Growing up in the southern hemisphere, each year my mother sent me to the family dairy farm in Golden Bay, at the top of the South Island of New Zealand, for a two-month summer holiday. Celebrating Christmas with the family, picking juicy blood plums from the tree in the garden, swimming in the crystal-clear river on the property, visiting the milking shed while the cows stared mournfully at me from those deep dark eyes. A simple, innocent life in a small New Zealand country town.

New Zealand - the beauty almost breaks your heart

Now, 20 years later, New Zealand is a Mecca for national and international tourists driving along the extravagantly beautiful coastline, filling up in one of the many cafes that have sprung up on the main streets, or stocking up on supplies for the trek through Abel Tasman National Park or along the Heaphy Track.

Around the New Year there is steady stream of happy campers making their way to one of the raves further along the coast (travel tip: check out the local music shop and organic store for fliers in places like Farewell Spit, perhaps one day The Gathering will be on again). In fact, if I was showing you my New Zealand, this is where I would take you…

Suggested Itineraries in New Zealand: Christchurch to Wine Country

Start in Christchurch, on New Zealand’s South Island. It’s a very quaint town, birthplace of my grandmother, who then reinvented herself as a quintessential English lady, which I am sure has a lot to do with the mock Tudor architecture and colonial history. There is a lovely botanic garden to wander around in, the Arts Centre on Worcester Boulevard has a lively craft market, and the beaches just out of town stretch for miles with golden sands. The Wunderbar in Lyttleton is nestled over the supermarket on London St, and has a superb kitsch style with board games, open-minded hosts and spectacular views of the still working harbour.

Shop along High St, Colombo and Cashel for fabulous NZ designer clothes and incredibly stylish fashion, made with gorgeous fabrics, beautifully cut and designed to fit real women’s bodies. Drop into the Globe Café at 171 High St for coffee and cake.

Fancy a helicopter tour up Fox & Franz Josef glaciers?

Drive over Arthur’s Pass to the tiny mountain village Otira, which was overrun by artists for ‘Oblique’ in 1999, and has since become a thriving creative haven. Continue on to Greymouth, and turn right for some of the wildest, most rugged and spectacular coastline you will see in your life – The Piano was filmed on a beach up here (ask a local which one), or drive left to the experience the effects of global warming at the rapidly disappearing Fox and Franz Josef glaciers.

The tiny coastal town of Hokitika boasts an intriguing second-hand shop and at the local pub you can find out all about the aviation disaster early last century, which explains the photos of an airplane landing in their field.

Heading back to the east, you now have a gentle drive up more beautiful coastline. There are a range of accommodation options to break the journey, from the caravan park right on the beach, to a glamorous hotel and café scene at Kaikoura where you will want to spend some time swimming with the dolphins. We wandered out to the edge of the rocks, and were amazed to see the seals frolicking and cavorting just a few metres away, although there are very strict health regulations about keeping a respectful distance from their habitat.

New Zealand: The view from Kaikoura

Once you’re ready to hit the road again, the highway drifts gently through rolling hills and blue horizons, until you come to the Marlborough Wine country. Cloudy Bay is my pick but I’m no expert, so you’re best off making your own extensive tasting tour. Find a B&B, and take advantage of the incredible range of excellent New Zealand whites produced here.

At this point you have two options, either to head straight to Picton for the sublime ferry ride through the Marlborough Sounds to Wellington, or drive West again to Nelson, and ‘over the hill’ to Golden Bay. Since this is my itinerary, I’m taking you on all the detours and tangents, as that’s the joy of travel.

Not having to keep going in one direction; you may end up headed somewhere you’ve never even heard of. And if you’re really keen, download the wine trail map before you go!

Suggested Itineraries in New Zealand: Onward to Wellington

The drive across to Nelson is only a few hours, and takes you through lovely countryside until you reach this charming town nestled into the hills. There is a veritable plethora of artisan shops selling the work of local jewelers, potters, artists and designers. The café at the very top of the hill on the main road through town has great burgers, and there is a scenic drive back down to the highway, which curves along the coast here for miles. As you travel West again, headed for Golden Bay, you will drive close to the Abel Tasman National Forest, and over what is laughingly called ‘the hill’ by locals; an incredibly steep and twisty mountain road. I always got car sick on this drive as a child, but seem to have survived unscathed this trip.

Watch the valley unfold before you as the road slowly evens out, and you soon arrive in Takaka. Once home to many an ‘alternative lifestyler’ up in the hills, the farming community now appears to be outnumbered by weekend holiday houses and adventurers. This has brought a new buzz to the main street, along with the funky cafes and shops on Main Street. The local pool on the road out of town is where I learnt to swim, with my great-aunt and some of those triathlete cousins who consider a quick run up one of the nearby hills an excellent morning activity. Not before breakfast for me, and certainly not after!

There are plenty of other options for the less actively inclined, like driving to one of the many gorgeous bays for a swim, or a stroll along the boardwalks – but no swimming in the sacred Te Waikoropupu (Pupu) Springs, just outside Takaka. The waters are some of the purest on earth, and were once used for healing and ceremonial blessings for Maoris at birth, death, arrival and departure of travelers.

The nearby walk up a mountain alongside the abandoned power plant is a fabulous three hour hike, and takes you to a sparkling clear pool at the top. It was too cold for any but the most hardy to swim even at the height of summer, but is a satisfying day trip.

The view from Chocolate Fish Cafe

If dancing is your thing, head out to Farewell Spit or one of the local beaches for the summer party season, and shake your booty to the pulse of the pacific ocean. Here you will be one of the first people in the world to see in the new year.

Retrace your steps annd drive back to Picton where we board the ferry for the three-hour trip to Wellington. This takes you through the Marlborough Sounds, truly some of the most luscious, divine scenery on the planet.

In Wellington, visit Te Papa Musuem, and make sure you stop in to the Chocolate Fish Café out along the Karaka Rd on the white sand beach, where visiting rock stars mingle with families on the colourful wooden chairs overlooking the water of Scorching Bay.

The shopping here is again superb, with the cream of local talent such as Starfish, Zambesi, Ricochet, Karen Walker and more scattered along Lambton Quay, Cuba St and Willis St.

An hour away Titahi Bay offers a stunning walk around the cliffs. Head a little further up north to Pukaha Mt Bruce, for a gorgeous walk through the forest of the magnificent wild life sanctuary, where you can see endangered birds and wildlife (Kiwi, Tuatara, Kokako, Kaka) before they are restored to their natural habitat in the forest.

