Cuba: My Top 5 Travel Picks
Posted July 30, 2009 , add a commentWhy am I fascinated with Cuba? Well there are two Cuba’s as far as tourism goes, and they are quite different. One is the string of beach resorts strung (along Cuba’s best beaches) on the north coast – with direct charter flights from Europe or Canada and all-inclusive resorts. It can probably be compared to the next Cancun or Costa Del Sol – great if that’s what you are looking for.
The other Cuba is the one the Cuban’s live in, and it is an intoxicating mix of Caribbean color with Spanish heritage with the uniqueness that the 47 years of blockade and its own unique blend of communism have brought. Cuba is the largest Caribbean island and there is a real diversity of places and people to explore. So here are my top 5 places to visit in Cuba:
#1 - Trinidad
Trinidad is my absolute favorite. A small town of only 60,000 people on Cuba’s southern coast, Trinidad is a picture postcard of what we all expect Cuba to look like. All cobblestones and pastel Spanish architecture, but not flash and renovated like Havana; it has more character, if character is a mix of the renovated, and the well worn, and the completely derelict. A great place for salsa lessons, and there are dozens of places to indulge in dance. There’s the Casa De La Trova for the traditional Buena Vista Social club style, great to practice those salsa steps. There’s afro-caribbean and drumming clubs for a more frenetic pace. There is the free band and dancing in the town square every night, another great place to practice your dance steps with the locals.
An old Cadillac on the streets of Trinidad
There’s even Ayala, the disco in a cave up the hill, yes a real ’80s retro nightclub with lasers and videos projected on the cave walls and Madonna and Latino boy bands on high rotation – it was enough to drive me to drink – another rum and coke thanks.
There’s fascinating museums, old bell towers to climb, and little illegal hole in the wall pizza shops that pop up every lunch time and then close down within an hour when their stock is sold – you don’t know where they are going to open but you’ll recognise them from the queue, delicious and about 50 cents each. There is the classic white sand turquoise water Caribbean beach at Ancon beach, a couple of miles out of town ( the town sits slightly inland these days) Float in the warm water, soak up the sun, watch the sunset, sit under the palm trees or catch a hobicat out to some good snorkeling spots.
#2 - Camaguey
Camaguey, in the centre of the island and the centre of cattle country. Yes this is as close to being in Argentina you are going to get in Cuba. It’s still the most “Spanish” of the Cuban cities, and the locals look more Spanish than afro caribbean here too. It traditionally had been a wealthy centre, and that still shows in the architecture – the houses are bigger (but may have many more families and generations sharing them now), the churches more numerous and impressive, but the limitations on maintenance clearly show.
It’s a very “lived in” city centre compared to Havana, the kids are playing stick ball in the streets, the old men or woman are sitting on the doorsteps watching the world go by. I loved walking every city in Cuba but this was the most walkable and most interesting of all. The streets are a maze designed to confuse the pirates of centuries ago (I never quite understood that given it is about as far from the coast as you can get in cuba but its not too hard to use the church spires to navigate your way around. So many art galleries here too, a thriving artist population, from the traditional to the avant-garde.
My favorite was to visit the house of Ileana Sanchez & Joel Jover, two well known Cuban artists, Their front door opens onto the Plaza de la Independence, and the public are free to visit their two front rooms – absolutely covered from floor to the very high ceilings with a maze of their own art, other artists they have collected around the world, as well as things that inspire them – it is a veritable treasure trove. We were lucky enough to get invited into the rest of the house, their amazing sculpture garden, and met the artists themselves around their kitchen table. I loved their art and left Cuba the proud owner of a Joel Jover original.
There is a process to getting a licence to take art out of cuba, mainly designed to make sure the artist is declaring their sales to the government I think, if you don’t have the requisite licence they will confiscate your art at the airport when you leave as they assume you bought it on the black market. However the artists know this process does put us off buying and so they do it for you – I made my purchase at about 10 pm at night, just after dinner, and they had arranged the licence and had it ready for me before my bus left at 8am the next morning – I have no idea how they managed to get a government office to do that in the middle of the night but they certainly made it easy for me.
Camaguey was one of the places hit hard by the three huge hurricanes in 2008, and many of the shops were still being repaired, but luckily for us at least one of the ice cream parlours’ had reopened – the Copellia’s are not to be missed.
