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Monday April 22, 2019

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

25 of the most beautiful places on Earth
The world's a spectacular place, full of hidden and overt beauty in every corner. But beauty's also subjective. It'd be impossible to get a unanimous decision on the most beautiful places around the world -- but we think this list is a good start to plan your travels. In celebration of Earth Day, we've rounded up the best of the best. From lush African forests…

The Best Places in the World to Travel if You Love Mushrooms
The culinary world owes a lot to whoever first discovered the magic of mushrooms. Fungus — from everyday cremini to decadent morels — is an undeniable gift from nature. A vegetarian’s delight, the fleshy, umami-packed vegetable offers an unparalleled, meaty addition to everything from soup and sauces to pasta and pastries. But the best thing…

Travel to Bali for Revelations in Balance and Beauty
Falling water is the prevailing sound at Gunung Kawi Sebatu, one of the most captivating yet least visited temple complexes in Bali. Nestled within a verdant glade seven miles northeast of Ubud, it’s composed of a series of ponds and pools—most full of golden carp sheltered by lotus flowers and water lilies—fed by the natural spring that flows…

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Tours and Activities

Japan's Coolest Cafe Bathroom Is Surrounded by a Massive Aquarium
No dining out experience is complete without a trip to the bathroom these days. It’s become the place where a restaurant makes or breaks their vibe. Not only can it round out a diner’s experience, it can get the restaurant free social media advertising. Because the bathroom is the most private part of a restaurant, it’s also the part where customers are…

Would You Travel Across The World For 62 Seconds Of Science? Countdown Begins To Super-Short Eclipse
Would you travel across the world and into the remote Outback of Australia to glimpse a total solar eclipse that will last for just 62 seconds? Tens of thousands of eclipse-chasers from across the globe will do just that exactly four years from today on April 20, 2023, to see a rare 'hybrid' solar eclipse that just grazes the coast of Western…

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Cruise

Baltic cruises without the crowds – the best off-the-beaten-track excursions
Love the idea of cruising to the grand cities of the Baltic, but hate the thought of the crowds? Old quarters and major monuments can heave with visitors, especially if several ships are in the dock. Here are 10 excursion ideas on how to appreciate the delights of these cities and their surroundings without fighting your way through a forest of selfie…

It's all about #slowtravel - and these 11 luxe river cruises are the best way to leisurely explore the world!
Environmentalist Chris Kilham has said, "It is one thing to hear about the forest and the river, but an entirely other experience to go there, to see the environment, and to appreciate the natural riches there first-hand." We could not agree more. And, in this fast-paced world which never sleeps, one of the best ways to appreciate slow travel is to book…

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Transportation

16 Airline Passengers Taken to Hospital After Landing in Boston
An official says 16 passengers who reported feeling ill on an American Airlines flight from Miami were taken to the hospital after the plane landed in Boston. Massachusetts Port Authority spokeswoman Samantha Decker says the passengers’ symptoms appeared mild. She said she didn’t have information on what may have caused the…

United Airlines is giving away free sandwiches on popular flight to Hawaii
United Airlines is toying with the concept of taking plane food to new heights, with the distribution of free sandwiches on a much-traveled flight from Houston to Hawaii this month. Earlier this week, The Points Guy reported that Chicago-based carrier is testing a new “complimentary sandwich” for economy passengers traveling on the airline’s daily flight #253…

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Lodging

Turns Out We’ve All Been Pronouncing 'Marriott' Wrong This Whole Time
Marriott International, with 7,000 properties around the world, just reached that number with the opening of the St. Regis Hong Kong. The stunning, 27-story luxury hotel in Wan Chai, steps from the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, is an example of the company’s strategy to focus on its luxury brands. Marriott is the family name of…

This African Safari Was Founded Before Ecotourism Was Trendy
Mombo. It’s a name synonymous with watching the world’s most majestic wildlife. The remote camp in Botswana’s Okavango Delta set the benchmark in luxury lodging when Wilderness Safaris, the industry’s pioneering ecotourism outfitter, took the reins in 1999. By boldly deviating from the once-rustic standards in the delta, the company…

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Other and Odd

How to Travel Without Leaving a Trace
Niagara Falls and its surrounding parks see millions of visitors a year, and all that foot traffic results in a lot of trash — 832 metric tons each year from the Canadian areas alone. Still, park sanitation workers were surprised to find a piano, broken into pieces, among the items left in the garbage one day. “People dispose of all kinds of things,” said…