After all that activity, continue in a leisurely fashion up to Rotorua and sloth around in the hot mud, where I will leave you for now.

-Jodi Rose

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s tours and things to do in New Zealand, from Christchurch tours to things to do in Auckland to Bay of Island tours and activities.

Hello Viatorians, Viatorites, and Viatorinians!

Sorry for the long delay, but I am happy to announce that the next installment of Atlas Obscura’s wonder-inspiring, off-the-beaten-path places that don’t make it into traditional guidebooks is here! This week’s theme is appropriately halloweeny, three Cemeteries, each bizarre and creepy in its own way!

Highgate Cemetery, London

The Merry Cemetery, Romania

The merry cemetery in Săpânţa, Romania is unusual in the candor of its gravestones. Displayed on the wooden crosses in bright pictures and annotated with limericks, are the illustrated lives and deaths of almost everyone who has passed away in the town of Sapanta.

Illustrated crosses depict soldiers being beheaded, a townsperson being hit by a truck, and a man drinking himself to death. The epigraphs reveal a surprising level of frankness. “Underneath this heavy cross. Lies my mother in law poor…Try not to wake her up. For if she comes back home. She’ll bite my head off.”

Merry Cemetery, Sapanta - Romania

Another reads “Ioan Toaderu loved horses. One more thing he loved very much. To sit at a table in a bar. Next to someone else’s wife.”

Highgate Cemetery, London

The story of Highgate Cemetery in London is so outlandish, you couldn’t make it up if you tried. Once one of London’s nicest Victorian burial grounds, by the 1960s it was a dilapidated mess. Used as a location for the infamous Hammer horror films, the site became the focus of a modern “vampire hunt” after witnesses claimed to have seen one.

Two magicians led a battle of one-upmanship to find and kill the supposed vampire. Though no vampire was found the hunters dug up real tombs, staked actual dead bodies and left beheaded (already dead to begin with) corpses strewn throughout 1970s London. It culminated on Friday the 13th in 1973 when a mob of ‘hunters’ from all over London swarmed over gates and walls into the locked cemetery, despite police efforts to control them.”

St. Sebastian’s Cemetery, Salzburg

St. Sebastian’s Cemetery, Salzburg

Medieval Europe had a thing for death. Called “memento mori” and meaning “Remember that you are mortal,” it was a standard theme for churches, paintings, and most of all cemeteries. The St. Sebastian’s Cemetery in Salzburg, Austria has memento mori in spades, covered in skulls with snakes coming from their eyes, bony figures holding hourglasses, and winged skulls, it is a true treat for anyone with a morbid streak.

Among the luminaries buried in this macabre cemetery are Mozart’s wife and father, Archbishop Wolf Dietrich who was disgraced by the church, denied burial in the Cathedral crypt and so is buried here, and Theophrastus Paracelsus alchemist, mystic, scientist and sometimes called “the father of modern medicine.”

-The Atlas Obscura Team

In the past I’ve always stayed in or near the old town (Grad). The walled old city is so spectacularly beautiful that to wake up in the morning and look out the window at all that history is magical. I’ve stayed at the Hilton, which has a great location and lovely old building; at the Excelsior which has waterfront and great views of the sun setting over the old town; and in a private apartment inside the walls with a terrace where we could hear the conversation of people walking the walls.

Dubrovnik - follow your bliss

These private apartments are easy to find as many savvy residents leave town for the summer and earn some money from rentals while escaping the crowds.

Far from the maddening (ice cream) crowd

But there are downsides to being this close to the old town: crowds, heat and expense. Especially in summer. In July and August, fighting your way down the main street, Stradun, through meandering ice-cream licking tourists – many of them there for a day off cruise ships and not even sure what country they are in – while the sun bounces fiercely off the white marble that is everywhere (buildings, pavings) and waiters try to entice you to sit and drink the most expensive coffee in Croatia, can be a little tiring.

Radisson Blu

So this time I got out of town, to a village called Orasac and the new Radisson Blu hotel. Many Dubrovnik hotels are a bit away from the old town, a lot on the Lapad Peninsula. But I figure if you’re going to be out of town, head not for the suburbs of Dubrovnik but for one of the villages. You’re still close enough to make regular easy trips into the city, but far enough to be insulated from the madness.

The bonus is a beach on your doorstep, and in the heat and humidity of Croatian summer, regular dips in the Adriatic become your favourite thing.

Orasac

Orasac sits on a little bay and the hotel, Dubrovnik Sun Gardens, is beside the beach with the village perched on the hill behind. I walked up the many, many steps to the village one day to have coffee with people I met on the beach and trust me, this terrain is steep! Do not make the climb at midday as I did – madness.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to visit one of Orasac’s main attractions: an old-fashioned olive oil press still horse-driven! Apparently, they also make great homemade cheeses and prsut – the local ham. But, I’m a vegetarian anyway – luckily I eat fish though because ham and seafood are specialties of the region.

Eating at Gverovic Orsan

Staggering back down the hill, I fell into the sea. I’ve never actually stayed at this type of resort before - an upmarket mixture of hotel and residence apartments with a street of shops, restaurants, a spa, pools with bars, the beach – for a whole week I could happily have not left, not seen a car, not had to think. Just gazed at the view of the beautiful Elafati Islands from my balcony.

Perhaps hopped on a boat out to the island of Lopud and the beach of Sunj (pronounced Shoon) which I’m told is one of the most beautiful in Croatia, with shallow water out for a long way making it a total kids’ paradise and a couple of simple beach cafes making it a parental godsend.

But I did leave. One night a Croatian friend took me to Gverovic Orsan, a great little restaurant in the next town, Mali Zaton. Right on the water, they cook fish: fresh fish, only fish. No menu, just what was caught that day. A few tables line the water in front of what used to be the owner’s grandfather’s fishing hut. For the last two generations it’s been a restaurant. And so friendly; the owner sat with us for a while chatting. A group of men paddled in from their yacht and sat at the next table. A family brought their dog to sit at their feet while they ate.

Exploring Dubrovnik’s old town

The next day I caught the shuttle boat into Dubrovnik old town. Approaching by sea gave way to flights of fantasy about being a Venetian sailor in centuries gone by. These walls have stood and looked just like this literally for centuries! With red roofs peeping over the top, the old fort to one side (now used for theatre: Hamlet this summer I believe) and the bare hills rearing up behind for a majestic backdrop.

