Viator Travel Blog

Making its mark on Canada’s burgeoning wine industry, Niagara runs a close second to British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. Its sophisticated and varied table wines have become the toast of Canada, consistently winning international awards, especially for its Reislings and its Icewine. The area really exploded in 1970s when vintners began planting many noble grape varietals. Today, you can visit more than 80 different wineries across the region. Naturally, you may not have time to visit them all, but in one or two days you can hit the highlights, uncover some surprises, and immerse yourself in the accompanying growing culinary culture. Several of the small wineries have terraces, where you can enjoy a casual lunch or dinner.

One hour West of Venice on the Eurostar train, lies the beautiful city of Verona, nestling on the banks of the River Adige and now given the prestige status of being a UNESCO World Heritage Centre. A visit here is a chance to step back in time, to capture the grandeur and splendor of a city steeped in history…

It’s funny how you can have a really skewed idea of what things look like before you actually see them. For example, I expected the Sydney Opera House to be much bigger than it is, the Leaning Tower of Pisa to be out on its own rather than part of a complex and Prague Castle to be a bit like the ones you see in fairy story cartoons.

In a similar way, I got the Grand Canyon all wrong.

HURRY! Keukenhof Gardens tour from Amsterdam on sale for 3 days only! Get 50% off Keukenhof Gardens and Tulip Fields Tour from Amsterdam. This deal is only available for 3 days – so hurry! You must book by February 23, 2012 to SAVE 50%! This exclusive offer is available for travel dates from April 10 to April 28, 2012 on all scheduled departure times and dates.

Mardi Gras officially takes place on Tuesday, Feb. 21 this year. But, that doesn’t mean places all over the world haven’t already started the festivities.

Known sometimes as Fat Tuesday, Carnival (or Carnevale or Mardi Gras) celebrations bring to life a festive celebration filled with dancing, drinking and general raucousness.

If you’re nearby any of these spots in the world, be sure to check out these lively and fun-filled celebrations.

Despite not having much of a town center, shopping outlets, and just a few western-style accommodations, Koh Kong is non-the-less, one of Cambodia‘s best-kept secrets. An eco-paradise, the isolated and unspoiled tropic southwest region of developing Cambodia is full of plush waterfalls, picturesque beaches and mountains, most of which are accessible via small touring companies or guides. With the added charm of being engrained in rural Cambodia, the sites and landscapes of stilted-homes along dirt roads and palm trees towering over gleaming rice field, Koh Kong may just be the getaway spot you were looking for.

With soaring daytime temperatures for about half the year, Athenians – like Madrileños – have turned night to day and their bars and restaurants inside out to make the most of the comparative cool of the evening. You won’t want to miss the buzz of the Greek capital by night, so after a day of kicking through ancient stones and shuffling through museums, consider a disco nap before you head out again.

One of Ocean World’s coolest destinations in St Thomas, The US Virgin Islands, Coral World Ocean Park is a terrific way to get acquainted with the marine life you are, after-all, surrounded by. With a plethora of wonderful exhibits, including the Undersea Observatory Tower, the Caribbean Reef Encounter, the Marine Gardens and the Touch pool, where you get to handle starfish and pet sea cucumbers, but perhaps the most exciting feature is the 30-minute spectacular Swimming with Sharks at Coral World Ocean Park.

I have to admit it had been years since I visited a zoo, with concerns about animal rights and the moral issues involved in keeping wild animals in captivity the main things that kept me away.

But I had heard good things about Singapore Zoo, and about the changed thinking that was now commonplace amongst zoos in many parts of the world, so I decided to take a closer look. I’m glad I did.

There is something in watching the Portland baggage handlers do their jobs outside in the rain. Their efficiency amidst the soupy fog and clean machinery of the airplanes, it speaks of the nature of Portland, the way these, young, active people  out and about working in this way, in this weather. Just over the 100 [...]