7 Planet-Saving Travel Tips for Earth Day
Earth Day, the most important of all holidays, so much so that we reliably forget about it each year until it autopopulates into the Google Cal. When you were a kid, April 22 might have involved your a class trip to clean garbage out of your neighborhood creek, maybe plant a bunch of little trees, but a lot of the time now, for a lot of people, Earth Day…

10 Backpack Brands Travelers Can Trust
The backpack is enjoying some much-deserved popularity right now as a street accessory, suitcase, and just generally handy transport. A good backpack will spare you shoulder strain, let you easily traverse uneven terrain, and maximize your storage space, all while complementing your personal style. Finding the backpack of your dreams, however, can…

Today in History

The First Earth Day
On April 22 of each year, millions of people celebrate Earth Day, regarded by many to mark the birth of the modern environmental movement. Gaylord Nelson, a Democratic Senator from Wisconsin, was the principal founder of the first Earth Day. Senator Nelson hired a…

Editorial Musings

The golden rule of the any high school exam. Check your work before turning in your test.
by John Frenaye
Monday April 22, 2019

Contrary to popular opinion, I suggest that you do sweat the small stuff. Well, at least the small stuff that you can control. Weather? Don’t sweat it! Flight delays? No worries. That horrible typo in your latest email? Start sweating!

Look, we only get one shot to make a good first impression. You never know where your next client may be coming from, so you need to keep on your toes.

What does it say to to your prospect when the first email they receive from you talks about some great trips to Cartagena, Columbia? To me, it says…

  — Travel Research Online
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Publishers Corner

An Axe to Grind
by Richard Earls
Sunday April 21, 2019

"If I only had an hour to chop down a tree, I would spend the first 45 minutes sharpening my axe." - Abraham Lincoln

Louie was one of the hardest working men I had ever met. A restaurant owner, he was up first thing in the morning, worked all day in the kitchen and on the floor and went to bed late at night. The next day, he would do it all again. I was amazed at his ability to put in those hours and I was sure that his new venture would be a great success. A year later, he was out of business. I told Louie's story to one of my business mentors and he shook his head knowingly. He was not surprised at…

  — Travel Research Online
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Mike's Morning Missives

You Can Do Better Than This

Often times I become mildly embarrassed when I hear myself reminding people of what they should already know. But they don't. So I do. And I continue to get mildly embarrassed.

Today's reminder comes via a Sun Sentinel Sunday Morning news article titled New Rules to Aid Struggling Home Owners. My message has little to do with home owners and a lot to do about you, the professional sales person.

In a pullout box labeled Stat of The Week, the following percentages were listed as "common interview problems." If the shoe fits...wear it. I truly hope I am not talking to…

  — Travel Research Online
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Upcoming Training Opportunities


Blue-Roads Touring Co Expands Small Group Touring Portfolio!

Blue-Roads Touring Co Expands Small Group Touring Portfolio!

Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT

Join us for an informative webinar about Blue-Roads Touring Co, the experts in small group travel for almost 30 years! Known for their leisurely paced itineraries through Europe, Blue-Roads Touring Co has now expanded into Asia, and by the end of May will expand into the USA as well.

Register Now ➠


Learn About Air Astana: award winning carrier from the Heart of Eurasia

Learn About Air Astana: award winning carrier from the Heart of Eurasia

Thursday, May 2, 2019 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT

Join us for a webinar featuring Eurasia’s Awards wining 4-Star SkyTrax carrier - Air Astana.

Register Now ➠


Cosmopolitan Buenos Aires & Argentina's Patagonia With Aerolineas Argentinas And Borello Travel & Tours

Cosmopolitan Buenos Aires & Argentina's Patagonia With Aerolineas Argentinas And Borello Travel & Tours

Wednesday, May 1, 2019 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT

The largest airline in South America, AR offers convenient connections to/from 37 domestic destinations in Argentina and 22 International destinations, including our daily non-stop flights from New York’s JFK and MIAMI, as well as code share flights from ATL with Delta Airlines. We’re proud to be the recipients, once again, of the 2019 Traveler's Choice Awards by TripAdvisor for “Best Major Airline Latin America.”

Register Now ➠


If Only I’d Known – Why you should explore the Central North Island, New Zealand

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 ➠







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Argentina - A destination for every taste and interest

Peru Odyssey - Small Group Tour, Private Guide