As well as my moment of fantasy time-travel, the advantage of arriving by boat was avoiding the summer traffic which can get pretty jammed in the narrow streets, and arriving on a dock right next to a gate in the walls – a few steps and I was in the thick of the meshing of history and modern life. These days the city has pretty well turned itself over to cafes, souvenir shops and boutiques, but there is still a supermarket and a great bookshop Algoritam with a good English-language section so I haunted these two in my hunt for things to take back to my beach retreat.

Opening of the Dubrovnik festival

The other visit I made to the old town was for the opening of the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, which brings jazz, theatre, music to about 70 venues all around the city every year (in 2010 the festival runs July 10 – August 25). I was lucky enough to be with someone who had tickets to the actual opening ceremony and performance.

We squeezed into the area in front of the gorgeous St Blaise’s Church and listened to the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra and German soprano Nadja Michael, watched a performance by the local folklore ensemble Lindjo, and then watched the raising of the Libertas festival flag while the choir of the Croatian National Theatre sang the local hymn of Dubrovnik. Totally fabulous – to hear such music in that historic place was amazing.

Then we all walked through the town – following closely the President of Croatia and his bodyguards – and up to the local museum where we stood on a roof terrace eating local seafood while being mesmerised by fireworks. The whole town had turned out to watch and there were people everywhere. Every corner you turned in the old city brought you to another square full of chair and tables, jazz bands, pop concerts, fashionistas in from their yachts to sip cocktails.

What to do when it rains? Go to the spa

The next morning I woke to hear booms outside my window and in my half sleep I thought I was still at the festival opening – but where was my cocktail dress? Luckily only a dream and a thunderstorm, mind you a pretty spectacular one, probably because the sound and fury bounces off the steep mountains that back the Croatian coast.

Anyway, the heavy grey clouds meant I couldn’t follow my usual day plan of breakfast, beach, swim, reading on a sun lounger, swim, lunch, lounging under an umbrella, swim, coffee – well, you get the idea. But what to do under a cloudy sky? Then the beacon lit up in the gloom: the spa.

Now my biggest decision was hot rocks massage or private bath. I went for the bath and felt like a total princess soaking in an aromatic oil and water filled tub in the middle of a white room with a window to a courtyard. The whole fantasy was only enhanced by the fact that the spa building is surrounded by a moat, with chairs and couches to lounge on, post-treatment, and stare at the sea and the islands. It’s a wonder they ever got me out of the place.

Realising that too much idle bliss can be too much of a good thing (can that be true, really?), one day I took myself off for a (long) day tour of Montenegro, south along the Adriatic. Exhausting but totally worthwhile. Montenegro is a country just finding itself after a century of upheaval. In the last hundred years, it’s gone from Kingdom – King Nikolas was exiled to France at the end of WWI – to part of communist Yugoslavia, to war-torn in the 1990s, to independent once more in 2006.

Now it feels a bit like a teenager - a little rebellious and wanting attention. With all that beauty, it’s going to get attention. Mountains, fjord, history, beaches – it’s got a lot to offer and tourists are discovering this in the thousands. Especially the well-heeled Russians. Budva, the main tourist resort town, felt a little like the St Tropez of the east. I was glad I went but I was mighty happy to get to my own little peaceful paradise on the other side of the border.

Back in Orasac, I fell into the sea, floating on the extra salt that makes the Adriatic so relaxing. I thought about my flight home. I looked at the islands some more. Thought about home. Half an hour later I had changed my flight to two days later. Really! That’s how addictive this place is. And surely life is about following your bliss, right?

-Philippa Burne

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s Dubrovnik tours and Croatia tours & sightseeing tours.

But a bustling metropolis it is not. It’s the kind of town you get to know in a day. And on the second day, you meet everyone who lives there. Everyone. So unless you intend to travel outside of Reykjavik and commune with nature, there’s not much point in being in the Icelandic capital for more than a long weekend. There are only so many times one can ambulate downtown’s main street, Laugavegur, before it starts getting really old. And nobody likes vinarbrauð (Iceland’s version of a Danish, filled with marzipan and icing instead of fruit) and coffee that much.

Pylsur - the national food of Iceland. Yes, it's a hot dog.

Nevertheless, Reykjavík’s viking-meets-water-nymph eccentricity is utterly charming and if you’re aware of her greatest hits before you get there, three or four days will fly by. Try not to expect too much from Reykjavik, and she will treat you to a fine long weekend indeed.

Reykjavik on foot

First up, you need to orient yourself as Reykjavik is a town that can easily be seen on foot. Use Hallgrímskirkja (the towering Lutheran church at the top of Skólavörðustígur) as a starting point. Venture up the tower for an impressive bird’s-eye view (400ISK for adults, 100ISK for children 7-14) then walk down Skólavörðustígur to sample some of the local arts and craft shops and cafes (Mokka and Babalú are great pit-stop points).

At the bottom of the hill, Laugavegur to the right and Bankastræti to the left provide a paradise of clothes boutiques and eateries worth exploring. The day doesn’t start in Iceland before coffee has been consumed. The locals take their java juice seriously (almost as seriously as their coffee breaks which are frequent and protracted). Hjólmalind, resident hippie café, makes a sensational soy chai latte. Tíu Dropar’s cakes and coffee are a welcome treat after navigating Laugavegur’s foot traffic and the grandma’s parlour atmosphere attracts hipsters and older locals alike.

My parents went to Iceland and all I got was this lousy…

For unique Icelandic shopping, pick up something made from Icelandic wool, pop into Naked Ape (the nu-rave outfitters of the north), Rokk og Rósir (flawless vintage), or Aftur, for an utterly Icelandic look.

From there, you can either head downhill towards City Hall and Tjörnin (The Pond) and its surrounding gardens, or steer yourself seawards for a stroll along the shore. The Sun Craft sculpture, separated from Mount Esja by a choppy bay, makes a wonderful photograph; the rusting shipping vessels propped up getting fresh coats of paint are endlessly fascinating.

The Sun Craft sculpture

From here, you can venture down to the Maritime Museum in the old harbour, dubbed the Fishpacking District due to the new artist and recording studios and offbeat boutiques springing up there (vintage refurbished bicycles at Kria, and unique clothing, accessories and giftware with a macabre twist at Vopnabúrið).

