USA, Canada, Mexico

It’s almost time for Jazz Fest in New Orleans — the last weekend in April and the first weekend in May, to be precise. It’s a time of renewal, when musicians and fans of the city return and, in some parts of town (for at least a week), it feels like Katrina never happened. To be sure Jazz Fest is a wonderful event, and also a reassurance that the Big Easy can still put on a show and a party all at once. New Orleans kicks it up for a number of other festivals as well, including Mardi Gras and the French Quarter Festival (this month). But what about the rest of the year?

I have been dropping in on New Orleans since 1988 and, like many, I have come to regard the city as an old, eccentric friend. Since Hurricane Katrina struck in the late summer of 2005, my visits have acquired a tinge of melancholy. Or perhaps it’s merely the diminished levity you would expect to experience while checking in on a once-vigorous old man as he recovers from a stroke. The house is still exquisitely disheveled and endlessly interesting, but along with your usual curiosity you bring genuine concern for the old man’s wellbeing. Deep down, you know the old man will never be the same.

In this case, my concern is mixed with a vague and uncertain hopefulness. The floods and political dithering that followed Hurricane Katrina in September 2005 had the effect of a rising and receding tide. Part of the city was washed away forever. But perhaps something new and no less alive was left in its place. Perhaps, too, new seeds will blow in and take root.

New Orleans: Cool Car No, Beef Po’boy Yes

On a recent Wednesday afternoon I arrived at Louis Armstrong International and found my way to the Avis counter. I asked about the company’s “Cool Car” collection, thinking it might be a kick to test drive a Ford Mustang. The woman at the counter shook her head sympathetically. “Not at this location, sir.” When I asked why, she simply said, “High theft.”

That would be a reference to New Orleans’ crime problem. The city’s population is at about 60 percent of its pre-Katrina figures, but crime is as bad as ever. New Orleans has always had its bad-news side, but when a city is in a state of recovery, the bad news hits harder. The real victims, of course, are the residents trying to rebuild their lives and their communities here. I, on the other hand, would make out alright with a Chevy Impala.

Rather than head directly to my hotel, I detoured to an old haunt, Liuzza’s by the Track, for a roast beef Po’boy - New Orleans’ version of a hero sandwich. The lunch hour was over and the place was only half full. A favorite time of day for me. A heavy-set cop at one table, a pregnant woman one over, an old-timer telling stories to some younger guys at the bar, and black and white photos of jockeys and horses watching over the scene. I ordered a bowl of gumbo and a sandwich and settled down. This little corner of the city felt right as ever.

New Orleans: Onward to Frenchmen

Spotted Cat, Frenchmen St, New Orleans

With renewed energy, I drove the Impala down Esplanade, hooked left onto Frenchmen, and checked into the Frenchmen Hotel. Nice enough spot, in a Creole townhouse with a back courtyard. Its real strength was location. Frenchmen Street had always been one of the city’s best entertainment strips, long before Katrina, and it recovered quickly after the disaster. Parts of the Quarter are great. But I prefer the local vibe on Frenchmen Street. Tourists do come here, but they’re not of the boozy-wet-T-shirt variety that swarms Bourbon Street.

That night, a bar crawl revealed some surprises. Ray’s Boom Boom Room, Blue Nile, the Spotted Cat, the Apple Barrel, d.b.a., and Snug Harbor were not only open and featuring live music (trad jazz, modern jazz, blues, brass bands, Gypsy swing, and country on this night), but all were packed. This was an ordinary Wednesday. A relatively quiet night just a few blocks away in the French Quarter, during an obvious lull in the tourist season. Yet Frenchmen Street was hopping.

Before Katrina, I could go from club to club and expect to run into familiar faces and old friends, but things have changed. Perhaps I don’t spend enough time here anymore. New Orleans has always attracted new residents, typically young people still unburdened by careers, families, and property, ready and willing to spend a few years in the USA’s most exotic city. I’m guessing Katrina washed out a good portion of one generation of such people, scattered them to their hometowns or to other cities that exert a pull on wayward souls. By all appearances a new crop of outsiders has filled the void. New Orleans’ musical appeal isn’t lost on them, either.

Most of the musicians are still around - familiar characters like Kermit Ruffins, Irvin Mayfield, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, and Washboard Chaz. These artists are all gifted performers who tour regularly, but their New Orleans shows benefit from the context, intimacy, and familiarity that can’t be duplicated elsewhere. Frenchmen Street is a row of house parties.

In the midst of it all, however, I encountered Lionel Batiste, Sr., bass drummer of the legendary Tremé Brass Band, sitting alone at the bar of the Spotted Cat, looking sullen and out of place. By his demeanor I took it he didn’t want to be bothered, so I didn’t ask what was on his mind. But I couldn’t help but think that all was not well with the music scene when the usually gregarious Lionel seem so out of sync with it. On the other hand, you can’t always extrapolate from what may just be one man’s bad night.

New Orleans: A Tour of the Lower Ninth Ward

The next morning, however, I decided to poke around a bit. I drove down to the Lower Ninth Ward, one of the most heavily devastated sections of town, to see if there was any sign the neighborhood was likely to ever come back. Two years ago, when I visited after Katrina, the bashed up houses of the Lower Ninth lay about like unmoored boats washed ashore. Now they’re gone.

Lower Ninth Ward, New Orleans

The streets, cracked sidewalks, power lines, and a few sturdy oaks are all that remain. The lots are overgrown with grasses and weeds, chunks of foundation poking up like unmarked tombstones. A mere handful of the neighborhood’s residents have returned, some having rebuilt, others inhabiting white FEMA trailors.

