Asia | Viator Travel Blog

An Open Letter to Complainers

31. August 2009

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

Tokyo in 4 Days

25. August 2009

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

Suggested Itineraries: Vietnam

20. August 2009

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

Five Great Cities for Children

18. August 2009

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As a general rule, children and cities don’t tend to mix. A family holiday can be far less stressful when it’s restricted to a resort or quiet countryside area. But there are some cities in the world that are jam-packed with child-friendly attractions and activities. Singapore, Sydney, London, Copenhagen & Los Angeles are arguably the world best five.

Suggested Itineraries in Kuala Lumpur

31. July 2009

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So you’ve made it to Kuala Lumpur – the capital of Malaysia and one of the undiscovered gems in southeast Asia. Very few tourists pass through KL, as Kuala Lumpur is universally known. Most favor Thailand or Singapore for their southeast Asian adventures, but not you, because you are looking for something different. And we applaud you for that.

Phuket, Thailand - Cruising to Phang Nga Bay

6. July 2009

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Phuket, Thailand - Cruising to Phang Nga Bay

Thailand is one of those special places that has it all: amazing scenery, super-friendly people, a colorful and vibrant culture, great food, warm weather... and it's all packed into a country that you can get around quickly, with low-cost air fares and plenty of other transport options. You could never hope to see it all in one trip, so the experience most travelers have is that they want to come back for more, and they do. Thailand enjoys great loyalty from its visitors, who know that each part of the country offers its own pleasures, a fact I discovered for myself when I visited Phuket recently.

Top Things to Do in Japan

3. July 2009

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Editor's Note: We asked Cheryn for her top things to do in Japan, Tokyo, Kyoto and beyond for travelers planning a trip to Japan. This is her reply.

Top Things to Do in Kyoto: A 5-Day Itinerary

31. May 2009

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Top Things to Do in Kyoto: A 5-Day Itinerary

Arriving at my ryokan in the Higashiyama district of Kyoto, a commotion of tourists near the hotel entrance erupted as maiko (apprentice geisha) stopped in front of a silvery-leafed tree to pose for a photographer. Given my location near Gion, famed for the ochaya, or teahouses, where geisha entertain affluent clientele, the sight of maiko became a common experience during the week I spent in Kyoto.

Trans-Mongolia Part 3: Mushing to Moscow

7. April 2009

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Trans-Mongolia Part 3: Mushing to Moscow

Irkutsk is the jumping off point for Lake Baikal, the world’s deepest and weirdest lake. Water gushed into the space between two tectonic plates and created a huge crescent-shaped water that runs over 600km. It’s apparently more than a fifth of the world’s fresh unfrozen water. The tectonic plates are slowing moving away from each other and may one day split so that this could be the world’s fifth sea. Isolated within these depths is a unique ecosystem that serves as a sanctuary for nerpa (freshwater seals) and the omul fish.

Trans-Mongolia Part 2: Erlian Border Crossing

30. March 2009

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Trans-Mongolia Part 2: Erlian Border Crossing

China seems to be behind us as we pull into Erlian, to cross the border into Mongolia. Already we’ve seen the landscape growing drier and stations have lost their grim institutional look. Actually crossing the border is a formality. Customs officials snatch up our passports and give us no idea of when we’ll see them again. We begin the long slow wait for the gauges to change.