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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
Paris of the North? Athens of the South? The Cities With an Identity Crisis
Not every destination can be a Venice, Paris or Rome. The next best thing? Add a suffix that describes your global location and hope it takes off. Here we look at some of the most ambitious - and ludicrous - alternatives to the greatest cities in Europe.…
— Telegraph (London)
France's Chausey Islands: All the Tide in the World
It’s low tide in the Chausey Islands and our barefoot group are peering into a shallow rock pool. Olivier, our guide, stoops to investigate: it holds a green crab, some shrimps and a clam, which he prizes open and offers us…
— The Guardian
Tours and Activities
Universal Orlando: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Ride Now in 4K-HD
Universal Orlando has upgraded the projection system on one of its rides in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Now seen in 4K-HD is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, the thrill ride set inside the Hogwarts castle building at Islands of Adventure theme park. The ride, which opened with the original segment of Wizarding World in 2010, now has "superior clarity," according to a post on Universal Orlando's official…
— Miami Herald
Living With a Monster: Tourism at a Guatemala Volcano
From the peak of Pacaya they had a clear view of the nearby Volcano of Fire, which erupted June 3, emitting a fast-moving avalanche of super-heated muck that killed at least 110 people and left about 200 missing. “I would encourage people to come and see the beauty of the place; there’s nothing necessarily to fear,” said Maximilian Penn, a chef from New York gazing at the breathtaking view.…
— Vancouver Sun
Cruise
Cruise ship tours: Inside Ponant's Le Soleal, a vessel designed for adventure
Looking for a cruise on a ship that is intimate and upscale? Our latest Cruise Ship Tour, in the carousel above, offers a deck-by-deck look at Le Soleal — a small, elegant vessel that carries just 264 passengers. Unveiled in 2013, Le Soleal is one of four nearly identical ships operated by Ponant, a small French cruise line with a global customer…
— USA Today
Say 'I do' and Save Money? Whoever Thought You'd Say That in the Same Sentence? But a Cruise Means Both Can Happen
Twenty years ago, Princess Cruises revolutionized the industry by launching the first ocean-going wedding chapel. Since the Grand Princess set sail from Istanbul, Turkey, May 26, 1998, thousands of couples have tied the knot at sea. Couples could combine the wedding and the honeymoon, and the event would cost less than a conventional ceremony — about $27,000 less, according to a 2009 cruise industry…
— Sun Sentinel
Transportation
Breaking Down the Frequent Flier Mile Programs
We all dream of flying in first class, glass of prosecco in hand, away from the screaming children and armrest battles. But for most, that doesn’t happen very often — if ever. Frequent flier programs can help, landing travelers who spend a lot of time in the air free drinks and snacks, the occasional upgrade, and miles to redeem for flights. But negotiating the world of airline rewards can be…
— New York Times
How Airports Are Improving Travel for Passengers With Hidden Disabilities
UK airports are making progress when it comes to helping passengers with hidden disabilities, according to a new report published by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) today. Hidden disabilities can include autism, dementia and hearing loss and many other conditions that are not immediately obvious.…
— The Independent
Lodging
The Luxurious Hotel Where Trump Is Meeting Kim Jong Un Has $7,500-a-Night Rooms, Top-Notch Security, and Wild Peacocks
President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are set to have historic talks at a lavish resort in Singapore on Tuesday. The summit is scheduled to take place at the Capella Hotel on Singapore’s Sentosa Island, starting at 9 a.m. local time on June 12. The five-star Capella Hotel, a hot spot for celebrities including Madonna and Lady…
— Time
The World's Most Exclusive Hotels
There's a special breed of hotels that cater to the most discerning and tasteful of luxury travelers, so profoundly unforgettable and special you want to keep them all to yourself. Set apart by their location, sheer luxury, history or venerability -- and in many cases, all of the above -- we've handpicked 25 of the world's most exclusive hotels where you can…
— CNN
Other and Odd
Latvia: Europe's Nation of Introverts
In a comic book produced by the organisation Latvian Literature for the recent London Book Fair, the main character gives a rare smile on realising that the weather outside is perfect. That is, it’s heavily snowing, and thus he’s unlikely to meet anyone out on the roads. As he says, “below zero = below average risk of random…
— BBC
Inside an Eerie Abandoned Water Park in Vietnam
It started out—like so many failed things do—as a beautiful dream: a sprawling wonderland at the edge of a lake, a hedonistic playground the likes of which the area had never seen. Outside the confines of the city and everyday reality, the park would be a beacon of joy and whimsy, drawing visitors from near and far with its epic…
— Vogue
Today in History
Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall
On June 12, 1987, US President Ronald Reagan stood in front of cameras poised at the Berlin Wall. It was clear that the arms race with the Soviet Union was nearly over, that the United States had driven the Soviets to the brink of collapse. Soviet leader Gorbachev had met with Reagan at a number of summits to discuss the future of relations between the two nations. The future was clear, and Reagan seized a dramatic moment to make the following…
— Travel Research Online
Mike's Morning Missives
Have You Ever Been “Nailed”?
