While few people chose to travel in pursuit of tragedies, occasionally a tragedy helps put a destination into meaningful context. No where is that more true than New York City. The attacks of September 11, 2001 are easy to overlook nowadays; New York is healing, moving on, looking forward not back. And yet 9/11 was (and remains) a defining moment of modern New York. You cannot appreciate the city, and everything it has endured, without confronting the gruesome reality of the attacks: the death and destruction, the heroism of Ground Zero’s rescue workers, the courage and resilience of everyday New Yorkers.

Firefighters recovering a body at Ground Zero

Viator is extremely proud to work with the non-profit Ground Zero Museum Workshop in New York City. The museum is located in the Meatpacking District on West 14th Street, a short subway ride from Ground Zero itself. A highlight of the museum’s powerful collection are 100 of Gary Marlon Suson’s most well-known images from the 9/11 recovery effort (Suson was one of only two sanctioned photographers with all-access privileges at Ground Zero). Visitors are also allowed the rare opportunity to pick up and hold World Trade Center steel and window glass. The non-profit museum also benefits numerous 9/11 and Fire Department-related charities and is endorsed by many noted firefighters and 9/11 families.

Viator recently caught up with Mr Suson. He was gracious enough to share his thoughts and experiences about the museum, New York, and the tragedy of 9/11.

Q&A with Ground Zero Museum’s Gary Marlon Suson

Viator: When did the Ground Zero Museum Workshop open? And where did the idea come from?

Suson: We opened September 7, 2005. It’s inspiration was multi-faceted. In 2005, I was very frustrated that there was no 9/11 museum erected, as I knew that visitors to NYC had a need to know “what happened” at Ground Zero following the World Trade Center (WTC) attacks.

There were (and still are) so many delays in the rebuilding process at Ground Zero. I called many NYC Museums and offered to donate my collection to them if they’d build a permanent wing or exhibit, but was surprised when they all said pretty much the same thing: “There’s not really much interest in 9/11 anymore.”

Right around then I visited Amsterdam, Holland, and in particular, the Anne Frank House. I was moved to tears at seeing Anne’s diary, her room and all the artifacts. It made me “connect” to the Holocaust much more than reading about it in a book. What really blew me away was how such a tiny exhibit could be so incredibly profound. Anne Frank House is NOT the MOMA; it is very small. It was then that I decided I would turn my loft studio in NYC’s Meatpacking District into the “Biggest LITTLE Museum in New York.”

K9 rescue dogs at the WTC site

The task was not easy as I had to make every square inch of the museum meaningful. Many people assisted me with this and I could not be happier with our “micro museum.”

The guest reviews are what I base the museum’s success on. With a near-perfect rating after 3 years, I know we are doing our job in telling the special stories that arose from the dust of 9/11. If I ever felt there were no need for the museum to exist, I’d close it in a heartbeat, but as of today, people are still visiting us.

Viator:  Some of the staff and guides worked at the World Trade Center site, helping with the recovery after the 9/11 attacks. It sounds like you run this out of a real love and concern for the people involved in the 9/11 recovery efforts.

Suson: We have had tour guides who were firefighters on 9/11 who barely survived, as well as guides who were not there but are quite passionate about being part of the museum’s mission. I no longer conduct tours as it isn’t healthy for me, but I sit in from time to time and answer questions. The recovery workers at Ground Zero were unsung heroes as the public has no idea what they went through over 9 months trying to recover the remains of 3,000 victims. They subjected themselves to grueling conditions that winter of ‘01-’02 while diggings in the mud just so some families could get some remain of their loved ones back. It took a toll on them mentally and physically. The museum shows a side of the recovery that is seldom scene and portrays patriotism at its finest.

Viator: What’s your personal connection to 9/11?

Suson: Well, I never really experienced 9/11 as a “normal” person would. I was so heavily involved, both as the official photographer at Ground Zero for the uniformed firefighters association, and as a recovery worker, that I never really was on the outside looking in. I was so honored to be there and help out in any way and have tried to help others who were affected in a negative way.

It is draining on me emotionally to talk about 9/11 and I try to distance myself in some ways for my own sanity, but I am always there to give a hug to or talk to someone when I see they are hurting. I cannot turn a blind eye when I see someone is upset, so I often try to be strong for them. I have had a lot of extensive therapy and it has helped me help others. I no longer lead museum tours, so I am happy we have a staff that communicates my message and experiences for me since I cannot do it anymore.

Viator: How has lower Manhattan changed since 9/11?

Suson: The first few years after 9/11 it was a train wreck. So many businesses were wiped out and many residents moved, leaving the real estate market in the doldrums. However, recently there has been a surge in rentals and new businesses as people are realizing that the Battery Park City area can be great, once again. They are projecting the WTC site will reopen in 2013-14, but only time will tell.

Firefighter at the WTC recovery site

A new tower and memorial museum are currently being constructed. One of the problems with the rebuilding process has to do with engineering conflicts and the subway system. I am not personally involved with the politics of the rebuilding process, nor would I want to be. It seems like a daunting task.

