Viator Travel Blog

St Patrick’s Day. The one time of year where it is totally acceptable to dye beer green. And drop green coloring into bodies of water. And strut around in head-to-toe green. It’s the day of festive parades, followed by a night of even more festiveness. All of this is done for one reason: to celebrate Saint Patrick, one of Ireland’s most well-known saints.

It’s come a long way from its religious origins. In the 17^th century, St Patrick’s Day was celebrated with large feasts. Today, well, you know… it’s a secular celebration of the Irish culture. On this day, even those who aren’t Irish wear a token of green in honor of the festivities.

Whether you’re picnicking in the park or indulging in gourmet cuisine, the location is just as important as the food itself – after all, who could forget toasting champagne at the pinnacle of the Eiffel Tower or sharing dessert with a window-view over the thundering Niagara Falls? From a personal-butler service atop the world’s highest Ferris wheel to an authentic Aussie barbecue under the outback stars, here are 12 of the world’s best locations for dinner with a view.

In case you’re a visitor to the great land Down Under (or an Aussie traveler), we have decided to produce a list of activities you can take part in besides the typical Aussie barbecue no matter where you might be traveling on the big day. All of these options have been chosen to help people get better acquainted with the country that is being celebrated.

You’ll find all kinds of activities listed, including climbing iconic bridges, learning about indigenous culture, tasting the fruits of the area’s vineyards, and getting up close to local wildlife. Join us for this tour of the Top 25 Things to Do in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands!

As the Christmas lights start to fade and the holiday season is coming to an end, there’s still one final bash to send out 2012. With the New Year just around the corner, now’s the time to make your New Year’s resolutions, drink away the last year’s regrets and celebrate starting all over again in 2013. From riotous street parties and fireworks extravaganzas, to marching bands and torchlight processions, here are 20 of the best New Year’s Eve parties from around the world.

Whether you choose to take a trip to the North Pole, ride in Santa’s sleigh or check out some of Santa’s most unique pastimes, here are 10 spectacular ways to discover Santa Claus around the world.

With city skylines glittering with illuminations and enough festive delicacies to make everyone loosen their belt buckles a few notches, the Christmas season is upon us once again. The only question is: where should you spend the big day?

Meet Suanne Adelman, one of Viator’s private tour guides in Sydney, with a love for the city and a desire to show its true colors to visitors.

We’ve all heard the adage, sometimes it’s not the destination, it’s the journey. Well, sometimes the destination counts too, and on your road trip, you want to make it count with both a great journey and the right destination for your interests. With over 11 million miles of paved road in the world, picking the road trips that offer the most stunning array of scenic byways, charming roadside attractions, beautiful natural landscapes, and quirky adventures is not an easy task, but we’re got a few ideas to get you started. What follows are some of the most scenic road trips in the world.

Ready? Put on your racing goggles and let’s begin.

My husband did ask the obvious question, “Why?” Yes, why would you suspend the biggest chandelier you have ever seen over a stage floating in the air, over the Sydney Harbour, in front of the Harbour Bridge? And then perform “La Traviata”? And even more so, how? I can imagine the original meeting with the engineers “You want us to do what? How? Are you crazy?” After a truly unforgettable evening, I am still not sure how on earth they managed. I do know what the end result is. It’s an experience that is as much a delight for your eyes as it is for your ears.