Destinations
The best of France in a day: 9 best day trips from Paris
Paris is day-tripper heaven. Less than two hours from the French capital is a world of castles and cathedrals, gardens, museums and picturesque villages, not to mention the delights of Disneyland Paris and Beauval zoo park…
— Escape
48 Hours in Cartagena, Spain
Celebrate Spain’s Año del Modernismo 2016, the Year of Modernism, in a little-visited city with some prime some examples of early 20th-century architecture. But that is just the start. After the Spanish navy moved out of this magnificent deep-water Murcian port, the archaeologists moved in…
— The Independent
Tours and Activities
There's a 'Golden Girls' Themed Murder Mystery Dinner
Murder mystery dinners? Great. The Golden Girls? Even greater.. A murder mystery dinner with the Golden Girls? We're in. Peddler’s Village in Bucks County, Pennsylvania is hosting The Golden Girls Murder Mystery dinner and show every Friday and Saturday evening through Aug. 20. Tickets are $59.95 per person…
— Travel Leisure
I braved Myanmar's infamous fortune tellers
In Burmese culture, Saturday is considered an unlucky day – for fires, hair washing, starting a journey, or simply being born, especially if you are a first child. At least that's the verdict of Kyaw Si Thu, the fortune-teller of Bagan. I'm sitting on the floor of the spirit man's house, legs and elbows folded like a grasshopper as I attempt to squeeze between a mountain of books and a green-eyed cat, while the guru hands down his litany of accusations…
— Sydney Morning Herald
Cruise
Cruise lines crack down on boarding with beverages
Another cruise line is prohibiting travelers from lugging and chugging their own booze and beverages aboard its vessels. Norwegian Cruise Line announced a ban on bringing aboard liquor, beer and nonalcoholic drinks, including water, soda and juice, in carry-on and checked bags as of July 15…
— Chicago Tribune
Pokemon Go Craze Sweeping U.S. Port Cities -- But Not Cruise Ships
It's the newest dilemma facing cruisegoers: Your vacation is approaching, but your kids (and let's face it, you too) can't pull themselves away from the highly addictive Nintendo mobile game Pokemon Go. The good news is that Pokemon Go is actually a boon for travelers. Since the strategy of the game is to walk around and search for hidden Pokemon and the items necessary to catch them, you can sightsee in port before or after your cruise while still becoming "the very best, like no one ever was."…
— CruiseCritic.com
Transportation
JetBlue gives makeover to T5 at its New York JFK hub
Passengers flying out of JetBlue’s Terminal 5 (T5) at New York JFK now have a smoother, more high-tech path through the ticket lobby. “The journey from keyboard to curb can be stressful,” said Joanna Geraghty, JetBlue’s Executive Vice President, Customer Experience, “We strive to make it simple and be helpful.” To do that, JetBlue has overhauled the T5 lobby first opened in 2008, making it more self-service focused, with 70 new kiosks, self-service bag tagging options, and a dozen bag drop locations…
— USA Today
Are these the world's best budget airlines?
Despite recent efforts to improve its image, there's room for Ryanair in Skytrax's annual top 10. Here are the budget carriers that made the cut…
— Telegraph (London)
This Guy Earned 1 Million Airline Miles With Chocolate Pudding
If there’s anyone who knows how to hack a travel deal, it’s David Philipps. In 1999, the civil engineer from California catapulted into fame after he earned a whopping 1.2 million airline miles by taking advantage of a Healthy Choice mail-in promotion by purchasing a ridiculous amount of pudding…
— The Huffington Post
Lodging
British bolthole review: Kedleston Country House, Derby
An elegant refurbishment has brought this gorgeous, historic hotel back to life but more work is needed - on its far from fabulous menu…
— The Guardian
11 Coolest Underwater Hotels in the World
From Dubai to Sweden, these hotels (and hotel bars, spas, and restaurants) take sleeping with the fishes to a whole new below-sea level. Prepared to be wowed by deep blue and bright turquoise waters—all visible while you stay dry and comfortable…
— Condé Nast Traveler
This Hotel Is Offering Camping in the Middle of Manhattan
Camping and Manhattan are two words you don't typically find in the same sentence. But the folks over at W New York have created a one-of-a-kind glamping experience in the middle of the Big Apple…
— Travel Leisure
Other and Odd
6 Upgrades That Will Keep You Healthy While Traveling
In travel, upgrades are usually associated with luxuries: a roomier seat; a shorter security line; a suite with a view. But sometimes, they’re the right decision for your well-being, whether you're trying to choose the best rental car or stick to your eating regimen while you're on the road. So dole out a little extra for these perks—doctor’s orders…
— Condé Nast Traveler
Pokémon Go: How to Use It as a Tour Guide
Maybe gaming isn’t your thing, but you’d like to know what all the fuss is about Pokémon Go, the mobile game that in the second week since its release is already rivaling Twitter in popularity in the United States. If you do decide to try it out, you may actually find it more useful than the typical diversion…
— New York Times
Today in History
The Storming of the Bastille
France was on the verge of revolution. The citizenry had become increasingly demanding of King Louis XVI. The Bastille contained only seven prisoners, but it held a great symbolic value. Not only did the fortress hold a great store of weaponry and gunpowder, but it had for centuries been the prison for those who disagreed with royalty…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
South African Airways Honored With Skytrax
“Best Airline in Africa” Award For 14th Consecutive Year
South African Airways (SAA), the national flag carrier of South Africa and Africa’s most awarded airline, has been named, “Best Airline in Africa” by Skytrax for the fourteenth consecutive year. The award was presented to SAA at the Skytrax World Airline Awards ceremony during the annual Farnborough Airshow in England on July 11th…
— Travel Research Online
Alexander+Roberts publishes 70th Anniversary Catalog
Announces Limited-Time $1,000 Savings on all 134 Journeys Including 19 Brand New for 2017-2018
Looking ahead to its 70th Anniversary next year, pioneering travel company Alexander+Roberts has published its 2017-2018 catalog featuring 134 Small Group and Private Journeys across the globe on all Continents – with 19 new tours including Iran, Finland, Slovenia, Australia, Peru, Iceland, the United Arab Emirates, United States and Canada…
— Travel Research Online
Reading Between the Lines
Hot Button Marketing: Helping People is Fun
 “Life is short. Meetings are dull. Selling is stressful. None of these alleged truisms have to be true at all when you add fun and games to the marketing mix.”
Hot Button Marketing by Barry Feig, page 144
"Fun and games? What's so fun about marketing?” I can hear many of you yelling this last sentence into your computer screen. “I haven't had any fun since I don’t remember…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
|
Luxury Travel Tips
Now is not the time to rest on your laurels
by Dan Chappelle
Thursday July 14, 2016
 Wow, where has summer gone! We are already halfway through July and many of you are using this time to see the world, experience new products, or visit old friends. July and August is typically when booking activity is at its lowest point of the year. This is a great opportunity take a deep breath and recharge a bit. You should be reaping the harvest (and a bump in cash flow) from the work you did in late 2015 and early 2016.
Enjoy the next few weeks as starting in early September, the most lucrative booking period of the year will begin. Are you prepared for it? But you are probably asking “Dan, isn’t wave season, the 6-8 weeks after New Year’s, the busiest time of…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
|
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!
|
 |
|