Viator: Are you surprised by the reactions of visitors who come to the museum?

Suson: I must say yes, I am. I am amazed at how 9/11 affected people from all over the world. I am surprised and moved at how many people “care” about the event, care about the victims and what happened that awful day. It is inspiring to me when I see the emotions conveyed by guests from UK to Australia to France to Germany to Holland.

I admit I had reservations about opening the museum and I thought perhaps nobody would visit, but I was so very wrong. Truth is, I didn’t know what I was doing when I began to build the museum; I just followed my heart and went for it. I am happy that it is still open and touching lives every day. This museum is not about me, even though it’s my images that are displayed. From time to time I will read an annoying review that incorrectly states the museum is a showcase of my work or “about the photographer.”

To be honest, I have no aspirations to be a photographer nor do I care about showcasing or promoting “my work.” I am an actor and playwright who just helped out when called upon. After 9/11, some people donated cookies, some donated clothes , and I happened to donate my photography skills. My “role” at WTC was no more or less important than anyone else’s role.

So this museum is not about me but about those who died and those who need to come here for healing. It just so happens I was one of only two photographers in the world allowed full access to the WTC site, so I felt I must do something meaningful with the collection or it would collect dust. The “Recovery Collection” serves a much greater purpose than me, that’s for sure, so you can imagine how irked I get when someone has a cynical take on the “purpose” of the museum. As a side note, having to carry around all these Ground Zero stories in my head was driving me mad, so I am happy they are now permanently recorded in the self-guided audio tour.

Viator: What sort of exhibits and artifacts can visitors expect to see?

Suson: Guests can hear 100 moving stories behind well-known images from Ground Zero, including images from the subway tunnels below WTC, the WTC Bible Page, Honor Guard images, K-9 Recovery Dogs and more. Artifacts include WTC window glass, steel, a clock frozen at the second the first Tower collapsed, a calendar page from 9-11 and more.

It is unfortunate that artifacts were thrown away on a daily basis at Ground Zero, so I sometimes asked permission to retain a few that appeared in my images. We also have artifacts on loan from Recovery workers, FDNY and NYPD personnel. A historical treasure trove of artifacts were disposed of and if I could turn back the hands of time, I would have asked permission to save more of them. They help people connect to the event.

Learning about the 9/11 recovery efforts

Viator: Is the museum suitable for children?

Suson: Yes, it is. There is nothing graphic nor morbid at Ground Zero Museum Workshop. It is tastefully presented. We have 4 and 5-year-olds sit and listen intently to the stories. The museum is unique in that it stays away from the morning of 9/11 and focuses on the aftermath. I did not feel that making guests (or 9/11 families) re-live the horrors of that morning would be of a healing nature. Everybody knows what happened that day but they don’t know what happened inside Ground Zero in the 9 months that followed.

That’s where we come in. We fill in the gaps and educate guests as to the special stories that happened inside. We help visitors feel what it was like on the inside looking out. Our “world” in there was very sacred and special. The nicest compliment we can ever get on the museum is that it is “tasteful.”

Viator: I read in the NY Times that you wandered the dark subway tunnels below Ground Zero by yourself. Were your scared?

Suson: Yes, it was quite scary down there. It was structurally unstable, so anything could come down on me at any time, so I was slightly “off” in being down there. But I captured some historical images in the subway area, so it was worth it. One day, I will release the video footage I shot down there and whoever views it will probably get freaked out. I look back at it sometimes and say to myself, “What, were you crazy?”

The subway images are very popular in the museum. I remember one day in 2001, I was on the phone with my mom in Chicago, Sherry Suson, and she said, “I don’t want you going down there any more! Do you hear me? And if you do go, I don’t want to hear about it!” She wasn’t joking, either. My mom preferred the old days when all I did was photograph our horses and dogs on our Barrington Hills, Illinois farm.

Viator: So, you are retired from photography?

Gary Marlon Suson at the WTC site

Suson: Haha, yes. My first love is the theatre and writing, but I also do voiceover work. I didn’t come to New York City from Chicago for a photography career nor to be a museum curator. Truth is, I am honored that I was able to use my early childhood training in photography to do something meaningful concerning a national tragedy.

Could I ever do anything more meaningful than document the recovery at Ground Zero?

Probably not. I took that job unsalaried because it was an honor to be there and help out.

I am focused heavily now on finishing up my next Off-Broadway play, American Brother. It’s Ground Zero-themed and is a four-character, emotion driven play. We will be sending out invites to all our museum guests when it opens. We collect emails daily from our visitors. I am an artist, through and through, and artists create what they feel passionate about. I feel passionate about keeping the memory of the 9/11 victims alive and this stage play will reflect that. I hope it is well received.

-Scott McNeely

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s New York tours & things to do in New York, including the Ground Zero Museum Workshop Tour.

Scuba course in Punta Cana, D.R.

We’ve been busy updating our travel photo sets over on Flickr - have a look if you’re not familiar with them. And it made me realize how many drop-dead stunning photos have been submitted by Viator travelers recently.

