Editor’s Note — TRO wants to remind its Travelgram readers the articles presented here are meant to assist you in remaining informed and prepared to discuss travel news of the day with clients.
Destinations
The Sights and Smells of Sicily’s Second City
The sights and smells of the new city hit me square-on after stepping out onto the uneven stone pavement: the peddlers selling gelato and icy granitas, shops full of fresh pasta, motorbikes zooming in and out between lanes of cars, and walls covered in multicolored graffiti. I walked a bit along the…
— New York Times
21 Places in Italy You Never Thought to Visit
Planning an Italian holiday in 2018 but want to escape the tourist hordes? Then head instead to one of these lesser-known gems: Marina de Pisciotta, Campania; Bergamo, Lombardy; Montefalco, Umbria;…
— Telegraph (London)
Tours and Activities
How to Spend Eurovision Weekend in Lisbon
This is a dynamic time for Lisbon, with a seemingly unstoppable wave of new hotels, restaurants, and museums opening between the rambling old quarters and the waterfront that runs along the river Tagus to the Atlantic. During the summer months, it comes into its own with…
— The Independent
Ceramics, Chilaquiles, and Micheladas: An Artist's Guide to Guadalajara
I planned my trip to Guadalajara trip on a whim, heeding rumblings and whispers in my orbit. In the central state of Jalisco, Guadalajara is the country’s second largest metropolitan center, with more than 4 million people and 8 districts, but it is still a city artist Gabriel Rico described as, “the B-Sides of Mexico…
— Vogue
Cruise
Carnival Cruise Line Reveals Plans for Cuba Sailings From Charleston, S.C.
You'll soon be able to cruise to Cuba from Charleston, S.C. Cruise giant Carnival on Thursday said the 3,002-passenger Carnival Sunshine would begin Cuba sailings from Charleston in late 2019. It'll mark the first time a cruise ship has sailed to the island nation from the city. …
— USA Today
How to pick the right cruise cabin for you
Anxious about seasickness? Craving a room with a view? Or perhaps you’re travelling with a large family in tow. Whatever your situation or personal preferences, when it comes to choosing a cabin, it pays to do your homework. Whether you’re a first-timer, an old hand cruise hound, or just a picky punter, the variety of cruise cabin categories and locations on-board can leave even the most experienced traveller scratching their…
— Escape
Transportation
New High-Speed Train Could Connect London and Bordeaux
A cross-country collab between train operators may actually beat out Supreme x Rimowa as this year's most exciting partnership. That's because HS1 Ltd, Eurotunnel, SNCF Réseau, and Lisea, all players on different segments of a potential link between London and…
— Conde Nast Traveler
Long Lines? TSA Says It's Ready for Crush of Summer Fliers
The Transportation Security Administration is preparing for some of the busiest travel days it has ever seen this summer, with a whopping 2.7 million travelers expected to fly from U.S. airports during peak days around holidays, Administrator David Pekoske said Thursday. TSA typically screens 2.2 million to 2.3 million passengers per day, but anticipates larger crowds during June, July and…
— USA Today
Lodging
The Best Vacation Rentals with Ocean Views
You know you're on vacation when you fall asleep to the sound of the waves lapping against the shore and wake up to the sun rising over a watery horizon. Just ask Sebastiaan Bedaux, a keen traveler who has compiled stunning ocean-based vacation rentals into a new book: "Ocean View: The Perfect Holiday Homes," published by Lannoo, which showcases some stunning sea properties from across the…
— CNN
Newly Renovated Bargain Hotel on Kauai Offers Beachfront Rooms
A renovated and renamed beachfront hotel on Kauai favors a basic over luxury vibe. That means prices for less than $200 a night for rooms that have lanais and great ocean views. The ISO, formerly the Castle Mokihana, began greeting guests at the end of April following a $5-million face-lift to the lobby, grounds and all 79…
— LA Times
Other and Odd
The Average American Worker Takes Less Vacation Time Than a Medieval Peasant
The Church, mindful of how to keep a population from rebelling, enforced frequent mandatory holidays. Weddings, wakes, and births might mean a week off quaffing ale to celebrate, and when wandering jugglers or sporting events came to town, the peasant expected time off for…
— Business Insider
You No Longer Need a Snorkel to See This Nevada Ghost Town
The ice cream parlor served up its last scoop more than three quarters of a century ago and now all that's left are some crumbling concrete walls and a sun-bleached chimney that reaches toward a big desert sky. These ghostly remains are silent testimony that not every bustling city in Nevada grows into Las Vegas, Reno or Carson…
— San Francisco Chronicle
Today in History
ValuJet Flight 592
On May 11, 1996, technicians for the SabreTech corporation loaded cases of oxygen canisters aboard low cost carrier ValuJet's flight 592 from Miami to Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia. The canisters were mistakenly thought to be empty, but loading them into the cargo hold was in contravention of FAA regulations which forbid the transport of hazardous materials in the cargo hold of a commercial flight. During taxi and takeoff, it is theorized one of the canisters was activated by a sudden…
— Travel Research Online
Agent Perspectives
Doc Martin, Poldark, Mad Alice and the Land of the Red Dragon
by Paull Tickner Friday May 11, 2018
If you’re a f an of Doc Martin, Poldark, the legends of King Arthur and Cream Teas, check out my top story which can be customised for independent clients or small groups.
If developing higher end UK-bound business is on your agenda, with my help, the new Best Loved Hotels’ Travel Guide should become a well-thumbed guide to some of the best in British in British hotel keeping.
With non-stop flights into the Manchester gateway on the increase, I’ve added a few bright ideas that will add something extra to tours heading for the great heritage cities of York and Chester and some imaginative suggestions for North Wales, the Land of the Red…
— Travel Research Online Read the rest of this article »
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Mike's Morning Missives
Finding Customers Should Be Fun
Easter always reminds me of the days when hunting for eggs played an important role in our development. Realizing it or not, this little exercise taught us how to have fun; how to accept disappointment; how to celebrate small victories; how to remain persistent; how to run fast and think on our feet; and many other important lessons that I just can’t recall at the moment.
Looking for Easter Eggs was a great event as the adults giggled and were entertained as the little ones bobbed and weaved throughout the house and perhaps out onto the lawn to seek these rewards, all the while basking in the applause and support from their parents. Those were the…
— Travel Research Online Read the rest of this article »
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Soundings
A “New” Cruise Company: Saga Cruises
by Susan Schaefer Friday May 11, 2018
Have you every had that client request that was challenging to meet, or even impossible? They want a cruise, but they don’t want kids onboard or even younger adults, and they’re traveling solo. Adult only cruises haven’t been available outside of the charter market. We know Virgin Voyages will start sailing in 2020 with an adult only product. But they are not targeting a specific age range, other than adult. Then, along comes Saga Cruises.
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Deck Plans
Seabourn’s Announces Expedition Team for 2018 Alaska Cruises
Seabourn is put ting adventure at the forefront for its Alaska and British Columbia season this summer with an offering of optional Ventures by Seabourn guided kayak, Zodiac, catamaran, and hiking tours. From exploring Misty Fjords, Holgate Glacier and the Inian Islands by kayak or Zodiac, to hiking Mendenhall Glacier, Rainbow Falls and the Perseverance Trail, all Ventures by Seabourn excursions will be led by an expedition team. — 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!
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Upcoming Training Opportunities

