Viator Viator Travel Blog

Editor’s Note: The Viator Traveler Awards is an annual awards competition where we let our travelers select the “Top 25 Things to Do” in each of the major regions we serve. Each year the awards culminate in the Viator Top 50 Travel Destinations, where we list the top 50 destinations as selected by our users.

Welcome to the 2009 Viator Traveler Awards: Europe edition! We’ve combined input from traveler reviews and photos, data from the millions of travelers who visit Viator.com each year, plus data on what tours and things to do in Europe generated the most bookings in 2009, in order to crown the Top 25 Things to Do for 2009.

Keep checking back over the next few weeks as we announce the full set of 2009 Viator Traveler Awards, our annual list of the world’s Top 50 Travel Destinations and our just-announced selection of Top 10 Traveler Photos of 2009.

2009 Viator Traveler Awards
Top 25 Things To Do in Europe

#25 - Versailles by bike from Paris

Finally, we’ve reached our Top 25 Things to Do in Europe for 2009. This year, Rome and Paris were our traveler’s top choices. With all the history, art, and tradition housed in these two cities, it’s no wonder that year-in and year-out, Rome and Paris come out on top. In fact ,whether it was sailing through Naples, unearthing the history of the Vatican, catching a legendary show at Moulin Rouge, or cruising down the Seine, France and Italy were where our travelers wanted to be in 2009.

25. Versailles by Bike Day Tour, Paris, France

Wind past the palace of Versailles and through its magnificent gardens on bicycle, stopping for a picnic at the Grand Canal before visiting the King’s Chapel.

24. Capri Day Trip from Rome, Rome, Italy

Sail through the Gulf of Naples, visiting the Blue Grotto, a stunning, illuminated cavern, the island of Capri, and the Royal Palace of Naples.

23. Moulin Rouge Paris Dinner and Show, Paris, France

Outside the Moulin Rouge in Paris, photo by Rachel I (USA)

Experience the magic of Moulin Rouge as you watch a troupe of 100 artists do the French Cancan in the resplendent Parisian cabaret.

22. Eiffel Tower Dinner and Seine River Cruise, Paris, France

Cruise down the Seine River and enjoy a sumptuous dinner at the Eiffel Tower, with incredible views of the Seine bridges and historical Parisian monuments.

21. Tuscany in One Day Sightseeing Tour, Florence, Italy

Breeze through Chianti vineyards, olive groves and wine cellars along the Sienese hills before feasting on a traditional Tuscan meal.

20. Champagne Region Day Trip from Paris, Paris, France

Enjoy world-class champagnes in the sacred town of Reims, where kings were once crowned, and take in the picturesque landscape of the vines before visiting the wine cellars of Moet & Chandon.

19. Skip the Line: Vatican Museums Tickets, Rome, Italy

Explore the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel and Raphael’s Rooms before heading over to St Peter’s Basilica.

18. Versailles and Giverny Day Trip, Paris, France

Wander through Monet’s garden, past his water-lily pond, before visiting Louis XIV’s palace of Versailles.

17. Skip the Line: Florence Accademia and Uffizi Gallery Tour, Florence, Italy

Enter the historic art world of Florence as you experience Michelangelo’s world-famous statue of David and then make your way through the Uffizi Gallery admiring the paintings of Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raffaello, Giotto, Cimabue and Masaccio.

16. Royal Castles of Neuschwanstein and Linderhof Day Tour from Munich, Munich, Germany

Visit the French Rococo style, dream castles of Neuschwanstein and Linderhof hidden deep in the Bavarian mountains.

#16 - Neuschwanstein Castle near Munich, shown here shrouded in fog

15. Paris Pass, Paris, France

Stroll down the Champs-Elysées and visit the legendary sites of Paris, including the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, and Musée d’Orsay.

14. Versailles Small Group Day Trip from Paris, Paris, France

Drift through the Palace of Versailles, surrounded by garden’s groves and pools, and explore the Royal Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, Queen’s Bedroom and the Gallery of Battles.

13. Skip the Line: Venice in One Day, Venice, Italy

Wind your way on-foot through a labyrinth of narrow passageways, alleys, canals and delicate bridges before cruising along the Grand Canal of Venice and enjoying a sparkling glass of prosecco as you savor the moment.

12. Skip the Line: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica Half-Day Walking Tour, Rome, Italy

Delve into the history, architecture, and politics of the Vatican as you make your way through St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums.

11. Paris by Night Illuminations Tour and Paris Moulin Rouge Show, Paris, France

Wander through the illuminated streets of Paris, past the Opera, Champs-Elysées, Arc de Triomphe, and Notre Dame Cathedral before catching a show at the legendary Moulin Rouge.

10. Paris City Hop-on Hop-off Tour, Paris, France

Roam the cobbled streets of the Left Bank and Ecole Militaire, stopping at the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Elysées, and the Louvre on the Paris City Hop-on Hop-off Tour.

9. Pompeii and Amalfi Coast Small Group Day Trip from Rome, Rome, Italy

Travel along the stunning coastline of Amalfi (Sorrento, Positano and more) before visiting the amazing ruins of Pompeii.

#9 - Pompeii and Amalfi Coast from Rome (view of Sorrento)

8. Rome Hop-on Hop-off Double Decker Bus Tour, Rome, Italy

Glide through the Eternal city, making stops at the Colosseo, San Pietro, and the Piazza della Repubblica on this hop-on hop-off bus tour through Rome.

7. Moulin Rouge Show Paris, Paris, France

Revel in the number one show in Paris, and watch world-renowned showgirls do the French Cancan across the historic stage of Moulin Rouge.

6. Naples and Pompeii Day Trip from Rome, Rome, Italy

Ride along the Highway of the Sun, crossing the Castelli Romani, dotted with enchanting medieval villages, then, continue across Naples’ historic center, before visiting the ancient city of Pompeii.

5. Milan Half-Day Sightseeing Tour with Da Vinci’s Last Supper, Milan, Italy

Admire da Vinci’s ‘Last Supper’ at Santa Maria delle Grazie, then wind your way through Italy’s fashion capital, visiting the glamorous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, and stopping at La Scala, one of the world’s best known opera houses.

#4 - Stonehenge, Windsor & Bath day trip from London

4. Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath Day Trip from London, London, England

Discover the wonder and mystery of Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and the Roman Baths and Pump Rooms.

3. Skip the Line: Ancient Rome and Colosseum Half-Day Walking Tour, Rome, Italy

Journey through ancient Rome, visiting the Colosseum, where the gladiators once battled, then resting at the Palatine Hills, where you’ll enjoy the views of the Roman Forum and Nero’s Circus Maximus where chariot races were held.

2. Eiffel Tower Dinner, Paris Moulin Rouge Show and Seine River Cruise, Paris, France

Ferry along the Seine River, dine at the Eiffel Tower’s restaurant, and then experience the essence of Parisian cabaret at Moulin Rouge’s new “Feerie” review.

1. Skip the Line: Vatican Museums Walking Tour including Sistine Chapel, Raphael’s Rooms and St Peter’s, Rome, Italy

Unearth the history of the Vatican Museums and St Peter’s Basilica, walking through Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel and Raphael’s Rooms.

#1 - Vatican Skip-the-Line Tour, photo by Kerry & Brett (USA)

That does it for Viator’s list of Top 25 Things to Do in Europe in 2009. If you’re looking for more travel ideas, check back in with us, as we will be updating our Top 25 Things to Do lists across the world. Happy travels in 2010!

-The Viator Team