So we’ve selected some of the staff’s favorite tours and things to do in Viator, and posted a handful of our favorite traveler photos along with them. Have a gander:

• Photos of the All American Grand Canyon Helicopter tour in Las Vegas
• Photos of the Everglades National Park in Miami (nice gator!)
• Photos of the Niagara Falls (on a day trip from New York)
• Photos of a sunrise balloon flight over the Yarra Valley, near Melbourne
• Photos (underwater ones!) of a SCUBA course in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
• Photos of the Vatican in Rome
• Photos of canal cruises in Amsterdam
• Photos of the Accademia and Uffizi Gallery in Florence
• Photos of a romantic night in Paris
• Photos of Uluru and Kata Tjuta, near Ayers Rock

Happy travels. Hopefully some of these photos will inspire you as much as they inspire us.

Everglades National Park - Gator!

Uluru from a helicopter

-Viator Travel Team

Last year we had an amazing set of photo winners (skip to the bottom if you’re curious about 2007’s winners). This year, if the truth be told, it was nearly impossible to select only 10 top travel photos.

The problem?

The problem is you all take such excellent photos. Sure sure, that sounds like we’re sucking up to you, but it’s the honest-to-goodness truth. We had a very difficult time selecting just 10 photos. So we made a compromise. We did select our 10 favorites, but this year we’re also including a handful of runner-up photos. We’ll let you decide if we selected (or not) the 10 best. Now without further ado, here are the top 10 photos submitted by travelers on Viator.com in 2008.

Top 10 Traveler Photos from 2008

#10. Jungfraujoch Top-of-Europe Day Trip from Lucerne, Switzerland

Ivy made it to the top

Ivy took a tour to the top of Jungfraujoch at 11,333 feet (3454 meters) in Switzerland. The scenery is stunning, and the smiles are infectious. Thanks Ivy! (See more photos of this tour here.)

#9. 4-Day Canyons and National Parks Tour, from Las Vegas

Philippe's amazing photo of horse and rider in Monument Valley

If we didn’t know better, we’d think this was a still photo from a John Wayne film. But it’s not. Philippe took this photo on a 4-day tour to Monument Valley from Las Vegas. Doesn’t this photo make you want to go there??

#8. Gladiator Training School in Rome

Rob in his mask at the Rome Gladiator school

You’ve seen the movie, right? Maybe you didn’t know you can also learn to be a gladiator yourself at this school in Rome, Italy. Rob took this photo, and said the helmets are heavy but very cool! (You can check out more photos of the Rome Gladiator School.)

#7. Elephant Trek, Rafting and Hilltribe Tour from Chiang Mai, Thailand

Carolyn on the Mae Pring River

Carolyn’s smile is what won our hearts. Has anybody every looked happier rafting down a lazy river in Thailand on their way to trek with elephants and meet the local hill tribes? Nope, and that’s why we selected it. Thanks Carolyn!

#6. Naples and Pompeii Day Trip, from Rome

Angela is on top of the world

Angela’s caption for her photo was simply, “On top of the world.” She looks supremely regal and thoroughly happy exploring the ruins of Pompeii on a day trip from Rome.

#5. 4×4 Desert Safari, Dubai

Steve's kids riding a camel for the first time in Dubai

Steve took this photo of his kids riding a camel for the first time, in the desert dunes of Dubai on a 4×4 Desert Safari tour. Do you think those two happy-looking kids will remember this experience for a very, very long time? Yes, we do. Nice one, Steve. (Click here to see more photos of the Dubai Desert Safari tour.)

#4. Arch de Triomphe & Eiffel Tower, Paris

Saibal, with a postcard-perfect view of Paris

This photo is from Saibal - or more likely, from a fellow traveler who took this photo of the couple at the top of the Arc de Triomphe, looking out over the Eiffel Tower (which they visited as part of the Paris Pass). Saibal’s caption notes that “it was a captivating view of Paris, after climbing 287 steps.” And that’s what we love about this photo - the mix of fatigue, and the pride of accomplishment, on their faces after tackling those 287 steps and being rewarded with a stunning view of Paris.

#3. Harbor Lights Night Cruise in New York City

As David says, his photo of the Statue of Liberty speaks for itself

David took this photo on a Harbor Lights Night Cruise in New York. He’s caption pretty much sums up our feelings: “Lady Liberty in the Twilight - Speaks for itself.” Yes David, we agree, your photo pretty much speaks for itself.

#2. Sydney Opera House, Sydney

Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia

Jordan caught the Sydney Opera House at sunset, just as the sun was dropping behind Sydney’s iconic harbor-front landmark. Great timing, Jordan, and a great photo.

#1. Black River Safari, Negril, Jamaica

Here is why we travel - to do something unforgettable with the people you love

You may not have heard of Negril, Jamaica (it’s one of the top vacation spots in Jamaica, in case you were wondering). But this photo of Brenda and her family (Mikey, Marissa & Wyatt) on the Negril Black River Safari captures the spirit of ‘why we travel’. It’s not where you sleep and it’s not how you get there - it is what you do. And perhaps even more important - it is who you do it with. Here at Viator we received photos of more exotic locations, more extreme adventures, more unique things to do… yet in the end we awarded the #1 spot to Brenda and her family because her photo captured the spirit of going somewhere and doing something fun with the people you care about most.

