Destinations
The Italian Wine Regions You Should Visit Next
Looking for the next Chianti, Barolo, or Brunello? Oenophiles should plan a trip to one of these wine regions in Italy, chosen by experts as the next big thing…
— Condé Nast Traveler
North Korea: How can I visit the secret state, and is it morally right to go?
“The situation on the Korean Peninsula is so tense that a nuclear war may break out any moment” – so said the North Korean state media organisation this morning, as South Korean and US troops began their annual exercise simulating conflict across the divided nation. This latest declaration is likely to be yet more rhetoric from the last bastion of oppressive state communism, though Seoul and Washington are well aware of the nuclear threat posed by Kim Jong-un’s regime…
— The Independent
Tours and Activities
Russia’s Literary Icons, Explored on a Budget
“Chekhov,” I kept saying. “Check-off.” Natalya, my kind, maternal Airbnb hostess, finally nodded. “Ahh,” she said, understanding. “Chekhov,” she repeated, making the “e” sound like “ee” and the “kh” more guttural. “Yes, I love him,” she said, clutching her heart. “He writes about my life. He is funny; he is sad.”…
— New York Times
US beaches: the top 10 coastal hotspots
Britain’s got Blackpool, Bridlington and Bournemouth - but where do Americans go when they need a beach escape? In a new survey, The Independent can reveal the most popular resorts in the US. Using a wide range of sources, we have compiled a chart of the highest achievers and listed them in order of the number of visitors each year. Some you will have heard of, but others may surprise - they are off the map for most international travellers, but well worth exploring by anyone who wants to get closer to the soul of America…
— The Independent
10 Europe road trips that should be on your bucket list
The next time you head to Europe, consider applying the classic American road trip formula to your vacation abroad. Hitting the road in Europe is a great way to get off the beaten tourist path and spontaneously discover small villages, regional cuisine and friendly locals. And you’ll surely find plenty of roadside attractions (just maybe not a giant ball of twine). Here are 10 of the best road trip routes to try in Europe…
— USA Today
Cruise
Norwegian Cruise Line's Great Stirrup Cay to Close for Two Months
As part of The Norwegian Edge investment program, Norwegian Cruise Line will be closing its private island, Great Stirrup Cay, for refurbishment. The closure will take place from August 25 to October 20, mostly affecting short itineraries on Norwegian Sky, which will sail to Nassau and Grand Bahama instead…
— CruiseCritic.com
From Montreal to Minnesota, by Inland Sea
I was so used to driving and flying, my understanding of North America had become distorted. Then I took a slow boat through four Great Lakes. I saw every mile…
— New York Times
Remarkable things you didn't know about the Queen Mary ocean liner
Built in Clydebank at a cost of £3.5m (around £223m today; by comparison, the bill for the record-breaking Harmony of the Seas, one of the world’s newest cruise ships, was just over £1bn), Queen Mary sailed from 1936 until 1967…
— Telegraph (London)
Transportation
Tuesday is Dino-day at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport
At Chicago’s O’Hare Airport (ORD), it is hard to miss the model of the four-story high, 72-foot-long Brachiosaurus skeleton on loan from Chicago’s Field Museum of Natural History that stands guard on the upper level of Terminal 1 in Concourse B. But on Tuesday there will be a party at ORD for a real dinosaur skeleton…
— USA Today
'Head hammock' neck pillow promises you can finally sleep on a plane
How many times have you been on a plane or train dozing off, only to experience that incessant head bob? We’re not meant to sleep sitting up, but nonetheless we’re forced to when we travel. That’s why a number of creative people have developed products all promising to help you catch some zzz’s on the go — and one is taking the world by storm: the NodPod…
— Today
Lodging
Top 10: the best Bath B&Bs
An insider’s guide to Bath's top B&Bs, including the best bed and breakfasts for Georgian architecture, period furnishings, stylish rooms with views, four-poster beds, roll-top baths, and delicious cooked breakfasts, in areas including central Bath, near to Great Pulteney Street, the Roman Baths and Thermae Bath Spa…
— Telegraph (London)
20 great hotels, B&Bs and apartments in Germany
Vintage caravans, log cabins, a view of the Alps or the Baltic … we choose affordable, alternative places to stay across cities, coast and countryside…
— The Guardian
Other and Odd
8 Truths About Long-Term Travel
Back in August 2015, I took the plunge and left the Philippines for South America with no clear idea of when to go back home. When people asked me when I planned to go back, I would say, “In 2 years or 3 years, who knows?” Prior to my South America trip, the longest I’ve been out of the country was 70 days in Europe, and around 4 months in Asia traveling with someone…
— The Huffington Post
People Are Camping Out in Teslas and Loving It
Teslas have built a reputation on being great for the environment, but they might also be great for camping. That's right: The electric cars' drivers are not only having a ball camping in the electric cars, there are entire communities dedicated to sharing how to make the most of spending the night in the vehicle…
— Travel Leisure
Today in History
Eugene Bullard
Eugene Bullard joined the French Foreign Legion upon the outbreak of World War I. A native of Georgia, he traveled back to the United States to enlist and fight for his country when the U.S. joined the war. Though he passed his physical, the government denied him a commission as a pilot because of his race…
— Travel Research Online
Travel Agent Diaries
Tier One Travel - Taking some time to organize and prepare for the fall
 This past month I’ve been continuing my pursuit of training and education. Most of it was a refresher, but in every case I did learn something that I either didn’t know or had forgotten; and for some of the programs, there was a bonus commission for the next booking, so nothing was a waste of time. I also found some other venues of learning outside of the travel industry. It really is amazing what you can find on the Internet these days. There are so many webinars, live and recorded, about many aspects of running a business—any business. One I’ve found useful is Constant Contact. It takes a bit of creative thinking sometimes to translate these ideas into ways that I can put into my…
— Travel Research Online
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Reading Between the Lines
Black Book of Connections: Incoming is Better than Outgoing
 “Get them to call you.”
The Little Black Book of Connections by Jeffrey Gitomer, page 49
This is a five-word sales strategy that deserves some attention. The logic behind it is pure: Get people to call you.
Follow my thinking: If I call you on the telephone you can put me on hold, forward me to voicemail, decide not to answer the call, hang up on me, speak to me with an apparent attitude or… make me feel welcome. When I call you, you are in control of the outcome…
— Travel Research Online
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Outposts
Discover the History of Johannesburg with South African Airways
by Elizabeth Cody
Tuesday August 23, 2016
 Johannesburg is a city filled with stunning sights and a deep, rich history that its residents invite visitors to explore and understand. Well past the days of fighting for democracy, Johannesburg has blossomed into a beautiful art-filled center of light in South Africa, drawing people near and far like moths to a flame. Whether it's to touch a piece of history, watch the local wildlife grazing lazily on the savannah, or stroll through one of the city's most famous public spaces, Johannesburg is a city that will always strive to never disappoint.
— 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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