Viator Travel Blog

November 11, 2011 is a unique occurrence on the calendar, but what’s just as unique are the experiences travelers are planning to have on that day. Our team at Viator has compiled a list of the 11 most popular activities as booked by actual travelers for Friday, November 11th. With everything from a 5-day Moroccan adventure to a tour of the Vatican and Sistine Chapel and even a helicopter wedding at the Grand Canyon, Viator travelers are making the most of the special day, anywhere they are traveling in the world.

You could be standing inside a 12th-century French chapel, surrounded by rare stained-glass windows created for a king; the architecture is astounding, but if you don’t know what you’re looking at, its history and relevance, which king, why and when, you’ll be missing out on so much.

Ever wanted to eat your way around the world? All diets are off on this no-limits top 10 list of iconic dishes from around the world. Try them at least once, before it’s too late!

In an increasingly busy world, spas & health retreats are fast becoming one of the most popular vacation choices for the health conscious and burned out traveller.

From indulgent spas attached to luxury hotel resorts to the complete health retreat experience, there are plenty of accommodation options to pick from when choosing where you want to take time out. While you may be fixed on a particular location or retreat, take time to consider which of the many wellness options might help you to de-stress. Whether you need daily yoga and a hammock by the river or a complete daily fitness and weight loss program there’s a health resort waiting to help you achieve your goals.

For some last–minute types packing for a vacation involves stuffing a handful of items into a suitcase and running out the door. For others, it is a process that requires meticulous planning, a detailed list and piles of stuff laid out on the bed. Whichever packing camp you belong to (or somewhere in between…), less is most definitely more when it comes to packing. Here are a few items that you should not leave home without. Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s North America tours & things to do

Over the years, students and adults alike flock to Spring Break destinations varying from USA beach towns to European and Mexican getaways. However, one truth remains, Americans started the party 50 years ago, making Spring Break a cultural phenomenon. Here are the Top Five American cities in which you should spend your Spring Break.

While Lent is not a tradition practiced the world over, everyone sure does love to go all out the night before, Catholic or not. French for Fat Tuesday (the night before Ash Wednesday) Mardi Gras is a yearly excuse to indulge, dress up and go to a fantastic party. Where can you do the best partying, people-watching and dressing up? We’ve got the top five.

This is where dreams of New Orleans become reality. There I sat in a timeless bar, in the cradle of jazz music, listening to a screaming clarinet player, propelled by a drummer, stand-up bass, piano and banjo. Time and space ceased to exist as the music, beer and crowd flowed into a singular composition we call New Orleans. It was a perfect opening night because we’re here for the French Quarter Festival, a festival that celebrates the culture of New Orleans.

Not every hiker can master the entire 2,175-mile (3,500 km) Appalachian Trail! Not every hiker likes to struggle for months, climbing challenging peaks or carrying dehydrated food along the way. That’s why Europe is a paradise for lazy (or almost lazy) walkers – there are many easy one-week hikes with plenty to see, great food along the way and often a comfortable bed at the end of the day.

Because trekking doesn’t have to be a struggle, I have picked out five special hikes for next summer.

I do like to immerse myself in a culture. That’s not why I spilled my bowl of pho (Vietnamese noodle soup) all over myself on a recent tour to Hanoi. Yes, the Vietnamese national breakfast dish was reduced to a warm puddle with bits of meat and vegetables dripping off my thigh. I got up to take a (not particularly memorable) picture and in sitting down I managed to knock the whole bowl over.