Argentina and Beyond with Aerolineas Argentinas and Delta
Thursday, May 17, 2018 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT
Join Aerolineas Argentinas and Delta for their informative webinar on Thursday, May 17.
Register Now ➠

Explore the Sunshine Coast – Australia’s best kept secret and Queensland’s hidden gem!
Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT
Just one hour north of Brisbane in Queensland is the region known as the Sunshine Coast – Australia’s best kept secret and Queensland’s hidden gem! From the majestic Glass House Mountains to Noosa and the coloured sands of Rainbow Beach, the region includes over 100 kilometres of pristine sandy beaches, surrounded by the quiet beauty of coastal and hinterland villages. The Sunshine Coast offers you on an Australia vacation abundant in nature, with a relaxed beach culture, fresh local food, world-class events, and bucket list experiences just waiting to be explored.
Register Now ➠

What’s New from Emerald Waterways in 2019 – Europe’s Rivers
Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
Experience the Exceptional Emerald Value on one of Europe’s newest and best-designed river cruise fleets, Emerald Waterways. Voted Best River Cruise Line For Value by the discerning experts at Cruise Critic for three years in a row, our ships and river cruises are praised for their striking design, innovative highlights and contemporary approach, setting a trip with us apart from any other river cruise. During our webinar you’ll learn what’s new for 2019, hear about our brand new promotions and find out about the re-launch of our online training tool, Emerald Specialist. Sign up today to join our Richard Hickey, Director of Key Accounts, to learn how you can build your business with Emerald Waterways.
Register Now ➠
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