Destinations
Why Hanalei Is the Hippest Town in Kauai
The soulful surfer town of Hanalei, on Kauai’s North Shore, is officially on the map. Surrounded by emerald mountains, cascading waterfalls, and serious surf breaks, Hanalei has cast its spell on many a visitor who has given up his or her mainland desk job for island living. Despite everyone wanting to be a part of the good life, the town has avoided becoming another Tulum or Byron Bay, maintaining a magical, end-of-the-earth feel…
— Vogue
Maldives: A Must-Visit, And Not Just for Your Honeymoon
We’d bet with confidence that a Maldives vacation is on many watch lists. How couldn’t it be? If you compared the country to, say, haute joaillerie, Maldives would be like finding a bangle made of pure Kashmir sapphire embedded with clusters of trapiche emeralds and flawless diamonds. The majority Muslim (devoutly so, too) nation is roughly the size of Portugal, but is 99 percent water. Its remainder is speckled with nearly 1,200 lush, white-sand islands in an abstract double helix of north-south oriented atolls. (Atolls, fundamentally, are the tippy-top rings of long-dead, now-submerged volcanoes.) It is one of the world’s most rarefied geographic reserves…
— Vogue
Tours and Activities
At South Carolina’s only national park, paddle through some of the country’s oldest trees
The coffee-colored creek laps at our canoes as a sad reality soaks in: We’re surrounded by the biggest swath of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the Eastern United States. These 11,000 acres have evaded the ax and plow since large-scale logging started in the 1880s, obliterating up to 50 million acres of American forest within five decades. Ancient trees fell along coasts and major rivers. Here in the vast, tangled wetlands of Central South Carolina, logging was more trouble than it was worth…
— The Washington Post
Is this the most beautiful walk in London?
Upon first hearing of a place in London called Little Venice, my imagination ran wild. Would there be Italian gondoliers, a piazza, and a skyline of domed buildings? Whilst the reality is hardly Venetian (replace gondolas and palatial homes crumbling into seawater with waterbuses and houses set back on leafy avenues), the area does have some sympathy with its namesake, for example an air of rare seclusion, an appreciation for beauty, and of course its canal…
— Telegraph (London)
18 Beautiful Formations In Utah's Arches National Park
With thousands of arches and other intriguing formations rising from the rugged landscape, and with remarkable hikes leading to most of them, it can be a real challenge to determine what to see and do with a limited amount of time in this red rock wonderland. The first step is to head off on the 26-mile scenic loop drive inside of the park; the second is to choose which landmarks in the area speak to you. We’ve highlighted below what we think some of the top stops are in hopes that it will help other travelers maximize their time and help focus photo ops while visiting this jewel in the American Southwest…
— The Huffington Post
Cruise
The Intimacy of Small-Ship Cruising
Such small ship traveling is booming, thanks mostly to the swiftly growing cruise lines that ply the world’s fascinating rivers. Their vessels couldn’t get much larger even if their owners wanted to house more passengers: Rivers tend to be shallow, so there’s little room for cabins below the water line. Older bridges often are so low that tables, deck chairs and the captain’s controls must fold down so the ship can pass under them. Locks, built so ships can move smoothly through changes in river elevations, are lean, leaving some ships only inches to spare on either side…
— Miami Herald
Bob Hawke joins Ponant’s Le Boreal Antarctic expedition
Former prime minister Bob Hawke, the honorary president of Le Cercle Polaire – a think tank for the preservation of polar regions – will be guest of honour on Ponant’s Le Boreal Antarctic expedition voyage departing Punta Arenas on November 17, 2017, bound for the Antarctic Peninsula. As a major political contributor in the adoption of the third protocol of the Antarctic Treaty System, he will share his thoughts on the principles of international control over and management of the polar environments…
— Escape
Transportation
Air Passengers Lose Right to Compensation for Delays Caused by Birds
Airlines have won a landmark court ruling that means passengers are unlikely to be able to claim compensation for flight delays caused by bird strikes. Judges at the European Union’s Court of Justice have decided that bird strikes – where birds fly into contact with a plane – are considered to be “extraordinary circumstances” and are therefore not the airline’s fault…
— Telegraph (London)
The Rail Line Operated by Children
Located in the suburbs at the end of the Hűvösvölgy tram line – one of 10 metro and suburban lines in Budapest ‒ Gyermekvasútas Otthon isn’t a learned place of academia. It’s an extracurricular training ground for the 11.7km Gyermekvasút, or Train Line 7. Travelling at 20kmh over the contours of the Buda Hills to Széchenyi Hill on the forested outskirts of the city, this tram line is one of the longest and fastest of its kind in the world. And it’s entirely run by children…
— BBC
Chinese-made jet takes off in maiden flight, seen as possible future Boeing competitor
The first large Chinese-made passenger jetliner is making its maiden test flight Friday from Shanghai in a symbolic milestone in China’s long-term goal to break into the Western-dominated aircraft market. China is touting the C919 as a rival to single-aisle jets the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737. The plane was originally due to fly in 2014 before being delivered to buyers in 2016, but has been beset by delays blamed on manufacturing problems…
— Fox Travel News
8 Reasons Taking the Train is Better Than Flying
