Viator.com Offers Eco-Inspired Activities to Help Travelers Explore the Planet's Natural Wonders

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) April 15, 2008

In commemoration of Earth Day 2008, the team at Viator.com, the leading online resource for more than 5,500 trip activities and experiences at the best prices, is recommending travelers consider exploring some of the most environmentally focused attractions in the world. From reefs to glaciers to rainforests, the time is right to visit these amazing eco-attractions built by Mother Nature.

?We are raising environmental awareness and promoting eco-friendly travel with our Guide for Sustainable Living and Travel and the ability to offset carbon emissions directly at Viator.com, ? said Rod Cuthbert, Viator founder and chairman. ?We encourage travelers to experience the planet?s most precious natural gems now to inspire them to protect the planet for generations of travelers to come.?

REEF

Most will never experience it from this perspective, but the Great Barrier Reef, stretching along more than 1,200 miles of Queensland seaboard, is the only living thing visible from space. Viator offers more than 30 tours and activities to get travelers close to this Australian eco-system including:

????Great Barrier Reef Cruise and Helicopter Flight (from $ 234) ? A customizable day spent at the Outer Reef with whale, turtle, and shark watching (from the air) and snorkeling, swimming and diving (in the water).
????Great Barrier Reef Day Cruise to Reefworld (from $ 174) ? Speed by catamaran to the reef for a day of adventure at Reefworld at Hardy Reef, and swim, dive or submerge (without getting wet?) and explore coral gardens and indigenous marine life.
????2 Day Reefsleep Great Barrier Reef Experience (from $ 363) ? See the nocturnal side of the reef under sparkling stars as one of only a handful of visitors swimming and diving here at night, along with champagne at sunset and alfresco evening dining.
????Great Barrier Reef Small Group Dive and Snorkel Tour from Cairns aboard Osprey V (from $ 109) ? Osprey V offers one of the fastest trips to the outer edge of the reef, with certified dive options for an enhanced experience, as well as an Aussie BBQ lunch.

GLACIER

Global warming is already diminishing the beauty and bounty of the world?s glacial waterways. Pack the parka for some chilly and eye-opening experiences in:

????Alaska ? the Portage Glacier Cruise plus Tour (from $ 69) starts at the Begich-Boggs visitor center to view the glaciology exhibits, then sails across iceberg-dotted Portage Lake with a stop for lunch on your own at Alyeska Ski Resort. (May to September).
????Alaska ? Juneau Whale Watching Adventure and Mendenhall Glacier (from $ 132) ? As hump back whales feed in the nutrient rich Alaskan waters of Auke Bay, watch for bald eagles, seals, and sea lions before visiting Mendenhall Glacier.
????New Zealand ? the Franz Josef Half Day Glacier Experience (from $ 79) fits travelers with the proper glacier-walking attire including a set of Ice-Talonz to ensure a good grip as they traverse the terminal face of the glacier for nearly two hours.
????Switzerland ? Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe (from Lucerne) (from $ 175) or the ?world of eternal snow and ice? ? includes a visit to the Ice Palace for a breathtaking panorama view from the Sphinx Observation Terrace overlooking the Aletsch Glacier (Europe's longest glacier).

RAINFOREST

Impacted heavily by deforestation, the world?s rainforests are home to two-thirds of all living animal and plant species on the planet. Viator.com has a selection of experiences that explore the unique environmental attributes of these ancient ecosystems:

????Ecuador ? Mountain Bike in Papallacta (from $ 78) and experience a cross section of Ecuador's ecosystems from rugged paramo (high-altitude Andean grasslands), to lush cloud forest at the Amazon basin. Recoup with a restorative bath at the local hot springs.
????Jamaica ? Caliche Rainforest Rafting departing Montego Bay (from $ 88) ? Glide down the river and witness the beauty of one of Jamaica's most impressive primordial rainforests. Swing on a river rope, take a swim and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
????Panama ? Ecotour: Ecocanal (Gatun Lake and Miraflores Locks) (from $ 106) ? Learn how large vessels maneuver the Miraflores Locks then board a vessel to see it up close. Visit Monkey Island, the rainforest that supports the functioning of the Panama Canal.
????Costa Rica ? the Costa Rican Combo Arenal Volcano / Ecotermales and Rainforest Adventure (from $ 150 per person) includes a trek into the Costa Rican rainforest, a birds-eye view of lava erupting and oozing from the active volcano, Arenal, and tender touch of sultry hot springs to conclude the experience.
Travelers should visit Viator.com for full tour details, as well as the Viator Travel Blog (travelblog.viator.com) featuring travel inspiration, advice and recommendations.

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 traveller - offers travelers a one-stop shop to plan, research and book trip activities with helpful resources like customer reviews, 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 http://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, Viator welcomes nearly 2 million visitors per month. Viator is headquartered in San Francisco with regional offices in Sydney, London and Las Vegas.

