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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
36 Hours in Jaipur
Nearly 300 years ago, an enlightened maharajah with a penchant for jewels and an eye for architecture built a planned city amid the arid hills of northwest India. Called Jaipur after the city’s founder, Jai Singh II, it arose on a grid of urban sectors not just for royal palaces, but for the workshops of artisans recruited to establish a new commercial hub. These…
— New York Times
From Tel Aviv to Berlin, Here Are the Best Places to See Bauhaus Architecture
The Bauhaus school of design turns 100 in 2019. The style, recognisable for its flat roofs, white or glass-skinned walls and boldly modern details, has influenced skyscrapers, typefaces and most things in between. Celebrations will happen around the world, but especially in Germany, where the school’s original brilliance was short-lived. Founded in Weimar…
— The Independent
Tours and Activities
10 Travel-Worthy Christmas Trees Across the USA
Christmas trees draw communities and travelers together, says Tim O’Connor, executive director of the National Christmas Tree Association. Towering and elaborately decorated public trees allow visitors to join in local holiday traditions and gatherings. “They really symbolize Christmas so well, and attract tens of thousands of people.” He shares some…
— USA Today
Whistler Blackcomb: How to Ski North America's Largest Resort
Every winter, more skiers and snowboarders pick Canada’s Whistler Blackcomb than any other resort in North America. It is stunningly large, with the most skiable terrain (8,171 acres) and highest vertical rise (5,280 feet) on the continent, and each of its two interconnected mountains is bigger than other top-tier destination resorts. The result is virtually every snow…
— USA Today
Cruise
‘Embarrassed’ Couple Kicked Off Cruise Ship for Booking Error: 'We Couldn't Believe It'
A confused couple was booted off their cruise and left stranded in South Korea — and thousands of dollars out of pocket — over a simple but profound error they made when booking their trip. And their mistake is a lesson for all of us, said Michelle Couch-Friedman from consumer rights group Elliott Advocacy, which was not able to get compensation for the devastated…
— Fox Travel News
Best Retirement Cruises for Seniors
With onboard activities, nearly unlimited amounts of food, and gorgeous ports, cruising is a very popular and convenient choice for seniors. Whether it’s checking an adventure off a bucket list or relaxing on a deck chair, below are some of the best choices for…
— Reader's Digest
Transportation
Should You Print Out Your Plane Ticket? Qantas Puts an End to Confusing Rule
When my mother told me we had to print our plane tickets before going to the airport together I told her not to worry about it. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d printed a domestic ticket, but as an infrequent flyer she had done what we all really should do and actually read her e-ticket…
— Escape
A Little Girl Named Abcde Was Mocked By a Southwest Gate Agent. The Airline Has Apologized.
A Texas mother is calling out a Southwest Airlines employee who she said mocked her 5-year-old daughter’s name and then posted a picture of the small child’s boarding pass on social media. Traci Redford told ABC affiliate KABC her daughter’s name is Abcde, which is pronounced “ab-si-dee.” Redford said the incident occurred several weeks ago…
— The Washington Post
Lodging
Marriott's Starwood Database Hacked, 500 Million Guests May Be Affected
Marriott International said on Friday that hackers illegally accessed its Starwood Hotels brand's reservation database since 2014, potentially exposing personal information on about 500 million guests. Shares of the company fell nearly 6 percent to about $115 in trading before the bell. The company said for 327 million guests, personal information…
— Yahoo
These Airport Nap Pods Are Like Tiny Hotel Rooms for Tired Travelers
Everything's better when naps are included, especially while traveling. A brand new micro-hotel is opening up at Washington Dulles International Airport just in time for busy holiday travelers with long layovers, according to USA Today. Sleepbox Nap Lounge, located in Concourse A, is a little like those privacy pods that have been popping up in…
— Travel+Leisure
Other and Odd
The 27 Best Places to Travel in 2019
For this year’s list of best places to travel, we asked writers and contributors from around the world to tell us about the destinations they were most excited about. Our 2018 picks highlighted great meals and budget-friendly destinations. This year, we’ve organized the list in a more interactive format that allows you to see everything on a map. Want to go…
— Mic
The World's Most Scenic Flight?
