NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

Contact: Marie Profant
mprofant@visualtraveltours.com
805-705-9179

THE WORLD CAN NOW TOUR RIO WITH A FRIEND ON HAND

Rio De Janeiro, Brazil (May 18, 2010) -- Have a cell phone or mobile device? That’s all you need to have a personalized tour of Rio De Janeiro. With the release of five VisualTravelTours, visitors can explore this popular destination with a friendly tour guide in the palm of their hand.

For the first time, anyone with a mobile device can enjoy the experience of a personalized tour of Rio and a nearby get-away, even if they don’t know anyone there. “The most rewarding trips are the ones when you have a local friend show you around,” said Marie Profant, founder of VTT. “Our tours introduce you to the places where the locals go, the little-known story of the town’s landmarks, the best views, shopping and insider hangouts.” The convenience is attractive to independent travelers.

Written by experienced travel writers and professionally produced, the tours give unique insights in a simple, innovative format. VTT, which has more than 165 products highlighting locations around the world, has revolutionized travel with the first (and only) e-books and narrated tours with images. They are designed for cell phones such as the Blackberry and iPhone, video iPods, iPads, PDAs, and computers. Unlike most phone apps, no internet connection or cell coverage is necessary.

“There is simply nothing else like VTT in the marketplace. Our writers are experts, so their firsthand knowledge and personal anecdotes add special value to the journey,” explains VTT Executive Editor, Gordon Burgett. “Visual Travel Tours can be used three ways: to preview while you plan your trip, to explore the sights when you are there, and to see and share it all again back home with your friends.”

Bob Williams of Los Angeles, said, “Organized bus and group walking tours aren’t for me and I don’t like to carry heavy guidebooks all day. Since my cell phone is always with me I simply downloaded the VTT tour and had it right there in the palm of my hand as I strolled around. The guide gave me inside stories you can only get from a resident, and the ease of listening to it on my cell was just perfect.”

Travelers download a tour ($12.95 for a QuietGuide, $15.95 for a narrated tour) or purchase a CD for $19.95 online. The CD contains formats for all mobile devices, so a family with different device types can tour together.

Watch a sample: http://visualtraveltours.com/quicksearch.php?q2=Brazil

VTT enriches the travel experience with fascinating guides that are an alternative to traditional audio tours or guidebooks. Through their variety of products VTT provides a new way to enjoy worldwide destinations. “We appeal to the type of traveler that may have used museum audio tours and who enjoys life-long learning as they explore,” said Profant. “The tours describe landmarks and legends, with photos so you know which building the narrator is talking about.” For more information go to http://visualtraveltours.com.

More Information and Tour Samples:

Historic Rio De Janeiro, as described by author Marcelo Mackinnon


Chapter titles appear like a play list, to play on your schedule, at your pace:


Copacabana And Ipanema, as described by author John Clites


John’s tour of Sugarloaf, Christ The Redeemer and Santa Teresa is coming next month as a narrated tour. All tours, including this one and John’s Sun Coast: Where Rio Vacations, are available as QuietGuides (like e-books with images, optimized for mobile). QuietGuide Demo.

Florianopolis, Brazil's Paradise Island, as described by author Roy Heale

Sample: “…Secondly, on the edge of the Plaza, is the resplendent Palacio Cruz e Souza, which was once the governor's residence. Today, the Palace is the Museu Historico de Santa Catarina, which displays a combination of baroque and neoclassical art, décor, and furniture. From the Palacio you can stroll along the pedestrian streets, many with outdoor vendors, shops, boutiques, and restaurants. Much of the architecture is historical and colorful. Prices in Brazil are very attractive compared to North America and shopping for holiday bargains can be fun here on any travel budget. The area is fascinating for those who enjoy shopping, dining, galleries, and museums.”

Images and interviews with authors are available upon request.