And really, isn’t that why we travel?

Runners-Up: 2008 Traveler Photos

This year there were simply too many great photos to pick only 10. So here’s a short list of the runners-up from 2008. Thanks again to the thousands of travelers who submitted their trip and tour photos to Viator.com this year.

Changing of the Guard, London. Photographer: Arthur C

Sports Lover Tour, Melbourne. Photographer: Joanne B

Loro Park, Tenerife. Photographer: Anonymous

Washington DC Monuments by Moonlight Tour, Photographer: Marcel D

South Sea Island Day Cruise, Fiji. Photographer: Alexandra S

Dolphin Swim, Oahu, Hawaii. Photographer: Sally C

Monzee Lake, near Salzburg, Austria. Photographer: Dani B

Grand Canyon Skywalk, Grand Canyon. Photographer: Christina T

Top 10 Traveler Photos from 2007

Just for the record, here are the photos we honored last year. Viator’s 2007 list of the top 10 photos of the travel year.

#10. 4×4 Dubai Desert Safari in Dubai

4x4 Dubai Desert Safari

Here’s a shot taken by Merridy in Dubai, on a 4×4 Desert Desert Safari. Merridy’s comment: “The kids loved it. We are glowing with praise for your fantastic desert safari and your even more fantastic staff who drove, cooked and looked after my daughter, her 9 year old son, 5 year old daughter and me… the grandmother!”

We chose this for our top 10 list because the kids do, very much indeed, look happy riding that camel at sunset. You can browse more photos of the Dubai 4×4 desert safari over on the Viator website.

#9. Dive & Snorkel Cruise from Cairns, Australia

Samantha on the Dive and Snorkel Cruise to Agincourt Ribbon Reef

Hello Samantha! What a funny shot of you underwater on the Dive and Snorkel Cruise to Agincourt Ribbon Reef from Cairns. Samantha’s caption: “Me, trying to take a picture of my self at Agincourt Reef!” And for attempting that underwater self-portrait, we salute you Samantha. Browse more photos of this dive & snorkel cruise on the Viator website.

#8. Champagne Sunset Cruise in St Lucia, the Caribbean

Angela's sunset shot

Here’s a postcard-perfect shot of sunset on the Caribbean island of St Lucia, taken by Angela after her St Lucia Champagne Sunset Cruise. Check out a few more of Angela’s photos of St Lucia, all of which make us want to book the next flight to St Lucia.

#7.Elephant Trek & River Rafting in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Laurie's Elephant Trek

Laurie took this shot of “elephants heading back home up the river after our jungle trek,” and for us it captures the thrill of taking an elephant jungle trek in Thailand. There’s something very cool and hypnotic about that long line of elephants slowly snaking up the river. See more of Laurie’s photos of her elephant trek in Thailand.

#6. Niagara Falls Day Trip from New York City

Sophie, Katherine and Sean

Say hello to Sophie, Katherine and Sean. Don’t they look happy? Don’t they look wet? Don’t they look like they’re having a blast exploring the Niagara Falls on a day trip from New York City? Yes we thought so, too. Check out more of Sean’s photos of the Niagara Falls day trip from NYC.

#5. Ayers Rock (Uluru) Camel Sunset Tour in Ayers Rock, Australia

Gillian on her camel

Hmm, not sure we intended to have a camel theme to our top photos of the year. But good photos are good photos, and this snap by Gillian of her Ayers Rock Sunset Camel Tour caught our fancy. Kangaroos in Australia? Sure. Koalas and wombats, too. But camels? Mate, you better believe it. Check out more photos of the Ayers Rock camel tour.

#4. Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour, Rome

James' Vatican photo

The Vatican, the Sistine Chapel, Rome… these are some of the most stunning sites in Europe. And we liked James’ photo above because it captures the awe-inspiring beauty of the Vatican’s architecture. Check out more photos of the Vatican & Sistine Chapel walking tour.

#3. Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour, from Las Vegas

Katie's Grand Canyon shot

For some people, Las Vegas is all about gambling. For others it’s all about the glitz and the glamor. For others it’s about easy access to sites such as Death Valley and the one-of-a-kind Grand Canyon. We selected Katie’s photo above, on her All American Grand Canyon helicopter tour, because it captures the Grand Canyon’s majestic natural beauty with the shadows of a few fleeting clouds on an otherwise crystal-clear day. Great photo, Katie. (Click here to see more photos.)

#2. Paris City Tour in a Citroen 2CV, in Paris

Happy 40th, Nancy!

Fancy a private tour of Paris in a Citroen 2cv? Nick and Nancy (above) did, and here’s what Nick had to say: “This was a trip down memory lane - my wife and I both drove 2CVs in the 1980s. I organised the tour for my wife’s 40th birthday, and it was great to hear the familiar rumble of a 2CV as it approached the hotel. This was a brilliant way to see Paris, and we were the centre of attention wherever we went. Great fun.”