These are the stalwarts who prefer to live in the ghostly void of their old neighborhood, rather than in Houston or Atlanta.

The Lower Ninth was predominantly a black neighborhood. It was poor, to be sure, but deeply rooted and full of life. Parts of town such as this one contributed so much to New Orleans’ multi-cultural traditions. As I stood amidst the desolation of the Lower Ninth Ward, I could see little reason to believe it will ever really come back.

New Orleans: Signs of Hope in Mid-City

Elsewhere, however, I found signs of hope. Mid-City, the broad patchwork of mixed neighborhoods between the French Quarter and City Park, is gradually returning to life. I drove to Willie Mae’s, a great old soul food restaurant run by an ancient black woman who must be in her 90s by now. It was closed, but a fresh coat of exterior paint and neatly set tables inside indicated I had just chosen the wrong day to show up. Nearby, I checked in on Ernie K-Doe’s Mother-in-Law Lounge, a bar opened by the late, great soul singer before his untimely passing in 2001. Here, too, freshly painted murals suggested good times will soon roll again. As I stood in front, snapping photos, the door opened and Antoinette K-Doe, Ernie’s widow, invited me in. It was midday, and the place wasn’t actually open. But this is the sort of informal hospitality New Orleans has always been known for.

I had read about Antoinette’s Katrina travails. She and three other people had been trapped upstairs for a week as the ground-floor bar filled with water. She had warned off looters by firing a shotgun into the sky. The bar had been stripped and remodeled, and thanks to Antoinette’s good care, a life-sized statue of Ernie survived the disaster. The Ernie statue now sat in the lounge, looking dapper in a fire-engine red suit, while Antoinette waxed philosophical about the future.

“You got to go on with your life,” she said with a shrug. “Make the most of each day, ’cause you can’t do it over. Getting stressed don’t help. It just puts you in the ground sooner.”

–Tom Downs

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s New Orleans tours & things to do and travel tips & itineraries in New Orleans.

The Racetrack, Death Valley

Editor’s Note: Be sure to read the latest traveler reviews of the Death Valley day trip over on the main Viator site. 

Ghost towns, mysterious moving rocks, acrid salt flats, sweeping sand dunes, chiseled canyons, surreal landscapes, and a posh desert castle. Death Valley was just the sort of quirky place I was looking to spend a few, cherished vacation days. Situated in southeastern California between the Mojave Desert and Las Vegas (135 miles / 216 km to the east), Death Valley National Park spans over 3 million acres, is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere, and is one of the hottest places on earth. (How hot? Temperatures of 120F / 49C are run-of-the-mill.)

Perusing a map of the area before leaving, I noted places such as Dead Man Pass, Last Chance Range, Dry Bone Canyon, and Devil’s Cornfield – they sound like attractions at a Disneyland located in hell. What I found was far from hell, although the unfortunate pioneers who named Death Valley in 1849 would disagree. They barely survived the trip through this merciless valley nestled between the Panamint and Amargosa mountain ranges.

We entered the park on Highway 190, a scenic two-lane road that winds along the Furnace Creek Wash, and crossed a threshold to the past: the history of Death Valley speaks through the land. Curvaceous sandstone hills resembling giant wads of kneaded dough rise from the desert floor. A kaleidoscope of chalky colors and shadows play upon the surrounding mountains and salt-encrusted valley. Millions of years ago, a sea covered the area, leaving behind layers of sediment that striate the landscape and salt deposits that sparkle in the sun. Ruts from wagon wheels dating back to the gold rush days scar the ground.

My travel partner, Benjamin, and I flew from San Francisco to Las Vegas and drove two hours to the valley in a rented SUV (you can also book a day trip to Death Valley from Las Vegas over on the Viator site). We had two backpacks and a giant duffel bag stuffed with gear for camping. Death Valley is a popular destination for backpackers, tent campers, and RV retirees, as well as those looking for more indulgent lodging. In addition to backcountry camping and 9 well-maintained campgrounds with drinking water, clean bathrooms, fire pits, and BBQs, Death Valley also has two hotels: the 4-diamond Furnace Creek Inn and the more reasonably priced Furnace Creek Ranch.

Our schedule was leisurely, but packed with things to do and see. Death Valley’s geologic oddities, dead mining boomtowns, hiking trails, driving tours, and museums could easily fill several weeks and we only had 4 days to explore millions of years of geologic change. Formed by ancient seas and lakes, volcanic action, wind, and erosion, the landscape is composed of terraced rock formations, colorful mineral residue, salt deposits, snaking canyons, and enormous sand dunes.

Devil’s Golf Course, Death Valley

Ubehebe Crater, Death Valley

Driving tours and hiking trails are an excellent way to experience the peculiar world of Death Valley. Places like the Devil’s Golf Course, with its convoluted ground made of sodium chloride craters and spikes, Bad Water at 282 feet below sea level, and the Ubehebe volcanic crater, are but a few of the park’s unusual attractions located conveniently just off the side of the road.

For the daring – skull shattering, unpaved roads lead to places like the Racetrack, a sparkling white playa nestled in dark mountains. One of the more bizarre characters in Death Valley’s roster of oddities, the Racetrack is named for its mystifying moving rocks.

