Destinations
The 21 Newest UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Every year, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee meets to discuss sites that have been proposed as new members of their list. In order to be a UNESCO World Heritage site, a place or structure must have great cultural, historical, and/or natural significance—examples include Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, and Machu Picchu in Peru. This year's committee named 21 new spots to the list—so get your passports ready…
— Condé Nast Traveler
This Island on the Great Barrier Reef Could Be All Yours—for $23 Million
If you've got $23 million burning a hole in your pocket, there's an island on the Great Barrier Reef that could have your name on it. But not really, because it already has a name. Keswick Island has 1,278 acres of lush mountains, white sandy beaches, and great snorkeling…
— Travel Leisure
Tours and Activities
Fairy Tale Weddings: Tying the knot at Disney parks and resorts
In many of Disney's classic animated films, the princess finds her beloved prince and, in true fairy tale form, they live happily ever after (once they deal with missing glass slippers, evil sorcerers, and other plot detours, that is). Capitalizing on the surging trend of destination weddings and the popularity of its theme parks and other properties, Disney offers Fairy Tale Weddings. Couples can celebrate their big day amid iconic characters, storybook castle spires, and other fantasy flourishes. They get to be princes and princesses in their own tales…
— USA Today
The Last Bookstore: a literary treasure trove in downtown LA
The biggest (and loveliest) new and secondhand bookshop is California is on a mission: to ‘keep the paper and ink book business alive’…
— The Guardian
Cruise
Just back from Thomson Celebration: Our Thoughts on This Grand Dame of the Seas
We've just returned from a weeklong trip onboard Thomson Cruises' Thomson Celebration, sailing the seven-day Grecian Legends itinerary from Dubrovnik to Dubrovnik, starting with an overnight stay in Croatia before calling at Corinth, Itea and Corfu in Greece and Kotor in Montenegro…
— CruiseCritic.com
Everything you need to know about river cruising
Imagine staying in a charming boutique hotel, but one that moves, taking you (and your luggage) from one destination to another to explore history, culture and a rich food and wine scene…
— Escape
Transportation
The secrets to saving money on your holiday hire car
Our consumer advice expert offers a guide to every aspect of hiring a car, from which insurance policy to buy to what to check before you drive away…
— Telegraph (London)
Why Flight Attendants Hate Delays More Than You
We have all experienced dreaded airport delays where you approach the gate to board and instead of passengers starting to make their way on the aircraft…
— The Huffington Post
Real 'Snakes on a Plane'? Animal smuggler caught stuffing snakes in his pants
A traveler bound for Saudi Arabia was caught trying to reenact the campy Samuel L. Jackson thriller after he attempted to smuggle 10 baby snakes in his pants before boarding a flight at Indonesia’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport…
— Fox Travel News
Lodging
Beautiful views of Cape Breton from the Keltic Lodge at the Highlands
To arrive at this white-sided, red-roofed Tudor retreat is to drive past salt-sprayed fishing villages, up the tight-turned, mountainside ledge of Cape Smokey, into Cape Breton Highlands National Park, and onto a rocky peninsula where the Atlantic Ocean crashes endlessly on granite cliffs…
— Globe and Mail
The lost island paradise home to the world's best hotel
The world's best hotel isn't in London or New York but on a little known island in Indonesia, known as the lost world island. Remote and completely off the grid, Nihiwatu was formerly a surf lodge until it was bought by self-made fashion billionaire Chris Burch in partnership with hotelier James McBride four years ago and transformed into a culturally immersive enclave of active adventure and serious indulgence…
— Sydney Morning Herald
Other and Odd
Suddenly Considering Travel Insurance? You’re Not Alone.
If the attacks in Nice, Brussels and Paris have you thinking about travel insurance, you’re not alone. Industry experts say that consumer interest in terrorism and trip cancellation coverage has spiked after each attack…
— New York Times
The 11 cheapest places for a family holiday in Europe, ranked
Travel Money has found the most affordable destinations in Europe for a family beach holiday. To find the cheapest places for a holiday, Post Office Travel Money calculated several expenses for food and drink -- including a three-course family meal with drinks, a bottle of beer, and can of Coca-Cola -- as well as beach items such as suncream, ice cream, and the cost of renting a sun-lounger for half a day in a number of popular destinations…
— The Independent
Florida May Have Its First Zika Virus Outbreak
Florida health officials said Tuesday they were investigating a possible case of Zika that wasn't carried back by a traveler. If it's confirmed, it would be the first evidence that Zika has spread to mosquitoes in the continental U.S. All cases up to now have been in people who traveled to Zika-affected regions or their sexual partners…
— NBC
Today in History
One Small Step
On this day in 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk on the surface of the moon. With him was fellow astronaut Buzz Aldrin…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
Alexander+Roberts New Finland Adventure for Never More than 16 Guests
Helsinki + Arctic Circle Resort with $1,000 Anniversary Savings
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
South African Airways Awarded As “Favorite Airline In Africa” By Trazee Travel’s Millenials Readers
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 a year-round Private Adventure featuring Helsinki and the celebrated Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in Lapland…
— Travel Research Online
Point-to-Point
London, Now… NOW!
by Steven Hartman
Wednesday July 20, 2016
 Now is the time to visit London! Due to the recent vote for Brexit, the London pound has fallen, which means the dollar will be strong in a city known for being expensive.
What does it mean when the pound loses its value? Does it make much of a difference, or are you simply saving pennies? By comparing a few of London and the UK’s attractions, you’ll be able to show your clients the potential benefits of taking that much-desired vacation to London now…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Reading Between the Lines
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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