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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
Take the long view: Chile revisited
When I first went to Chile 30 years ago, I interviewed a television weatherman. Every evening after the six o’clock news, this fellow had to say : “Tomorrow it will be very hot in the north, pleasantly warm in the middle, and perishing at the bottom.” What a shape. That was what attracted me to this long, thin country. Could a Chilean…
— The Guardian
Poland an undiscovered, un-crowded travel destination
Michigan’s connection to Poland is palpable. There is even a link to the late U.S. President Gerald Ford, who was raised in Grand Rapids, where he is now laid to rest. Ford’s gaffe, which he uttered in a presidential debate during the 1976 campaign, was in insisting “There is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe.” Ford’s statement is now a…
— Lansing State Journal
Tours and Activities
Forget stars' homes. These tours visit pot growers and bong makers
In Napa and Sonoma, tour bus operators ferry oenophiles between tasting rooms and vineyards. In Hollywood and environs, they shepherd the stars-truck past the homes of the rich and famous. Now they're giving customers a mind-expanding look at one of Los Angeles’ burgeoning industries:…
— LA Times
The 10 best solo vacations for 2019
Don’t have anyone to travel with in 2019? That’s no reason to stay home. Solo travel is on the rise, and tour operators, hotels and cruise lines are expanding their offerings to meet the increasing demand. Below are the 10 best solo vacations for 2019, covering every corner of the globe. Some of these trips made the list because they’re…
— USA Today
Luxury Weed Tourism Is the Hot New Trend in Canada
A businessman from China hopped on a private jet last month, landed in Canada and went hiking on the Cascade Range in BC. And then he smoked a fat blunt. This experience cost $12,500 [$9,272]. It’s part of a ‘high-hiking’ tour hosted by Butiq Escapes, a luxury weed tourism company based out of Victoria, British Columbia, where a…
— VIce
Cruise
Travel That Moves You: How Award-Winning Viking River Cruises Wows
Looking for a relaxing, yet horizon-stretching vacation that gently steers you to enchanting, enriching and entertaining destinations chock full of culture, history and nature? Add to that wish list deluxe accommodations, gourmet cuisine and attentive service by polished staff — plus no-fuss planning and booking. A best bet? River…
— Forbes
Your Personal Avatar Can Now Board the Cruise Ship With You
Sleek and gleaming white, the Caribbean Princess cruise ship looks like any other massive floating steel city at sea. But there's something special about this 951-foot long vessel. The Caribbean Princess has quietly undergone a complete digital overhaul over the past year, and its been outfitted with some first-of-its-kind technology that will…
— Wired
Transportation
Train lovers forge lifelong friendships through rail travel
They’re aboard because they love trains: The pilot from New Orleans, the computer consultant from New Jersey, the retired tax lawyer from Florida, the computer accounting consultant from Queens, N.Y., and his mother, the retired corporate executive, the computer scientist from Florida’s Space Coast. For the past decade, these one-time…
— Star Advertiser
Ryanair named 'worst short-haul airline'
The results from a Which survey of airline passengers ranked Ryanair at the bottom of 19 carriers flying from the UK. A Ryanair spokesperson said the airline's success was not reflected in the survey. The best performers were Guernsey-based Aurigny Air Service, Swiss Airlines, Jet2, Norwegian and Dutch carrier KLM. The UK's other large…
— BBC
Lodging
Hotels are enhancing offerings for pint-size guests
As a mother of two young children who often accompany me on my travels, I can say that most of the hotel kids’ clubs I have seen — that is, if a property even has one — tend to be single rooms with little consideration for youthful interests. Most offer predictable activities like arts and crafts and board…
— Star Advertiser
The 19 Hottest New Hotels Of 2019
With a slew of interesting, luxurious hotels opening (and reopening) from Aspen to Athens, 2019 is looking like a good year to sleep around. Some are one entrepreneur’s small passion project, while others are large-scale moves by big brands into new territory like Bahia and Rishikesh. They share both a painstaking attention to detail and…
— Forbes
Other and Odd
A growing number of travel businesses ask people to ditch their cellphones
On a recent afternoon, waiters shuttled menus, daiquiris, and mahi-mahi sandwiches to sun-tanned guests at the Back Bay Bar & Grill, a poolside restaurant inside the Wyndham Grand Bonnet Creek resort in Orlando. The area is surrounded by palm trees and a lake filled with koi. But for Harry Chomen, it was just a scenic backdrop for more…
— Marketplace
What to expect when you travel in 2019