Contact:

Kate Sullivan

1 (973) 568-7589

PR @ Viator.com

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Viator Adds New Alaska Shore Excursions for Cruise Travelers

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) August 11, 2011

Viator, the leading resource for nearly 9,000 tours and activities in 750 destinations in 150 countries, today announced new tours and activities for cruise passengers in Alaska ports of call, including Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway. Viator?s Alaska shore excursions are affordable alternatives to those offered by cruise lines, with savings up to 40 percent on popular activities including glacier trekking and ice climbing, seaplane and flightseeing tours, ziplining through the Alaskan rainforest, and hiking and kayaking day trips.

?The cruise industry continues to break records and will serve an anticipated 16 million passengers in 2011, and Viator?s Alaska shore excursions are ideal for those who want a more personalized experience while off the boat,? said Ms. Barrie Seidenberg, president and CEO of Viator, Inc. ?Viator offers shore excursions in more than 45 ports of call worldwide, allowing travelers to customize their itinerary before, during and after their cruise with activities that are more budget-friendly and less crowded than what is traditionally offered by the ship.?

Viator?s Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway shore excursions each have a ?Cruise Port Page? on the site, which highlight specific port and destination information, including local area maps, customer reviews and suggestions on the best things to see and do with limited time in town. Perfect for late summer cruise vacations and throughout the September shoulder season, the new additions range from family-friendly day trips to off-the-beaten-path excursions that will challenge more adventurous thrill-seekers:

Juneau

????The ultimate whale watching adventure off the shores of Juneau including a visit to Mendenhall Glacier starting at $ 130.99, a 20 percent savings compared to ship-sponsored adventures
????Glacier trekking and ice climbing Juneau?s top attraction, Mendenhall Glacier, starting at $ 198.45
????Kayaking through the Alaskan wilderness with views of Mendenhall, Herbert and Eagle glaciers and possible humpback whale sightings, starting at $ 124.95

Ketchikan

????A 90-minute seaplane tour of the untamed wilderness of the Misty Fjords starting at $ 228.99 ? a 40 percent savings compared to similar tours offered by cruise lines
????Sea kayaking along Tongass National Forest and Eagle Island, starting at $ 112.50
????A zipline and canopy tour above the Ketchikan Rainforest treetops, starting at $ 156.25

Skagway

????A scenic hiking and rafting adventure along the world-famous Chilkoot Trail in the heart of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park, perfect for family members of all ages, starting at $ 94.50 ? a 25 percent savings compared to cruise line offerings
????A relaxing float tour down the Taiya River starting at $ 78.75.

Cruise ship passengers favoring a more do-it-yourself approach can customize their own shore excursions by booking one of Viator?s many expert Private Tour Guides. These guides work with travelers to create a personalized itinerary based on specific interests, and tours can include anything from hiking pristine forest trails and photographing wildlife to kayaking and mountain biking along the Alaskan Coast. Viator?s global network of Private Tour Guides includes local experts who specialize in the most popular destinations like London, New York and Paris as well as more off-the-beaten-path destinations such as Bolivia, Tanzania and Bhutan. All guides have professional licenses or tour guiding certificates, ensuring travelers have the best possible personal tour experience.

Viator?s Alaska shore excursions are run by tour operators who are pre-screened for value, quality and service and maintain the same licensing and insurance coverage required by the cruise lines. Additionally, Viator?s ?Worry-free Shore Excursions? pledge provides travelers with the added peace of mind that they will return to port well in advance of their ship?s departure. In the rare circumstances where passengers miss their departure, Viator will provide transportation to the ship?s next port-of-call.

Viator?s Alaska shore excursions can be accessed through Viator.com, the Viator Tours and Activities App for iPhone and Viator?s mobile site. Visit the Viator Travel Blog for more inspiration or follow the company on Facebook and Twitter for the latest deals, promotions, contests and Viator news.

About Viator

Viator? is the world?s leading online resource for travel experiences, providing access to nearly 9,000 tours, attractions and activities in 750-plus destinations in more than 150 countries. Viator? the Latin word for traveler ? offers a one-stop shop to plan, research and book trip activities via its Web and mobile platforms with resources such as 260,000 traveler reviews, ratings and photos, suggested itineraries and the Viator Travel Blog. Viator?s in-house travel experts hand-pick trusted local operators to ensure quality, value and service, all backed by a low-price guarantee. Viator sells its products through Viator.com, the Viator Tours and Activities App for iPhone, the Viator Ultimate Experience Guide for iPad, eight local language sites for the European and Japanese markets and more than 2,000 affiliated sites that include major hotel chains and airlines, online travel agencies, city-specific sites and more. Viator is a privately held company, with lead investment from The Carlyle Group, one of the world?s largest private equity firms. Founded in 1995, Viator is headquartered in San Francisco with regional offices in Sydney, London and Las Vegas.

Media Contact:

Kathie Gonzalez

720.213.6105

pr(at)viator(dot)com

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