Destinations
From mosques to gastrobars in Toledo
Not many mosques open onto a Christian chapel. But then not many cities are like Toledo. Three past empires have left their marks in this central Spanish hilltown - and nowhere more so than at the Cristo de la Luz Mosque. The Moors erected this mezquita atop existing Visigoth columns; when the Christians took over, they retained the horseshoe arches while adding an apse. Such real-estate efficiency wouldn't disgrace Grand Designs…
— The Independent
Iceland: An exhilarating encounter with the other-worldly
Iceland has the same number of inhabitants as Coventry, so it’s hardly surprising that people here know the president personally, were on basketball teams with the strongman who plays The Mountain in Game of Thrones, and have played knock-down ginger with the pixie-like singer. Unlike Coventry, though, the country is gigantic…
— Telegraph (London)
The world's most secretive places
From an isolated Pacific island without running water to a James Bond-like spy base in England, these five places are practically off-limits to even the most curious travellers…
— BBC Travel
Tours and Activities
The absolutely, positively insane sport of ice canoeing
People have been battling the frozen St. Lawrence River by boat for centuries. In the 1600s, it was a matter of survival. Now, ice canoeing is a serious port in Quebec - and finally amateurs can give it a bone-chilling go…
— Globe and Mail
World's most amazing waterfalls
Waterfalls are one of nature's most beautiful creations, and come in all shapes in sizes. Here are some of the most incredible waterfalls on Earth…
— Fox Travel News
Cruise
7 small-ship Alaska cruises in time for national parks' centennial
In honor of the National Park Service's centennial this year, Un-Cruise Adventures offers intimate cruises to Glacier Bay and other national parks in Alaska this August…
— LA Times
Q&A: Comedian Kathy Griffin Talks Cruise Ship Humor From Carnival LIVE!
At her first performance as a Carnival LIVE headliner on Carnival Breeze, Kathy Griffin made it clear that the show was adults only. Then the flame-haired comedian -- the first comic to headline LIVE, which is generally a concert series -- went on to describe Donald Trump, the Kardashians, Kanye West and other celebs in unprintable terms…
— CruiseCritic.com
How to book a cheap cruise holiday
Put in the research for your ideal cruise and great deals can be found, but make sure you pay attention to what's included... and what's not…
— The Guardian
Transportation
Do You Really Need Car Rental Insurance? 8 Things to Know
With every car rental transaction comes the slightly uncomfortable moment when the agent behind the counter tries to foist the company’s insurance on you. When this happened to me at Hertz at the Hilo International Airport in Hawaii a few weeks ago, I did what I always do: I firmly and politely said no, thank you…
— New York Times
Amtrak's Coast Starlight: America's most beautiful train ride?
Rebranded by Amtrak, the Coast Starlight leaves Union Station in Los Angeles at 10:10 each morning. Two hours later near Santa Barbara and lasting for 100 miles the train scoots along bluffs above the Pacific Ocean. Travelers are treated to stunning views — the sea on one side, the Santa Ynez Mountains on the other…
— USA Today
Lodging
Atlanta unveils renderings for new Hartsfield-Jackson airport hotel, newspaper reports
The hotel is part of a broader push to add offices and other amenities at the country's busiest airport, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports…
— The Times-Picayune
The Five Alls and The Plough, the Cotswolds: hotel review
Sister pubs with rooms in two idyllic Cotswolds villages offer a warm welcome (even to non-Tories) and excellent food…
— The Guardian
Other and Odd
Five Packing Tips For Your Tween
Remember when we used to be able to pack for our kids without any back talk! Well, those days are long gone for me with my 12 ½ year old. But here are some tricks I use to guide the packing process! And I have a son, this may not transfer perfectly for a daughter…
— The Huffington Post
Study Shows Zika Caused Paralyzing Condition in Past
Scientists got more evidence Monday that Zika can cause temporary paralysis with a new study of patients infected in a 2014 outbreak…
— NBC
Today in History
Yellowstone National Park
The world's first national park came into existence on this date in 1872, when US President Ulysses S. Grant signed into law an act establishing Yellowstone National Park. The park is located largely in the state of Wyoming, but extends into Montana and Idaho as well…
— Travel Research Online
Travel Agent Diaries
Tier One Travel - Financial woes north of the border
 Here in Alberta, we've been feeling it financially. A lot of our economy is based on oil and gas, which is having tough times right now. There have been a lot of layoffs, which makes purchasing travel insurance a necessity. I've had a couple clients affected where we're assessing the cancellation penalties before making the decision to cancel and hoping they find employment in the meantime. Even those who don't work in the oil and gas field are being cautious with their spending.
Another problem for us is that the Canadian dollar isn't doing well against the US dollar. Many of the cruises, resorts, and travel packages that we book are priced in US. This means that in Canadian, it's about 30% more expensive than last…
— Travel Research Online
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Reading Between the Lines
The Professional Service Firm: Grab A Brighter Future
 “Weed out the drab, the dull, the dreary...”
The Professional Service Firm from the Reinventing Work series by Tom Peters, page 44
Create An Immodest Current Project List
This may be the most difficult challenge I give you all year. You have heard me suggest this before, and I am very serious. It will not sound logical and it won’t be an easy pill to swallow…
— Travel Research Online
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60-Second Geography
Journey to Charming Warnemünde With ShoreTrips
by Elizabeth Cody
Tuesday March 01, 2016
Beaches, cafés , and lighthouses: these may not be the first words you think of when you hear the word "Germany", but it certainly should be. Germany has its own hidden beach village right on the coast of the Baltic Sea, the balmy port of Warnemünde. Let ShoreTrips take you to this gorgeous German beach town and explore all the stunning sights!
— Travel Research Online
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Outposts
Luxuriate in the Minerals of the Dead Sea with Central Holidays
by Elizabeth Cody
Tuesday March 01, 2016
 Located 400 meters below sea level, the Dead Sea is famous not only for its biblical significance to the Christians and Jewish people, but also for its unique and unusual physical properties. Located off the coast of Jordan and Israel, the Dead Sea has an infamously high level of salt in its waters, leading to the popular pastime of floating on its shimmering waters.
Photo credit Getty…
— Travel Research Online
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