#3 - Havana
Havana - the original Vegas before there was a Vegas. The old town, all cobbled streets and beautiful Spanish buildings and pastel colors and a wonderful European flavor. Much of the old town has been restored with UNESCO money, the plaza’s have cafes and great coffee and handmade chocolate shops, along with the expected rum, cigars, Hemingway nostalgia and the home of the mojito’s. Walk through the old town, zigzagging around every block, until you hit the Prado, browse the art on display while walking towards the Malecon, the sea wall and walkway around the seafront that runs for miles. Walk it in the evening and see the teenagers hanging out, the families cooling down after the heat of the day, the couples out on a date.
Old Town, Havana
And walk it again in the daytime and see the kids swimming, the families strolling, the jazz musicians (playing for the tourists, but boy it still sounds good), the fishermen, the cyclists, the sheer variety of life. When you get tired of walking catch a coco cab – like a tuk-tuk with a large round plastic shell, looks like a motorized coconut – or hire one of the old Cadillac convertibles that run as taxi’s and get them to take you sightseeing for an hour –the other visitors will be snapping your photo as you go past.
Visit the outdoor book market in treelined square at the northeast of the old town, or the artisan market stalls by the canal at the northern end of the old town, for the best selection of souvenirs you will find in Cuba. When things get too hot or too crowded, there are many rooftop bars where you can retire and relax with a cool drink.
#4 - Santiago de Cuba
Santiago de Cuba – the port town with a great old castle. With its location on the southeastern tip of Cuba, Santiago has been a key defense spot for cuba for centuries. Castillo del Morro is a 16th century citadel with turrets and a drawbridge and dungeons and cannons and a maze of stairs and tunnels and everything a great castle should have, high on a promontory at the harbor entrance, with fantastic views up the coastline, so the defenders could see the enemy coming.
Your inner child can play happily here for hours. The castle was last used in the Spanish/US war, the Spanish army were in Cuba and Cuba had sought help from the US to get rid of them and gain independence (yes the US and Cuba were once friends) They say that when the Spanish troops in Castillo del Morro saw the US ships coming, they didn’t stay and fight, they turned tail and ran, so the US didn’t even have to fight to win. Our local guide described the spanish troops as “sissy”.
For a great lunch break, take a 10 minute boat trip from the yacht club to Cayo Granma in the middle of the harbor. Before the revolution the island was being developed as holiday homes for the rich, and after the revolution became the home of local fishing families, it is very run down and charmingly decrepid now.
However a lobster lunch with cold cervesa sitting on a terrace over the harbor is wonderful, followed by a stroll around the island. Santiago de Cuba is also famous for its role in the Cuban revolution, here Fidel Castro lead the failed 1953 attack on the Moncada Barracks, which led to his capture, trial, incarceration and eventual release, followed by his travels to Mexico when he then met up with Che Guevara - and the rest, as they say, is history.
You can visit the Barracks and go through the fascinating museum, the only downside is you have to go around with an assigned guide, and what could be an intriguing one hour tour is, in perhaps the most stereotypically traditionally communist style I met in Cuba, turned into a 3-hour endurance test that completely sucked all interest out of me!
#5 - Baracoa
The hottest and steamiest of them all. Baracoa is about as far away and hard to get to as you can get in Cuba – on the far southeast coast – go through Santiago, keep going past Guantanamo Bay (yes that one) and head over a mountain range of tropical rainforest on a very twisty road, and eventually you will get to Baracoa.
It is noticeably hotter and more humid than the rest of Cuba, which was warm enough anyway. The beaches are black sand, the coastline is jagged black rock, the sea is rougher, the pace of life seems slower and more brooding, it is a dark clouds and thunderstorm type of heat, not a sunshiny heat. It didn’t seem at all surprising that the lovely Casa Particular we stayed at was next door to the Funeral Home, it was just that sort of place!
But out of this seemed to come some very vibrant art and music, great food and drink, and the dancing is a whole lot raunchier down this end of the island too. There is swimming and kayaking and waterfalls and treks to do, or just laze around town and watch the world go by, and understand that this is like no where else in the world.
-Victoria Pottering
Interested in Cuba? Read Victoria’s previous blog post about Cuba.