I felt melancholy as I said good-bye to Death Valley. Watching the magical land disappear in the rear view mirror felt like closing the cover of my favorite book, sad that I’d finished the story. Death Valley is a land of extremes, diversity, wonderment, and history and offers something for everyone: golfers, backpackers, mountain bikers, hikers, nature lovers, photographers, and those simply looking for a little R&R. The colorful characters and rich history of Death Valley mixed with the diverse landscapes and natural phenomenon of the park make it a truly unique destination. Don’t let the grisly name fool you; Death Valley is a vibrant desert paradise.

–Cheryn Flanagan

Death Valley is two hours by car from Las Vegas. Viator offers a day trip to Death Valley from Las Vegas that receives great reviews from travelers. Also check out some of the traveler-submitted photos of Death Valley.

Ken’s recent post about Vegas on the Cheap, got me musing about my last trip to Las Vegas, where instead of cheap, I went for quite the opposite, a bit of luxury. I’m not talking crazy high stakes limo lounging VIP bottle service kind of luxury, but the kind that most normal people might go in for as a treat, spending a couple hundred bucks on a really nice day in Vegas. So as a foil to cheapskate Ken I offer up a report on my one day of Vegas decadence!

The Lovely Lights of the Wynn Las Vegas

And where does our day of Las Vegas luxury take place? At the Wynn of course. Let’s glaze over that I got a fabulous online deal (airfare from SFO and one night at the Wynn for $333). I landed mid-day, luxury jet setters do not awake in time for the early morning flights.

One can, naturally, spend some time playing at the very lovely and very pricey Wynn casino tables, but I, alas, am not a gambler by nature. I’d rather lose my money at the Wynn spa. After checking in I presented myself at the spa desk and pored over the options. There are many choices, but as a lover of all things coconut, I went for the Pacific Paradise treatment, a coconut body scrub, with a warm, moisturizing cocoa butter wrap.

The best part of the Wynn spa, and this you can enjoy with a day pass if you’re not staying at the Wynn, is the spa facilities. Technically there’s two spa facilities, one for men and one for women, both are clothing optional. I can only speak for the women’s spa, but I think the men’s is basically the same. The outer spa area is huge lounging area with snacks, teas, fancy water with cucumber or citrus, magazines, a fireplace and gorgeous Rajasthan tapestries from, I assume, the Wynn’s art collection. The inner spa has a sauna, plunge pools, and the biggest jacuzzi I have ever seen. There’s a bank of private showers and pretty much every amenity you need to spruce up. I would highly recommend a visit to the spa to rejuvenate if you are on a long layover in Las Vegas (and Vegas spas are open late, usually until 8 or 9pm). The high standards of Wynn service even apply in the spa, without asking a Wynn employee popped into the sauna to refill my water glass.

Relaxed, and smelling a little like the tropics, I headed from the spa to the theater for a performance of Le Reve. As a lover of all aerial and acrobatic artistry I was pleasantly entertained by Le Reve. I’ve heard it said that Le Reve isn’t as good as Cirque du Soliel, but I’ve seen Cirque shows that weren’t as good, I’ve also seen ones that were better, so I think it has more to do with personal taste than the impressiveness of the show. Was it worth seeing? Absolutely. I nearly headed one theater over to Spamalot, but, for some reason I can’t quite explain, acrobatic feats seemed a bit more luxurious than Monty Python.

Time to eat! The Wynn has a lot of choices for yummy food, and plenty of Steve Wynn spotting, I sat one table over from him on a previous trip at the Italian restaurant, Corsa Cucina. This time I saw him while getting a pre-show ice cream snack at Sugar and Ice. If you only eat at one place in the Wynn, pick up a cone of their home made ice cream, its amazing and the best single item I have eaten at the Wynn. I am not joking.

I opted for some seafood, so I headed to Tableau, far from the maddening casino crowds. A nice green salad, a mixed seafood platter, a glass of champagne, and yes, dessert (it is luxury day!) topped off the evening. Eating alone can be sort of dull, but it was a slow night and my waiter was rather sweetly doting, I nearly invited him to sit down.

I could pretend I partied all night VIP style, but really I fell asleep watching The Daily Show in my very comfy Wynn bed. And frankly, for me, that’s pretty luxurious.

–Kelly G

Thinking of treating yourself to some Las Vegas luxury? Check out Viator’s VIP nightclub passes, helicopter flights and other decadent treats in Las Vegas.

Viator’s Las Vegas Travel Team

As I write this post, I am sitting in the Viator office in Las Vegas and I am not too happy. Now, don’t get me wrong, I enjoy Vegas and of course LOVE working with my colleagues here (Hi guys!), but I never thought of myself as a “Vegas” kinda guy. I am too cheap to gamble and (contrary to popular belief) I don’t really like all the glitz and glamour.

What to do?? What to do??

I have already taken many of the great tours that we have at Viator - the West Rim of the Grand Canyon, the Hoover Dam, and even conquered my claustrophobia with a Helicopter Flight of the Vegas Strip (the free champagne helped!). But as great as these things are, if you have had a rough day in the casino or a late night out you may need at least one day on the cheap in Vegas and it yep, it can be done. Here are five FREE things to do (did he say FREE?) and one really good deal that are right on the Vegas Strip:

The Bellagio Fountains at Night

1. The Bellagio Fountains: Located in front of the Bellagio Hotel, the fountains are a stunning mix of water, music, sound and light. You can check them out multiple times from different vantage points all night long. The shows go every half hour starting late afternoon and every 15 minutes in the evening. You can stop and watch several times each night - they are quite amazing. (Note - last time, even with Celine Dion as the music, I enjoyed it - the fountains are that good!) While you are there, stop in and see the amazing details and stained glass inside the hotel.