#1. Statue of Liberty at Sunset, New York City

Costa's photo of the Statue of Liberty

The Big Apple, it’s our kind of town. New York City is one of the world’s most iconic destinations, and it’s a safe bet that Manhattan’s skyline is the most recognizable in the world (More recognizable than Paris? Yes. More than London? Yes.). We chose Costa’s image of the Statue of Liberty at sunset as our top photo of the year because it is, simply, a beautiful photo of one of New York’s most famous sites. Congratulations Costas.

And we hope your future travels include more of Viator’s tours and things to do, if only because we hope you send us more of your great trip photos!

-The Viator Travel Team

Will You Marry Me? (She said yes!)

While Santa’s checking off his list for the last time, we here at Viator are just adding up the final tally for our best of 2008 list extravaganza. With over 50,000 reviews and photos, it’s been fun taking a look back at what our customers have been up to this year and see how our customers have shared their lives with us.

You’ve gone well beyond simple tours and activities on vacations and turned them into amazing experiences, adventures and memories. So, we’ve put together a short list in the ways that Viator travelers have turned simple tours or activities into something incredibly special.

1. Popping the question

Sure, romantic gondola rides or dinner on top of the Eiffel Tower are lovely. Our travelers have been asking partners to marry them on cruises, helicopter flights and more.

2. Celebrating an Engagement

You’ve said “I do” and now it’s time to whoop it up! From a romantic Seine River cruise to adventure ATV rides, finding the way to celebrate the happy news has been almost as popular as getting engaged.

3. Tied the knot

No one has (that we know of) both asked the question and gotten married with Viator tours. But, we do carry a lot of planned and spontaneous wedding packages in all sorts of places, so maybe 2009’s list will have one. That said, a few people have left us reviews on their drive up Las Vegas weddings. Definitely something you can do only in Vegas!

A romantic cruise on the Tiber for this couple's 10 year anniversary...

4. Celebrated Anniversaries

One year, ten years, forty or even fifty happy years, our travelers carry on the romance with everything from wine country tours to dinner dance cruises.

Birthday girl, bike tour

5. Celebrated Birthdays

On a birthday trip? Book a birthday tour. Birthdays on bikes, boats, planes, trams, helicopters and even vampire walking tours (in case you want to know what to give that hard-to-shop for teenager!).

6. Gifts, gifts and more gifts

Birthday gifts, graduation gifts, even Christmas gifts are quite popular items. Hands down reviews are usually, “the best gift we got for [insert occasion here].”  We think that the gift of experience is the best gift to get, but it’s nice to see that others think so, too.

If you’re getting ready to pop the question, get married, celebrate an anniversary or mark the other important milestones in your life, we can help you. Really we can. We have years of experience helping travelers have a great experience, no matter what the occasion.

-Suzann M

Left behind at the Neon Graveyard

As I strolled through rows of old signage, visions of Old Style Vegas floated in the day’s hazy heat - you could practically hear Deano and Frank sharing quips over a martini. Ironically, the museum is located in the oldest neighborhood in Las Vegas and is adjacent to the first settled area in the valley – the Old Mormon Fort.

My guide, Erin, regaled us with tales of eccentric millionaires, of “atomic packages,” of mob-run delis, traveling icons, and more. I especially enjoyed the little tidbit on Howard Hughes & The Silver Slipper. Originally spinning on the top of its namesake, The Silver Slipper so disturbed Hughes that he bought the aforementioned establishment and turned the offending eyesore off! Later, Wayne Newton, during a photo op, cracked it after resting his foot on it.

Neon Graveyard Las Vegas - the El Portal sign

Costing $180,000 USD to move from The Strip to the graveyard, signs from the newly imploded Stardust rest here amid piles of neon detritus. Surprisingly, I learned that the original font for the Stardust was created to showcase the infamous Atomic Tests – the casino went so far as to create drinks and vacation packages to celebrate this scientific feat.

Las Vegas Neon Graveyard

Casinos, restaurants, pool halls, trailer parks – if there was a neon sign, most likely this place has it. Even a sign from Cedar City, Utah – China Garden Cafe – holds court with Caesar’s Palace & the Coin King. Sadly, the Neon Graveyard does not contain all the famous signs from Las Vegas’ neon past. For instance, only one piece of the Dunes survives – others may exist in the collections of private individuals.

Neon Graveyard Las Vegas - The old Wedding Chapel sign

The non-profit cultural center that runs the museum is in the process of building a permanent exhibit and offering structured tours, so I was fortunate enough to be included on one of the last private tours offered. Hopefully, on your next visit to Las Vegas, you might get a chance to see these neon behemoths!

-Sue Warnke

Editor’s Note: You can browse more of Sue’s snaps on the Viator Flickr Site: Las Vegas’ Neon Graveyard. Planning a trip? Browse all of Viator’s Las Vegas tours & things do, including Las Vegas helicopter tours and Grand Canyon tours from Vegas. Viva Las Vegas!

