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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
Deserted Irish island on sale for $1.4 million
Freshwater lakes, peregrine falcons and a ruined monastery are some of the delights awaiting the buyer of an island off the west coast of Ireland -- as long as they don't mind living in a derelict cottage without running water or electricity. High Island, which rises 206 feet above sea level and slopes down to cliffs that lead to inlets, has gone on sale for 1.25 million euros…
— CNN
36 Hours in Miami and Miami Beach
There was a time when it wasn’t unusual to hear visitors use South Beach as shorthand for the entire Miami metropolitan area. The confusion was understandable — for those weekend warriors there was little reason to venture beyond the city of Miami Beach’s telegenic, Art Deco-emblazoned, southernmost tip. No more. South Beach’s famously louche night life…
— New York Times
Tours and Activities
Venice's Bibione beach is the first in Italy to ban smoking
The Venetian seaside resort of Bibione will be the first Italian beach to go completely smoke-free, in a mission to safeguard the environment from discarded cigarette ends and protect visitors from secondhand smoke. The decision comes after eight years of trials, as part of the Breathe the Sea Air project, which saw an initial smoking ban between the first row of…
— The Guardian
Looking for a mate? Head to this Taiwan temple for a meeting with the 'Love God'
These days, it's all about swiping right to find a partner. But some Taiwan residents have another method for finding romance besides Tinder -- they call on the god of marriage and love. According to Chinese mythology, the Love God, or Yue Lao, is in possession of a "book of marriages," and can find and bind you to the one you're meant to be with, with a red string.…
— CNN
Cruise
Richard Branson's Virgin Voyages Cruises Are Officially Open for Booking — and You Need to See the Beach Club
If anyone knows how to pump us up for cruising, it’s Richard Branson. The serial entrepreneur has been busy over the last few months teasing out the launch of his latest venture, Virgin Voyages. Over that time we learned a bit about the cruise itself (it’s adults-only, high-end, and pure luxury), the rooms (hello, suites!), and the food on board (passengers will truly get a taste of the world…
— Travel+Leisure
More Cruise Lines Axe Calls to Amsterdam as a Result of the City's Tourist Tax
P&O Cruises and Cunard are the latest cruise lines to axe calls to Amsterdam following the introduction of the city council's €8 per person per 24-hour tourist tax that came into force on January 1, 2019. P&O Cruises operates popular mini cruises to Holland from the UK and plans to drop calls to Amsterdam from March 2019. In a statement, the line said: "All P&O…
— CruiseCritic.com
DJ Khaled launches music festival cruise from Miami with Cardi B and friends
Want to hit the high seas with DJ Khaled? The Miami producer and rapper is launching his second music festival cruise called “Days of Summer” with fellow artists Cardi B and Post Malone this summer, according to TMZ.com. The cruise is set to depart Miami for the Bahamas on June 28 and return July 1. Khaled is expected to make a formal announcement Friday…
— Orlando Sentinel
Transportation
10 travel tips from celebrities that could make your next flight better
Even if you can't hire a private limo or upgrade to first class, there are still ways to make traveling easier and more luxurious. Most celebrities are pretty well-versed in flying around the world, so it's no surprise that a lot of stars have tips to share when it comes to packing, avoiding jet lag, and staying hydrated while traveling. Here are 10 celebrities' tips, tricks, and routines…
— Insider
A love letter to the A380: why passengers will miss the super-jumbo the most
Analysing the drawn-out, billion-dollar airline negotiation breakdowns that led Airbus to abruptly end its A380 program only 11 years after it begun is a complex business, with an ultimately sad conclusion. Blame the 2008 financial crisis; the succession of cancelled orders; the advent of better building materials elsewhere; and an industry-wide shift in focus towards…
— Telegraph (London)
British Airways staffs Valentine's Day flight with 5 cabin crew couples
If it seemed like the cabin crew on British Airways' Valentine's Day flight from London to Buenos Aires, Argentina, were in a particularly good mood, there was a good reason why: the flight was staffed entirely by employee couples. The airline's press release quotes one couple, newlyweds Carl and Nathan, as being "over the (honey)moon to be showing our customers some British Airways love on this very special flight.” The couple, who have been together 13 years and married last November, has been with the airline for four years, during which time they've visited New York, the Caribbean, Turkey, Spain and…
— USA Today
Lodging
The World's Best Hotels and Resorts for Families
