savitar tour – World Travel Guide

Welcome to the 2009 Viator Traveler Awards! This is an annual awards competition where we let our millions of travelers select the Top 25 Things to Do in each of the major regions we serve. Each year the awards culminate in the Viator Top 50 Travel Destinations, where we list the top 50 destinations as selected by our users.

To kick things off, we’re pleased to announce our Top 25 Things to Do in Central & South America as selected by Viator’s travelers. We’ve combined input from traveler reviews and photos, data from the millions of travelers who visit Viator.com each year, plus data on what tours and things to do generated the most bookings in 2009.

Keep checking back over the next few weeks as we announce 2009 Viator Traveler Awards in Europe, the Caribbean, Asia, Australia-Pacific, USA & North America and the Middle East & Africa. Not to mention our annual list of Top 50 Destinations and Top 10 Travel Photos.

Viator Traveler Awards 2009
Top 25 Things to Do in Central & South America

Three countries – Argentina, Brazil, Chile – dominated the 2009 Viator Traveler Awards. Viator’s South American globetrotters took to the beaches, mountains, rain forests, and hot springs, soaking up the natural beauty of the southern hemisphere like never before. Travelers were bedazzled by Samba, Tango, and did more than just watch (yes, they danced!). Thrill seekers enjoyed trekking up volcanoes, touring by helicopter, and celebrating the electric atmosphere of a South American soccer match. There’s no place like Rio, as the saying goes.

In the end, we had to select just 25 of the most popular things to do in Central and South America based. Here’s the complete list.

25. Cousino Macul Winery and Concha y Toro Winery, Santiago, Chile

Chile is famous for its wine, so take time to visit its lush vineyards, renowned cellars, and landscaped gardens. This wine tour from Santiago covers the two oldest and most historic wineries in Chile.

24. Rio De Janeiro Half-Day Walking Tour, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Transport yourself to Old Rio, visiting the Sao Bento Monastery, Nossa Senhora de Candelaria, Praca XV de Novembro square, and the Imperial Palace.

23. Combo Tour – Best of Costa Rica from San Jose, San Jose, Costa Rica

Costa Rica is always one of the top destinations in Central America; this covers the highlights of Costa Rica in a day, including Poas Volcano, La Paz Waterfall Gardens, and a drive through the Doka Estate’s coffee plantation.

22.Petropolis Day Trip Tour from Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Explore a beautiful mountain retreat and take part in Brazil’s rich history by visiting the Imperial Museum, the impressive former castle of Dom Pedro II, and the Crystal Palace.

21. Opera Pampa Dinner and Show, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Enjoy fireworks, dances, and performances in this brilliantly choreographed gaucho show. Feast on an Argentinean gaucho barbecue and sample local wines.

20. Santiago City Sightseeing Tour, Santiago, Chile

Visit the neoclassical Moneda Palace, Parque Forestal and San Cristobal Hill, finishing at Los Graneros del Alba handicraft village.

19. Angra dos Reis Day Trip and Schooner Cruise, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Cruise through the waters beyond Rio de Janeiro  surrounded by lush rainforest and sandy beaches on a schooner. Lunch, relax, swim.

18. Chilean Folklore Show and Dinner, Santiago, Chile

Revel in Chile’s traditional music, song, and dance while enjoying delectable Chilean cuisine.

17. Full Day Tour to the Torres del Paine National Park, El Calafate, Argentina

Journey to the Chilean and Argentinean border and gaze at the stunning scenery of the Amarga Lagoon, the waterfall at Salto Grande, and the Torres de Paine mountains.

16. Private Tour: Vina Del Mar and Valparaiso Day Trip from Santiago, Santiago, Chile

Travel through the central coast and valleys of Chile while stopping at two of the region’s most successful wineries with your personal guide.

15. Buenos Aires City Sightseeing Tour, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Discover the magic of Argentina’s capital city with a comprehensive tour of Buenos Aires. Make stops at the parks and gardens, historical buildings and palaces.

14. Vina Del Mar and Valparaiso, Santiago, Chile

Travel through the coastal towns of Central Chile and enjoy a leisurely day exploring the bohemian town of Valparaiso and the Pablo Neruda museum.

13. Sugar Loaf Mountain Half-Day Tour, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Enjoy the staggering, 360 degree views as you ride a cable car above Rio de Janeiro from Urca Hill to Sugar Loaf Mountain, where the vistas of Copacabana Beach and the beaches of Niteroi will bless your eyes.

12. Buenos Aires Tango Show, Dinner and Dance Lessons, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Watch and learn to tango from locals and professional dancers who want to keep this sexy tradition alive.

11. Buenos Aires Tango Show, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Celebrate the art of tango by experiencing the emotion, magic and glamor of a performance in Argentina.

10. Rio de Janeiro Helicopter Tour, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

A panoramic tour of the city by flight, viewing the golden beaches, granite mountains, Maracana Stadium and Christ the Redeemer Statue.

9. Rio de Janeiro Full Day Tropical Islands Tour and Sepetiba Bay Cruise including Lunch, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Spot dolphins, kingfishers, parrots, turtles and stingrays on this schooner cruise through the crystalline waters of Sepetiba Bay.

8. Tren de la Costa Rail Tour to Tigre, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Wind your way along the Rio de la Plata by train to visit the Parana River and luxurious homes and coastline of the Tigre area.

7. Corcovado Mountain and Christ Redeemer Statue Half-Day Tour, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Take a train ride through dense rain forests, to the peak of Corcovado Mountain and enjoy the view and then relax on the beach.

6. Tijuca Rain Forest Jeep Tour, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Trek through the Tijuca Rain Forest, with an open jeep ride and experience the amazing sights and sounds of monkeys, birds and butterflies in this one-of-a-kind ecosystem.

5. Arenal Volcano and Hot Springs Day Trip, San Jose, Costa Rica

Unwind in the natural hot springs and marvel at the way the earth rumbles and shakes at the Arenal Volcano.

4. Soccer Match at Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Experience the electric atmosphere of a Brazilian football match at Rio de Janeiro’s famous Maracana Stadium.

3. Argentinean Fiesta Gaucha Day Trip, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Spend a relaxing day trip through the scenic countryside and experience life on the ranch. Enjoy a traditional asado barbecue and the distinctive gaucho music and dance.

2. Plataforma Samba Show, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Experience the vitality, strength and glamour of the samba, complete with a spectacular light show, exotic costumes and beautiful dancers.

1. Corcovado Mountain, Christ Redeemer and Sugar Loaf Mountain Day Tour, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Soar through the Tijuca Rain Forest to the top of Corcovado Mountain on a cog train and watch the sunset over Copacabana Beach from Sugar Loaf Mountain.

There you have it – the first installment of the 2009 Viator Traveler Awards, honoring the Top 25 Things to Do in Central & South America. Stay tuned for more Viator Traveler Awards in the coming days, to help you plan your next adventure no matter the destination.

Happy travels in 2010!

-The Viator Travel Team

Source: Scott Mc