Train Travel in India: Important Tips and Advice From a Local
Posted , add a commentTrain Travel in India: Important Tips and Advice From a Local
The Indian Railway is, without a shade of doubt, the lifeline of India. It is the world’s largest railway network under a single management.
From a traveler’s point of view, train travel opens up a window through which you can see India in a unique perspective.
However, with nearly 62,000 km of rail, 7,500 stations and 7,800 locomotives, traveling by the Indian Railway can be a daunting task. Fortunately, what you are about to read will make things a whole lot simpler.
Classes on Indian trains
In the order of decreasing price and comfort we have the 1st AC, 2nd AC, First Class (Non-AC), 3rd AC, Sleeper Class and Unreserved Class. For the common traveler, I would recommend Sleeper Class travel. If money is not a constraint, and you like to have a little privacy First Class travel is a good option.
1st AC – Air-conditioned compartments with 2 or 4 bunks and a wash basin, including all bedding. It’s fancier than you would probably imagine, and quite expensive as well.
2nd AC – Air-conditioned compartments with 4 bunks and not as fancy, but still very nice, and about half the price of 1st AC.
1st Class (non-AC) – Similar to 1st Class AC above, but without bedding or air-conditioning, and much cheaper if you can find it.
3rd AC - Air-conditioned compartments with 6 bunks per compartment so it’s more crowded but still comfortable and clean, and quite cheap usually.
Sleeper Class – This is similar to 3rd AC but without air-conditioning or bedding, and usually quite crowded.
Unreserved 2nd Class – Open carriages with bench seats and often amazingly crowded, and extremely cheap, of course.
Special Tip: If you want to see the “real” India, please do not travel in AC compartments because:
- You will miss a chance to interact with the common Indian public, as they prefer the Sleeper Class to AC coaches.
- En-route sightseeing is hindered by the tinted windows.
That said, 3rd AC travel is recommended under the following circumstances:
- The journey is more than 12 hours and/or 600 km
- During night travel (21:00 hrs to 06:00 hrs)
- You just cannot stand the heat and/or the crowd
The following classes are a strict no from a tourist’s point of view:
- 2nd AC and 1st AC – don’t pamper yourself; you don’t need that kind of luxury.
- Unreserved Class – do not punish yourself; you do not need to bear all that torture.
Apart from the above classes, you will also have AC Chair Car - compartments with reclining chairs. I recommend them for short trips lasting no longer than 4 to 5 hrs.
Getting reservations on Indian Railways
Getting reservations is the main problem when it comes to traveling in India, and things can get especially bad during festive seasons. Therefore, you need to plan and research your trip. India is not a place where you can waltz in thinking “We’ll see when we get there.” Half the battle is won if you have dates – solid dates.
I know what you are thinking – fixing dates reduces flexibility. Well it does - only if you do not know about the following features:
Break Journey
If you book a single journey ticket for a distance more than 500 km, you can break the journey once for a period of two days at any station en-route after 500km. The two days do not include the day of arrival and day of departure. If you plan your journey well you can spend up to 4 days at any destination en-route. This will give you enough time to cover all the tourist destinations in and around the city where you break your journey. This will give your tremendous flexibility. Read more about this facility here.
Circular Journey
If you wish to cover many destinations in a single trip, you can book a circular journey ticket such that the journey begins and ends at the same station. A single circular journey ticket permits 8 breaks in between. Indian Railway has some standard circular journey routes covering most of the popular tourist destinations across India. You can either purchase the tickets for planned routes or plan the route yourself.
Circular journey offers the following advantages:
- Increased flexibility
- Reduced prices (drastically reduced prices)
- Convenience – you do not need to book tickets for each leg of your journey.
- Saves time, reduces uncertainty and makes the overall travel experience hassle free and pleasurable.
For booking procedure, standard circular journey routes and fares for standard circular journey routes go here.
Caution: Foreigners traveling in India cannot avail this facility. Do not get discouraged – you have not heard about the Indrail Pass yet.
Indrail Pass
Indrail Pass allows foreigners (and Indians residing abroad) to travel anywhere without any route restriction within its validity period. If you plan to do most of the traveling by train (highly recommended) it offers better economy as well. Indrail Passes are available at the tourist bureau set up in all major stations. All you have to do is to decide on the class by which you wish to travel and the period.
