Destinations
36 Hours in Mexico City
For a capital with such a long and layered history, there is much that’s new in Mexico City. Skyscrapers grow like bamboo. A trendy restaurant, boutique hotel or high-end food store seems to open every week. Despite the often dark national mood — corruption in Mexico seems ever more brazen, and violence, much of it drug-related, persists in many areas — the city has kept its mojo…
— New York Times
Why It's Okay to Love Las Vegas
I have a confession, and it’s one that often startles my travel-savvy friends: Las Vegas is one of my favorite places in the world. I adore every marabou-trimmed, neon-lit inch of a place whose patron saint should be Liberace. If you’re unconvinced of its charms—and many people might be—allow me a moment to persuade you.…
— Condé Nast Traveler
Calling the culturati: Majorca is hoping you'll drop by
The city of Palma, throughout much of its long history, was approached by sea, the yellow-gold Gothic cathedral, its row of spires rising like a forest of lances on the waterfront. Built by King James of Aragon in the early 13th century to celebrate his conquest over the Moors, it took a leisurely 400 years to finish. It declares to all guests and invaders: Here is a city to be reckoned with…
— Globe and Mail
Tours and Activities
Things to do in Dublin: readers' travel tips
If you like history and pubs, Dublin might just be your favourite city, but there's more: great gardens, fashion, architecture, a superb cemetery and walks…
— The Guardian
The eerie grave of 200,000 monks
Adam H Graham takes a spiritual retreat to one of Koya-san's 54 shukubo: inns where guests are encouraged to meditate, commune and eat vegetarian cuisine with the monks or nuns…
— BBC Travel
Cruise
Daily cruises to Havana may be on the horizon, cruise companies say
Cruise line companies at a conference in Florida this week have their eye on starting operations to Cuba. But it's complicated…
— LA Times
CroisiEurope to Add Four River Ships in 2017
CroisiEurope, a French river cruise line that has been expanding rapidly to English-speaking passengers, announced that it will add four ships to its fleet in 2017 on the Douro, Mekong, Rhine and Danube Rivers. The company's new ships are in addition to vessels debuting in spring 2016: the Elbe Princesse, an 80-passenger paddlewheel designed to sail the complicated Elbe River; and two 22-passenger barges, Daniele, for rivers in Burgundy and Deborah, which will ply the Briare Canal in the Upper Loire Valley…
— CruiseCritic.com
Transportation
10 new routes that promise cheap flights this spring
When airlines announce new service between two cities, it doesn't just create more flight options. It also drives down airfares, reports Patricia Magana of SmarterTravel.com. This spring, new routes from major carriers like American, JetBlue, United and Virgin America will mean big savings on service both in the U.S. and abroad. Here are the 10 routes with the best potential for bargains…
— USA Today
The infuriating rule American Airlines won't tell you about until it's too late
This week, I was stuck halfway across the country fuming over a transportation fail. Wednesday, I learned that American Airlines will throw you under the bus - er, plane - if you arrive at the airport AFTER your scheduled boarding begins but BEFORE you have had a chance to load your digital boarding pass for the first time…
— Chicago Tribune
Lodging
New York's Famed Plaza Hotel Going Up For Auction
New York City’s famous Plaza Hotel is set to go up for auction next month after recent back-and-forth over its ownership. Billionaire brothers David and Simon Reuben hold the mortgage on the five-star property and have scheduled a foreclosure auction for April 26, according to Bloomberg Business…
— Travel Leisure
Office block hotels: Clever conversions and makeovers
The latest 25hours hotel opened on 1 March in Hamburg's regenerated Hafencity district, right next door to its predecessor, 25hours Hafencity. There's nothing new about the hotel's setting though; this listed building dating from 1885 is the oldest in the neighbourhood and once housed the harbour's Office for Electricity and Harbour Construction. The décor of the 49 rooms channels the look of a captain's house and there's a Boilerhouse Bar and NENI Restaurant serving Eastern Mediterranean cuisine…
— The Independent
Robot hotels around the world
From the renowned Robot Restaurant in Tokyo to humanoids on reception, robot workers are on the rise. We round up the world's best hotels staffed by robots…
— Telegraph (London)
Other and Odd
How Travelling the World Prepared Me for My Estranged Father's Death
“I’m sorry. It is too late. Your father passed away.” As I hear those words on the other end of the line, I am more than 9000 km away from my home country and I’m trying hard not to faint. After a long pause, I tell the person on the phone that I will book a flight and travel back to Europe immediately. I didn’t expect saying this. Nor did I think I would actually go through with my intention. There are situations in life you think you are prepared for. But when they occur, despite your darnest efforts to convince yourself that you know exactly how you would react, the unexpected happens: you do what you least anticipated…
— The Huffington Post
Beyond Facebook: The best travel social networks you need to know
Traveling in the digital age is a cinch. You can easily find the best local restaurants and make new friends—on your phone. When it comes to picking a destination for your next big vacation or even your next meal, nothing beats a personal recommendation from someone who has already made the trip. While you don’t always hear a ton about social networks for travelers, there are a number of great ones out there that can help you make those difficult decisions, and perhaps a few new friends in the process…
— Fox Travel News
Women defend solo travel after murders
Media reports say Maria Coni, 22, and Marina Menegazzo, 21, were sexually assaulted and killed in February while traveling in Ecuador. The pair were reportedly killed by two men who had offered them a place to stay. The post written in their name has now had more than 730,000 shares over the past two weeks. It's also sparked a social media debate over victim-blaming and women's right to safely travel alone…
— CNN
Today in History
The Last Templar Grand Master
On this day the Inquisition burned Jacques de Molay at the stake, the 23rd and last official Grand Master of the Knights Templar. The Templars were the warrior monks of the Crusades. The Roman Church provided the Knights Templar with enormous power, and they were subject to no authority other than the Pope. The Order became extremely wealthy, and in many places in Europe, began to act as bankers. It was this position and power that lead to their downfall…
— Travel Research Online
Agent Perspectives
Leadership qualities and sales opportunities go hand in hand
by Marti Litwin
Friday March 18, 2016
At first glance , leaders and sales people may seem polar opposites - but think again! A strong sales person must possess the same qualities that make a strong leader as your success hinges on one critical factor: the trust of your people. In essence, you're really saying "Follow Me" to your clients as they entrust their time, money, and travel dreams to you. Winning long term clients and sustaining happy clients also requires the self-assurance and magnetism of a true leader. To deliver results in a challenging business, authority, and unflinching confidence are the keys to success.
Building leadership skills goes hand in hand with building the foundation of trust with your clients. You want to develop a reputation that you are reliable for everything! If…
— Travel Research Online
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Reading Between the Lines
You, Inc.: Believe
 "'Think you can'” is a good advice, even if it has become so common it sounds ordinary.”
You, Inc. by Harry Beckwith, page 205ß
You Gotta Believe
Years ago, the New York Mets baseball team consisted of a bunch of hacks who happened to own baseball gloves and who knew how to hold (I did not say swing) a bat. I can say this since I have been a Mets fan since Casey Stengel introduced the squad to The Big Apple in 1962…
— Travel Research Online
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