Boats, cars, planes — this traveller loves them all. But given a choice he’ll always take a train. Here’s why…
— Escape
Lodging
Canadian Hotels Offer Free Stays to Hunters Willing to Renounce Guns
Spring has sprung in the forests of British Columbia. The snow has melted, trees are budding. Grizzly bears are ending their hibernation – and hunters have begun pursuing them. But two local wilderness lodges are trying to stop that from happening. Their cunning plan? To offer free stays in their luxury accommodation to any hunter willing to surrender their shooting pass…
— The Independent
Houston hotel has a 530-foot lazy river on its roof
When booking a vacation, a hotel that has its own pool is always a big bonus. But a hotel in Texas has gone one step further, with a giant lazy river on its roof that takes 15 minutes to complete. The recently-opened 530-foot lazy river at the Marriott Marquis in Houston is formed in the shape of the state of Texas. It sits on the top of the 29-storey hotel, 100 feet above street level…
— Fox Travel News
Suite Spot: Il Sereno Lago di Como, Italy
If George and Amal Clooney didn’t already have a home in Italy’s Lake Como district, the ultra-luxurious Il Sereno Lago di Como could provide them a suitable “babymoon” retreat. Now open for its first full summer season, the 30-suite resort is also welcoming a new addition: the Spa at Il Sereno, featuring Swiss skincare treatments and lake views. Other amenities include Berton Al Lago, the indoor-outdoor restaurant created by Michelin-starred chef Andrea Berton; and custom-built boats that allow celebrities and non-celebrities alike to arrive in style at the private dock…
— San Francisco Chronicle
Other and Odd
What to do When You’re Feeling Low at High altitude
Altitude sickness, or acute mountain sickness (often called AMS), is a frequent companion for travelers, even if they’re not heading to the Andes. The average aircraft is pressurized to between 6,000 and 8,000 feet above sea level, enough to cause a little queasiness. And that’s all it takes to set off a chain reaction of unfortunate symptoms that could ruin your next vacation. But it doesn’t have to…
— The Washington Post
Pint-size carry-ons that fit new budget fare limits
You might consider yourself a carry-on master, but with the rise of low-cost carriers and budget classes (including United’s “basic economy”), carrying anything larger than a “personal item” is going to cost you more. Merely cramming a soft-sided bag under the seat isn’t good enough — many airlines consider that space to be no more than 17 by 10 by 9 inches. Measure that backpack you travel with, but if it doesn’t match the specs, it’s time to get a bag that best fits the allowable space. Here are three personal item bags made for stowing below…
— San Francisco Chronicle
Today in History
Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo ("5th of May") commemorates the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862 – a victory of Mexican forces led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín over the French…
— Travel Research Online
Deck Plans
From Amsterdam To Paris On An Avalon Waterways’ Active Discovery Cruise
by Ralph Grizzle
Friday May 05, 2017
What. A. Great. Trip.  In early April, I cruised with Avalon Waterways on the Rhine and Moselle rivers. The itinerary, bookended by Amsterdam and Paris, served up some of the same stunning scenery that inspired Dutch landscape painters such as Jacob Isaackszoon van Ruisdael. Just look at the photo below, for example, unfiltered and untouched, snapped with my iPhone from the Club Lounge, aft on Avalon Visionary, one morning on the Moselle..”
I could have spent hours out on deck watching the landscape pass. Instead, I drew back the curtains and admired Europe in HD from my Panorama Suite. After only a few days on board Avalon Visionary, I understood what Avalon Waterways has been trying to market: framed postcard-like views from the bedrooms of its so-called “Suite Ships”
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
|
Mike's Morning Missives
Snap Out Of It!
 Examples of “how not to do things” seem to be running rampant these days. Is it due to the fluctuating Dow Jones? Global warming? Our relations with Russia? The fact that the Cubs finally upset the world’s rotational balance? The relative disappearance of Taylor Swift? Who knows? Who cares?
The fact remains that it has become crystal clear to me that a great number of people seem to have thrown their hands up in surrender in favor of becoming “ordinary.” Tell me truthfully, are you striving to become “ordinary?”
Now to many reading this column, being “ordinary” is not a bad thing. To me, it is the kiss of death. Who in their right mind wants to be “just another one?” Ordinary is a dime a dozen.…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
|
Soundings
Using Onboard Credit for Purchases Before Departure
by Susan Schaefer
Thursday May 04, 2017
With little fan fare, Royal Caribbean rolled out new enhancements to their pre-cruise planning tool involving Onboard Credit redemption. Up until recently clients did not have the option to spend Onboard Credit funds before boarding their cruise. According to Royal Caribbean, new “system enhancements now grant your clients the ability to allocate their promotional and option code driven Onboard Credits towards desired purchases pre-cruise, giving your clients the ability to plan ahead and to better arrange their vacation activities/purchases in advance.”
Note that this only applies to promotional and option code driven Onboard Credits. It does not apply to pre-paid, purchased or GAP Onboard Credits. Clients sailing in a group will have the ability to redeem Onboard Credits related to promotions and option codes; but any GAP…
— 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!
|
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 ➠
|
|
|
|