2. The Lion Habitat at MGM: The famed MGM lions are on display in the hotel’s special habitat from 12:00 noon to 10:00pm each day. It is easier and cheaper than a safari to Africa to see the lions close up!

3. The Mirage Volcano: In front of the Mirage Hotel, the famous 5-story volcano erupts each night on the hour. This is as close as you can get to a volcano without all that nasty ash and lava.

4. The Pirate Show at TI: At Treasure Island - or “TI” as they now call the hotel – you can watch an elaborately staged pirate duel complete with a lot of noise and a lot of flash. I must admit, I thought it would be hokey, but I enjoyed it! Check with the hotel as times may change, but at time of this post, they are nightly at 7:00pm, 8:30pm and 10:00pm.

Who doesn’t like cheap Blackjack?

5. The Circus Circus “Circus”: – Now, that’s a lot of Circuses (Circi?) in one sentence. But for fun for everyone, head a bit north on the Strip to the Circus Circus Hotel to see the World’s largest permanent circus - or so I am told. They put on a variety of shows every half hour each night – the kids may want to stay and see a few of them!

PowerPass - Las Vegas

6. Las Vegas PowerPass: OK, as promised - it’s not FREE, but it is a good deal. With the Las Vegas PowerPass, for one fixed price you can get entry into a number of Vegas attractions and discounts at several restaurants and shops.

It’s great for people who want to see EVERYTHING (you know who you are) but who don’t want to pay for everything (you know who you are – Dad??). And, come on…you know you want to go to the Liberace Museum, but were you really going to pay for it all by itself? The pass is available in 1, 3, 5 and even 7 day lengths depending on how adventurous you are.

There you have it – So spend your money on some tours, gamble it all or drink the night away - My ideas for the Las Vegas Strip on the Cheap - it can be done.

If you have other ideas for cheap or free things to do, post a comment (I am back next month!)

–Ken Frohling

I had to laugh when I saw this tongue-in-cheek ad campaign for Sydney, the result of another magazine-sponsored attempt to promote the war between cities that never seems to stop. Why is that? Why do cities have to battle each other over which is the “most livable,” “most cosmopolitan” or, even more ridiculous, the “best.”

Mate, I like ‘em all!

For all the same reasons life wouldn’t be much fun if we all looked alike, dressed alike, thought alike or spoke the same way, it’s just really, really good that the world’s major cities are so incredibly un-alike. I hate leaving Sydney and my beloved Bondi Beach, but walking down Piccadilly and through Green Park isn’t too shabby an experience either, and it’s certainly not one you’ll find in Sydney.

That got me to thinking: what are the things I like to do as soon as I arrive in one of these cities, the things that make me glad I’m there? So I made a list.

Ode to the World’s Great Cities

In San Francisco I wait until the weekend (Sunday is best because there’s less traffic) and drive to Treasure Island just before sundown. San Francisco’s skyline is like nothing else; lots of hills, lots of white, tons of quirky buildings and monuments, two big, bold bridges, a huge bay, Alcatraz… there’s a lot to see and it’s all very definitely San Francisco, you couldn’t for a minute confuse it with anywhere else. I see this view in front of an invariably orange sunset and I feel good about being there; that’s a good thing.

London is for walking. Straight out the hotel door, left, right it doesn’t really matter. I keep my eyes open for a park, grab a newspaper — what other city has so many quality daily papers on offer? — and sit myself down on a bench to consume the day’s news. Then on in search of a new pub: with any luck there’ll be a football game on and a partisan crowd to watch it with. Not being a beer drinker is a bit of an impediment, but wine and spirits have the same effect. How many great parks and pubs are there in London? I don’t know, I’m still counting…

Paris is all about watching. Don’t feel guilty: French women — and men too, for that matter — would be annoyed if you didn’t notice how sexy they look in their new Christian Lacroix outfit, their favourite leather jacket, or whatever. They dressed up for you, don’t you get it? So right after unpacking I find a comfortable chair at a cafe on a busy boulevard, pretend to make important phone calls, glance occasionally at the Herald Tribune crossword… and watch the world of Paris go by. Give it a try, and for goodness sake don’t feel bad about it.

Bangkok is for the food. I talked to a couple from New Zealand just the other day, they’d been in Bangkok five days already and admitted they’d had all their meals at the hotel, “it just seemed safest.” OK, if that’s your attitude then maybe this isn’t the city for you. There’s about a zillion street vendors in Bangkok, selling the widest and wildest variety of food and drink you can imagine, so that’s my immersion technique as soon as I land. I’ve even been known to have the cab driver stop before I get to the hotel if I happen to see a vendor doing those little roti-style sweets with egg and carnation milk, rolled up like a crepe. Strike me pink, as my Dad used to say, they’re delicious. Anyway, after one of those I know I’m in Bangkok…

I like visiting Melbourne in winter best of all. That’s because I can go straight from the airport to the football. I mean Australian Rules Football, the real game — maybe that’s not an argument we want to have here — but suffice to say there’s nothing quite like being in a crowd of 80,000 at the MCG, watching Collingwood battle it out with one of their traditional enemies. I know exactly where I am when I hear that roar of “Ball!” go up from 50,000 of our fans — Collingwood supporters are always in the majority — and frankly it doesn’t really matter whether we win or lose, it’s just so Melbourne, so perfect, so unique an experience. Visiting in summer? The cricket works pretty well too…

I find myself in New York a couple of times each year. I don’t mind what season it is, because I know how to connect right away: grab the Times or the New Yorker and check the entertainment listings. Doesn’t matter what month it is, there’s always two or three acts in town that I don’t even have to think twice about wanting to see. And if they’re sold out, it doesn’t matter, just head down to the lower east side and randomise! Any act that’s good enough to get a gig in New York City is worth seeing; there’s tons of great venues, the crowds are always interesting, and if you don’t like the headliner you’ll probably die for the support act. Never fails me…

Got some favourite things to do in favourite cities, the ones you visit all the time and love coming back to? Hit that comments button, OK?

