SOURCE: Viator, Inc.
From Cruises to Bike Tours, Putting a Travelers’ Twist on a Local City Can Turn an Ordinary Day Into a Getaway
SAN FRANCISCO, CA–(Marketwire – September 2, 2010) – Time may be running out on the summer of 2010, but there is still plenty of time to have great experiences whether or not long-distance traveling is in the cards. Viator.com, the leading resource for researching and booking more than 5,500 trip activities and experiences at the best prices, has great ideas for turning a hometown or nearby city into an amazing last minute getaway destination. Exploring like a traveler locally or putting old skills to work again can turn an ordinary day into a true vacation experience.
Take Me to the River Cruise
A cruise of any kind is not your typical every day activity so adding one from Viator’s selection of sightseeing and dining cruises to the day’s itinerary can make for a far away-flavored escape without going too far away. Travelers planning ‘staycation’ experiences near places like Amsterdam, Boston, Chicago, Dublin, Fort Lauderdale, London, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Paris, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Sydney and Washington, DC, can cruise, dine and even dance in some instances like during the New York Dinner Cruise. There are also opportunities for some off-shore exploration like during the In the Footsteps of George Washington: Day Cruise to Mount Vernon that couples a cruise along the Potomac River with a few hours of discovery at Mount Vernon.
Just like riding a Bike, around the World
Many of us have left the two-wheelers behind in favor of the ease and speed of smart cars or SUVs. But with the quick don of a helmet, a bike ride with a local guide can turn the familiar into a fun and fancy-free experience. Whether exploring city streets or off-road trails, expertly guided bike tours provide a way to get up and really go in places like Barcelona, Brooklyn, Central Park, La Jolla, London, Marin County, Montreal, Palm Springs and South Beach. Parisians or those lucky enough to have Paris within close proximity (think Eurostar) will enjoy the Paris Villages Bike Tour which explores unexpected hidden charms along quiet streets in off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods — and exclusive to Viator — on a tandem bicycle built for two.
Going Back to the Future on a Segway
It’s not a cruise or a ride; it’s more of a glide and likely something most ‘staycationers’ (and vacationers) have never done before. The space-age Segway Human Transporter is an exciting, interesting and somewhat effortless (just a little balance required) way to explore many cities around the world. Destinations like Annapolis, Atlanta, Baltimore, Berlin, Beverly Hills, Chicago, Madrid, Miami, Milan, Philadelphia, Pisa, San Diego, San Francisco, Sausalito, Santa Monica and Washington, DC are well explored by Segway. Viator’s selection of Segway tours includes the San Francisco Night Segway Tour taking to the streets when the crowds are smaller, traffic is lighter and the lights of the stunning city by the Bay come alive.
Other fun ways to help locals explore like travelers and turn a regular day into a last-minute getaway include food and wine excursions, cultural and themed experiences and helicopter tours. For even more inspiration as well as the latest news on special promotions, deals, contests and suggestions, travelers of every sort can visit the Viator Travel Blog (http://travelblog.viator.com) as well as Twitter (http://twitter.com/ViatorTravel) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/ViatorTours).
About Viator
Viator is the world’s leading online resource for travel experiences, providing access to more than 5,500 tours, attractions and activities in 450-plus destinations in 75 countries. Viator — the Latin word for traveler — offers travelers a one-stop shop to plan, research and book trip activities with helpful resources like nearly 150,000 traveler reviews and photos, star ratings, suggested itineraries and the Viator Travel Blog. Viator’s in-house travel experts have picked respected and trusted local operators to ensure a quality experience, value and service, all backed by Viator’s low-price guarantee. Founded in 1995, Viator sells its products directly to consumers at www.viator.com and through its global network of more than 1,000 affiliates that include major hotel and airline companies, online travel agencies, city-specific sites and more. Through its collection of company operated and affiliated sites, including seven European-language sites, Viator welcomes more than 2.5 million visitors per month. Viator is headquartered in San Francisco with regional offices in Sydney, London and Las Vegas.
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