Reykjavik bars & clubs

Don’t assume that after a day of walking the only way of unwinding is in a hot tub. The nightlife is well worth rugging up for. Since the 2007 closure of legendary bar Sirkus (famed for its rafter-hanging, all-night, celebrity-packed antics) other favourites Boston, Kaffibarrinn and Karumba have stepped up to fill the void.

Friday and Saturday nights are wild affairs downtown… one good reason to choose a hotel slightly off the beaten track if partying isn’t your thing. Gutsy local English-language newspaper The Grapevine elucidates on the issues of the day as well as listing special events and gigs worth attending. If you are lucky enough to be in town when Sigur Rós, Múm, FM Belfast, Reykjavík!, or Gus Gus are on the bill, take my word for it and go along.

Please don’t stare at Björk

While on the subject of homegrown talent, given Reykjavik’s diminutive size, there’s a good chance that a night out will see you lining up for a Brennivín or a Víking beer alongside local or even international celebrities. If you feel the urge to whip out your camera and start snapping, please resist. Most bars operate a “no photography” policy so that the privacy of their patrons is respected.

Street art in Reykjavik

My first “Björk encounter” (everybody here’s had one) was puzzling. I assumed the woman everyone was studiously ignoring was an enthusiastic lookalike rather than the genuine article. Despite being clad head to toe in white lace, she wasn’t getting a single wayward glance. Upon mumbled inquiry, I discovered it was indeed the Swan Dress Lady in all her doilied glory.

That’s just the way Icelanders treat native talent. They treat them as they would a fishmonger. Or the Prime Minister. As equals. The experience was repeated when I found myself soaking in a hot tub opposite Magnús Scheving (AKA Sportacus from LazyTown… those of you with kids will know who I’m talking about). We swapped smiles, pleasantries, and then got back to soaking.

While we’re on the subject, Iceland’s water culture definitely rates a mention and no Icelandic adventure is complete without it. The options are numerous – local pool and spa complexes, tourist haven the Blue Lagoon, or some of the naturally occurring hot springs further afield. Check out my blog on Getting Soaked in Iceland for more information.

What to eat in Reykjavik? Fish of course. And hot dogs

There’s no escaping the fact that Reykjavík is a fishing town. Unsurprisingly, the seafood here is fresh, affordable and delicious. Visit Sægreifinn (The Sea Baron) on the dock where whale watching boats and whaling vessels moor, incongruously, side by side. It’s not the cheapest fish in town, particularly given that it’s served on Styrofoam plates, but their lobster soup is touted by gourmands of repute as the world’s best. (I can’t comment due to a shellfish allergy, but all the visitors I’ve taken there have raved.)

OSushi (upstairs at Iða bookstore on Lækjargata) offers sushi-train japery. If you’re feeling adventurous, let the fish roll by and instead hop on board with whale sashimi or (brace yourselves…) foal sushi.

The menu at local favourite þrir Frakkar incudes smoked puffin, whale, reindeer, plokkfiskur and many other traditional Icelandic dishes.

If, however, your budget leans more towards paper napkins than linen tablecloths, head straight for Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur across the road from the Kolaportið carpark to sample the Icelandic national food… hot dogs. Even hole in the wall vendors offer a good product but the pylsurs here set the standard. Bill Clinton ate here during his visit in 2004 (just mustard, hold the onions and ketchup). Shame. Those crunchy fried-onions and sweet relish are what make the Icelandic pylsur truly great.

Art & culture in Reykjavik

Open from 11am-5pm every Saturday and Sunday, Kolaportið Flea Market is another worthwhile destination. It is a genuine trash and treasure affair, particularly since last year’s financial crash when Icelanders realised they should be focussing on frugality rather than futures funds.

Just a few blocks away on Tryggvagata you will find Listasafn, Reykjavik’s Art Museum. Despite its grand semblance, it presents an easily absorb-able number of works – large scale paintings, photography and installations – making it viewable in under an hour. Entry is free; save your kronur for the upstairs café serving good coffee and a selection of soups and sandwiches, all coming with a complimentary side order of sea view.

If Iceland’s Viking past interests you, the National Museum of Iceland has a comprehensive collection of artefacts and historical information – presented in Icelandic and English.

Day trips from Reykjavik

There are a handful of good day trips from Reykjavik. The Golden Circle tour of south-eastern Iceland is imperative. Either hire a car or join one of the many Golden Circle tours on offer. The Golden Circle tour is an excellent way to sample Iceland’s natural beauty in a day: Þingvellir National Park, the site where the European and American tectonic plates meet, Gulfoss waterfall, and Geysir (which faithfully shoots a jet of steaming water skywards every four minutes).

Some of Reykjavik’s closer attractions - such as Perlan, the site of the city’s hot water storage and a fancy revolving restaurant; the geothermally heated beach Nautholsvik; and the hot tubs at Seltjanarnes - are all reachable by bus. Tickets, routes and timetable information can be found online or in person at the central bus stop Hlemmur.

-Maggie Rays

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s Iceland sightseeing & things to do in Iceland suggestions, including Iceland day tours and things to do in Reykjavik. Also check out Kelly’s previous blog about Iceland.

Think back to 1989. The Berlin Wall has just fallen. The television shows LA Law, Cheers and Murphy Brown clean up at the Emmy Awards. George Michael’s Faith is the album of the year. And Hampton Hotels launches its “100% Satisfaction Guarantee.”

Yes, 1989 was a banner year.

Fast-forward 20 years. There are many anniversaries to celebrate in 2009, but the one we’re focused on is Hampton Hotel’s 100% Satisfaction Guarantee (not 100% satisfied? then you do not pay). Why? Because in honor of the 20th anniversary of Hampton’s guarantee, Viator and Hampton have joined together to give away 20 free nights at any Hampton Hotel plus a $200 gift certificate at Viator.com!!

Hampton's 100% Satisfaction Guarantee: Not satisfied? Then you don't pay

Yes! The winner of our contest stays for 20 nights - free! - at any Hampton hotel. You’ll have 1,700+ locations to chose from… Manhattan to New Orleans, San Francisco to San Antonio, Puerto Rico to Mexico to Canada and beyond!. And you’ll receive a $200 Viator.com gift certificate.

How to enter

What’s the catch? There isn’t one!! All you need to do is answer one simple question:

What do YOU wish in life came with a 100% guarantee?

