Destinations
The Town of Colma, Where San Francisco’s Dead Live
While the Super Bowl will be played at Levi’s Stadium, and thousands of news media members who descended on the Bay Area this week were based at the Moscone Center, Levi Strauss lay inside a marble crypt in one of this tiny town’s 17 cemeteries, and George Moscone lay under the grass in another…
— New York Times
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, is a vibrant weekend getaway
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site enlivened by bright colonial buildings and a budding food scene…
— LA Times
Tours and Activities
In Tokyo, Brand-Name Stores by Brand-Name Architects
Star architects have created so many high-end stores in Tokyo that it’s worth visiting two shopping districts where the best item — eye-popping building design — is free…
— New York Times
Raise a glass to Paris at its lively wine bars
While in Paris, S. Irene Virbila explores neighborhood wine bars, convivial places enjoyed the locals and connoisseurs alike…
— LA Times
How Tasmania became Australia's newest gourmet hotspot
It was the fresh fruit in Alistair Wise's ice cream that convinced me. "My favourite is raspberry-rhubarb sorbet, rippled through vanilla - it reminds me of an English summer," swoons the Tasmania-born chef, dolloping out another serving…
— The Independent
Cruise
Mediterranean cruise guide
Expert advice on booking Eastern Mediterranean and Western Mediterranean cruises, with tips on itineraries, ports including Athens, Israel, Crete and Istanbul and excursions…
— Telegraph (London)
Carnival Expands American Table to Two More Ships and More Cruise News
Carnival Cruise Line will roll out its American Table menu on Carnival Miracle and Carnival Sunshine on March 5. Plus more cruise news…
— CruiseCritic.com
Transportation
Struggling SeaPort Airlines files for bankruptcy
Oregon-based SeaPort Airlines has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection but the company says daily operations will not be interrupted. The commuter airline said Friday it expects to continue to operate its current schedule of flights, pay its employees and honor existing tickets and reservations…
— USA Today
Cheap flights: Best day to book, top sites and insider secrets
There are plenty of ideas out there to make long-range travel cheaper and faster, such as Elon Musk's Hyperloop and supersonic airliners. But until they actually arrive, we're stuck with regular air travel, which can take all day and put a serious dent in your bank account…
— Fox Travel News
Lodging
The Coolest and Most Unique Places You Can Actually Stay In Around The World
It's February which mean that many people have already abandoned their New Year's resolutions and are possibly thinking of new ways to get back on track. How about set a new goal - one that you'll actually enjoy - such as travel more. And while you're setting new objectives, pick travel destinations that are as unorthodox as possible…
— The Huffington Post
Holy hotels: Former churches you can spend the night in
These humble B&Bs, lavish five-star resorts and "camping" spots have one thing in common. They were all once houses of worship…
— CNN
Six of the most hip hotels in Los Angeles
Go hard, or go home: Luxury rooms that come with guitars, record players, soundproofed rooms and a reputation for hedonism can be found in California's capital of…
— Sydney Morning Herald
Other and Odd
Where are the world's highest cities?
Despite the lack of oxygen and health risks, high-altitude locations are home to at least 140 million people around the world. From Bolivia's El Alto to Lhasa in Tibet, what's urban life like at such dizzying elevations?…
— The Guardian
'Sharknado' actor Ian Ziering's newest role: Travel agent
Ian Ziering certainly knows his way around Beverly Hills 90210 and all its celebrity haunts – not to mention knowing his way around a chainsaw and some sharks gone berserk in "Sharknado". Now the actor wants to bring those celeb hangouts to the average Joe…
— Fox Travel News
Shanghai Surprise: Being Black Made Me the Toast of the Town!
Many black tourists have reported attracting significant attention when visiting China. Fellow Yahoo Traveler, Brittany Jones-Cooper, once wrote about her own experience in Shanghai, which she says was mostly pleasant…
— Yahoo! Travel
Today in History
Mary Queen of Scots is beheaded
For 19 years Mary Stuart lived in gentle confinement, the "guest" of Queen Elizabeth I. Mary Queen of Scots' impetuous nature and boldness kept her in trouble with her royal relations. She had conspired in the death of her husband with her lover, the act for which she was driven from Scotland…
— Travel Research Online
Editorial Musings
Clients will always bring a smile to your face
by John Frenaye
Monday February 08, 2016
February can be a stressful month for many. We have Valentines Day (and if anyone has any suggestions, I am all ears), we are in the midst of Wave Season, toss in a little Zika Virus and… well, you get the picture. So, I wanted to take a little time to maybe elicit a smile.
Recently an old article from the Tropical Nomad re-surfaced—19 Actual Complaints Received By Thomas Cook. I do suggest you give it a read and have a chuckle. While I am not sure that all of them are legitimate, you know that some of them are. Do you have some funny client tales?
My office is on the East Coast and one time a client was flying to Chicago. With a flight…
— Travel Research Online
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Reading Between the Lines
Snap Selling: Lack of Focus is Lack of Sales
 "Research shows that your brain is not capable of processing two distinctly different activities simultaneously.”
Snap Selling– Jill Konrath, page 152
Chapter 19: Aligned: Assessing Business Value
At first I was immediately drawn to the concept of multitasking when I read this particular phrase. As you know I frown on multitasking and I do not give much validity to the reasoning behind its practice…
— Travel Research Online
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Publishers Corner
The Psychology of Travel Counseling
by Richard Earls
Sunday February 07, 2016
What travel pro fessional doesn't love travel? A hallmark of practically for everyone in this industry is their passion for travel, and it shows. Is it possible, though, that our love of travel gets in the way of our travel business?
Many, if not most, travel professionals back into their careers. Most business people choose their area of expertise, train for the necessary skill sets, and then launch out into the field of their choosing. The path from neophyte to professional is logical and surrounded by training and support mechanisms.
In travel, the process is often reversed. First, we love travel and we get into the travel business. Instantly, because there are no barriers to entry, we are travel professionals. Only then…
— Travel Research Online
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One-to-One Interviews
Phil Cappelli, President of Insight Vacations USA
 Following 16 successful years in the luxury escorted travel industry, Phil Cappelli was named President of Insight Vacations, USA in 2014. Cappelli began his career in the travel industry with Tauck as a Reservations Supervisor in 1998 and was promoted with rapid succession, eventually becoming the Director of North American Sales. Travel Agent Magazine featured Cappelli as a “Rising Star” and selected him for their coveted “30 Under 30” program based on his influential work following the 9/11 tragedy and contagious enthusiasm for effective communication and…
— Travel Research Online
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