at $62.00 offers the trifecta of chances for travelers to catch a glimpse of an Oscar nominee during the Sony Pictures Studios Highlight Tour, the Movie Stars’ Homes Tour, and Inside the “Heart of Hollywood” Walking Tour, which features the Kodak Theater, home of the Academy Awards.

Be Seen at the Scene
Travelers don’t just get behind the scenes with Viator, but they become “part of the scene” during the Los Angeles Soiree - Private Tour starting at $141.00. Travelers are picked up at their hotel by their personal guide for a night on the town in West Hollywood and Beverly Hills, including dining with the rich and famous at a popular venue like the Polo Lounge in the Beverly Hills Hotel or Massimo Beverly Hills just off of Rodeo Drive. Culture and the Hollywood scene are combined during the Private Luxury Los Angeles Tour, starting at $123.00. A visit to The J. Paul Getty Museum features paintings, drawings, sculpture, illuminated manuscripts, decorative arts, and European and American photographs, followed by lunch at “Bon Appetit” Restaurant, and shopping on fashionable Rodeo Drive.

Getting Above and Below (far below) the L.A. Surface
The Hollywood Skies Helicopter Tour, starting at $167.00, hovers high above the City of Angels and soars over Marina del Rey, Venice and Santa Monica beaches, the mansions of Bel Air, Beverly Hills and Pacific Palisades, as well as the rock & roll glamour of the Sunset Strip and the glitter of Hollywood Boulevard. To really dig deep and get below the surface, the Director of Undertakings, who maintains “a scary amount of knowledge about all things Hollywood” (according to a recent independent Viator user review), narrates travelers through decades of death, murder, and just plain fun during the Dearly Departed Tour, starting at $35.00. Scenes frequented by the famous and infamous are explored, as well as the ‘final scene’ for many an actor including Frank Sinatra, River Phoenix, Bela Lugosi and Mae West. The Movie Stars’ Homes and Celebrity Grave Site Tour, starting at $47.00 visits Beverly Hills’ stately streets where some of the world’s best known celebrities reside like Nicolas Cage, Harrison Ford and Eddie Murphy, as well as Hef and the “Girls Next Door” at the Playboy Mansion. Travelers take in Rodeo Drive on the way to the final resting places of many of Hollywood’s legends - Hollywood Forever and Westwood Memorial.

Hollywood on Location
For travelers who can’t get to Los Angeles, they can do what all actors do - go on location. The house from The Exorcist, the bar from St. Elmo’s Fire and other locations from Wedding Crashers, Forrest Gump and All the Presidents Men are explored during the On Location Tours: Washington DC TV and Movie Sites, starting at $34.00. Clips from such movies as Vertigo, Dirty Harry and Basic Instinct are viewed during a cinematic retrospective in the ‘Theater-on-Wheels’ during the San Francisco Movie Tour starting at $47.00. Travelers visit more than 100 locations including the “homes” of famous TV twosomes Will and Grace, Ross and Rachel (Friends), and Jerry and George (Seinfeld) during the On Location Tours: New York TV and Movie Sites starting at $34.00.

* All prices listed are per person and are accurate at the time of posting.

San Francisco, CA. – February 1, 2007 – With Mardi Gras fast approaching, the time is right to plan a visit to New Orleans and take in all the sights, sounds and tastes that this Louisiana city is known for. Many of the hotels, attractions, tours and restaurants throughout the city are back in business and by visiting the Big Easy, travelers can actively contribute to rebuilding this important city as it continues to rebound from the effects of Hurricane Katrina.

“New Orleans has always been a favorite destination of travelers from all over the world, especially during this time of year when the mood is high and the temperatures are typically mild,” said Rod Cuthbert, founder and CEO of Viator. “We’re delighted to offer a wide array of New Orleans activities to help travelers take the guess work out of what’s up and running, in particular during Mardi Gras season when there’s no better place to be. All of us at Viator are proud to be working with the local tour operators and owners to show travelers the continued tradition and magic of this wonderful city.”

See It All – Even in a Day
For those visitors that may be short on time, there are numerous tours that provide a tremendous overview of the city. Starting at $55.00, The VISITicket: New Orleans Power Pass offers visitors the best value for attractions throughout town. As New Orleans rebuilds, the Post Hurricane Katrina Tour, starting at $53.00, spends over three hours in a variety of neighborhoods impacted by Katrina and highlights the rebuilding efforts. The New Orleans Cajun Bayou Tour, starting at $60, explores the Cajun back country on water and on foot. The historic Steamboat Natchez Harbor Cruise, starting at $19.50, cruises by the bustling activity of America’s second largest port, the city skyline, as well as Chalmette Battlefield.

Calling All Spirits!
New Orleans has been called the most haunted city in America, and offers travelers a bounty of spirit and ghost tours. The New Orleans Haunted History Ghost Tour, starting at $17.00, investigates some of the grim and ghastly deeds perpetrated in the old French Quarter. For those looking for a ‘biting’ good time, The Vampire Tour, starting at $17.00, explores the dark and mysterious world of the undead, with a visit to a noted Vampire tavern to boot. The New Orleans Ghosts and Spirits Tour, starting at $21.00, takes in many haunted sites throughout the Big Easy.

Eat, Drink and Be Merry
Mardi Gras season is the perfect time to take The Southern Comfort Cocktail Tour, starting at $23.00 as travelers learn the history of Pimm’s Cup, the Hurricane, and see where Southern Comfort was created in 1874. The art of cooking Jambalaya is the souvenir visitors bring home after taking the New Orleans Cooking Class, starting at $28.00. Experts in Creole/Cajun fare teach local specialties including Gumbo, Jambalaya and the ever-so-yummy local treat, Pralines. Dinner at the Court of Two Sisters Restaurant, starting at $53.00, allows travelers to savor the local history associated with 150 years of Creole cuisine.

Famous Neighborhoods on Foot
One of New Orleans’ oldest neighborhoods is discovered on the Garden District Walking Tour, starting at $19.00, and includes marvelous examples of Greek Revival and Italianate architecture. A local expert highlights all the history and life of one of the oldest neighborhoods in America during the French Quarter Walking Tour, starting at $24.00. No tour of this area would be complete without a beignet and café au lait at Café du Monde in the historic French Market.

* All prices listed are per person and are accurate at press time. Due to Mardi Gras activities around the city, tour schedules may vary. Travelers are encouraged to check all schedules carefully.