Destinations
The Texan's Texas: Easygoing charm in Brenham
When outsiders think of rural Texas, their thoughts tend to run toward cactus, tumbleweeds, oil derricks, coyotes and armadillos, cowboys and pickup trucks. Say "rural Texas" to an old-school Houstonian, and you get a different picture. Often as not, their minds will run to the Brenham area about 75 miles northwest of downtown Houston…
— CNN
Makeup Mogul Bobbi Brown Shares Tips for a First-Time Visit to Moscow
During a week-long stay in Russia, the makeup artist rediscovered her roots—and fell in love with Moscow…
— Condé Nast Traveler
Tours and Activities
The ultimate travel bucket list for culture lovers
One of the great pleasures of travel is visiting places when there is a real sense of occasion. Obviously there are big showstoppers such as carnivals, sporting events and national celebrations such as July 4…
— Telegraph (London)
The World's Lowest Unclimbed Mountain Is Shorter Than a Basketball Rim
For this week's Maphead, Ken Jennings explores a mountain that looks more like a hill. A year ago, I wrote about the world's highest unclimbed mountain, a 24,840-foot peak in Bhutan…
— Condé Nast Traveler
Cruise
Another Carnival ship emerges from makeover
Another Carnival ship has just emerged from a makeover. The 25-year-old Carnival Ecstasy received several new venues during a two-week overhaul in the Bahamas that ended Tuesday…
— USA Today
In this new-generation cruise ship, a library is the only thing missing (but it's coming soon)
What did Holland America leave out when it created the Koningsdam? A library of all things. But for these bibliophiles on a transatlantic crossing, it all had a happy ending…
— LA Times
Executive Order on Travel Extends to Ports, May Affect Cruise Passengers
Because President Trump's executive order on travel affecting immigrants extends to ports as well as airports, cruise passengers might find themselves caught up in some of the consequences…
— CruiseCritic.com
Transportation
Can We Learn Something About Jet Lag From MLB Players?
Whether you travel for work or pleasure, you have probably experienced travel fatigue — the distinct exhaustion that comes from too little leg room, bad air, bad food and stress endured while traveling…
— NPR
Britain introduces flights without security checks for first time in almost 50 years
At 9.15am on Monday 30 January, a piece of aviation history was made. On a day when the headlines were filled with tougher US restrictions on travellers, including “extreme vetting” of some nationalities, Scottish aviation made a move for more relaxed, passenger-friendly travel…
— The Independent
Inside the Most Luxurious Train in Africa: Rovos Rail
A whiff of eccentricity surrounds the family-owned Rovos Rail, a sleeper train that rarely runs on time and provides areas for cigars but not cell phones. It began as a diversion for founder Rohan Vos…
— Vogue
Lodging
Airbnb Offers Free Housing to Those Affected by Travel Ban
When Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky said this weekend that the company would offer free housing to refugees and anyone impacted by President Donald Trump's crackdown on immigration from several predominantly Muslim countries, he joined tech leaders including Google's Sergey Brin…
— Travel+Leisure
YHA Ambleside, the Lake District: hostel review
This flagship hostel on Windermere offers backpackers and families a millionaire’s view for the price of a bunk – plus homemade cake…
— The Guardian
Other and Odd
How to Have a Relaxing Vacation in a City
Beach and spa vacations are typically associated with relaxation while urban getaways tend to be all go, go, go, but that doesn’t always have to be the case, according to Michael Bonsor, the hotel manager of Rosewood London. “You can absolutely head to a city for a relaxing vacation,” he said…
— New York Times
France Is Banning Unlimited Soda Refills to Fight Obesity
France has banned restaurants from offering unlimited refills of soda and sugary drinks, the latest bid to decrease the rise in the nation's obesity rate. The new order, implemented on Jan. 27, will mean that hotels, restaurants and school cafeterias will no longer have soda fountains…
— Travel+Leisure
Today in History
Guy Fawkes is Hanged
The infamous Gunpowder Plot of 1605 was an attempt by a group of conspirators to kill King James I of England, his family, and most of the House of Lords by blowing up the Palace of Westminster during the State Opening of Parliament…
— Travel Research Online
Mike's Morning Missives
Always Give More Than the Value Received
 The word “lagniappe” comes to mind, which I believe to be a Cajun French term that means more than expected. You personally may recognize this practice as “putting the cherry on top.”
Regardless of what you call it, it has become important to exceed the value your customer has come to expect. This has much to do with the competitive nature of the travel business and every other business.
The sad news is that in many instances, today’s customers do not expect much. That is because over the months and years they have become accustomed to lousy service. They are growing tired of complaining and beginning to accept it as the way things…
— 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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