 As many of you know, I fall under the classification as a certified book junkie. Ever since I turned 35, I became a bookstore’s favorite visitor.
My bookshelf is jammed with volume after volume of sales and marketing texts, all underlined and dog-eared. I write notes on each page and jot the page numbers down inside the back cover. There is no way I could ever resell my books. I rip pages out and destroy the book in…
— Travel Research Online
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60-Second Geography
Manuel Antonio with Costa Rica Dream Adventures
by Joseph DeLoach
Tuesday June 12, 2018
Those that visit Costa Rica have a specific expectation of tropical forests, chattering monkeys, and pristine beaches. While the traveler can find these conditions all around the country, Manuel Antonio National Park is the epitome of paradise. This national park, and nearby town of Quepos, has everything the traveler will need to get away from it all – and find the perfect setting for rest and relaxation. Thanks to Costa Rica Dream Adventures, today you’ll learn all about this magnificent example of Costa Rica’s iconic coastline.
 — Travel Research Online
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Outposts
Sparse Beauty in the Serengeti, with Precision Air
by Joseph DeLoach
Tuesday June 12, 2018
In east Africa  there is a land that excites by picture or video alone. Iconic grasslands stretch for thousands of miles. Lions and giraffes roam plains that seem to reach the ends of the Earth. This land is the Serengeti, which means "endless plains" in the language of the tribe that calls it home, the Maasai. Thanks to Precision Air, today’s article is on this land that has changed little in the scheme of time.
The Serengeti spans approximately 12,000 square miles near Africa’s east coast. Most of it lies in northern Tanzania, with a small point bleeding over the border into southwestern Kenya. It is a diverse landscape where the traveler can find grasslands, swamps, woodlands,…
— 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
Following the footsteps of Darwin in Patagonia
Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
Visit Patagonia and explore the old stomping grounds of world-famous naturalist, scientist and author, Charles Darwin.
Register Now ➠
Compete with Costco Travel & Win!
Thursday, June 14, 2018 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT
Have you ever experienced helping a client plan a vacation only to have them call you and say they booked with Costco, Sam’s Club, or BJ’s because of a better deal? It’s the worst! Nothing is more frustrating and makes you feel more helplessness than when that happens. So what can you do about the low prices, amenities, sometimes rebates cleverly disguised as gift cards that are a thorn in your side? The answer - a lot more than you might think!
Register Now ➠
Explore China & Asia Beyond The Familiar
Wednesday, June 13, 2018 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT
Join Travel Research Online and Chinatour.com and let us introduce you to new products in China and Asia. While most of you are familiar with Beijing, Xian and Shanghai in China or Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket in Thailand, we’d like you to explore some other amazing secondary destinations to share with your discerning travelers. Other destinations in Indonesia besides Bali will be featured and we will be discussing and offering Agent FAM Trips as well.
Register Now ➠
Emerald Waterways in 2019 - Europe Rivers, Dalmatian Coast & Nile River
Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm 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 including Emerald Waterways’ first ocean cruise: the Islands of Dalmatia, and our newest Egypt, Nile River & Jordan programs. Sign up today to join Mark Junette, Regional Sales Manager, Southwest, to learn how you can build your business with Emerald Waterways.
Register Now ➠
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