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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
The top nine reasons to visit Houston in 2019
From its integral role in the world's first moon landing 50 years ago this July to a new lineup of appealing options in the arts and culinary scenes, Houston has never been more ripe for exploration. It wins in the aesthetics department, too: The much-photographed skyline is dotted with skyscrapers in architectural styles ranging from Art Deco to minimalist, and this city…
— CNN
Bonaire: Where Coral and Cactus Thrive, and the Sea Soothes the Soul
As the polar vortex bore down on the United States a couple of weeks ago, we left our home in New York via an ice-encrusted front door. We were lucky enough to have tickets to Bonaire, a little island in the Caribbean Sea. Seven hours later, including a layover at Miami International Airport, the plane landed on a sunny, flat field rimmed with pipe organ cactuses and…
— New York Times
Tours and Activities
Everything You Need to Know About Solo Safaris
When talking about solo travel, most people don't immediately think of a solo safari. But in talking to some of our coworkers about their own experiences, we wondered: Are safaris kind of the perfect trip to take alone? Consider this: Your days are scheduled out with game drives in the morning and evening, and time to relax, read, and chat with your campmates…
— Conde Nast Traveler
Paris hosts inaugural World Restaurant Awards
The latest addition to the roster of global culinary extravaganzas seeking to highlight some of the best dining experiences on the planet, the inaugural World Restaurant Awards took place in Paris' Palais Brongniart Monday night. But the event was far from your typical awards ceremony. Tuxedos were notable by their absence, with tattoos and jeans a far more popular…
— CNN
Cruise
Sixth Oasis-Class Cruise Ship Ordered By Royal Caribbean
Another world's biggest cruise ship is on the way, with a sixth Oasis-class ship set to be delivered in the autumn of 2023 after Royal Caribbean announced it has entered into an agreement with shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique. The yet-to-be-named megaliner will follow sister ships Symphony of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas,…
— CruiseCritic.com
Cruise ship passengers denied access to Cuba return to Florida
Travelers returned home Monday heartbroken after a cruise ship promising a Valentine’s Day reunion with loved ones was turned away from Cuba. Grand Classica, chartered by Viva Travel, got back to the Port of Palm Beach about 9 a.m., with many passengers on board still upset. Zeida Ssbdia is one of the disappointed passengers. She was looking forward to seeing…
— Sun Sentinel
This Fitness-focused Cruise Ship Will Have a Whole Deck Just for Sports and Exercise
Cruising isn’t exactly associated weight loss — in fact, quite the opposite. Most people can reasonably expect to return home from a week’s all-inclusive voyage at least a few pounds heavier. With 24-hour buffets, five-course dinners, and those secret afternoon teas that pop up…well, it’s no surprise why. But fear not — a brand new alternative is floating on the horizon.…
— Travel+Leisure
Transportation
Airlines will add new gender options for non-binary passengers
US airline passengers who don't identify as "male" or "female" will soon have more gender options to choose when booking tickets. The new gender options to be added include "unspecified" and "undisclosed." Airlines for America (A4A), the industry trade group, made the announcement that A4A and International Air Transport Association members recently approved a…
— CNN
Baby born at 30,000ft during Jetblue flight
Jetblue gained its youngest customer ever after a baby was born during a flight from Puerto Rico to Florida. The US airline said it wants to rename the aircraft after the baby following the birth on flight 1954 on Saturday 17 February. The event aptly occurred on a plane named “Born to be Blue”, which flew from San Juan to Fort Lauderdale. “We’d like to thank the crew…
— The Independent
Lodging
Richard Branson’s Virgin Hotel Is Finally Open in San Francisco
Get ready SF, Richard Branson’s Virgin Hotels San Francisco is officially open for business. The much-anticipated property, which is situated in SoMa (South of Market), is the second Virgin Hotels location in the U.S. after the first opened in Chicago in 2015. “I’m confident that Virgin Hotels San Francisco — and future properties — will differ from our existing location…
— Travel+Leisure
Roadside revival: 10 of the best motels in the US
Not much remains of the Henning Motel in Newberry Springs, California. Out on old Route 66, only the once-flashing neon sign still stands, rusted beyond repair. The arrival of the Interstate Highway in the 1970s rerouted custom elsewhere, and like thousands of motels across America, its fate was sealed. These emblems of the American road seemed in steady decline,…
— The Guardian
Come for the food, stay for the night: inside Bless Hotel, Madrid's latest hipster hang-out
It is not immediately clear, at the moment I step through the entrance of the Bless Hotel, that I have walked into a place designed for slumber. The broad thoroughfare of Calle de Velázquez outside, and the refined purr of traffic along it, has confirmed that I am in Madrid – in the well-to-do district of Salamanca, no less, with its chic boutiques, pricey real estate…
— Telegraph (London)
Other and Odd
How to buy the right travel insurance
The world of travel insurance can be overwhelming, with myriad policies to choose from, each of them with their own small print clauses ready to scupper you when you find yourself in a bind abroad. Here’s how to get the right cover to suit your holiday needs. Once you’ve decided on booking a holiday, work out major details from the get-go, advises Neil…
— The Independent
ESPN's Jay Williams Gets In On The Travel Game
ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Williams may look together with his tailored suits and insightful commentary, but there’s a lot going on behind the scenes to ensure things run smoothly. There are stylists and statisticians making sure the college basketball savant stays sharp in front of the camera. Behind it, there’s a loving family and a dog. As for keeping up with…
— Forbes
Today in History
America Lands on Iwo Jima
Iwo Jima is five miles long and three miles across at its widest point. But in 1945, it housed three Japanese war ships and over 21,000 soldiers. On this date, three battalions of American soldiers took the island in a fierce fight, a decisive battle in World War II. By the 10th day of fighting,…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
Croatia’s Katarina Line Announces June 2019 Travel Agent FAM
Small ship cruise company Katarina Line, voted “Best Croatian DMC”, announced that it is now accepting applications from qualified agents who wish to participate in the company’s 4-night Educational Cruise around the Dalmatian islands and coastline, June 25 – 29, 2019. Eligible…
— Travel Research Online
Outposts
The Malbecs and Mountains of Mendoza
by Joseph DeLoach
Tuesday February 19, 2019
There are more  well-known cities and areas in Argentina than Mendoza. Larger, more exciting locations that offer up typical adventures, adventures a tourist would experience with a passing remembrance. Mendoza is different. It is a place to feel the pulse of true Argentine life, a place for the traveler to relinquish preconceived notions about South American life. Mendoza is a deeper experience. It’s also a fantastic place to revel in some amazing food and wine.
Mendoza is located near the northwest border shared with Chile, nestled just below the snow-capped Andes Mountains that make up this border. It is a city of just over 100,000 people; not small, not massive. It is also a place that celebrates the independence of Argentina from the rule of Spain.…
— Travel Research Online
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Mike's Morning Missives
Can Twelve Words Can Make a BIG Difference?
 Are you ready to get down to business? You may have spent some time devising specific goals and actions to guide you through the New Year. You have likely reviewed your progress to analyze what recently went wrong and what went right. All good moves. But let me see if I can simplify this for you and save you some time.
FACT: You can benefit from the past…but ONLY if you make a concerted effort to learn from it…and do something with what you have learned. I suggest that you give this portion of your thoughts no more than 15% of your time. Think. Reflect. Learn. Make course corrections.
FACT: You can do everything about the…
— 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.
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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™.
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