–Rod Cuthbert

Editor’s Note: This is the second in our “airport transport & airport shuttles” series. We’ve asked Viator’s own hardcore travelers — the people who travel month in, month out — to write brief insider guides to airport transportation at major airports around the world. The following is by Alesia Stochel, the manager of Viator’s Las Vegas office. Alesia, she knows Las Vegas, baby!

Fabulous Las Vegas Airport Transport

Welcome to Las Vegas, the beckoning of slot machines greeting you the moment you exit your flight. Now it’s time for more sensory overload as you make your way towards baggage claim, with ample time to take in the advertisements for the hottest Vegas shows, clubs, dining and tour experiences. But be warned: From the airport, it looks like the Vegas Strip is mere steps away, but it’s just far enough away to require an airport shuttle, taxi, limo or your own rental car. The good news is you have choice transportation for the most part 24-7-365! A few guidelines that should help you match your transportation with your Vegas style:

Las Vegas Airport Transport: Grab a Cab

Your average Las Vegas visitor simply grabs a cab. Queues for the cabs are located right outside of baggage area (directly past the car rental counters, and one last restroom stop). Cabs range from $12 to the south end of the Strip to $25 downtown. Usually queues move quite frequently — don’t be dismayed by the looks of the long line. Always good to have a map or an idea of where your hotel is located from the airport (south end, center, downtown, off-strip). No longer rides than necessary, right?!

Las Vegas Airport Transport: Show me the savings!

Save your money for a Vegas helicopter tour

Are you an “all About the value” kind of person? The type of person who would rather save money for a show, a great dinner, or may we humbly suggest a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon? Either way you’re in luck, pre-book your Las Vegas airport shuttle ahead of time and beat the crowds, beat the lines, and spend as little as $10 for Strip hotels and $15 for downtown hotels. This is especially useful if you are arriving on a Friday or Saturday evening, which are high traffic days. Cabs and limos can be costly during this tine.

Las Vegas Airport Transport: DIY Las Vegas

Are you an explorer? Or maybe you want to look good in a convertible? Either way all major car rental companies are available at the airport. Cost during the week starts around $65 per day, on weekends from $30 per day. There is often complimentary valet parking at the major hotels (don’t forget to tip), as well as plenty of free public parking available. You will definitley get your exercise from the hotel parking lot to check-in. Wear comfy shoes!

Las Vegas Airport Transport: Almost famous

For the party-until-you-drop people (don’t waste a minute – sleep is overrated) – private sedans are available at the airport for $40 per person. Not quite the high roller, but feeling extra special!

Las Vegas Airport Transport: Famous enough not to care

Welcome to Las Vegas, Mr & Mrs High Roller. You have two options in Las Vegas: a limo or a stretch limo. Both are readily available at the airport for walk-up customers (bottom level of the airport - ask information at the airport to direct you, or follow the signs). The cost is $50-$60.

Las Vegas Airport Transport: So famous…

… your personal assistant is reading this.

For the highest of high rollers you will need to reserve an H2 Hummer Stretch Limo ($100 - $125). You may want to keep it for 1-2 hours to show a VIP is on-board. This is always a great alternative when traveling with a small group of 6 to 8 people. Or maybe you’re what’s known as a “Whale” — one of those high-dollar gamblers who always travels free to / from by private sedan / limo / stretch (the best)… good for you, but remember that nothing is really free in Vegas, baby – but always a good time.

–Alesia Stochel

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s Las Vegas tours & things to do in Las Vegas, from Vegas shows to helicopter tours from Las Vegas to Las Vegas airport transfers.

At Viator we’re constantly searching for new ways to experience destinations like a traveler, not just a tourist. Which is why we are pleased to offer the ground breaking, cutting edge, and profoundly yellow GPS-guided Storytelling GoCars for city touring over on the Viator website.

Huh? What’s that? What in the world are we talking about???

GPS GoCars in San Francisco

Let’s start at the beginning. Once upon time a man named Nathan Withrington (along with his business partner Alasdair Clements) had a vision. What if visitors to a city could drive around in miniature cars with the latest GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) technology, with an audio tour that was “smart” like a local? Their idea was to allow visitors to leave their guidebooks behind and instead discover a city with clever talking cars that navigate and narrate as you drive. An on-board computer and a GPS-system do the thinking so travelers can sit back and explore the destination from a completely personalized perspective.

Fast-forward to 2004, and Nathan and Alasdair offer the first-ever GoCar GPS car rentals in San Francisco and San Diego. Since then their idea has really taken off. If you live on San Francisco or San Diego, you’ve probably seen these bright-yellow minicars navigating the streets, going places that most tourists never go.

We recently caught up with Nathan and asked him a few question about tourism, GPS technology and the growing popularity of GPS GoCars.

GPS GoCars: Interview with Nathan Withrington

Viator: So Nathan, what exactly is a GoCar?