Leave your answer as a comment below. We will select the best answer to the question “What do YOU wish in life came with a 100% guarantee?” by November 5, and post the winning response below. That’s it. That’s all it takes to win 20 free hotel nights and a Viator.com gift certificate!!

Contest rules: The fine print

• The deadline for submissions is November 3, 2009. Winners will be announced by November 5, 2009.
• To enter the contest, simply leave a comment below answering the question:”What do YOU wish in life came with a 100% guarantee?”
• Viator will select a winner based on who they feel best answers the question above.
• You may enter the contest as often as you like, as long as you supply a different answer with each entry.
• The winner will receive a Hampton Hotels certificate entitling them to stay for 20 nights, free, at any Hampton Hotels location, subject to normal availability. The certificate is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. All hotel nights must be used within 12 months. The certificate has no cash value and cannot be exchanged or refunded.
• The winner will receive a USD$200 Viator.com gift certificate, valid for two years from the date of issue or as required by local law. Viator gift certificates are not redeemable for cash.
• Viator, Hampton Hotel, and Hilton Inc. employees, contractors and their families are not eligible to win this contest - don’t even think about it!

Good luck, and congratulations Hampton Hotels for 20 years of awesome customer service!

-Viator Travel Team

We could have gone for more, but here are five of the best Madrid day trip options in central Spain.

Madrid day trip: Córdoba

Inside the Mezquita, in Cordoba

High-speed rail has opened up amazing possibilities in Spain – especially for those who want to see a lot but have limited time. Seville is often cited as a major beneficiary – the high speed train journey takes two-and-a-half hours, meaning it’s possible to do a day trip there from Madrid (click here for Madrid Toledo tours on Viator.)

But don’t overlook Córdoba. It’s closer (around one hour and 45 minutes on the train), and there’s a reason that it often crops up on Best Destination lists when readers vote in travel magazine polls.

Córdoba is packed with history – it was once the seat of an all powerful Islamic caliphate, and was regarded as the most advanced, enlightened city in Europe.

In the 10th century it was arguably the biggest city in the world, with an estimated 500,000 inhabitants. Architecture spans the ages – from Roman times to when there was a thriving Jewish population. The Jewish quarter is hugely atmospheric, and it leads to what is undoubtedly Córdoba’s star attraction.

The Mezquita is a cathedral that was once a mosque – and it’s a must-see, even for people who hate touring around cathedrals. Inside is an eye-popping series of red and yellow archways. There are hundreds of them, and it has a mesmerising effect as you wander through. (Note Viator has a highly rated 4-day tour of Spain from Madrid that includes Cordoba.)

Madrid day trip: Segovia

Segovia is another city that has benefited from the high speed connection to Madrid – it’s now just over half an hour away from the Spanish capital. It’s a spectacularly located city, sitting above the parched, dusty plains, and it’s loveable from the moment you first set eyes on the aqueduct.

The Roman-built aqueduct is Segovia’s most iconic image, and an astounding feat of engineering. It’s made entirely without cement or concrete, and consists of a series of narrow, spindly archways towering over the rooftops.

Segovia, from the top of the Alcazar

The second major attraction is the Alcazar, which can be found at the other end. The tale goes that this was the building on which the castle for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty was based. It certainly has fairytale looks, and the views from the top of the tower are awesome.

But it’s just as impressive inside – the rooms are lavishly decorated, and the one that is ringed by busts of Spain’s kings and queens is particularly intriguing.

For foodies, however, the Alcazar and aqueduct will be of secondary importance. Segovia is renowned for its suckling pig and lamb. Vegetarians will not be too impressed, but the more carnivorously inclined should brace themselves for huge plates of some of the most tender meat they will ever encounter.
It’s a good job that it’s a fair walk from the aqueduct to the Alcazar – it’s possible to walk off some of that extra bulk on the way. (Note: Viator has a popular day trip from Madrid to Segovia and Avila.)

Madrid day trip: Alcalá de Henares

Part of Madrid’s surrounding area (or Comunidad), Alcalá is essentially a suburb of the Spanish capital. It’s an instantly likeable place of cobbled, winding streets and large public squares. In terms of architecture, its grand cathedral and university buildings are enough to draw in the punters who aren’t there for literary reasons.

Segovia's famous aqueduct

For the book lovers, however, the major reason to visit Alcalá de Henares is that it is the birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes. The famous Spanish author is often regarded as the second greatest of all time after William Shakespeare, and his classic Don Quixote is regularly cited as the best book ever written.
Those wanting to find out more about Alcalá’s most famous son can visit the Cervantes birthplace museum but a better bet is to turn up in April.

Cervantes died on April 23rd, 1616 - coincidentally the same date Shakespeare died - and this has been declared UNESCO World Book Day. In Alcala, it becomes a major event, coinciding with the awarding of the Cervantes Prize. This is given out by the King of Spain to the author of the best book in the Spanish language from the preceding year. It’s all highly prestigious, and the satellite town takes on a whole different air.

Madrid day trip: El Escorial

Approximately 45km to the north-west of central Madrid, El Escorial is arguably Spain’s most impressive royal site. It’s in the Sierra de Guadarrama, the mountain range that forms the natural boundary for the community of Madrid. The range is excellent for walking in (and even skiing in winter) but El Escorial is the high point for most.

It’s split into two parts – a huge monastery and a royal hunting lodge – although it’s the monastery that most associate with the name. Inside are some fabulous artworks, including the Hall of Battles where frescos commemorate memorable Spanish military victories.

Statue at El Escorial monastery

The most important part, however, is the Pantheon of the Kings. This is where all Spanish kings and queens are buried, and it looks suitably grand. The marble walls are adorned with gold-plated bronze. The monks – an Augustinian order – still live at El Escorial and help to maintain it. (Check Viator’s tours from Madrid to El Escorial for more day trip options.)

Madrid day trip: Toledo

Madrid may be the current Spanish capital, but Toledo used to be. And for heritage junkies, Toledo makes a perfect day trip from Madrid. It has strong Jewish, Muslim and Christian heritage, with the synagogues, mosques and churches being amongst the more obvious sights. The cathedral, in particular, is a highlight. It’s an enormous Gothic structure, and lavishly decorated inside.

The Alcazar (or fortress) is the other big set piece. It has been, in turn, a royal palace and an infantry training academy. It’s now home to the army museum.

