Destinations
Where to Go in Italy's Small, Dying Towns
Staying a night or two (or longer) in an ancient, largely depopulated but glorious Italian hill town is not for everyone, but for those who like the idea of passing a couple of quiet days walking, reading, eating (really well) and drinking in the sublime surroundings, it can be bliss…
— New York Times
Casinos, Craft Beer and Holy Caves – is this Europe's Most Surprising Country?
Georgia’s splendid food, breathtaking nature and rich culture have long made it a sought-after destination for adventurous travellers. Thriving amidst its Orthodox Christian cathedrals and farmsteads is a culture of gourmet coffee, clubbing and casinos…
— Telegraph (London)
A Guide to Bornholm: Denmark's Sunny Island Escape
Once a lucrative fishing island, following the collapse of the fishing industry in the 1990s (due to overfishing), the island was faced with an identity crisis. Locals turned to the fertile soil, warmer temperatures, and sunlight for farming and producing local products, which quickly garnered the island’s reputation as an ingredient hotbed…
— Vogue
Tours and Activities
12 Most Thrilling Roller Coasters in the USA
Today's mechanical behemoths are faster, taller, crazier – and just plain more thrilling – than their predecessors. How thrilling? Well, check out some of the stats on the country's most extreme coasters…
— USA Today
10 Things to Do in Cartagena de Indias, the Caribbean Jewel in Colombia's crown
Akin to an open-air museum, the walled UNESCO World Heritage Site hides a wealth of colonial architecture and monuments, but you can also escape to one of the nearby beaches, a boat ride away, for a tropical experience…
— The Independent
NYC Museum Putting the Focus on Women
The stately but intimate New York Historical Society Museum and Library on the Upper West Side offers visitors something unique among the changing exhibits examining New York and US history. On the newly transformed fourth floor of the building is the Center for Women’s History, the first of its kind within a major American museum…
— The Boston Globe
Cruise
Hurricane Irma Affecting Cruise Ships based as far away as Maryland, Texas
Voyages out of Baltimore; Galveston, Texas; and New Orleans are being affected as the storm approaches the mainland United States…
— USA Today
Cruising Milford Sound, New Zealand’s ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’
The breathtaking vision of fjords at New Zealand’s majestic Milford Sound is not the only surprise. It’s the height of summer and the temperature is 4C, but it feels closer to freezing due to the bracing breeze…
— Escape
Transportation
Flying with United? Now you can Ask Alexa to Check You In for your Flight
If you’re always in a rush to make it to the airport, United Airlines has announced a new feature that could save you some time – simply asking Alexa to check in for you…
— Lonely Planet
Hurricane Irma: 2,000 Florida Flights Already Canceled, More Likely
Thousands of flights have been canceled in Florida – many preemptively – amid a rush of fliers trying to flee the state ahead of Irma’s possible landfall this weekend. Airlines expanded their change-fee waivers to include airports as far north as the Carolinas…
— USA Today
New 8,400 mile Train Journey will connect London to Toyko
The project would involve constructing a 28-mile bridge that would allow trains to cross the East Sea. Beginning in London, the train would take travellers through the heart of Russia before concluding in Wakkanai, Japan…
— The Independent
Lodging
This Hotel Lets You Stay in a Pimped-Out VW Campervan
In a nod to the island’s hippy heritage, the Sol Beach House hotel in Santa Eularia has installed the van for guests to stay in or use throughout the day – it’s a shady haven in the afternoon when temperatures can reach 40C…
— The Independent
Why This Type of Modern Boutique Hotel Is Paris's Best Kept Secret
So you’re planning a vacation to Paris, and are looking for somewhere nice to stay. So what’s a traveler to do? Consider instead a series of relatively new boutique hotels popping up around The City of Light…
— Vogue
Hotel Buffets, a Culprit of Food Waste, Get Downsized
Hyatt has teamed up with Ideo, the global design firm, to remake the buffet, a hotel staple that oozes excess…
— New York Times
Other and Odd
What You Need to Know About Hurricanes and Travel
If you have a trip planned where a storm is expected, call your hotel and airline. If you have already arrived, have your bags packed and phone charged…
— New York Times
These Are the Best U.S. Cities to Visit If You Want to Fall in Love
It might behoove you to take a big step back and consider the city in which you’re looking for love. It matters more than you think…
— Vogue
Today in History
Episode 1: Star Trek
The original Star Trek series aired for the first time on September 8, 1966. The last episode aired a short three years later on June 3, 1969…
— Travel Research Online
Mike's Morning Missives
Think In 3's
 I find it hard at times to fathom just how fast the year is passing. It is September already, and the air is filled with footballs and soon to be falling leaves. Time's flying and there isn’t much we can do about it. But there is something we can do with it.
Before moving forward, let’s take a quick look back by asking ourselves a few…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Soundings
It Seems Like Harvey Was a Dress Rehearsal
by Susan Schaefer
Friday September 08, 2017
Last week when  I wrote about Hurricane Harvey and how the cruise lines responded, I never thought I would be writing about hurricanes the following week. I considered writing about something else cruise-related, but it all seems so unimportant right now.
Last week I said that calling Hurricane Harvey a major hurricane seemed like an understatement, and I was right. But Hurricane Irma is giving Harvey a run for his money. She’s bound and determined to make Hurricane Harvey look like an April shower in comparison. News outlets have referred to Hurricane Irma as possibly the worst recorded Atlantic hurricane in history.
The damage she has left in her wake has been nothing short of devastating. The island of Barbuda was demolished for all intents and…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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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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Cartoons
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Upcoming Training Opportunities
What's New for 2018!
Thursday, September 21, 2017 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
Having been in business since 1939, Image Tours is one of the most experienced Europe tour operators in the world and they have earned a reputation for high quality tours at an affordable price. While their emphasis is on introducing your clients to the European way of life, Image Tours remains aware of the small details appreciated by American travelers.
Register Now ➠
KwaZulu-Natal - South Africa’s Awe-Inspiring Province
Thursday, September 14, 2017 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
Join Kirsty Perring, General Manager of the Africa and the Middle East at Goway as she takes you on a journey through the magnificent South African province of KwaZulu-Natal. The Zulu Kingdom, is right up there on "must-see, must- do" lists of discerning travelers around the globe. Nowhere else in the world will you find such a unique fusion of raw natural beauty, modern sophistication, cultural diversity and pulsating energy – all in the most breathtaking natural setting. These are all just some of the reasons why KwaZulu-Natal should be on your clients bucket list. Experience awe-inspiring world heritage sites such as the coastal iSimangaliso Wetland Park and the mountainous 'Barrier of Spears' in Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg Park. Follow in the footsteps of legendary Zulu kings. Witness the unforgettable wildlife in prestigious game reserves. The truth is; there is just no comparison.
Register Now ➠
Explore the World of Transformative Travel with Perillo's Learning Journeys
Wednesday, September 13, 2017 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
Join Learning Journeys President Carol Dimopoulos to explore the world of transformative travel.
Register Now ➠
Top Travel Trends and Great Escapes to Africa
Tuesday, September 12, 2017 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT
You are invited to join the experts at South African Airways and South African Airways Vacations and learn about the best way to fly to Africa and the more than 80 air-inclusive packages available offering value and variety for your clients.
Register Now ➠
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