Nathan: The GoCar is a new concept in tourism. We were the first company in the world that, through GPS technology, empowered sightseers to take themselves on a guided tour. Our little cars have a personality and are you tour guide. As you drive, they navigate like a traditional GPS, but that is not all. They will crack jokes with you, recommend restaurants and tell you the stories that bring the city to life. As you drive, the car give you options of places to go and things to see. The more options you take, the longer your tour. So for the first time in history, they can not only take themselves on a guided tour, they can choose when they leave, how long they go for, where they go, when to stop and the language the tour is given in.

Viator: I live in San Francisco, and I’ve been seeing more of these GPS-enabled cars on the streets. It sounds like your idea has really caught hold and taken off.

Nathan: It all started a few weeks after we opened our doors for business. The San Francisco Chronicle wrote a full-page article on us and put it on the front page of their technology section. Before you know it, Time magazine nominated us for “one of the most amazing inventions of the year.” From that point the press has just not stopped, from Today show, Travel Channel, BBC, New York Times, USA Today… and it just keeps coming.

Viator: OK, be straight with me here. Are GoCars safe? Has anybody ever driven one into the bay?

Nathan: Occasionally, some people are intimidated by the vehicle’s small size and the fact that they are driving on city streets. The vehicles are registered as mopeds but the fact that you have three wheels, not two, makes them much more stable. Thankfully to date, with over 65,000 happy customers, we have not had any serious incidents. We take safety very seriously and make sure everyone that drives a GoCar is given a thorough safety briefing on how to operate the vehicle. With regards to driving one in to the bay, you never know, maybe we will come out with an amphibious GoCar one day!

Viator: Do you need a special license? Special training?

Nathan: All you need is a standard drivers license. The vehicles are operated 100% with hand controls very similar to a bicycle. They are fully automatic, so there is no clutch or gears to worry about. After the safety briefing, most people take to it like a duck to water. The GPS will keep people of the busy streets for the most part and will even warn you when you are entering areas where you need to be cautious.

Viator: I’ve heard the GoCar audio tours as people drive by my house. Do you offer custom voices? Can I select John Wayne to give me a tour of SF?

Yes, that really is Conan O’Brien next to a GPS GoCar in San Francisco

Nathan: We do offer custom themes. My favorite is the “MisterSF tour,” written and narrated by Mister San Francisco (of MisterSF.com) himself. This is a great tour for people that think they already know San Francisco. It does not take you to the obvious places like the Golden Gate Bridge and Lombard St, but rather it shows you the more notorious side of San Francisco, such as where a serial killer lived, where notorious murders happened and buildings that were destroyed in the 1989 earthquake.

Viator: Who’s the most famous person who’s rented a GoCar?

Nathan: You would be surprised at how many we have had. Just last week we had Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia, A Year of Wishful Drinking). We’ve also had the lead singer of Iron Maiden (Bruce Dickenson) rent one while he was here for OZ fest, Conan O’Brien and Tim Matheson to name a few. The most amazing person that rented from us may not be the most famous but I think it has to be Antonio “Tintín” Vizintín. If you don’t recognize his name, you have most likely heard his story as it was told in the 1993 movie Alive where the Uruguay rugby teams aircraft crashed in the Andes mountains. They were presumed dead but, some of them had actually survived and were forced to survive for 72 days without supplies by eating their expired team mates. Meeting someone with that amount of courage was just amazing.

Viator: Has anybody ever stolen a GoCar? Is it even possible to steal one?

Nathan: The great thing about the GoCar is that it is not exactly an inconspicuous vehicle! And it also has GPS tracking. We did have one incident where a couple stopped to have lunch and when they came out the car had gone. They called us to tell us the car had been stolen. All it took was one call to the police to say, “Yellow GoCar with the number 11 on it,” and 10 minutes later the car was recovered, given back to the customers and they were on their way!

Viator: OK, last question: What’s the fastest you’ve ever driven a GoCar?

Nathan: The fastest I’ve ever driven a GoCar? Well, firstly I need to say the cars are only designed to do 30 to 35mph. Having said that, being an engineer, I did modify one of the cars for my personal use to go faster. Much faster. I put an engine three times the size of a regular GoCar engine in it, and that particular GoCar would go over 60mph… for my personal enjoyment only.

Check it out for yourself. Rent a GPS GoCar in San Francisco or San Diego the next time you’re visiting. Or if you live in one of these cities, take your next out-of-town guests on a GPS GoCar tour.

–Scott McNeely

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s tours and things to do in San Francisco, San Diego and coastal California.

Editor’s Note: We are pleased to announce the winners of our NYC Rock ‘n’ Roll contest: Beth Dekoker (her entry: “Over 40, a mom and still rockin!”) and Peter Randell (his entry: “My old punk tee is used to wash the car”). Just to recap, we are giving away 2 free T-shirts for answering one simple question in 10 words or less: Why should we give YOU a free rock ‘n’ roll T-shirt? Congratulations Beth & Peter.

Once upon a time rock ‘n’ roll was king. Rock conquered everything in its musical path, from schmaltzy folk ballads to lightweight pop. Rock’s lethal instrument was the electric guitar. Its warriors wore long hair (if you were into Led Zeppelin) or short hair (if you were a punk). It was sweaty, smelled like cheap beer and urine, and it was loud.

One constant in the ever-changing world of rock is New York City. It’s the home of a dozen seminal bands. Which is where Ron Colinear (a.k.a. Bobby Pinn) comes in. He’s the chief guide and founder of Rock Junket, a company on a mission to celebrate, preserve and expose New York’s great (and too often neglected) music and pop culture history.