On the downside, you will have to reserve the tickets as you travel. Nevertheless, this should not be a problem because the Foreigner Quota can guarantee you a seat (even during peak season). To know about the fares and other details click here.
Tatkal Scheme
On every train, a certain number of seats are reserved under the Tatkal Scheme. This primarily caters for people who need a reservation on a short notice. It is however expensive. Resort to Tatkal tickets only in case of emergencies.
For more details visit the Tatkal information on the Indian Railway website.
Online Reservations
Indian Railway enabled online reservation in 2008 and it has found wide acceptance and popularity among travelers. IRCTC or Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Co-operation now allows you to reserve your train tickets without leaving the confines of your home. In fact, I do not remember the last time I filled out a reservation form at the Railway counter.
Book your tickets by following these simple steps:
- Log on to the IRCTC website and register yourself.
- Book your ticket using the “Plan My Travel” option.
- Make the payment through your credit/debit card.
- Print the reservation slip.
It is that easy.
Note: This is the best way to reserve your journey tickets provided you plan in advance.
Booking Through Your Hotel
Every major hotel has a tourist cell, which can help you obtain reservations. You might have to pay a little extra but these people know how to pull the strings and get the job done. The convenience of it all is what makes this option worth the while. You can talk to the receptionist about future travel plans (remember to tell them the 3 Ds – Date, Destination and Departure time) and ask them to make reservations for you. However, you have to be reasonable so give them at least a two-day notice. You can collect the ticket from the reception or ask them to have it delivered to your room.
Special Tip
As a true Indian I must not say this, but I am saying it anyway (it does not mean I am not a true Indian; I just care about my fellow travel enthusiasts).
Well, you can usually get a seat if you have a crispy hundred rupees note handy to “tip” the Train Ticket Examiner. With some smooth talking and a generous bribe *cough* you can manage yourself a seat 90% of the time. I have done it many times (and I am not proud of it); mostly when my boss tells me “You have to go to New Delhi by the first train available.”
If anybody asks – you did not hear this from me.
General Advice – 10 things to remember
- Travel light. Limit the luggage to one backpack and a piece of hand baggage. Make sure you do not keep anything of value in the outer pockets of your luggage.
- Do not be over cautious. Once you board the train, secure your luggage with a chain and forget about it. Resist the temptation to check on your luggage frequently. If you must, do it discretely.
- You will find many vendors selling delicious food items on trains and stations. Avoid anything that is made in oil or you might risk upsetting your stomach.
- Take your time to evaluate your fellow passengers – do not make friends quickly. Never reveal details about yourself.
- Do not accept any consumables from anyone.
- If you need assistance, approach the nearest police officer. If he is not able to solve the problem, he will direct you to someone who can. He might even escort you to the concerned department if you ask nicely.
- Drink only bottled water.
- Travel in pairs. Two is the magic number.
- Always have a copy of the train timetable “Trains at a Glance” with you.
- Dress comfortably before you board the train. Changing clothes on a running train is a nightmare.
A Final Word
Traveling by train is not as dreaded as some of you might think. You just need a little foresight and prepare accordingly.
Photo credits: Second class by satur9nine on Flickr, Food by Bryce Edwards on Flickr, Second class sleeper by funtastica on Flickr, Mumbai station by bbcworldservice on Flickr
No Beelzebub, No Devil’s Son to be Found! - Branson, Missouri
Posted , add a commentNo Beelzebub, No Devil’s Son to be Found! - Branson, Missouri
The first night I attended a dinner show in Branson, Missouri, I knew this was as different a place culturally as I have ever been to. As I was enjoying a pre-show dinner consisting of tender sirloin tips and a skinless chicken breast with a tasty baked potato at the Magnificent Variety Show, cover songs of some classic rock songs were blaring out of the loudspeakers. One in particular was Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody. I was waiting for my favorite line from the song to be crooned out, the one about Beelzebub having a devil for a son, and alas, the lyrics were changed instead to referring to the song as being “a hoot”. Should I be surprised the devil’s minions were struck down in song since this locale is not only nestled in the Ozarks, but also in the Bible Belt?