What is Viator’s Traveler of the Month?

Recently we started publishing photos over on the viator.com website. These are photos taken by actual Viator travelers, photos of themselves on elephant treks, helicopter tours, desert safaris, private tours of the Vatican — and on hundreds of the other 5,000+ tours and things to do available on Viator.

So we’ve started giving props each month to an individual Viator traveler who makes us laugh, makes us smile, or who inspires us to make that next trip. It might be the prettiest traveler photo, or the funniest, or most inspirational, or just most plain weird.

What do you win? A $100 gift certificate (or the equivalent in pounds or euros) to use on Viator.com! So get traveling, take photos and submit them to viator.com when you return. If you want to participate, simply submit your travel photos (see below for how this works) and you are eligible. Each month we will chose a new winner.

This month we’re pleased to honor Danielle and her family for their Tuscan Cooking Class and Dinner photos.

September’s Traveler of the Month - Danielle B, USA

While Danielle was traveling with her parents to Florence, they took the Tuscan Cooking Class and Dinner Tour. She submitted some enjoyable pictures of them making crepes and showing off their “flipping” skills during their Tuscan cooking class.

June’s Traveler of the Month - Theresa N, USA

Theresa traveled with her family to London and took her kids on the Harry Potter Black Taxi Private Tour. Theresa submitted some fun photos of her kids dressed up like Harry Potter and visiting the sites that were made famous by the series on the Harry Potter Black Taxi Private Tour. Yes, Theresa put a spell on us, so we’re crowning her the traveler of the month in June.

May’s Traveler of the Month - Alviera N, Australia

Alveira traveled with her family to Singapore and enjoyed the Imperial Cheng Ho Singapore Harbour Dinner Cruise during their travels. Alveira submitted some neat photos of them in front of the famous replica of the Imperior vessel of the Ming Dynasty on the Imperial Cheng Ho Singapore Harbour Dinner Cruise.

April’s Travelers of the Month - James & Michelle, United Kingdom

Michelle and James went on a trip to Cairo, Egypt and had a wonderful time exploring the different pyramids on their private tour to the Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Memphis and Sakkara. James submitted some really fun photos of their trip to the Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Memphis and Sakkara in Cairo. This is a great tour to get the full pyramid experience in Egypt.

James said, “This was a great day out. We had a few laughs along the way. The guide was brilliant.”

March’s Traveler of the Month - Alexandra S, Australia

Alexandra S and her family recently went on a trip to Fiji and based on her photos and captions, they had a blast. The photo above is from the South Sea Island Day Cruise where they snorkeled and relaxed by the pool. Alexandra submitted some great photos of the South Sea Island Day Cruise in Fiji. If you’re looking to relax and have a fun trip with the kids in Fiji, Alexandra recommends this tour.

Alexandra says: “Kris has given his thumbs up for this experience. This is definitely a trip to take especially if you have kids.”

February’s Traveler of the Month - James A, UK

Here’s a shot taken by James A in Rome, on the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Rome Walking Tour. James submitted some great photos of Rome and the inside of the Vatican. And, according to James’ review he’s glad he booked ahead because the line to get into the Vatican was over 2.5 hours long!

James says: “We were enjoying our tour within 15 minutes, and the guide brought the Vatican alive. There is so much to see you simply would not enjoy any other way as it would not mean much without being explained. The headsets you are given for the tour are fab, and you can hear loud and clear what your guide is saying. We normally do our own thing on holiday; however, this is one of the rare places which the tour works very well.”

January’s Traveler of the Month - Sumit B, USA

Sumit B seems to be having a good time at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in Las Vegas, which he visited after purchasing the Las Vegas Power Pass. Sumit, his wife and his two embarrassed children met Beyonce, the Terminator, Johnny Depp, George Bush and Jenna Jameson, among others. Hopefully his wife forgives him for all of the photos with other women.

–The Viator Travel Team

Editor’s Note: We’ve posted the photos submitted by our Travelers of the Month over on the Viator Flickr site. Hop on over for some inspiration for your next trip.

How can you submit photos to Viator’s Traveler of the Month contest? It’s simple: book a tour with Viator and, when you return, you will receive a “Welcome Back” email. This email will invite you to submit reviews and photos of the tours and things to do on your trip. Tell other travelers what you loved, what you hated and show them in a photo. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Gordon River, Tasmania

1. Tasmania, Australia

And not just because I am from Tasmania! Hobart, the capital, enjoys that slightly more relaxed pace of life that isn’t something you see so much as experience. Tasmania as a whole has a wonderful blend of natural beauty — the World Heritage Area centered around the Gordon River is worth the trip in its own right — and modern lifestyle, with superb wine, cheese and seafood making it an ideal destination for anyone who enjoys life’s finer things.

