Destinations
48 Hours in Leicester
One of the greatest stories in travel began in Leicester 175 years ago, when Thomas Cook organised his first excursion: a Temperance awayday to Loughborough. And one of the greatest stories in football reached its climax on 2 May, when Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester City FC won the Premier League for the first time in their history…
— The Independent
Mexico City's grandest neighbourhood is back in vogue
The formerly wealthy Colonia Juárez, close to Mexico City's historic centre, is getting its groove back, with new restaurants, bars and art galleries…
— The Guardian
Tours and Activities
A $1,000 Day in Tokyo for $100
I walked out of Tokyo Station, the big commuter hub in the city’s Chiyoda district, and turned to look up at its gorgeous brick facade. I was lost. I couldn’t find the Tokyo Station Hotel — a well-reviewed luxury property that was renovated in 2012. My mistake, it turned out, was leaving the train station at all…
— New York Times
SeaWorld tries to woo shark conservationists with new partnership
It’s been just over a month since SeaWorld announced that it had stopped its controversial orca breeding program. Now the struggling theme park is fulfilling its promise to promote messages of aquatic conservation by partnering with marine biologist and wildlife artist Guy Harvey to educate visitors on shark preservation efforts around the world…
— Fox Travel News
Insane New Star Wars Show Coming to Walt Disney World
One of the most innovative experiences ever created for Walt Disney World is about to arrive—and no, it’s not the new Anna and Elsa meet-and-greet over at Epcot. Star Wars-themed desserts, attractions, and shows have been popping up across Disney parks for months now, but the movie’s presence will expand in a massive way when Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular opens at Hollywood Studios later this summer…
— Travel Leisure
Cruise
New Viking line plans epic, 141-day world cruise
Fast-growing Viking Ocean Cruises this week announced plans for an epic, 141-day world voyage -- a first for the line. Kicking off Dec. 15, 2017 in Miami, the sailing will take place on the still-under-construction Viking Sun, a 930-passenger ship scheduled to debut in late 2017…
— USA Today
Europe's greatest rivers - and how to explore them
Easily the most popular river for cruising, the Rhine has its source in the Alps, becomes navigable at Basel, in Switzerland, and runs north – in parts serving as a border between France and Germany – to meet the North Sea near Amsterdam. Sections of the river flow through steep-sided, sometimes vine-clad valleys; a delightful experience made even more special by the perched castles lining the route…
— Telegraph (London)
Holland America Line Considering Adding New Features for Next Pinnacle Class Ship
Holland America Line could be adding a number of new features on its next Pinnacle Class ship, including a new restaurant. The changes that may come are based on passenger feedback and observations by crew onboard its newest ship, Koningsdam -- the line's first Pinnacle Class ship – which launched April 8 in Europe…
— CruiseCritic.com
Transportation
When you ride the Trans-Siberian Railway, you get a window into Russia's soul
Beyond Irkutsk, a city along the Trans-Siberian Railway, my neighbor plunked a sausage and a bottle of Cognac on the table. I dug a Route 66 shot glass from my stash of small gifts for such occasions and presented it to him. “Ah, kulturny obmen [cultural exchange],” said Sergey, a thirtysomething machinist who resembled an NFL linebacker…
— LA Times
Sky-high profits for airlines, lower fares for passengers
Due mainly to rock-bottom jet fuel prices, the nation's airlines racked up record profits in 2015. Fortunately, there's good news for passengers too: lower air fares…
— Today
Lodging
The hottest hotel perk? Artist-in-residence programs
As luxury properties seek to attract travellers in an increasingly competitive market, having artist-in-residence programs - where guests can mingle with designers, writers and other creative types - is one way to distinguish themselves…
— Globe and Mail
Five of the Best Small Hotels in Wales
Bijou, bespoke and boutique — all the words you want to hear when you’re looking for the perfect hotel to stay in on a blissful weekend break. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Welsh countryside, these are the small hotels that fit all the ‘Bs’ in Wales…
— The Huffington Post
Other and Odd
Wreckage of Captain Cook's Endeavour found
Researchers believe they have found the wreckage of the HMS Endeavour, vessel of legendary British explorer, James Cook.
Cook commanded the ship from 1768 to 1771 on his famous voyage mapping the uncharted waters of the south Pacific Ocean, but for years its whereabouts have remained a mystery…
— CNN
The 8 Do's and Don'ts of Vacationing With Friends
Travelers who have been there, done that, tell you how to go away with your pals without getting on each other's nerves…
— Condé Nast Traveler
Today in History
The Oklahoma tornado outbreak
On May 3, 1999 a total of 66 tornadoes (by some counts 71) spawned in a single day in the state of Oklahoma. One which occurred just southwest of Chickasha, Oklahoma rated an F5 on the Fujita scale (the most severe ranking) and caused $1.1 billion in damage…
— Travel Research Online
Travel Agent Diaries
Boomerang Escapes - More mayhem, but in a good way
 Dear Travel Diary….
I feel I should be starting these monthly writings with that, (as I chuckle to myself). As I mentioned last month, I decided to invest in GIFTE’s Diamond Mastermind Program. I know it may seem odd with ink fresh on the divorce papers and a pending move across the country to spend this kind of money now. But that was exactly the point of why I chose to do it. What better time for me to invest in my business than when a major change is on the horizon? Therefore, investment made, April kicked off with our first Diamond Mastermind Meeting in Charlotte.
There are only 10 agency owners in the program and we arrived at the Ballantyne for two intensive days of…
— Travel Research Online
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Reading Between the Lines
60-Second Geography
Savor the Arts in Naples with ShoreTrips
by Elizabeth Cody
Tuesday May 03, 2016
 Italy has long been considered the birthplace of the arts, with the heart of the Renaissance period focused within its own borders after the lack of artistic and social progression during the Dark Ages. Today thousands of years of art, history, and performance can all be seen in one of the city's most exquisite cities, the seaside mecca of Naples. This city, filled with palacial spaces, galleries, record-breaking opera houses, and fantastic museums, are only a small part of what makes this city a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
— Travel Research Online
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Outposts
Soak in the Serenity of the Stone Churches of Lalibela with Ethiopian Airlines
by Elizabeth Cody
Tuesday May 03, 2016
 Lalibela received its name from King Lalibela, said to have been destined for the monarchy by a vision from his mother of the baby swarming with bees. During his childhood and adolescence, Lalibela spent time in Jerusalem and Jordan and subsequently name several areas in the city after what he saw in these foreign lands. The construction of the city of Lalibela was the King's response to Jerusalem's conquest by the Muslims; the King's attempt to build another Holy Land. The city is filled with churches carved from single stones, said to represent the Christian values of humility and spirituality. UNESCO has recognized many of these churches as World Heritage sites.
— 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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