Archive for March, 2009

It pays to walk in London. It may be tempting to jump on the Tube or hail a taxi to get from A to B, but the city gives up its secrets on foot. In a few paces, you can move from a 21st-century glass tower to an 11th-century church. This sequence of walks – if you do them all – takes you from the Tower of London to the London Eye. You cross the Thames river three times and walk a total distance of approximately 5 miles. The things you’ll (more…)

If this is your first time here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed or follow me on Twitter to get regular updates. Thanks for visiting! -Gary

The last 60 hours have been interesting to say the least. To tell the story will take a bit of time and is a great reminder of how things on the road are totally out of your control.

The plan was to leave Luxor on Friday evening hoping to take a bus to Hurghada on the cost of the Red (more…)

When anyone asks me for recommendations on things to do on their vacation, it’s hard for me to give advice on the “one” thing you have to do. That said, there is one thing I always recommend as a great way to find things to see and do in almost any destination worldwide–get yourself a “Sightseeing Pass.” It’s an all-in-one pass that usually covers admission to popular attractions and, even better, offers direct admission to (more…)

2009 Chapeau Blog Awards

Today we learned a happy fact – the Viator Travel Blog (um, the one you’re reading right now) was nominated as one of two finalists in the 2009 Chapeau Blog Awards. You can read the full announcement here, if you like.

We were nominated in the Travel & Leisure category. What’s interesting about the Chapeau Blog Awards is that they don’t nominate a short list of (more…)

Editor’s note: This is part of Jack’s ongoing series (saga? odyssey? final reckoning?) about Western Australia and the Outback. Click here to read Jack’s previous entry, Western Australia: Halls Creek to Windjana Gorge.

Like a Don Juan of the Outback, astride a faithful steed and with loyal Pancho by my side, I stand and gaze out upon boundless joyful beauty. A rest for the eyes and drink for the soul, pausing amid (more…)

If this is your first time here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed or follow me on Twitter to get regular updates. Thanks for visiting! -Gary

It was 2 years ago today, March 13, 2007, that I closed on my house, handed over the keys and began what I mark as the start of my adventure. While I didn’t technically leave the mainland United States till about a month afterward and still had many details to take care of, this date marks (more…)

One of the joys of travel is finding the unexpected. And that’s why I keep an eye open for strange objects in unfamiliar places, otherwise known as public art. Some is good, some bad, some ugly, some inspiring. And it can pop up anywhere, turning an unremarkable place into somewhere special.

A classic case of “why?” art

Sometimes public art and sculpture make you think ‘Wow’. And of course, (more…)

Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, is a gorgeous city. And now that a close friend has moved there, I am always happy to find a reason to visit. The architecture is fabulous (with neo-baroque decorative flourishes and stylish old shop signs) and it’s the perfect size to get around. You can walk almost everywhere.

And then there is the wonderfully laid-back atmosphere. I don’t know if it’s the Socialist past, or just (more…)

Editor’s Note: I originally posted this back in mid-2007. Since then I’ve received numerous replies and emails about it. Some people have complained I am a snob. Others think I am being too judgmental. Some agree I’ve hit the nail on the head with my rant about the Ulles, the book, the TV show, and the cultural mediocrity it all represents.

Whatever your opinion, I am adding this preface and reposting because I have (more…)

If this is your first time here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed or follow me on Twitter to get regular updates. Thanks for visiting! -Gary

I’ve arrived in Luxor. Today I was planning on visiting the Luxor and Karnak Temples. Instead I spent the entire day in my room sleeping. I felt horrible this morning. The cough I had gotten in Alexandria came back with a vengeance and to 20 hour days in a row wiped me out. Outside of eating (more…)