Destinations
The Bloomsbury Bohemians in the British Countryside
In the early decades of the 20th century, Virginia Woolf and her friends, the artists, intellectuals and writers known as the Bloomsbury Group, left London and went — to work, to spend summers, to wait out the German bombing raids and to conduct their tangled romances — into the bucolic countryside of Sussex and Kent, now two hours by car southeast of the city. Quite a few of these brilliant bohemians were avid gardeners, and in the spring, when this gorgeous region bursts into flower, one can visit the houses they decorated, the gardens they planted and the homes of the artists and celebrated horticulturists who lived nearby, with whom they exchanged ideas about art and landscape design…
— New York Times
Sintra, Portugal: The Perfect Day Trip from Lisbon
Eighteen miles and a world away from Lisbon, it’s easy to see why Sintra—with its cool, lush hills and proximity to the Atlantic coast—is where Portuguese royals used to spend their summers. Today, the concentration of these former regal estates and equally fanciful gardens has turned this UNESCO World Heritage site into a popular day-trip destination. After seeing the 19th-century Romantic architecture, cobblestone streets, and dense forests, you’ll understand why Lord Byron once referred to the town as a “glorious Eden."…
— Conde Nast Traveler
Art from the Alps: a journey to Giacometti’s homeland
Chugging to the Landwasser Viaduct through the village of Filisur on the Glacier Express, it’s hard not to laugh at the views. Switzerland is unbelievably good-looking. The vistas almost look fake – the lakes too scenic, the villages too chocolate-box. Even the goats look like they should have agents. A country this beautiful is always going to be about the outdoors, but if you visit the region of Graubünden this summer (and more than 1 million people will, for the hiking, the biking, to swim in the lakes or dance at the festivals), make sure you don’t just stare at the mountains – Graubünden has a surprising art heritage, too…
— The Guardian
Tours and Activities
Conquering Machu Picchu, the Cheap and Quick Way
“Was it worth it?” That’s the most common question I’ve fielded since I visited Machu Picchu, the ruins of a 15th-century Incan estate that sit almost 8,000 feet above sea level. Thrust back into prominence when the American explorer Hiram Bingham “discovered” it in 1911, it was used, by some accounts, as a palace, a retreat for the wealthy, a religious sanctuary or all three. Today, the photo-friendly ruins (popular with tourists and Obamas alike) receive thousands of visitors daily and are the engine that drives Peru’s tourism industry…
— New York Times
A Food Tour of Arthur Avenue, the Bronx's Little Italy
Little Italy in Lower Manhattan has long been associated with pizza parlors and gelato bars. But with gentrification, the neighborhood has shrunk and many residents have relocated to other boroughs and suburbs.
One of the most noteworthy is the Bronx's Arthur Avenue, where another, more authentic Little Italy proves harder to get to for tourists but infinitely more rewarding to visit…
— CNN
Volcano and Earthquake Museum to Open in Iceland
A new attraction exploring Iceland’s unique and volatile geology is to launch next month. Lava, the Iceland Volcano…
— The Guardian
Cruise
Another Carnival Ship Gets a Guy Fieri Eatery
The Galveston, Texas-based Carnival Breeze is the latest Carnival ship to boast a barbecue eatery designed by celebrity chef Guy Fieri. An overhaul of the 3,690-passenger vessel in recent weeks included the addition of Fieri's Pig…
— USA Today
How Do Cruise Ships Stay Afloat?
