Destinations
48 Hours in Florence: where to go and what to see
Springtime in Florence. What could be better? Though there's a never a bad time to visit Tuscany's cultured and compact capital, it's particularly alluring at this time of year, before the crowds and high temperatures of summer arrive…
— The Independent
European cities you never thought to visit
The problem with apparently known quantities is that, often, they are not well known at all. Europe is a case in point. While our home continent is awash with celebrity capitals that have been endlessly dissected and devoured via a million mini-breaks – Paris and its gleaming avenues, Rome and its noble temples, Madrid and its party ambience – it is also a canvas for a slew of cities that are less appreciated, yet just as deserving of attention…
— Telegraph (London)
Tours and Activities
Diving With Great White Sharks in Mexico
Although Peter Benchley’s book “Jaws” and Steven Spielberg’s subsequent movie adaptation depicted the great white as a danger to humans, the last decade has seen Isla Guadalupe become one of the world’s top destinations for shark enthusiasts and scientists hoping to dive with the oft-maligned and misunderstood creatures…
— New York Times
Best family beaches in the U.S.? Two in the West make top 10 list
Looking for some family beach recommendations? Family Vacation Critic has 10 to check out — and two are on the West Coast…
— LA Times
Top 10 Barcelona walking tours
Gaze at graffiti, try the city's best food or take a tour led by architects, photographers or even the homeless... Barcelona has a guided walk for everyone…
— The Guardian
Cruise
Majesty of the Seas to Leave Royal Caribbean Fleet — Again
Changing course again, Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited has said it will transfer its Majesty of the Seas cruise ship from Royal Caribbean International to the combined Pullmantur/CDF Croisieres de France fleet in 2018, Seatrade Cruise News is reporting…
— CruiseCritic.com
The Lower Danube: Bucharest to Budapest
Cruising the lower Danube River, where ancient anomalies feel like yesterday…
— Miami Herald
Transportation
Brussels Airport: It will be 'months' before full capacity is restored
When airport reopens, it will process only about 20% of its normal passenger flow…
— USA Today
Why airport security lines are growing, spelling trouble for summer travel
Fliers can expect massive security lines at U.S. airports because not enough people have signed up for TSA PreCheck…
— Chicago Tribune
Lodging
12 Penthouse Perches to Swoon Over
Ever since penthouse apartments became popular in the 1920s, hotels have tried to offer the same level of luxury. Who doesn’t want to stay in a top floor suite with soaring views far away from the hustle and bustle of the city street? Today it’s not just the Peninsula Hotels of the world who have penthouses. Even boutique properties like the new Press Hotel in Portland, Maine are offering penthouse suites due to a growing demand for this type of accommodation. Hoteliers say guests want to feel like they’re staying in an apartment (albeit with luxury perks) rather than a cookie cutter hotel room…
— Travel Leisure
Move Over, Ace Hotels: 21c Is The New Artsy 'It' Spot
When Steve Wilson says "there's no downtime in my life, generally speaking," the 21c Museum Hotels co-founder isn't exaggerating. While the boutique chain is entering its tenth year with just five properties under its belt—Louisville, Bentonville, Cincinnati, Durham, and a newly opened Lexington outpost—Wilson and his wife, Brown-Forman heiress Laura Lee Brown, have Nashville, Kansas City, and Oklahoma City properties all on deck in the coming year, not to mention a growing staff of nearly 850 people and a reservation-worthy restaurant at each location that plays off the pair's contemporary art collection…
— Condé Nast Traveler
Other and Odd
Why Fear Should Never Stop Women From Traveling Alone
In the town of Olinda, in northeast Brazil, I was halfway through a four-month, solo surfing exploration down the Central and South American coastline. I was frustrated, physically exhausted, and crumbling. I had just left the condo I intended to stay in for the duration of Carnival, the annual pre-Easter celebrations, because it didn’t feel right. My flatmates, fellow tourists, were simply too eager to party. My gut told me something bad was going to happen, and I wasn’t going to wait around to find out…
— The Huffington Post
Avoid This Spring Break Vacation Rental Scam
When Shelly Stamis saw an ad online for a vacation home in Florida at only $200 a night, she thought she had found the ultimate vacation steal…
— NBC
Ten things you need to know about credit card travel insurance
Travel insurance comes free with your credit card, so why would you pay for it?…
— Sydney Morning Herald
Today in History
The Eiffel Tower is inaugurated
Along with the Sphinx and the Great Pyramid, there may be no other man-made structure as instantly recognizable as the Eiffel Tower, inaugurated on this date in 1889. Owned by the city of Paris, the grand tower was built for the Universal Exhibition held that year in celebration of the French Revolution…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
Kick-Start a Lucrative Groups Business Segment with Early Booking Specials on 2017 Groups
Agents now have a way to build their 2017 group business early and be rewarded financially with the chance to earn up to a $2,600 bonus; this is on top of average group commissions of $5,840 for groups of 10 or more guests. Secure space on popular vacation itineraries and departure dates, plus lock in low rates before the release of 2017 worldwide brochures from Trafalgar, CostSaver, and Brendan Vacations later this year…
— Travel Research Online
Reading Between the Lines
Selling To Big Companies: Slow Down
“How to write great emails: Personalized, short, conversation-starting, and readable from a preview window.”
Selling to Big Companies by Jill Konrath, page 152
Chapter 15: Leverage email strategies to get in
The objective is not to write emails. The objective is to get people to read emails that have a message worth reading. The problem is that emails are so easy to write that we jump on the keyboard and err on the side of speed. We can send them, sure enough, but the readers don’t have much to learn or respond to…
— Travel Research Online
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TRO and The Travel Institute Scholarship Program
TRO believes ongoing training is important to the health of the travel professional. Therefore, we have partnered with The Travel Institute to assist travel agents to earn their Certified Travel Associate designation. TRO will be awarding a $100 scholarship to at least one attendee of TRO webinars each webinar. If you want to be considered for the scholarship you need only to register here:
http://www.thetravelinstitute.com/troscholarship/
…and then attend TRO’s webinars. Winners will be selected and notified immediately after each webinar!
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