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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
What to see and do when you have a long layover in Boston
Do you have several hours to kill while waiting for your connecting flight at Boston’s Logan International Airport? You could hang around the airport and grab a meal, or you could venture out into Boston, armed with a sure plan and a mindful eye on the time. Directly from Logan, you can take the MBTA’s Blue Line subway or Silver Line bus to several downtown spots. Here are five…
— Boston.com
The 10 best destinations for May sun
May is always an alluring time to reach for the passport – especially if you are desperate to throw off the cloaks and capes of winter, and feel a more benevolent sun on your bare arms. Europe and the United States are waking from hibernation, the Caribbean is still in a happy storm-free mood, and the rain is staying away from other, selected tropical zones. Better still, if the burble of children…
— Telegraph (London)
Tours and Activities
The Best Train Trips to Take Across America
There's a romance to train travel — the leisurely pace of a rail trip compared to the hustle of an airport or a crowded highway encourages you to relax. There are the historic train stations and roomy seats, plus the chance to get up and walk around, visit the dining car, or just sit and take in the scenery passing by. There are many train journeys you can take across the United States,…
— Travel+Leisure
Feet in the clouds: climbing Cuba's highest peak
Fireflies appeared like sprites in the forest when we were still a long way from home. The sun had gone down in a burst of brilliance over the mountains, including the thickly wooded slope where, 61 years ago, Fidel Castro and a small band of guerrillas had taken refuge to prepare a revolution. Darkness was stealing through the trees, exquisite but frightening. It had taken us far longer…
— The Guardian
Cruise
Holland America Reveals Name of Next New Cruise Ship
The name of Holland America's next new ship will be Ryndam, the line revealed today at a media luncheon and tour held onboard Nieuw Statendam, to kick off the 35th annual Seatrade cruise conference in Miami Beach. The third Pinnacle-class ship -- a sister to Nieuw Statendam and Koningsdam -- is slated to launch in May 2021. It will have a passenger capacity of 2,666 and feature…
— CruiseCritic.com
What to do in case of a shipboard emergency
The recent issue with the Viking Sky, in which people had to be evacuated off the ship, offers an opportunity to review what needs to be done in case of shipboard emergency. People should have a good pair of sturdy lace-up shoes to wear in an emergency. Sandals won't cut it. There will be broken glass. Keep jewelry, money, passport, ID and other valuables in the safe in a…
— LA Times
Transportation
Europe's best sleeper trains
As the train pulls out of the station, you slowly drift off to sleep. Several hours later, you wake up in another country, exciting new scenes speeding past the windows. A world away from the experience of a stressful budget flight, you arrive refreshed and ready to discover a new destination. Welcome on board the sleeper train service. Once a stalwart of international travel, sleeper trains…
— CNN
Delta tops long-running ranking of US airlines | WTOP
Delta Air Lines comes in first in a long-running study that ranks U.S. airlines by how often flights arrive on time and other statistical measures. Researchers who crunch the numbers also say that as a whole, U.S. airlines are getting better at handling baggage and overcrowded flights and are getting fewer complaints. Academics at Wichita State University and Embry-Riddle…
— WTOP
Europe's Discount Airlines 'Democratized' Air Travel. Now They're Going Belly-Up
In 1992, the U.S. witnessed the trial of John Gotti, the election of President Bill Clinton and the devastating arrival of Hurricane Andrew on the Florida coastline, causing a then-record $25 billion in damage. Further afield, it was also the year that Prince Charles initiated the world’s most-watched break-up by separating from Princess Diana. So, it’s only natural that the creation of…
— Fortune
Lodging
How to find hidden cameras in your Airbnb
Airbnbs have changed the way we vacation, offering accommodation that adds a whole new dimension to travel. Sometimes that extra dimension is delightful -- a unique place to crash in a cool neighborhood, or the chance to experience life like a local. But lately, there have been a few incidents where the extra dimension is downright creepy. In the most recent, a family from…
— CNN
Hotel Review: The WineBox Valparaíso, Chile
In Chile, Santiago’s rakish sailor brother is the port city of Valparaíso, with its handsome looks, edgy creativity and whiff of salt-air decay. Valpo, as residents call it, was entirely rebuilt after an earthquake in 1906. Its present mix of crumbling Victorian stone facades and sharp-edged, galvanized-metal shacks are splashed with colorful paint and arresting graffiti. They clamber up from…
— New York Times
Other and Odd
Beijing parks to create blacklist of 'uncivilized' visitors
Tourism authorities in Beijing said they are considering creating a blacklist of "uncivilized visitors" in order to curb bad behavior by visitors, as the city is inundated with tourists for Tomb Sweeping Festival. According to state media, officials at the Beijing Municipal Administration Center of Parks said that the upsurge in domestic tourists visiting the Chinese capital for the three-day holiday,…
— CNN
This Travel Backpack Is the Perfect Carry-on, According to Hundreds of Amazon Reviews
Call off the search — we just found the perfect travel backpack to take with you on flights. And no, we’re talking about some flimsy two-pocket backpack that can just, like, fit a lot of stuff. We’re talking about a padded travel backpack that was specifically designed to double as a carry-on, thanks to its myriad of life-changing amenities, such as adjustable/removable straps and even a…
— Travel+Leisure
Why Travel Is My Favorite Form of Self-Care
“Self-care” is a broad term that means completely different things to each individual, with practices that can be physical, emotional, or spiritual. What works for someone else might not suit your needs, and that’s okay — whether your self-care is doing yoga or getting a much-needed massage, as long as you’re putting yourself first and taking a step back from your everyday routine to…
— Brit+Co
Today in History
Irish Government Bill 1886
The Irish Government Bill of 1886 was the British parliament's first substantial attempt to create home rule for Ireland. The law was far from a declaration of independence: Britain retained control over all matters of policing the territory, waging war, defence, foreign treaties, international trade, and the…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
American Cruise Lines Names 3rd Modern Riverboat AMERICAN JAZZ!