It’s the question every cruise passenger wonders about, and one that was articulated in the opening credits of ITV’s recent fly-on-the-wall docudrama, The Cruise. Arriving at the quayside to start her holiday aboard Royal Princess, one woman gazed up at her home for the next week, and proclaimed: “Beautiful! Makes you wonder how they keep afloat.” The vessel might have the Duchess of Cambridge as a godmother – she was heavily pregnant with Prince William when she cut the ribbon in 2013 – but to most eyes she’s no beauty…
— Telegraph (London)
Transportation
Angry Passengers Brawl after Spirit Cancels Flights
Lines are longer than usual. Hundreds of flights have been delayed or canceled during the past week. By Monday, frustrations boiled over for Spirit Airlines passengers in Fort Lauderdale. Police were called to quell fights that had broken out there between upset fliers and beleaguered airline employees. Videos posted by passengers showed a chaotic scene, with authorities doing their best to separate fighting fliers…
— USA Today
Canada To Get a New Arctic Hub Airport
Starting this coming winter, though, future travellers will be able to enjoy the best high-latitude airport experience outside Iceland — where Keflavik is both the well-appointed main airport for Reykjavik, and an increasingly busy mid-Atlantic hub. Work is stepping up at Iqaluit so that an entirely new international terminal can be completed during the brief sub-Arctic summer. The new terminal is eight times bigger than the current terminal, and will allow international arrivals in significant numbers for the first time…
— The Independent
Investigation Underway After Pilot Caught Napping in Business Class while Trainee Flew the Plane
A pilot from Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Pakistan's national carrier, is being investigated for potentially putting the lives of more than 305 passengers at risk by allegedly allowing a trainee pilot to fly the aircraft soon after take-off while he reportedly took a nap in a passenger seat last month, according to a passenger on board the flight. Captain Amir Akhtar Hashmi was reported to be operating London-bound flight PK-785 from Islamabad, the Pakistani capital, on April 26 along with first officer pilot Ali Hassan Yazdani, and another first officer - Mohammad Asad Ali - who was being trained by Mr Hashmi, according to Dawn, the Pakistani daily newspaper…
— Telegraph (London)
Lodging
Summer Camp for the Family
Summer camp used to be for children. But in recent years (maybe because of their children’s Instagram posts of water skiing and spiking volleyballs) parents decided they wanted in on the fun. Now, resorts — some luxe, others more basic — are offering more than s’mores for family stays…
— New York Times
Marriott Adopts Modular Construction
Marriott International, the largest hotel company in the world, is betting big on modular construction to drive its growth in North America. The Bethesda, Md.-based company expects to sign 50 hotel deals this year that would incorporate prefabricated guestrooms and/or bathrooms. That would make up about 13% of signings for North America this year…
— USA Today
10 Amazing Properties that Prove You're Wrong About Bed and Breakfasts
The AA has announced its annual Bed and Breakfast Awards, with Glenegedale House on the Isle of Islay, Maiden’s Tower at Leeds Castle, Kent, and The Grove in Cromer scooping the top awards. But a survey by the organisation has suggested that less than one per cent of 15,000 holidaymakers consider…
— Telegraph (London)
Other and Odd
How to Choose Between a Backpack and a Suitcase for Travel
Different types of vacations require different gear, and one of the biggest choices most of us make as we head off to the airport is the choice between packing everything into a backpack or a suitcase. They each have their strengths and weaknesses and are better suited for certain situations. The choice between these two might seem arbitrary. But anyone who’s had to lug a roller suitcase for a mile down a dirt road from the train to a hotel, or who’s pulled a wrinkled suit out of a backpack right before a wedding, knows that the wrong choice can ruin a vacation…
— Lifehacker
Why Solo Travel Could Change Your Life
If you’re debating whether to take that first solo trip, consider this - travelling solo won’t just help you discover new destinations, it could actually change your life.
That’s according to a recent survey of almost 13,000 people from booking.com, which found that the first experience of travelling alone inspires us to make life-changing decisions - 13% changed job or career, while the same percentage also changed their relationship and more than 20% chose to live somewhere new. Who knew a holiday could do all that... here’s why…
— The Huffington Post (UK)
Today in History
The Theft of the Crown Jewels
On May 9, 1671, a parson visited the Tower of London. 77 year old Talbot Edwards, the keeper of the jewels, was very fond of this parson, and hoped that his niece would someday marry the parson's nephew…
— Travel Research Online
Mike's Morning Missives
How to Stay Committed to Your Business
 When some people are ready to set out on their own and assume the role of entrepreneurship, they often turn to travel, as it sounds so appealing.
When starting your own business it’s often easy to get yourself started, but a lot harder to keep yourself going when things become challenging. Here are ten tips to help you stay…
— 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 ➠
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