More info: Tasmania tours & things to do
Photos: Tasmania on Viator’s Flickr site

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Sunset on the canals of Venice

2. Venice, Italy

Before it sinks? No, that won’t be happening anytime soon. Anyway, I can’t possibly describe in words why you have to visit Venice. See it for yourself, but don’t go alone. Visit outside the high seasons, and don’t be afraid of the cold. Take a water taxi when you arrive (hang the expense); grab a red wine and some cheese, standing at the bar, in the mid afternoon; take photos at the Rialto as the sun is setting, and send them immediately to all the people you don’t like; take in a Vivaldi concert in one of the 150 churches around the city; and definitely buy pizza slices for lunch, to be eaten in the nearest square as you watch the world amble by. But don’t miss it, and don’t be scared by the fact that it’s all been done before.

More info: Venice tours & things to do
Photos: Venice on Viator’s Flickr site

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The London Eye at Night, London

3. London, England

OK, so you’ve been to London a dozen times. Well, OK, but this is a big city, and there’s parts you haven’t seen. Stay in Mayfair (yes, you can find well-priced hotels in Mayfair!) and walk the streets made famous in a thousand novels. Try the bike tour of East London, and go back to Brick Lane later on for the best markets and Indian food you’ll find anywhere. Ride the London Eye at night. Take a day trip to Stonehenge or Bath. Here’s the thing: even people who live in London haven’t seen it all. You certainly haven’t!

More info: London tours & things to do
Photos: London on Viator’s Flickr site

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Miss Van is all over Barcelona

4. Barcelona, Spain

There must be a reason why so many people list Barcelona as one of their favourite cities. I certainly do, but — typically, for me — I’m not quite sure why. I just know the food is great, the shopping is superb, great art is everywhere — even spray-painted onto the walls, and the city is compact enough that you can walk most everywhere comfortably. If you’re anything like me you’ll feel good in Barcelona the moment you arrive. If not: well, the rest of Europe is right next door.

More info: Barcelona tours & things to do
Photos: Barcelona on Viator’s Flickr site

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At the Forbidden City, with a fellow tourist from the provinces

5. Beijing, China

An Olympic year is always a good time to visit a host city: it’s all spruced up and everyone’s on their best behavior… at least that’s the theory. Beijing is one of those giant-scale destinations where everything is worth seeing: the Great Wall, the Forbidden Palace, the restaurants, the museums, the parks, the markets, the people, the dogs, the birds in cages that people take on a walk… Like it or not, China is going to take over as the world’s superpower any minute now, so it might be wise to discover just what makes this giant tick. You’ll enjoy the experience.

More info: Beijing tours & things to do
Photos: Beijing & the Great Wall on Viator’s Flickr site

Happy travels in 2008.

–Rod Cuthbert

I’ve been thinking about this question recently, mainly because I don’t have a definite answer. For the first time in ages, I don’t have a trip planned. Sure I have a few weekend getaways up my sleeve, but there’s no mega-trip three-week hit-the-road adventure in my immediate future. (Note to prospective parents: this is what happens when you have a baby. In my case, I did go to Rome when Emmett was barely six months, but planning a longer trip with a toddler is much trickier.)

I’m not complaining, not at all. Rather I want to share some of the images that are currently inspiring me to plan that next long-haul trip, family and all. You see, it is dangerous spending time on the Viator Flickr site. All those images of far-flung places and happy people and relaxing beaches and serious adventures make me want to travel. Here are some of my favorites:
This was taken in Prague, on a foggy morning, on Charles Bridge. Don’t you want to be in Prague right now, wandering through the old town?!?!?

This is one of Viator’s travel managers, in Switzerland. Doesn’t she look happy? Doesn’t Switzerland look beautiful? Why aren’t we all riding a train through the Swiss Alps right now?!?!?

Here’s a shot from Hong Kong, from the top of Victoria Peak, along with what must be the world’s most relaxed, friendly-looking rickshaw driver. If I close my eyes, I can almost taste the bowl of pipping-hot noodles waiting for me…

These two people are standing in a “capsule” on the London Eye, enjoying the hands-down best view of London. They look happy. Would they mind if I joined?

OK, can you guess? Yup, it’s fabulous Las Vegas. An inside shot of the Peppermill’s Fireside Lounge. Fancy drinks, glowing fire, 1970s disco neon. I am so there.

Ahh, Venice. One of the world’s most stunning cities. This is a sunrise shot of a lone gondolier on the canals of Venice.

This is an action shot. Every now and then I need some action and adventure on my holidays. This photo had me reaching for a sailor’s cap and my deck shoes. It was taken in Australia’s Whitsunday Islands.

The Olympics are coming up in 2008, hosted by Beijing. I imagine if I haven’t already booked my flights and hotels in China, I still have a little time. But just a little. This shot was taken on the Great Wall of China.

This photo was taken by a Viator staffer in Hawaii, with his kids. He also wrote a great blog post about traveling in Hawaii and Oahu with kids. It reminds me that, yes, even with young ones in tow, you can still travel like you mean it!

This is just a small sample of all the travel photos that have been inspiring my recent late-night trip-planning sessions. Head on over to the Viator Flickr site for more travel photo inspiration.