We’ve reached an exciting moment in family travel: not only are parents increasingly willing to take their kids to locales farther from home, but children themselves are driving their whole families’ decisions about where to go and what to do. (And as hotels adapt and expand their offerings, parents are also having more fun as a result.) Every year for the World’s Best…
— Travel+Leisure
Escape Dublin For A Weekend Trip To Kilkea Castle
Once upon a time, or, more accurately, about six years ago, American real estate developers, Jay and Christy Cashman, did something most Americans only dream of: They bought a castle. A real, medieval castle, in County Kildare, Ireland, just over an hour's drive from Dublin's city center. 35 million dollars worth of renovations later, the castle, which dates back to…
— Forbes
Other and Odd
Man kicked out of Disneyland after displaying 'Trump 2020' flag on ride
A man held up a Donald Trump 2020 flag at Disneyland on Wednesday and was promptly kicked out for violating the park's rules. It wasn't the first time he's caused a scene at a Disney park. Dion Cini's flag, which was displayed on Disneyland's Mark Twain Riverboat, reads "Re-elect Trump 2020," with "Keep America Great" in the middle. Disneyland prohibits "the usage…
— USA Today
‘Table for one, please’ – the rise and rise of the solo diner
Sharing a meal is one of life’s great pleasures – if it’s not then you’re probably keeping the wrong company – but new research claims diners are increasingly eating alone. Analysis by OpenTable, the online reservation platform, found the number of one-cover bookings has increased by 80 per cent in New York since 2018. It’s the latest research into reservation habits…
— Telegraph (London)
Today in History
Remember the Maine!
William Randolph Hearst, the notorious newspaper baron, needed a war. His paper, the New York Journal, was in a pitched circulation battle with other newspapers. When the USS Maine exploded at anchor in the harbor in Havana, Cuba, Hearst saw his opportunity. Tensions were high…
— Travel Research Online
Agent Perspectives
Gin, Duke Humfrey, Palladian Elegance and Spode Italian Blue
by Paull Tickner
Friday February 15, 2019
Just in case yo u think that I dream up these ideas for my own amusement, almost every one of this week’s collection plays an important role in customised itineraries I’ve recently created for enterprising travel counsellors.
The top story provides the foundations for a small group, pre-cruise extension in September and the Artist Village is in a 2020 Chelsea Flower Show itinerary. A visit to Duke Humfrey’s Library is part of a C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien literary tour for a family of 7 in June and Palladian Elegance appeals to another travel agent as something different for next year. I don’t yet have any takers for the Bluebells at Hole Park (working on it) but Spode and Wedgwood are in a long weekend shopping trip to…
— Travel Research Online
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Deck Plans
Voyage Report – Nieuw Statendam, At Sea
I last left you in St. Thomas.
My third day aboard Nieuw Statendam was spent at sea. Some of my favorite days aboard ships are at sea, especially when they are in the middle of the cruise. By that time, you have gotten to know people and you have gotten familiar enough with the ship that there are plenty of things to do. My sea day aboard Nieuw Statendam was no exception. Natalie, my travel companion, and I had big plans for the day that involved trivia and of course, music.
— Travel Research Online
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Mike's Morning Missives
Your Travel Payment Experts
 I am reminded of this simple yet profound truth on a teleseminar I recently conducted. This one is important my friends, and very deep. Tune in. And listen to what I am about to share with you.
As I always do, I asked my coaching students for their recent good news/bad news stories. I do this so we can all learn from each other...both good and bad.
The topic was distribution, and more specifically, how we can increase our service distribution. I offered an idea and one “student” immediately shared the fact that she had done exactly what I was talking about...and that it worked to…
— Travel Research Online
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Upcoming Training Opportunities
Destination Argentina
Thursday, February 28, 2019 at 3 pm EST/12 pm PST
Through Aerolineas Argentinas & National Institute of Tourism, INPROTUR.
Register Now ➠
100% PURE NEW ZEALAND MASTER CLASS – GET YOUR SILVER STATUS!
Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at 1 pm EST/10 am PST
New Zealand is a lot closer than you think! Learn about the scenic sights, experiences and Maori culture with Jeff Adam!
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BECOME AN EXPERT IN AWESOME
Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at 2 pm EST/11 am PST
With new attractions, new hotels, and so much more, your clients may not be aware of all we have to do – or that they’ll need multiple days to see and do it all. Be sure to register to take our webinar course so you can stay an expert on everything going on at Universal Orlando Resort™.
Register Now ➠
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