Destinations
The West Indian Island That Shaped Alexander Hamilton
Today, visitors to St. Croix, the largest of the United States Virgin Islands, are mostly in search of a tropical vacation. Residents speak of Hamilton’s West Indian roots with passing affection, as a tidbit of trivia. Visible evidence of his history with the island is minimal; the airport, which once honored him, was renamed in 1996 for the Tuskeegee airman Henry E. Rohlsen, a native son…
— New York Times
It’s a good time to say ‘howdy’ to Houston: Party town, arts hub and foodie favourite, Bayou City has it all
If you’ve never said howdy to Houston, there’s no better time than right now, pardner. There is a palpable frisson in this city, still exuberant over its success as host city of Super Bowl LI. The Big Game helped to spotlight Houston’s diversity: More than just Big Oil, it is also a party town, arts and culture hub, and culinary destination…
— Vancouver Sun
Bethesda Readies for a Major Remake
Bethesda is about to undergo another remake. County planners have spent the last three years creating a new plan for Bethesda, one that would extend the commercial and retail space and housing throughout the downtown, and allow a building as tall as 300 feet in one section. Marriott International, the world’s largest hotel firm, was among the first to sign on…
— New York Times
Tours and Activities
Caminito Del Rey: What's It Like to Walk the World's Most Dangerous Trail?
The suspension bridge on Malaga’s Walkway of Death, some 100 metres above the El Chorro gorge, quakes with every step. Hundreds of feet below me, remnants of the old path jut out of the rock face like smashed teeth, while in the pit of the ravine, a hard hat – blown off a previous mountaineer – has pitched into the water…
— The Independent
America's Top Military Museums to Tour this Summer
This summer, America’s top military museums will be celebrating veterans and inviting guests to immerse themselves in authentic wartime experiences with epic battle reenactments. Visitors can handle rare wartime artifacts, explore the nooks and crannies of historic citadels, and even taste food and beverages supplied to real infantries…
— Fox Travel News
Epcot food fest starts earlier, adds Spain, India marketplaces
Walt Disney World once again is supersizing the Epcot International Food…
— Sun Sentinel
Cruise
The Bahamas' Largest Ever Cruise Port to be Developed on Grand Bahama Island
A new cruise port is set to be built on Grand Bahama Island, Carnival Cruise Line confirmed today after signing an agreement with the Bahamian Government. Planned to be the largest purpose-built cruise facility in The Bahamas, the as-yet-unnamed port is expected to feature a one-mile beach, water-based and other recreational amenities, and food, beverage and shopping outlets…
— CruiseCritic.com
Disney Offering Cruises That Spend 2 Days at Their Private Island
Disney Cruise Line is offering nine cruises this summer that stop at their private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay, for two days during each cruise. These special nine cruises on Disney Dream will each be four or five days in length with the first one scheduled to depart Port Canaveral on June 2, 2017. Each cruise will spend one day in Castaway Cay and Nassau, before returning to Castaway Cay for the 3rd day…
— CruiseFever.net
Transportation
Is the End Finally Near for Italian Airline Alitalia?