For art fans, the place to go to is the Museo El Greco. Although born in Crete, El Greco is widely considered to be the finest Spanish artist of all time, and the museum plays host to much of his work.
The most endearing thing about Toledo (providing you don’t arrive on a day when it’s crammed with tourists), however, is simply ambling along the narrow, winding streets. The city is a little maze-like, but tremendously atmospheric.

-David Whitley

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s Madrid tours & things to do in Madrid and Madrid day trips.

Yes, you read right - we’re giving away two free tickets on a San Francisco helicopter tour and two free tickets on a behind-the-scenes platinum tour of the California Academy of Sciences. No tricks, no funny stuff - we’re giving all of this away with no questions asked.

Well, that’s not quite true. We are asking everybody who enters the contest one simple question:

We want to know - in 10 words or less - why we should give YOU these free tickets. To enter our San Francisco giveaway you must tell us (in 10 words or less) why we should we send you on a SF helicopter tour and behind-the-scenes at the California Academy of Sciences. Leave your 10-word reply as a comment and we’ll select a winner by October 30.

SF Helicopter Tour? Yes!

Win 2 free tickets on a SF Buena Vista Helicopter Tour...

Some people don’t get too excited about helicopter tours. Fair enough, but this isn’t your typical helicopter tour. This is a tour of San Francisco, after all, which means you go under the Golden Gate Bridge at about 120mph, swooping down and around Alcatraz Island on a stunning aerial view of the city. It’s pretty amazing stuff (click here to read Scott’s review of his SF helicopter tour).

Oh, and did we mention it’s FREE!!! The winner of our contest wins 2 free tickets on an San Francisco Vista Grande helicopter tour.

California Academy of Sciences? Yes!

...and 2 free tickets on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Academy of Sciences

But wait! There’s more. We’re also giving away 2 free tickets on a behind-the-scenes platinum tour of the California Academy of Sciences. It’s the only place on the planet with an aquarium, planetarium, natural history museum and four-story rain forest all under one roof! The Platinum Tour is the ultimate behind-the-scenes experience at the Academy, and you’ll get special access to staff-only areas, interaction with Academy researchers and a private viewing of some of the Academy’s secured collections including the aquarium.

A perfect weekend in San Francisco, in 10 words or less!

OK, just to repeat, all you need to do is tell us, in 10 words or less, why we should give you 2 free tickets on a SF Buena Vista Helicopter Tour and 2 free tickets on a Platinum Tour of the California Academy of Sciences. The tickets are valid for 6 months from the time we issue them. There are no blackout dates, though availability is subject to normal restrictions by our local suppliers

Not to get all legal on you, but here’s some additional fine print: It’s your responsibility to get yourself to San Francisco. We’re simply providing 2 free tickets on a SF helicopter tour and 2 free tickets on a Platinum Tour of the California Academy of Sciences. Any hotel, train, plane, or other expenses are solely your responsibility.

Good luck in the contest. Happy travels and enjoy San Francisco!

-Viator Travel Team

It was a dark and blustery day in this dirty old town. Time was ripe to do something dangerous, weird and sinister. Well, perhaps I would just go and listen to something like that. I love all the crazy stories of London – if you have read Dickens you will know it have always been a throbbing hub of criminality and destitution. It still often feels that way as many of the buildings are remnants of times gone by, good and bad.

London’s full of nutters

So looking to satisfy my craving, I was able to get onto a tour which both intrigued and scared me… ye olde Jack the Ripper tour of London. I was a bit early for it, so I went and hung out at Trafalgar Square, which was super entertaining, and the entertainment was free! I tried taking photos of people taking photos of people on big black lions; also I tried to photograph a fella on a plinth dressed as a Raj and throwing about a vampire on a fishing pole.

Jack the Ripper tour of London? Don't be scared.

This last statement may require explanation. And if it does not, you might want to consult a doctor. But the Raj man…This is all part of the fourth plinth project of Trafalgar Square – which has been empty for some time, and normally has on it commissioned projects. Well, the one at the moment is Antony Gormley’s “One and Other”, which allows people two hours to do whatever they like on the plinth. Some are very odd, and some are beautiful and interesting and some…well, downright bizarro. (Sadly the project ended October 14, so you just missed it!)

Jack the Ripper, it’s a mindset thing

Now I know some people who are well into this kind of thing – serial killers and the like. Well not really me – I have already worked in Mental Health, and some of my friends are a bit mad, so I don’t feel the need to get to know insanity any further.

However, there are those among us who love this kind of stuff; love getting into the mindset, or just the mystery of these kinds of events and people. And our host for the evening was evidently one such type. Full of vim, vigour and a good Scottish accent to heighten the senses, our guide John started off fairly quietly and ended with a good bang. We took a bus to the area where all of the attacks occurred, and started on our macabre journey. Starting at the (other) St Paul’s church, John described how it would have been then, and set the scene for our grim tour.

We trolled down these alleyways and backstreets, I would assume to avoid the crowds. The area where the Ripper was doing his bloody business is now a pumping hobo chic area that has lots of students, designers, hipsters (and, on Sundays, the Spitlefields Markets). But prior to this, the area was a run-down dingy place where everyone worked pretty hard for their coin, and a lot of people were still struggling to make ends meet.

Dim, dark, foggy, shivery

We began in Puma Lane, which is fairly narrow and haunting even during the day time. I enjoyed John’s descriptions, and his encouragement to imagine how it was back then. Now, I have read some reviews of this tour, and some people have been a bit persnickety about the ‘imagine’ parts of it.

The Ten Bells pub, one of Jack's former haunts

Really, I just feel sorry that those people who obviously don’t have enough imagination. I was really drawn into the moment…for these streets really would be ominous. There was no electric bulbs at that time, and in some places not even the gas lamps. So when you put together the old brick buildings and the idea of dim, dark and foggy streets…oooh, shivery!

Now as you go through the streets and get your tour, some passersby do throw in comments and try to have a listen in. I know, because I sometimes do it, too. (Don’t hate me.) This just makes you concentrate more on what is being said. It can be quite intense this tour, because it was a grisly rampage the fellow went on; at one point after a description a girl had to have a wee sit down. So that is why the host asked for doctors and nurses in the audience. I must say, the Ripper did quite a nasty job on all of his victims, and it could be a little churning for those on the sensitive side.

But overall, it is not the physical act which is focussed on, but the psychology of the attacker. Of the cunning and skills he had to possess, and the mystery as to why he was never caught. The Ripper dubbed himself in a letter, and carried on his way for quite some time in these dank streets of east London.