The feeling I got as I visited this entertainment mecca was one of being transported back to a different time period. Sure, I saw lots of people talking on their cell phones, and the internet is alive and well here, but there is this sense of old fashioned values that emanates out of Branson, where the locals are generally polite and will ask you “Where you from?” Each attraction that’s narrated or live show will basically pay homage to our troops and veterans.
Branson entertainment is definitely not Las Vegas fare, as the live music shows that have been entertaining visitors since 1959 are aimed at a more conservative values-oriented audience. But that’s okay, for that’s the neat aspect of travel: being able to find cultural differences than the ones you’re used to, and still have a good time.
My first live music show in Branson at The Osmonds Theatre was still a memorable experience as the musical troupe led by husband and wife team Joe and Tamra Tinoco made more than 300 costume changes during 90 minutes of performing parts of some of the most memorable pop hits by decade in vignettes, beginning with the 1940’s and running all the way through today for the first half of their act, in which they dressed in the styles of each decade and impersonated the musical performers the best they could, which was quite good! Since I grew up in the 1970’s and 1980’s, my favorite covers that they did were when they imitated Michael Jackson’s Thriller video with all those ghoulish/zombie-like costumes and when they got into various uniforms to play the Village People while crooning out Y.M.C.A.
This Magnificent Variety troupe encouraged audience participation, too, as they came off stage sometimes to sing a slow love song to one of the ladies, and for one 1970’s vignette, they got some of the audience members to go back stage with them to put on some wacky-looking wigs and then they all danced before the audience.
In the second half their act following an intermission, the show consisted of full renditions of songs from various Broadway plays like Funny Girl, The Phantom of the Opera, and more, and ended with a patriotic tribute to America’s veterans and then to America itself. The only thing missing that night without Beelzebub and his devilish son was apple pie: after all, chocolate cake was served! Nonetheless, the audience made up of primarily middle-aged folks and senior citizens enjoyed themselves.
The Civil War “Re-enacted” at Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede
As I walked to the entrance of Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede from the parking lot, Palominos and Quarter horses were next to the sidewalk to be admired. These horses would be used during a 90 minute show that takes place in a 35,000 square foot arena, with its staging area being about as large as a basketball or hockey arena in my estimation.
I was greeted at the door by young ladies dressed in Southern Belle costumes and taken to the pre-show area, where hundreds of other guests and I could got snacks like popcorn and peanuts plus soft drinks in a commemorative cup. We then got to watch the opening act of our live show experience, a comedian juggler and musician named David Lucas. He entertained us with his juggling of various items like 7 rings, 3 large knives, and golf balls which he spit out of his mouth. I really enjoyed it when he juggled some tambourines to the soundtrack of Arabic music, which created a pleasant harmony. He referred to himself as an “Oriental Redneck” and got lots of laughs talking about his life and show business family. He’s performed before the Queen of England and U.S. Presidents.
We were then ushered into the arena that seats 1,100 people by a Confederate and Union soldier, who determined which side of the arena we would be sitting on: The North or South side. I was put in the North, and after we were all seated, it was explained to us that we would be helping to re-enact The Civil War as each course of finger food was served to us over the next hour by Union or Confederate soldiers (depending on which side we were on). This included a fluffy biscuit, creamy soup (the bowl had a handle), corn-on-the-cob, refills on coffee and Pepsi, a small but complete rotisserie chicken that was super tender and tasty, plus a large and succulent pastry dessert that reminded me of a Pillsbury fruit turnover.
My side’s job was to stomp our feet at designated times and cheer positively at the Union soldier performers in the arena, and boo the Confederate side, who would be determining the fate of the Civil War not by violent means, but by various competitions with the stable horses and other farm animals like little racing pigs dressed in Civil War uniforms. In between competitions were comedy skits. Some audience members were used to perform silly things like ride a broomstick horse.
Before the Civil War competition began, energetic singing and period piece costumes and real animals like Texas Longhorns made up a show that focused on the history of America before the Civil War; for instance, we got to hear the players act like pioneers and sing campfire songs and see Southern Belles come down from on high! The Stampede really has this ability to get the audience involved and uses energetic music and great staging to make for a memorable experience.
Unbelievable Abilities Showcased by the Acrobats of China
If you see only one live show in Branson, it’s gotta be this show which is part of The New Shanghai Circus. We were instructed by the Master of Ceremonies how to say “hello” and “thank you” in Chinese before the show began so we could communicate with these stars at the end of the show if we chose to, as they would be on hand for autographs and picture taking.
