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.

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 [...]

Wine tasting is a lovely way to spend a day or a weekend. So enjoyable, in fact, that wine tasting has become a vacation in itself. Wine tourism has grown in the last 10 years and many wineries around the world now provide exquisite tasting rooms with vineyard views, wine tasting dinners, and tours of the vineyards and cellars. An oeno-experience, one might say.

In many ways, Budapest is a perfect city break destination. Like many perennial favourites, it is pretty – there are numerous spots for the postcard shot – but there’s also plenty to do. The city has two distinctive characters, split by the River Danube.

On the western bank there is staid, leafy and traditional Buda. This is where a lot of the eye candy – such as the Castle District, Matthias Church and Citadel – can be found. Pest, on the eastern bank of the Danube, is where the city’s action and life is to be found. There are some pretty impressive tourist attractions here too, but it’s shopping, eating and drinking that give Pest its hugely enjoyable edge.

Want to know the best way to get inside a country’s culture? By sampling its wine and food, that’s how! Whether it’s French Champagne, Italian Chianti or Californian Zinfandel, a wine tasting tour reveals the traditions and history of both people and place, and whisks you on a road trip through stunning rural countryside. Designed for both wine novices and experts, wine tasting tours are hugely informative and entertaining. Here are this year’s picks for the Top 10 Wine Tours of 2011!

Before I arrived in Seattle, the sum total of my knowledge about the city amounted to a handful of stereotypes. Plucking words at random, I could give you Starbucks, Microsoft and Nirvana. What I wasn’t expecting was a truly endearing city that ticks the right boxes on almost every level. It’s a chilled out, dressed-down place where the nerds outnumber the jocks, and people have a genuine enthusiasm for giving something a go.

HURRY! Sydney & Melbourne day trips on sale for 3 days only! Get 50% off select Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley, and Port Stephens day trips from Sydney AND Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island, and Yarra Valley day trips from Melbourne. This deal is only available for 3 days – so hurry! You must book by November 17, 2011 to SAVE 50%! This exclusive offer is available on ALL scheduled departure times and dates from now until March 15, 2012.

HURRY! On sale for 3 days only! Book a Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Tour from San Francisco at a 50% discount! For this limited time only, you can save 50% on all available tour dates – including the weekends! This deal is only valid for 3 days – so hurry! You must book by October 27 to save 50%!

To say that this wasn’t what I expected from Dallas would be an understatement. Downstairs at the Nasher Sculpture Center, I’m met with a room that contains a glass wall and door. It is full, pretty much floor to ceiling, with golden balloons.

***Editor’s Note: The contest is now closed and we have a winner! Congratulations Maggie!***Where better to become a connoisseur of French wines than in Paris? Whether you are a wine novice or a wine lover, this relaxing and fun wine tour is a great introduction to the history and culture of fine French wine. Now you can enjoy this experience for FREE! Viator is giving away one pair of tickets for French Wine Tasting in Paris.