Destinations
Surf and Spa in Varberg, Sweden’s Best-Kept Secret
Hidden on Sweden’s west coast between Gothenburg and Skåne (though easily reachable by both train and car), this picturesque small village is a well-kept secret. Varberg’s reputation as a spa and wellness resort actually dates back to the 1800s, making it the perfect destination for a serene vacation focusing on relaxation and health…
— Vogue
8 Pedestrian-Friendly U.S. Cities to Explore
In honor of Car Free Day — Friday, Sept. 22 — take stock of these old (and new) pedestrian-friendly American destinations…
— New York Times
Tours and Activities
A Churros-Fueled Brunch Tour Of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter
Exploring the culinary history of the Catalonian capital one delicacy at a time with Barcelona Food Tour guide Kaye Pineda…
— The Washington Post
Everything you Need to Know about Visiting Kensington Palace
William and Kate inhabit Apartment 1a with Prince George and Princess Charlotte, and Prince Harry has a cottage in the grounds. For the rest of us, the working royal palace is walled off and we have access to the complex historical bit…
— Telegraph (London)
If you go . . . Monument Mountain and Mount Greylock
You can hike Monument Mountain at any time, but if you want to experience something special, join a group of enthusiasts to recreate the famous picnic hike on which Hawthorne and Melville met for the first time…
— The Boston Globe
Cruise
Cruise Ships to Return to Key West Earlier than Expected
Good news, cruisers: It looks like Irma-slammed Key West, Fla. will be back on cruise ship schedules far sooner than expected. Royal Caribbean on Thursday said it had been cleared to return to the destination as early as this weekend — weeks earlier than it had been expecting just days ago…
— USA Today
Cruise News: U by Uniworld, Viking Sun’s World Voyage and More
Luxury river cruise operator Uniworld’s ambitious plan to tap into the 21- to 45-year-old market with its U by Uniworld brand is going full steam ahead…
— Escape
Transportation
Delta ending Moscow, Stockholm flights; Beefs Up other European Routes
Delta’s seasonal service between New York JFK and both Moscow and Stockholm will not resume next year, Delta said in a Thursday memo to employees that was obtained by Today in the Sky. The move will end Delta-operated service to both cities…
— USA Today
Spirit Airplane's Failing Engine Sends Metal Shards Flying Over Michigan Neighborhood
On Sunday night, residents of Dearborn Heights, Mich., reported hearing mysterious metallic objects crashing around their homes, only to go outdoors and discover hot metal shards falling from the sky. The cause? A Spirit flight overhead was experiencing engine failure, sending pieces of its blown-apart turbine engine raining down on Dearborn, according to the FAA…
— Fox Travel News
Five Peculiar Things You Didn't Know About Landing A Plane
These facts are something to think about anytime you’re in the window seat and gazing out at the wonder of your approaching world. They might be of interest, too, if there’s a professional flying lesson in your not-too-distant future…
— Telegraph (London)
LAX gets Dismal Passenger Satisfaction Ranking while John Wayne Airport wins High Marks
The low ranking for LAX comes amid several major projects underway, in the works or recently completed, including construction of a $1.6-billion terminal that began earlier this year, the addition of high-end stores and eateries, and an automated people mover that will take travelers to and from a centralized car rental location…
— LA Times
Lodging
Is This Amsterdam's Most Convenient Boutique Hotel?
US hotel chain Kimpton has done everything in its power to ensure its first European outpost is suited to its Amsterdam home. The De Witt, which re-opened in May, is splashed in Delft blue hues, traditionally found in Dutch pottery, as a nod to the city’s history…
— The Independent
When It's All About The Hotel, Not The Destination
From doing jail time to sleeping in a treehouse, these unique hotels and inns from New York to New Hampshire prove that sometimes it's all about where you stay rather than where you're going…
— Courant.com
Chatham Bars Inn has Always Been About the Beach. Now it’s Also About the Farm.
The inn has purchased more than 31,000 pounds of produce, worth upward of $118,000, from CBI Farm this year, and Chef Anthony Cole has achieved something unexpected with the bounty: He has made the inn a place where vegetables may be the star culinary attraction…
— The Boston Globe
Other and Odd
UK Tourism Hits Record High As Weak Pound Lures Overseas Holidaymakers
More international tourists visited the UK in July than during any month on record, as a slump in the pound sharpened the country’s appeal as a holiday destination…
— The Independent
Powerful 6.4 Magnitude Earthquake Rips Through Pacific Island Vanuatu
The earthquake struck Erromago, an island in the Vanuatu archipelago roughly 135 kilometres south of the capital city of Port Vila, at 7.09am local time on Thursday…
— Daily Mail
Today in History
Nathan Hale Executed
On September 21, 1776, British forces on the island of New York captured American spy Nathan Hale who had slipped behind the enemy front to report on British movements…
— Travel Research Online
Mike's Morning Missives
Play Like You Are 80!
 A few years back Wayne Chrebet called it a career after playing eleven years with the NFL's New York Jets. So what's the big deal?
Well, Wayne had no business playing in a game which happens to be our closest representative of legalized violence. For you arm chair Monday-morning quarterbacks and wives or girlfriends of these same wanna-bees, I understand you may take exception to my heartfelt feelings. I happen to know "a thing or two" about the game. It got me to college on a free pass, and then was responsible for breaking an ankle and separating a collar bone in lieu of payment.
Yes my friends, football is a contact sport. A lot like…
— Travel Research Online
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Soundings
The Latest and Greatest
by Susan Schaefer
Friday September 22, 2017
In the chaos of hurricanes over the past few weeks, other cruise news has gone unnoticed. So let’s take a break from Hurricanes Harvey through Maria, and look at the latest improvements rolled out in Espresso, the booking engine used by Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Azamara.
Previous Espresso enhancements rolled out earlier this year included the ability to redeem group amenity points online, along with other group management enhancements. The newest enhancements rolled out last month are a mix of…
— 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
Discover hidden treasures of Flanders, Belgium
Thursday, September 28, 2017 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
Flanders, Belgium is known for beer, chocolates, its well preserved architecture and UNESCO world heritage cities such as Bruges. But Flanders has so much more to offer. Experiences that we haven’t covered in great detail in previous webinars. Join us for this webinar and discover what hidden treasures Flanders has to offer. Learn about Belgian wines and whiskey. Get to know some amazing castles and off the beaten bath landscapes. Find out about world renowned museums. Understand multi-generational and accessible travel in Flanders. And discover why the world famous Smurfs are just one of many Belgian comics.
Register Now ➠
Getting to Know Scenic – All-Inclusive, All Luxury, All the Time
Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT
Only Scenic Luxury Cruises creates and delivers a truly all-inclusive experience for travelers who seek extraordinary experiences and exceptional service. When your clients travel with Scenic, you can be confident that we have thought of every detail, and every single aspect of their comfort and peace of mind has been considered. On this webinar, you will learn all aspects of Scenic and our five-star, truly all-inclusive luxury river cruise vacations, including:
Register Now ➠
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