I’ve never been more impressed with an acrobatic troupe over the course of two hours (including a short intermission), who used pulsating music and various special effects lighting to help underscore their feats of illusion, drumming, and Chinese storytelling (with one act employing ballet-like moves). I saw things by these gifted performers that I still don’t understand how it could be done. One of the acts involved a girl who stood on top of her head while twirling a four-legged table in the air while another group of young women twirled several plates in the air using long sticks! The guys in the troupe jumped through stacked hoops and caught each other in the air with their feet after they were thrust upwards, as if effortlessly.
I visited China in 2000, and watching the Acrobats of China made me feel like I was back in that enchanted land. Beware: the smell of buttered popcorn in the 1,000 seat arena was so overwhelming that I had to get some for myself, even though I try to stay away from food with a lot of saturated fat.
Note: Photos of Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede and Acrobats of China were taken with permission by the respective attractions. All photos by Roy A. Barnes.
Roy’s first Branson article at Bootsnall.com
Biography: Roy A. Barnes writes from southeastern Wyoming and is a frequent contributor to Bootsnall.com.
Viva la Summer: London
Posted , add a commentEditor’s Note:This is the third installment of Viator’s Viva la Summer, a special series encouraging everybody to hit the road this summer and unleash their inner traveler. Each week we’re selecting a “Traveler of the Week” from a featured destination, which earns you bragging rights and a $50 Viator Gift Certificate. Happy summer travels! Previous destinations? Las Vegas and Rome. Next week’s destination? New York!
Haven’t heard of Viva la Summer? Here’s the deal - as part of Viator’s celebration of summer 2009, we’re pointing a spotlight at top summer destinations around the world. This week’s featured destination is London (see below for some of our favorite things to do in London).
The first order of business: we’re pleased to honor our Viva la Summer traveler of the week. This week it’s David C. from the USA. He just submitted this photo taken on a Private Viewing of Stonehenge on a Stonehenge day trip from London. Do we love the photo? Yes! Do we love the fact that David is standing alone amongst the stones at Stonehenge? Yes! For being selected as Viator’s Viva la Summer traveler of the week, we’re sending David a $50 Viator Gift Certificate.
David among the stones, on a Private Stonehenge tour from London.
Viva la Summer, Viva London!
London is just about perfect in summer - not too cold, not too wet, not too crowded (at least compared to mainland Europe). Plus the dollar has strengthened against the pound, making London more affordable for Americans (and Canadians, and Australians, and Kiwis…) to enjoy the sights of London without completely breaking the bank. Viator has more than 100 tours and things to do in London to help you make the most of a trip to England’s political and cultural capital. Here are some of our favorites:
- Travelers can experience a great deal in one day in London with tours like the London Full-Day Sightseeing Tour including a private tour of the Tower of London and the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Other activities that help travelers explore many of the elements that make London such a popular destination include The Original London Sightseeing Tour: Hop-on Hop-off and the London Morning Tour including Changing of the Guard; and the Skip the Line: Buckingham Palace Tour, during which, for a limited time the Palace’s state rooms are open for viewing while The Queen makes her annual visit to Scotland. For travelers exploring beyond the borders of the city, the 12-hour England in One Day Trip includes visits to Stonehenge, Bath, the Cotswolds and Stratford upon Avon.
- Stonehenge Experiences - An excursion from London that shouldn’t be missed is a trip to view the ancient monoliths that date back more than 5,000 years and hold as much mystery and intrigue as the Royal family. An experience reserved for the summer months is entree inside the “inner circle of stones” - a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that takes place either during sunrise or sunset, available from Viator.com during the Private Viewing of Stonehenge including Bath (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and Lacock. Other excursions guarantee small groups or additional visits to important sites like Windsor Castle, Oxford and Lacock, the setting for many movies and television dramas, including Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
- Soar the Skies on the London Eye - A strong complement to the historic and classic architecture of London is the modern and sleek London Eye that takes its passengers more than 443 off the ground to take in views that stretch to more than 20 miles of landscape and include Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey. Experiences available through Viator.com include London Eye: Skip the Line Tickets; the London Eye: Champagne Experience; and London Eye: Romantic Private Capsule for Two with Champagne.