NYC Rock n Roll Founder, Ron Colinear (Bobby Pinn)

Bobby Pinn covers New York City’s music-related landmarks and lore on his acclaimed Rock Junket: New York City Rock ‘n’ Roll Walking Tour. Pinn eagerly and enthusiastically walks his rock flock past where Blondie, the Velvet Underground, Television, the Ramones, New York Dolls and Patti Smith lived and played, where Andy Warhol plied his rough trade in his “Factories,” where the Beatles roosted while in the city, and where they riled up millions with their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. Charlie Parker’s Alphabet City pad, Johnny Thunders den of iniquity, Madonna’s first New York City apartment, CBGB’s (the birth place of punk rock), Max’s Kansas City, Andy Warhol’s Exploding Plastic Inevitable parties, Led Zeppelin’s album cover, the Rolling Stones video shoot.

Yes, you cover a lot of rock when you take a NYC rock ‘n’ roll walking tour with Bobby Pin.

Interview with Bobby Pinn: Are you ready to rock in NYC?

At Viator we’re proud to offer Bobby’s NYC rock walk. (Yes, even at Viator, we love to rock.) So we tracked down Rock Junket’s founder and asked him a few questions about New York City, its music, and the bands that have made the city (in)famous.

Viator: What’s the most underrated band you cover on your tour?

Bobby Pin: The Dictators. They were a punk band that formed in New York City in the early 1970s and had their first album released in 1975. They didn’t enjoy a lot of commercial success but they certainly were admired by other bands of that era. Little Steven, of Springsteen’s E Street Band and the Sopranos, referred to them “as the connective tissue between the era’s of The MC5, The Stooges, New York Dolls and the punk explosion of the mid to late 1970’s”.

Viator: OK, so what’s the cheesiest band you cover on your tour?

Bobby Pin: No cheese on my rock tours, baby. I save it for my burgers.

Viator: What’s the best place to see live rock music in NYC these days?

Former NYC Rock Landmark: CBGBs

Bobby Pin: The NYC music has changed over the years. CBGB’s closed in 2006 and The Continental stopped hosting live bands that same year. However Mercury Lounge, Arlenes Grocery, Pianos, Fillmore at Irving Plaza, Bowery Ballroom, and Warsaw in Brooklyn are all great venues.

Viator: Who’s the most famous person / musician you’ve ever taken on a tour?

Bobby Pin: Johnny Rotten! No, not really. But I did meet him once at the Chelsea Hotel and he was cool, took a picture with me and signed an autograph. However I had Roberta Bayley, who is a very famous photographer. Roberta shot the debut cover for the Ramones and she did the back cover shot of the Dolls debut. Also Rebecca Rankin from VH1. But the cool thing about my walks are that we bump into people on the streets. Richard Hell, Lou Reed, Ric Ocasek, Debbie Harry, Handsome Dick Manitoba, my groups have been lucky some days.

Viator: Are there any good up-and-coming NYC bands people should listen for?

Bobby Pin: The days of bands moving to New York City are slim because of the high cost of living. In the 1970s, ’80s and even part of the ’90s you could have a band, share a pad and practice and get gigs and still survive. But the cost of living is so high nowadays that many musicians and artists live on the outskirts of NYC. I also believe we will never see an era like 1964-1979. That was 15 years of unbelievable music, fashion and art. However there are a few bands from NYC that are making some strides. I like The Black Hollies and EL-P from Brooklyn.

Viator: Who’s more rock n’ roll: The Ramones or New York Dolls?

Bobby Pin: Wow, that is a tough one. I believe The Dolls, The Velvet Underground and The Stooges were the punk rock foundation. The Dolls did have Johnny Thunders, who was pretty damn rock n roll. But I would say the Ramones as they jump started the whole punk rock scene and they had Dee Dee who also was pretty damn rock n roll. But then again I have a Dolls tattoo.

Viator: If you could, what other city would you want to do a Rock n’ Roll tour in — London? Los Angeles? Seattle?

Bobby Pin: I have plans to branch out to other cities. London, Chicago, LA, SF are on my radar so look out rock n roll fans. Rock Junket is coming to your town, so get ready to rock.

Contest: Free NYC Rock ‘n’ Roll T-Shirt Alert!

What better way to say “I Luv Rock ‘n’ Roll” than with a free Rock Junket T-shirt, featuring the cool logo above. These ain’t shabby Tees, neither. We’re talking about high-quality, black American Apparel T-shirts. We have 2 T-shirts to give away, one for a woman and one for a man.

So what’s the deal?

In 10 words or less (yes, we will count them) answer the following question: Why should we give YOU a free rock ‘n’ roll T-shirt? That’s right, simply answer the question “why should we give YOU a free rock ‘n’ roll T-shirt?” in 10 words or less, and we will chose the best 2 entries (1 female, 1 male) to win a free Rock Junket NYC Rock ‘n’ Roll T-shirt. The contest closes February 29. (Please note, the contest is now closed, see below for the winners.)

Good luck. And for those about to rock in NYC, we salute you.

–Scott McNeely

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s tours & things to do in New York City, from the Rock ‘n’ Roll Walking Tour to a Hip Hop NYC Tour and dozens more off-beat and unique NYC travel ideas.

Editor’s Note: Jenny is the person at Viator who finds all of the cool, fun and unique things to do in Orlando (and Florida). She’s just back from Orlando and wanted to share a few experiences from her trip.