Eating & drinking in the Ripper’s footsteps

Thankfully, there is a break in the middle of the tour, where you can grab a drink or a bite to eat. Now, if you are cluey, you can go down to the pub The Ten Bells, which is really a central part of the Ripper story. Inside, is quite cozy and well heeled, and does not retain what I would think the really hardcore working-class-pub feel of what it once was. But that is kind of this whole area. But take a beer during the break at this pub, and you will get to have the full experience, if you can imagine how it would have been over a century ago. Grime on the walls, everything pretty smelly, and beer in tankards with wenches a-plenty.

So we were on the last leg of the tour, the final victim and her story, which funnily enough started at the Ten Bells. We visited where her house would have been and heard the story, which was admittedly quite gory. And the best thing I liked about this part was one of the audience members who was eating ice cream while listening to the wicked and bloody tale. I commented, and she replied ‘oh I don’t mind, I’m a nurse’. Now I understand my sister a lot more (she is also a nurse).

So after the final story, we piled back in the bus, and John went through the theories of the time as to who the killer was, for he was never caught. I liked the one about the bonny Prince someone or other. We disembarked from the bus, assured by host and driver that the streets of London really are very safe and to have a lovely night. In fact a bloody marvellous night (pun intended).

-Tina Grace

Planning a tour? Browse Viator’s things to do in London, including London walking & biking tours such as the Jack the Ripper tour of London.

Can you tell I’m about to complain about Google again? Yes here it comes. Matt Cutts, are you listening?

The infinite SEO-PPC loop

I did a Google search for “things to do in Rome” and noticed the #1 natural result was for TripAdvisor. Fair enough, they’re a massive site with many pages of content. They tend to rank well for many searches. Nothing strange about this.

Then I looked at Google’s description of the TripAdvisor page. Sometimes Google displays the page’s meta description. Sometimes Google displays random content from the page, especially if the page content is more relevant to the search query.

My Google search for "things to do in Rome"

In this case I was surprised - to say the least - to see our own website (Viator.com) listed in the page description. Now Viator and TripAdvisor are erstwhile competitors. I would never expect us to have any content on the TripAdvisor page to Rome. So how did that content get there?

Click over and behold! TripAdvisor is publishing Google PPC ads on its Rome page (nothing wrong with that), and Viator.com is paying for a Google PPC ad about things to do in Rome (nothing wrong with that).

So what’s my problem? Well, here’s the thing - Google is essentially using the advertisement Viator has paid for (including the ad copy we wrote, highly targeted to Rome) as part of the scrape of content on this TripAdvisor page.

The Viator PPC ad, which Google is displaying in its natural search results

Think about it - TripAdvisor is winning in 2 ways. First of all, they’re making money from Viator and other advertisers whenever people click on the ads. Fair enough, that’s what ads are for. However TripAdvisor is also getting an SEO boost from Viator (and other advertisers which are listed in the page description). The ad we created is being included in Google’s scrape of the page content, and Google is giving credit to TripAdvisor for having such fantastically taregted content (which Viator created!!) on its page. Annoying.

We write a targeted ad about something. And Google displays that content in the natural results snippet for a competitive website, presumably also giving that website an SEO boost for having our keywords on its page.

That ain’t right!

It means that Google is allowing publishers of its PPC ads to benefit from the ad copy they publish, which is provided by its paying advertisers. This is not how it’s meant to work. Google should not be using AdSense PPC ad copy to influence its own natural search results.

Let me put that more plainly - Google (the search engine) should know better than to use Google (the advertiser) as a factor in its search results. It’s the kind of thing Google would consider spammy and dangerous if another advertiser was doing it. So how come Google gets away with it? Google might say the ad content is not being factored into the SEO rankings, but is only being displayed because the ad content is so clearly relevant to the search query.

But that’s a bogus argument. First of all, PPC ad copy should not be relevant for a natural search query, period, full stop. Second, if that PPC copy is being displayed as part of the natural search results, everybody and their mother will assume some relationship between the page and the snippet.

And there should be no - zero, none! - relationship here. At best, Google is just being sloppy about what content to show in its natural results. At worst, Google is allowing TripAdvisor to channel natural search users to a page where the most relevant content is - lo and behold! - a Google PPC ad, in the hopes users will click on it (thereby making money for both the advertiser and Google).

So Google, which is it?

If you know of other examples like this, let me know. I’m curious what - if anything - Google will do about this.

-Scott McNeely

Post script: Since this was posted, we’ve had an anonymous tipster explain what’s really happening. Alex Bainbridge also wrote a useful blog post about this. It seems this is a TripAdvisor SEO tactic — they’re using the AdSense API to grab targeted ad copy and then embed that (highly optimized) text in the html of the page. This is then crawled by Googlebot, which ’sees’ the ad copy as part of the page content. Clever. But wrong. And TripAdvisor ought to be punished.

Maybe not, you say, if this practice is not outlawed by the Google AdSense terms & conditions. Well, I’m not bothering to check. Because whether or not it is outlawed, it should be outlawed. And more to the point, Google should simply stop displaying PPC snippets as part of its natural search results. Google, how can you possibly defend this SEO tactic? It’s spammy, pure and simple, and you should not use your own PPC ad copy to influence your natural search results.

Google - just imagine if every single AdSense publisher on the planet used this same tactic. It would quickly make a laughing-stock of your natural search results.

PSS: Kelly posted an excellent article on this over at Search Engine Land, absolutely worth reading.

It’s an old W-class tram, painted burgundy (not the traditional green) and festooned with lights around the door, like the mirror of a faded star. It glides to a stop in front of us.

Remembrance of trams past

Let me tell you right now that I am a born and bred Melbourne girl. I grew up with trams. I caught a clanky, jerking W-class tram to and from school everyday. And along with a lot of others, I’ve watched sadly as Melbourne experiments with different shapes and sizes of more modern, smoother, big trams. The boxy shape of the W-class is the one in photos, on keyrings and T-shirts. It’s beloved of locals and tourists alike. No smooth, heated, modern ride can take its place in our hearts.