- London for the Family - Most activities in London suit even the youngest visitors quite well but there are a few special experiences particularly geared to the younger set. The Private Tour: Harry Potter Black Taxi Tour of London takes travelers from Diagon Alley to the Leaky Cauldron in one of London’s famous black taxis with room for five wizards or Muggles. Other sources of excitement for the kids include the Medieval Banquet and Merriment by Torchlight; the London Rock Legends Small Group Tour by Minivan; Horse Riding in Hyde Park; and the London Duck Tour.
-Viator Travel Team
Viva la Summer: London
Posted , add a commentEditor’s Note:This is the third installment of Viator’s Viva la Summer, a special series encouraging everybody to hit the road this summer and unleash their inner traveler. Each week we’re selecting a “Traveler of the Week” from a featured destination, which earns you bragging rights and a $50 Viator Gift Certificate. Happy summer travels! Previous destinations? Las Vegas and Rome. Next week’s destination? New York!
Haven’t heard of Viva la Summer? Here’s the deal - as part of Viator’s celebration of summer 2009, we’re pointing a spotlight at top summer destinations around the world. This week’s featured destination is London (see below for some of our favorite things to do in London).
The first order of business: we’re pleased to honor our Viva la Summer traveler of the week. This week it’s David C. from the USA. He just submitted this photo taken on a Private Viewing of Stonehenge on a Stonehenge day trip from London. Do we love the photo? Yes! Do we love the fact that David is standing alone amongst the stones at Stonehenge? Yes! For being selected as Viator’s Viva la Summer traveler of the week, we’re sending David a $50 Viator Gift Certificate.
David among the stones, on a Private Stonehenge tour from London.
Viva la Summer, Viva London!
London is just about perfect in summer - not too cold, not too wet, not too crowded (at least compared to mainland Europe). Plus the dollar has strengthened against the pound, making London more affordable for Americans (and Canadians, and Australians, and Kiwis…) to enjoy the sights of London without completely breaking the bank. Viator has more than 100 tours and things to do in London to help you make the most of a trip to England’s political and cultural capital. Here are some of our favorites:
- Travelers can experience a great deal in one day in London with tours like the London Full-Day Sightseeing Tour including a private tour of the Tower of London and the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Other activities that help travelers explore many of the elements that make London such a popular destination include The Original London Sightseeing Tour: Hop-on Hop-off and the London Morning Tour including Changing of the Guard; and the Skip the Line: Buckingham Palace Tour, during which, for a limited time the Palace’s state rooms are open for viewing while The Queen makes her annual visit to Scotland. For travelers exploring beyond the borders of the city, the 12-hour England in One Day Trip includes visits to Stonehenge, Bath, the Cotswolds and Stratford upon Avon.
- Stonehenge Experiences - An excursion from London that shouldn’t be missed is a trip to view the ancient monoliths that date back more than 5,000 years and hold as much mystery and intrigue as the Royal family. An experience reserved for the summer months is entree inside the “inner circle of stones” - a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that takes place either during sunrise or sunset, available from Viator.com during the Private Viewing of Stonehenge including Bath (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and Lacock. Other excursions guarantee small groups or additional visits to important sites like Windsor Castle, Oxford and Lacock, the setting for many movies and television dramas, including Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
- Soar the Skies on the London Eye - A strong complement to the historic and classic architecture of London is the modern and sleek London Eye that takes its passengers more than 443 off the ground to take in views that stretch to more than 20 miles of landscape and include Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey. Experiences available through Viator.com include London Eye: Skip the Line Tickets; the London Eye: Champagne Experience; and London Eye: Romantic Private Capsule for Two with Champagne.
- London for the Family - Most activities in London suit even the youngest visitors quite well but there are a few special experiences particularly geared to the younger set. The Private Tour: Harry Potter Black Taxi Tour of London takes travelers from Diagon Alley to the Leaky Cauldron in one of London’s famous black taxis with room for five wizards or Muggles. Other sources of excitement for the kids include the Medieval Banquet and Merriment by Torchlight; the London Rock Legends Small Group Tour by Minivan; Horse Riding in Hyde Park; and the London Duck Tour.
-Viator Travel Team