I’ve made no secret of the fact that I love my job (for the most part), and this past week reminded me of another reason why.

I have been down in Orlando discovering all the things to do aside from the ‘Big 3’ (Disney, Universal Studios and Seaworld). Whilst I love these parks (and yes, I know they are some of the best theme parks on the planet) that doesn’t mean I think you should spend 100% of your Orlando vacation visiting them. Orlando has a whole lot more to offer.

Top Things to Do in Orlando: Alligator Wrestling at Gatorland

Florida is know for their alligators, so where better to start than at Gatorland? I had the unique pleasure of going ‘behind the scenes’ where regular guests can’t go, but even the guest areas are full of interesting (porcupines), cute (a black bear), scaly (snakes, gators, lizards etc) and somewhat scary animals (no, I am not a fan of spiders and scorpions!).

There is one behind the scenes tour you can do which is really cool – be a Gator Trainer for a Day. Every day the tasks you do are different – one day it could be collecting gator eggs, the next it could be helping with the shows. And don’t worry you’ll still have plenty of time to visit the Big 3; a half day at Gatorland is all you need to explore this gem in the heart of Orlando. (Update: There was a fire here at the front entrance in 2006, and I’m happy to advise this is almost completely rebuilt. The current construction has no effect on the rest of the park.)

Next I was off to the coast (about 45 minutes by car) for the Daytona 500 Experience, part of our broader collection of NASCAR racing tours and ride-alongs in Orlando. If you’re a fan of racing you will love the Daytona 500 Experience: two IMAX movies (one in 3-D), a simulator ride that is too real for words, and the actual winning car from the Daytona 500 every year, scratches, dents and all! To be honest, I’m not a big NASCAR fan, but it was extremely impressive to see the racetrack on the “Speedway Tour”. It’s hard to comprehend how huge this track is and you can only imagine what it must be like to have every seat filled and engines roaring around the track. This is definitely worth a day trip to the coast to check it all out.

Top Things to Do in Orlando: Swimming with Manatees

So then it was back to nature – swimming with manatees. I was picked up from my hotel and taken out to Crystal River, where I went diving with these gentle creatures. It wasn’t actually ‘manatee’ season, but there were still plenty to see. I’ve swum with dolphins before and had a blast – this was equally impressive.

All the food served on the tour was excellent and it is obvious that the manatees and the preservation of the native Florida wildlife is paramount in the mind of the operators of this tour. After the swim, we headed to our airboat ride – such fun!

Finally, it was over to the Homossassa State Wildlife Park. This is where they bring the manatees to rehabilitate them, but honestly just seeing the manatees here would have been enough for me - swimming with them was an added bonus.

Kennedy Space Center is another great day trip from Orlando and can be purchased either with or without transport and a variety of upgrades to choose from. Kennedy Space Center is one place that has a lot to see and do. You don’t have to be a space junkie to enjoy it all and be amazed by the sheer magnitude of the shuttles. There are hands-on exhibits, IMAX movies, you can have lunch with an astronaut, and much more. This really is a must-do in Orlando.

Then there was Cypress Gardens, a 1-hour drive from Orlando. This park was in its heyday a number of years ago and they have recently done a lot of work to attract visitors again. Thrill rides and a water park have been added, there’s good food, and the gardens are simply amazing. They also have free outdoor concerts featuring acts like the Beach Boys. The park is renowned for its waterski show (which runs year round) and the southern belles that wander the park adding a touch of southern hospitality and charm. The park is constantly undergoing improvements, but nothing that will detract from the experience

Finally, there are all the shows in Orlando. Orlando is a haven for families and these shows make for a perfect end to the day. From pirates and knights to Arabian horses, Blue Man Group and Disney characters, you can combine good food and first class entertainment in one place!

Keep an eye on our Orlando offerings however – we have some new and unique experiences coming up. It’s all part of my job, to find amazing adventures for travelers like you to experience.

–Jenny Crossling

Planning a trip? Check out Viator’s complete list of Orlando tours and things to do. Or consider extending your stay in the Sunshine State and check out the colorful Art Deco District and Little Havana neighborhoods in Miami, or partake in a smorgasbord of water activities in the gorgeous environs of Key West.

The Others are right over those hills…

Here’s the thing, as much as I love, love, love, Viator and most of its 5,000+ products, there are some that I’d probably never consider doing. That’s not because they don’t have merit, they just don’t suit my taste. For example, I watch very little television. So the Sex in the City tour or Sopranos tour in New York City is not appealing to me (despite 80+ positive traveler reviews), I’ve never watched an episode of either show. And though I watch many movies, I’ve never really had much desire to see where things were filmed.

Recently I’ve gotten really into watching Lost. My brother gave me season one on dvd and I am now almost caught up through season three. Maybe its the endless hours of watching the survivors on the island, but I am starting to have a nearly uncontrollable urge to visit where they shoot Lost, which happens to be Oahu, Hawaii. Will I find a hatch? Can I hike through the same jungle as Sawyer and Kate? Will I run into The Others? Okay, of course not, but it seems like fun to go there. And if I just turn up in Oahu, sans a tour, how will I know where to go? Clearly it is not easy to find the village of The Others, and I don’t want to get trapped by Rousseau or zapped by the sonic security system. Admit it, you look at their beach, and really, does it seem so bad to be stranded there? Inquiring minds want to know.

*****

The famous Castro Theater

In San Francisco I live just a couple of blocks from the Castro neighborhood. Over the past few weeks the neighborhood has been turned into a set circa 1970’s for the filming of the Gus Va