It’s back to the brink for Alitalia. The perennially troubled Italian carrier again finds itself starting down the possibility of collapse, a scenario the airline already has survived a surprising number times during the past two decades…
— USA Today
Making Sure Low-cost Airfares are Actually a Bargain
On approach for landing next month is service by Level, a new budget carrier started by International Airlines Group (IAG), which announced in March that its fares between Oakland and Barcelona would “start at” $149. Simply, the low-cost airlines have taken everything that isn’t the actual ticket (the part they pay taxes on) and moved it to the a la carte menu, in part so they don’t have to pay taxes on what’s known as ancillary items, but also so they can lure passengers with rock-bottom fares…
— San Francisco Chronicle
Qantas London to Perth: The UK's Longest Flight Just got Longer
On Sunday 25 March 2018, QF10 will take off from Heathrow, its destination Perth in Western Australia, at 1.30pm. When seats went on sale last Thursday morning, The Independent derived information on the flight’s length from the airline’s website, which assures travellers the journey time is 15 hours 45 minutes. Qantas now says the trip will take an hour longer, touching down in the Western Australian capital almost 17 hours after leaving…
— The Independent
Lodging
5 Hotels Where Royals Have Slept, And You Can, Too
When monarchs sleeps in place like Buckingham Palace, their temporary homes-away-from-home need to be up to snuff. That’s why modern-day nobility like Prince William and Kate Middleton or the late Princess Grace Kelly have sought out and stayed in some of the most lavish hotel suites in the world. Here are 5 places fit for royalty where you can stay — even if you don’t wear a crown…
— The Huffington Post
Enjoy Yappy Hour and massages with Fido: More hotels are offering over-the-top amenities — for your pets
According to research conducted by the American Pet Products Association, dogs and road trips go together like, well, Kibbles ‘n’ Bits. In 2006, 19 per cent of dog owners took their pooches with them on a road trip. In 2014 (the most recent data available), that number nearly doubled to 37 per cent. Hotels are responding with open arms and chef-made treats as doting pet parents look for pet-friendly brands when they…
— Vancouver Sun
Other and Odd
How To Prep Your Phone For International Travel
Sure, vacation should be the time to power down, disconnect, and focus on the people in front of you. But that doesn’t mean giving up the option of getting directions from Google Maps or documenting your exotic meal on Instagram. Using your phone abroad used to be complicated, expensive, or both, but it’s getting easier and easier. Here are a few options for bringing your smartphone abroad…
— The Huffington Post
That Solo Travel Blogger? She Just Wants a Vacation
Somewhere between turning a dream into a job and the constant sleep deprivation that comes with a flood of work, “it’s pretty easy to almost start to hate it,” said Liz Carlson, who started her Young Adventuress blog five years ago as a means of updating her friends and family about her experience as an English teacher abroad…
— New York Times
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…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
South African Airways Vacations® Introduces New Air-Inclusive Packages to Senegal and Ghana
South African Airways Vacations® (SAA Vacations®) has expanded their portfolio of air-inclusive vacation packages with the introduction of new programs to Senegal and Ghana in West Africa. These multi-faceted packages are designed to immerse travelers in the history, culture and traditions of these African countries to provide an enriching travel experience…
— Travel Research Online
Mike's Morning Missives
How to Position Yourself as the "Go-To" Source in Your Niche
 There are a number of effective ways to position yourself as the “go-to” source in your niche without spending a fortune on marketing. The first step is to know your niche inside and out. What do your customers want and need most? What are their pain points? That is, what are the most important problems that they need to solve?
Customers are looking for travel assistance and time-saving solutions that actually work and offer good value for the money. They are constantly asking the question, “What’s in it for me?” With so many websites and businesses online, you need to answer that question from the moment they show up at your website, or meet you at a networking…
— 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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Upcoming Training Opportunities
Getting Ready for Alaska!
Thursday, May 11, 2017 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
With 30 years of global travel experience, ShoreTrips co-owners Barry and Julie Karp have an intuitive sense of the desires of today's travel savvy audience. They have focused on creating smaller, more personal tours and experiences. ShoreTrips currently offers more than 2,400 excursions and activities in more than 420 cruise ship ports of call and 180 cities throughout the world.
Register Now ➠
All-Inclusive Mexico and Caribbean with Sirenis Hotels & Resorts
Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
Sirenis Hotels & Resorts boasts three breathtaking all-inclusive properties in the Caribbean and Mexico. Grand Sirenis Matlali Hills Resort & Spa is a boutique luxury hotel with 117 adult only suites located in the hills of Riviera Nayarit, Mexico, just 10 minutes from Banderas Bay. Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Resort & Spa is known for its award winning Spa Grand Sirenis, onsite Dolphin Discovery, EcoSirenis nature trails, and exceptional coral reef snorkeling right by the beach. At Sirenis Punta Cana Resort Casino & Aquagames, guests enjoy a variety of fine dining options, a long stretching beach with crystal clear Caribbean Sea water, and free access to the onsite water park, Sirenis Aquagames.
Register Now ➠
The Best of Alberta with Canada à la Carte
Thursday, May 4, 2017 at 12 pm EDT/9 am PDT
Alberta is a magical destination, where thrilling outdoor adventures blend with vibrant arts and cultural opportunities. From skiing and skating to spas, heritage museums and shopping, it is a vacation destination that offers something for everyone at any time of the year.
Register Now ➠
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