That's Honolulu -- Majuro -- Kwajalein -- Kosrae -- Pohnpei -- Chuuk -- Guam. You'll definitely want a window seat.
Aviation geeks call it "the holy grail of flight routes." For contractors it's one of the world's most picturesque commutes, while for islanders across the region it's a lifeline. Welcome aboard United Airlines 154, the Island Hopper, a Boeing 737-800…
— CNN
Today in History
Mark Twain
On this day in 1835, Samuel Langhorne Clemens was born in the small town of Florida, Missouri. Better known by his pseudonym, Mark Twain, the writer proved to be one of the true originals of American literature. His novels The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn earned Twain a public following…
— Travel Research Online
Agent Perspectives
Shaking the Dust Off the History Books
by Paull Tickner
Friday November 30, 2018
In the world of customised UK/Ireland tours, I never know what’s going to appear overnight on my laptop. Requests in the past few days have been for a Public Broadcasting Station tour to Cornwall (Doc Martin and Poldark), a food and whisky tour of Scotland, a post cruise 3-nighter to the Cotswolds and a Methodist church interested in next year’s 350th anniversary of Susannah Wesley, mother of her 2 famous sons, John and Charles. More on that shortly.
I also created a small group tour for an action-filled 3 days at Europe’s largest Viking Festival in York which made me curious to learn more about some of the other living history events that fill the UK’s calendar each year. What I’ve discovered is a nation-wide…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Deck Plans
River Cruise 101: Crystal River Cruises
Crystal is a na me that’s been synonymous with cruising for 25 years, but it wasn’t until 2016 that the company entered the river cruise market with Crystal Mozart, an older ship refitted to suit the line’s plans. Crystal Mozart made a big splash, boasting a width twice the size of the other river cruise ships and allowing for grander public areas like the Life Spa, fitness center, an indoor pool, plus king-sized beds in every stateroom.
In 2017, Crystal continued to boldly push permissible limits with its brand-new, all-balcony, all-suite, “Rhine Class” river yachts: Crystal Bach and Crystal Mahler. These are more standard river cruisers in size, spanning a length of 443 feet, the maximum size allowed on the Danube, Rhine, Main, and…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Mike's Morning Missives
Lazy, Busy, Befuddled
 Your buyers are no different than you are. Chances are, they’re overworked, underpaid, and scurrying morning-to-night trying to get have the things on their to-do list done. Their scurrying around day in and day out might even paint them as action-oriented individuals. But, when push comes to shove, nothing could be further from the…
— 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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Upcoming Training Opportunities
What’s New with Emerald Waterways for 2019
Thursday, December 6, 2018 at 4 pm EST/1 pm PST
Experience Exceptional Emerald Value with one of Europe’s newest and best-designed river cruise fleets. Emerald Waterways, voted ‘Best Value for Money’ by the discerning editors at Cruise Critic three years in a row, features all meals, complimentary beer and wine with lunch and dinner, a shore excursion almost every day, exceptional service from English-speaking crew, airport transfers, and all gratuities – all included in the price. Our Star-Ships are praised for their striking design, innovative amenities and contemporary approach to European river cruising. Join us for an Overview and Update on 2019 itineraries and hear about available special offers.
Register Now ➠
The Best Rail Vacations of 2018
Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at 3 pm EST/12 pm PST
Take a look back at the top destinations, trains and experiences of 2018 with Vacations By Rail. This educational discussion includes an overview of the iconic trains that make each rail journey unique, from the scenic routes to the onboard experiences and amenities.
Register Now ➠
Go Luxury in China and Asia
Tuesday, December 4, 2018 at 1 pm EST/10 am PST
Let us introduce you to new luxury products in China and Asia. The word of luxury (it may be cliche) has always been widely used in our industry.... Here's a definition of luxury that sounds much better according to Merriam- Webster Dictionary: a condition or situation of great comfort, ease, and wealth.
Register Now ➠
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