Destinations
On Java, a Creative Explosion in an Ancient City
The last sultanate in Indonesia has emerged as one of the world’s most vibrant centers of artistic innovation and risk-taking…
— New York Times
The alternative city guide to Johannesburg, South Africa
In recent years, western tourists have also started to realise that Joburg has more to offer than just a well-placed airport with safari and beach transit lounges. Last year, Rough Guides listed Johannesburg as the number one city (in the world) to visit. GQ magazine called it the “cool capital of the southern hemisphere”, edging out Joburg’s scenic rival Cape Town…
— The Guardian
An island only helicopters can reach
In the centre of La Réunion, the tiny French island that bobs in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and Mauritius, there is another sort of island. This one is even more isolated. Formed when the magna chamber of a major volcano collapsed some three million years ago, the verdant Cirque de Mafate is separated from the rest of the island by sheer cliff walls, impressive mountains and thick tropical forest…
— BBC Travel
Tours and Activities
After 90 years, Route 66 still driving tourism, nostalgia
Poor Kansas. While bands from the King Cole Trio to the Rolling Stones sang about the famous highway — name dropping Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California — the lyrics ignore Kansas. Maybe it's because just a few miles of Route 66 passed through the Sunflower State…
— Chicago Tribune
30 beautiful covered bridges around the USA
Wooden structures built in the 1800s that are still standing, and in some cases still usable, are rare. Ones that evoke a sense of scenic beauty and a nostalgia for a simpler past are even more so. Take a tour of covered bridges still standing around the USA before they're lost to history…
— USA Today
Cruise
Storm-Battered Ship Passengers Tell of 'Cruise From Hell'
A cruise ship battered by rough seas and powerful winds in the Atlantic Ocean cut short its voyage and docked at its New Jersey port Wednesday night, as thousands of weary passengers streamed out of the ship what one woman called "a cruise from hell."…
— NBC
Australia's next big musical will debut on a ship
If there is one thing that Australians love more than cruising, it's musicals. Enter Stephen Schwartz's brand new musical - Magic to Do – a mesmerising musical and illusion show that will make its Australian debut on board Emerald Princess when it arrives in November this year…
— Sydney Morning Herald
Transportation
Congressman: It's time to regulate the size of airline seats
Is it time for Congress to get involved in regulating the size of airline seats? That’s what one member of the House of Representatives is proposing. Tennessee Democrat Steve Cohen – who sits on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Subcommittee on Aviation – plans to introduce legislation that would institute minimum seat sizes for passenger airlines…
— USA Today
Climate change to slow transatlantic flights, study suggests
Climate change could make flights from the UK to the US take longer, according to a new study. Researchers say global warming is likely to speed up jet stream winds, adding thousands of hours a year to journey times and boosting fuel costs and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions…
— The Independent
7 Reasons I'm Not On Board With Uber
It's common practice in the tech world to rush your product to market, picking up the pieces as you go. This works fine when you're in the business of selling ideas, or soft-serve ice cream delivery (somebody do this, please), or artisanal organic laundry service. Get it out there, apologize in advance that nothing's perfect, do better next time. No harm done…
— The Huffington Post
Lodging
Puerto Vallarta: Still time to book Liz Taylor's former love nest for Valentine's Day (or anytime)
Casa Kimberly in Puerto Vallarta comes with an old-school Hollywood pedigree. Richard Burton bought the home for then love interest Elizabeth Taylor while he was filming "Night of the Iguana" in 1964 in the Mexican coastal town. At the time, Puerto Vallarta was a little fishing village, not a mega-resort destination…
— LA Times
Narvik, Norway: Welcome to Wolf Lodge
"They’re here," announces Stig Sletten, breaking off our conversation as his eyes shift from mine to the window behind my head. I freeze, a glass of red halfway to my lips. "You can look," he continues in a low, steady tone. "But gently does it. No sudden movements."…
— Telegraph (London)
Other and Odd
Town is planning a fountain that will spew beer
Looking to lure tourists, a Slovenia town is creating an attraction that will be every drinker’s dream – a public beer fountain. The project in Zalec, which is known for its hop plantations, is expected to cost $400,000 and is being billed the first of its kind in Europe…
— Fox Travel News
Universal Orlando increases theme park ticket prices
Universal Orlando's ticket prices increased on Wednesday, with a one-day ticket jumping to $105. Previously one-day tickets had cost $102. A park-to-park ticket now costs $155, up from $147. The park-to-park ticket is required to ride the Hogwarts Express train that opened in 2014 linking Harry Potter lands at Universal's two theme parks…
— Sun Sentinel
Today in History
Thomas Edison is born
1,093 patents were issued to Thomas A. Edison during his lifetime, the last at age 83. He was born February 11, 1846 in Milan, Ohio. He was nothing short of practical, saying once that he never wasted time inventing things people did not want to buy. Almost deaf since childhood, he famously remarked that genius was "one percent inspiration and 99% perspiration."…
— Travel Research Online
Reading Between the Lines
Snap Selling: A Series of Simplicity
 "All you need to do is create a series of simple but effective messages, and before you know it, you will be in discussion with a hot prospect."
Snap Selling– Jill Konrath, page 77
Chapter 10: Priorities: Capitalize on Trigger Events
Two thoughts came to mind when reading this passage, and I think both of them have meaning…
— Travel Research Online
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Departures
Explore the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe With Aegean Mediterranean Cruises & Tours
by Elizabeth Cody
Thursday February 11, 2016
 With 43 years of experience in the industry, Aegean Mediterranean Cruises & Tours has become an industry leader for it's original and featured destination, Greece. Over the course our company's history, we have grown to include a dozen countries in our portfolio of destinations throughout Europe and the Mediterranean. Our flagship office can be found in Athens, and representative offices/affiliates in almost every town, village, island, city or resort area we work with.
Our services range from the typical tour coordinating you would expect from a major tour operator, to specialized services, such as special interest tours/groups (especially university and student groups), incentive groups, destinations weddings and events, conference planning, religious groups and pilgrimages, private yacht charters, villa rentals, and luxury travel services…
— Travel Research Online
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