American Cruise Lines announces American Jazz as the name of the 3rd new ship in their revolutionary Modern Riverboat Series. American Jazz will be slightly larger than both the 1st and 2nd ships in the series,and it will feature the same advanced opening bow and retractable gangway seen on…
— Travel Research Online
Editorial Musings
Spring fever... how to keep yourself motivated
by John Frenaye
Monday April 08, 2019
Spring rolls ar ound and Wave Season ends. The flowers bloom, the air smells different, the sun is shining, and I would rather be anywhere than at my desk on a computer. It's true for me and I suspect for most of us. You may be a home based agent, part of a team, or managing a team; but spring fever gets us all in some way! So, what do you do? How do you stay motivated and focused when your mind is in section 200 of the nearest ball park? How do you keep coming to work day in and day out?
Here are a few ways to keep motivated and engaged.
1. Celebrate Your…
— Travel Research Online
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Publishers Corner
Being Accessible
by Richard Earls
Sunday April 07, 2019
Mike Marchev ha s a saying every travel agent should repeat each day: "Your clients are somebody else's prospects." With others in the marketplace vying for the attention of your clients, it is important for you to consider exactly how accessible the public perceives your travel business. Accessibility is sum of the characteristics that makes you easy to remember, easy to find, approachable, likable, and worthy of trust. Each of these elements are wrapped up in your approach to the market and should be given fair consideration as you position your company in your community.
The public's perception of your accessibility is shaped by how often they see your brand and the brand image you project. If the elements of your branding indicate a…
— Travel Research Online
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Mike's Morning Missives
To Tell You The Truth
 "To tell you the truth." Don't you just LOVE the phrase. This is on the same page as, "I'll be honest with you."
I have a good idea. Let's be honest with each other for a change. Let's see how it feels to be honest. You go first.
Well to tell you the truth, this leads me to today's message. Keeping this among us, there are times when I just feel like throwing in the towel. Things just stop working. The harder I try, the more I find myself questioning my tactics, education, experiences, up-bringing, choice of religion, personality and choice of after shave. “Why bother?”, I ask myself. I remember once blaming it on my haircut. (It doesn't get any worse than…
— Travel Research Online
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Upcoming Training Opportunities
If Only I’d Known – Why you should explore the Central North Island, New Zealand
Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
Come and explore New Zealand’s Central North Island and discover the enticing combination of unusual and captivating landscapes and experiences on an amazing road trip.
Register Now ➠
Learn about Portugal and TAP Air Portugal
Thursday, April 18, 2019 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT
TAP is Portugal's leading airline and has been a member of the global airline Star Alliance since 2005. Flying since 1945, the 74-year old TAP today finds itself in the top 10 global airlines in terms of growth.
Register Now ➠
Patagonia: Cruising At The End Of The World With Australis
Monday, April 15, 2019 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
Explore the “end of the world” during the first session webinar series. Navigating the Patagonian waterways for over 25 years, Australis offers passengers an exclusive look into remote areas of the region, that include visits to glaciers, sub-polar forests and a view of amazing marine and terrestrial wildlife.We will focus on educating attendees on:
Register Now ➠
Introducing TUI fly, your Non-stop option from Miami to Brussels
Wednesday, April 10, 2019 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
You are invited to join Jerry-Max Theophile for an introduction to TUI fly.
TUI fly is the only airline offering direct service from Miami International Airport port to Brussels International Airport.
During peak travel season, TUI fly provides over 120 routes towards 85 destinations, and over 61 routes towards 46 destinations in the winter months. These destinations include Spain, Greece, Morocco, Italy and France just to name a few.
For Summer 2019, TUI fly is offering a slew of flights to Morocco from France, the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium and Spain!
After the webinar, you will have a better understanding of:
Register Now ➠
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