Melbourne's restaurant trams about to pick us up for dinner

And don’t even get me started on the days when trams had conductors; I might cry a gentle tear in memory of the guy we called Frenchie: balding, grinning, accented (almost certainly not French but we were kids). He could twirl his hat around two fingers and always had a joke for the hoards of school kids besieging his tram. Then there was the conductor who overheard a gang of boys telling a racist joke: she pulled the emergency cord, delivered a lecture, and threw them out onto the street. Those were the days.

For a while, there was even a Painted Trams programme when prominent local artists decorated trams top to bottom. Moving art on the streets. Fabulous. Only in Melbourne would people say: ‘I caught the Jon Cattapan to work this morning.’ Or: ‘I crashed my car into the Mirka Mora – wrote it off but Mirka’s painting hardly had a scratch.’

Food on a tram? Quel moderne

But trams were never a place to eat. A chocolate bar perhaps. Cola and a meat pie on the way home from the football maybe. But sirloin steak? Wine? Unheard of. Until 1983 when the first Tramcar Restaurant hit the rails.

Now there are three trams with kitchens trundling around Melbourne, three times a day: lunch; early dinner (pre-theatre), and a later, longer dinner. Visitors to Melbourne flock to it – see the sights while having a meal and a glass of champagne? Genius. It’s taking the locals a little longer to catch on.

In Melbourne to visit my family, I had to work hard to persuade my sisters to consider the idea. My friends flatly refused: it’s just not the done thing as a city resident; trams are for getting from A to B, not ridden for pleasure but only out of necessity. Big mistake.

Finally, with sisters in tow…

My sisters and I huddled in our coats on windy Tramstop #125 as two restaurant trams came into view. The maitre d’ helped us board: the step up is quite steep (it’s even harder stepping down full of food and wine, trust me), showed us to our table and poured the champagne.

The interior is rich and gold. Little lamps, tasselled curtains, white table clothes and shiny silverware; a far cry from the trip to school.

Inside the tram restaurant, looking out over the Yarra River

But the thing that made us happiest was the couple seated across the aisle from our table of four. We’d noticed them at the stop: he was perfect in his suit, she had on a flippy little cocktail dress in white. Immediately we decided tonight was the night: he was going to propose. And now we were seated in prime position to hear her answer. We sipped our champagne and prepared for the romance to unfold.

We were doing the early sitting of dinner so the menu was three courses: bread and dips appetisers, steak or chicken main, white chocolate and passionfruit mousse or sticky date pudding dessert. Not hugely adventurous but they’re cooking on a tram so that’s forgiven. (The later dinner is five courses, lunch is four.)

Smooth as silk, tram-jam free

Having learnt early in life how to stand without falling over as a W-class tram bucked and braked, we were all stunned by how smooth the ride was. I know they have equipped the trams with extra suspension but they’ve also apparently recruited the most talented drivers. In fact a friend of mine confessed that when she was driving trams, she applied several times to drive the restaurant and was deemed ‘not smooth enough’.

Inside the tram restaurant

The other strong memory of standard tram travel is tram jams – getting stuck in a line of trams caught by peak hour traffic or a car turning right. The restaurant tram is carefully routed so it avoids the worst snarls, travelling mainly down roads with a designated tram lane, and seems to have been timetabled to not have to stop constantly behind the normal commuter vehicles. I have almost no memory of us stopping – except for traffic lights, or to turn around. And we departed and arrived on the minute scheduled – now, why can’t they run the whole public transport system this well?

Our route began by heading past the Casino across the Yarra River to the edge of the city. As day faded into evening, we saw the city lights twinkle, bridges and boats. Then we turned around and headed through one of Melbourne’s oldest suburbs, South Melbourne, with its grand old Victorian terrace houses and a pub on every corner.

Turning around is one of the tricks of the tram restaurant. Melbourne trams can be driven from either end. While trams around Europe swing around a huge looping track to go back the other way, their driver staying put in his chair, Melbourne trams stop in the middle of the road, the driver leaps out carrying his driving handle, runs the length of the tram, hops in the cabin at the other end, and starts driving back the way they came. What this means for diners on the restaurant tram is that it doesn’t matter which side of the table you sit – half the time you’re facing forward, and half the time you’re looking at where you’ve just been.

The food? Mostly delicious

The pate and dip for appetisers were delicious, and the champagne slipped down very well as we sat warmly behind one-way glass watching the less cosseted struggle home in the wind. Our orders were taken and the main course arrived quickly. Clearly most of the food is pre-prepared and just heated for serving on the tram. I had a vegetarian meal which was alright but nothing special, my sister-in-law had chicken which she said was a little tough, but both my sisters had steak and said it was absolutely delicious. The menu is limited and I think the trick is to choose what needs to be cooked on the spot, like steak. They were also really impressed by the local wines included in the price.

By now we were heading through St Kilda, Melbourne’s historic and quirky seaside suburb. It was dark and lights twinkled on the water of Port Phillip Bay while closer at hand people hurried to restaurants and cake shops in famous Acland Street. We stopped, the driver ran past the window, and we headed back, past theatres, and the laughing mouth of Luna Park, towards the city.

Dessert came quickly – the first dinner sitting runs to a fairly tight schedule – and the sticky date pudding was delicious. Perfect for a stormy night. My sister said the chocolate mousse could have been better. Then coffee and tea – urn not espresso machine - and yummy chocolates and liqueurs, also included in the price. They even had my favourite: Frangelico. Very happy.

Back home and pleasantly surprised

When the meal was finished, the waiter came and gave us each a flower to take home – a nice touch. Except it was a carnation: Australia has great native flowers and one of those might have been more interesting. Although, Australian flora can be a little too interesting: big, spiky, spooky. I can sort of see why they chose the carnations.

Off the tram and back on Tramstop #125, we looked at each other in surprise. It was like we’d been transported to a different world. On the tram, we’d been warm, eaten well, drunk richly, watched the world go by; now we were back in it. I could have stayed on the tram another few hours. Perhaps even remained for breakfast.

And as to the couple opposite… Well, just before dessert came, he pulled out a small wrapped box and gave it to her. She blushed and he waited. She opened it. Kissed him. We got ready to congratulate. Until we saw that it was earrings. And that she was already wearing a wedding ring. And so, thankfully, was he.

Only a birthday then. Oh well. But hey, I still got to drink champagne on a tram: never did that going to school!

-Philippa Burne

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s Melbourne tours & things to do in Melbourne, including the Colonial Tram Restaurant. You can also read reviews of the Melbourne tram restaurant and browse photos of the Melbourne tram restaurant over on the Viator site.