If you like crowds, personalized travel experiences or talking to machines, then you’re going to love traveling in 2019. That’s because “overtourism,” personalization and artificial intelligence rank among the top travel trends of the new year, experts say. And, as in years past, you’ll also pay more to get where you’re going. The roads, skies…
— The Washington Post
Retire sooner and travel more, for less
In October, Brad Barrett flew to Greece to gather with fellow enthusiasts of a lifestyle often known by the acronym FIRE, for “financial independence, retire early.” Barrett co-hosts one of the movement’s most popular podcasts, ChooseFI, often discussing how to maximize travel rewards. Travel is a major component of the early-retirement…
— The Bulletin
How to Become a Travel Agent
If you’re someone who spends their days scanning flights, loves hotel rewards points, and in general, is a fervent traveler, you’ve probably wondered how to become a travel agent. And while it’s true that living in the age of Expedia means travel agents are not as vital as they once were, people use travel agents a lot more than you might…
— Travel+Leisure
Today in History
The Leaning Tower is Closed
The cathedral in Pisa has a free-standing bell tower on which construction began August 9, 1173 and took 117 years to complete. Built on a small foundation in soft soil, however, the massive tower soon began to tilt and over the centuries came to be know as the Leaning Tower of Pisa.…
— Travel Research Online
Editorial Musings
2019 Resolutions: Getting The Word Out
by John Frenaye
Monday January 07, 2019
Last month, Tra vel Pulse performed a survey asking agents about their New Year’s resolutions and came up with an outstanding list that really showed the passion and professionalism in this industry. Despite the pundits, we most certainly are NOT a dying industry. The top 9 resolutions (and I went back and counted to make sure there weren’t 10, because 9 is weird) were…
Get the word…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Publishers Corner
5 Ways To Keep Your New Year's Resolutions
by Richard Earls
Sunday January 06, 2019
 “New Year’s Day is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.” ~ Mark Twain
New Year’s resolutions often are a topic of derision. We treat the annual ritual of making promises to ourselves as a joke, a light-hearted acknowledgement of our…
— Travel Research Online
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Mike's Morning Missives
I Know
 If you are over the age of 35 and happen to have children, nephews or neighbors over the age of 10, you know exactly what I am talking about today. Young people like to believe that they already “know” just about everything. This trait I am sad to say is not limited to just young people. For my money there are too many adults who seem to already “know.”
In today’s message, I would like to remind you of one very important fact: Knowing and doing are two entirely different things.
The majority of adults, both young and old, know what to do…what to say…what to think…what to try…what not to say…what not to do…what not to think. After all, “they know.” Suggesting anything of value to…
— Travel Research Online
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Upcoming Training Opportunities
Small Group Touring through Europe
Thursday, January 17, 2019 at 3 pm EST/12 pm PST
Join us for an informative webinar as we learn more about Small Group Touring with the newly rebranded, Blue-Roads Touring Co! Within this webinar, we will uncover the story behind their new North American name, Blue-Roads Touring Co, explore their 6 key selling features to help you sell more effectively and efficiently, gain insight into their European and Asia tour portfolio, and finish with an exciting announcement on a new destination coming this summer!
Register Now ➠
Best National Park Vacations
Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at 3 pm EST/12 pm PST
Join Vacations By Rail’s Best National Park Vacations webinar and uncover the top-rated adventures and experiences to America’s treasures and natural wonders.
Register Now ➠
Taiwan is unforgettable with Super Value Tours
Thursday, January 10, 2019 at 3 pm EST/12 pm PST
Once known as Formosa, the island of Taiwan is one of the most sought out travel destinations in East Asia. With so much culture and history to the area, it is sure to provide an experience unlike any other for all types of travelers.
Register Now ➠
South Africa with Goway Travel and South African Airways
Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at 3 pm EST/12 pm PST
Learn about South African Airways, the largest airline in Southern Africa. SAA offers convenient connections from more than 100 cities in North America and daily non-stops from New York JFK and daily direct service from Washington Dulles with connections to over 75 destinations on the continent.
Register Now ➠
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