–Scott McNeely

Editor’s Note: The following post is by Laura Z, the online marketing guru at Blurb; Laura also writes about her voracious book consumption on a different site. We think the concept of Blurb is very cool, so we asked Laura to tell us about her recent trip to Mexico and how she created her own trip photo book.

There’s something about stepping on a plane in California and, a few hours later, ending up in a foreign land that makes it easy to do weekend getaways to Baja, Mexico. It’s my guilty-pleasure destination — one that’s not really “exotic” but still serves my annual need for beach relaxation. I typically fly into San Jose del Cabo (SJD), rent a car and get the heck out of there (the ratio of Americans to Mexicans in Cabo is frighteningly gringo-heavy).

A few hours north of Los Cabos is La Paz, a city that has become more Americanized in recent years, but whose beaches remain delicious. The hidden beaches along the Pichilingue peninsula are particularly swim-worthy. Here you won’t find tequila-shot-wielding Americans on jet skis, more like happy Mexican families picnicking along the water’s edge.

On my last trip, the stay in La Paz was shortened in order to amble along the coast to Las Ventana and eventually Cabo Pulmo, which hosts the only living coral reef on the western shores of North America. Cabo Pulmo was established as a National Marine Park in 1995, and the Pulmo Bay has the largest living coral reef system in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.I had so much fun snorkeling, reading and relaxing that the journey was un-photographed for the most part. I made up for the lack of photos on the last day, wildly snapping pictures along the dusty road back to San Jose del Cabo. These pictures make up the backbone of my post-trip photo book that I made with Blurb (full disclosure - I work at Blurb). I supplemented the photos with scans of Cabo Pulmo brochures, and scans of my travel journal. The resulting book is 80 pages and cost me $27.

Laura’s travel photo book laid out with Blurb’s software… can we get a copy?

It took me about an hour to pull everything together into a book I was happy with. Blurb’s software makes it easy to create your own professional-looking book, and I definitely recommend it to travelers who want to create an unforgettable post-trip memento. I scanned my travel journals, but you can just as easily use our text boxes to write your own (legible) text to accompany any digital photos or scans you have.

–Laura Z, guest blogger

What are you doing with your travel photos… why not make a Blurb book to show them off? Laura has created a special promo code for all Viator travelers. Simply enter the promo code gotravel on the Blurb checkout to receive $7 off shipping through the end of the year. Thanks Blurb!

Did you know that Australia has 16 World Heritage sites located across the length and breadth of our vast continent and even offshore? Some are in such remote locations few people have had the opportunity to visit.

Editor’s Note: 16 sites? Did we say 16 World Heritage sites? Since we posted this originally on June 15, Australia has received some exciting news: the UN World Heritage committee has voted (unanimously no less) to give the Sydney Opera House World Heritage status! Congratulations Sydney, congratulations Australia, well done on your 17th World Heritage site. Now back to our original post…

Australia has long recognised the importance of preserving its rich and diverse natural and cultural heritage and was one of the first signatories to the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World’s Cultural and Natural Heritage. Since then, 182 countries have ratified the treaty. Sites nominated for World Heritage listing are inscribed on the list only after they have been carefully assessed as representing the best examples of the world’s cultural and natural heritage.

Each of Australia’s World Heritage properties is outstanding in its own right and collectively they present an amazing diversity of places and values. Now, gain an insight into some of the most outstanding places on earth through a stunning commemorative photographic exhibition featuring a collection of images from each of Australia’s World Heritage properties.

The breathtaking images on display provide a window into some of the most outstanding places on Earth, and will no doubt encourage all who visit to explore our great county.

Entry to the exhibition is free of charge, see it at:

• 19 May - 14 June 2007 - Dorrigo Rainforest Centre, Dorrigo, NSW
• 15 June - 3 July 2007 - Christchurch Town Hall, Christchurch, New Zeland
• 4 July - 30 July 2007 - James Cook University, Cairns Campus, Cairns, QLD
• 31 July - 28 August 2007 - Skyrail, Caravonica, QLD
• 29 August - 15 October 2007 - Blue Mountains Heritage Centre, Blackheath, NSW
• 16 October - January 2008 - Tasmanian Wilderness, World Heritage Area, TAS

Australia’s World Heritage sites, and date of World Heritage listing:

Great Barrier Reef

1981
Great Barrier Reef
Kakadu National Park (Stage 2, 1987; Stage 3, 1992)
Willandra Lakes Region

1982
Tasmanian Wilderness (Extended 1989)
Lord Howe Island Group

1986
Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves (Australia) (extended in 1994)

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

1987
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (extended in 1994)

1988
Wet Tropics of Queensland

1991
Shark Bay, Western Australia

1992
Fraser Island

1994
Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh/Naracoorte)

Shark Bay

1997
Heard and McDonald Islands
Macquarie Island

2000
The Greater Blue Mountains

2003
Purnululu National Park

2004
Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens

–Vicki Potts

If you need a place to stay, check out Sydney Hotels on Planetware.com.