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Monday October 21, 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

A local's guide to Ljubljana, Slovenia: top 10 tips
Though it’s modest by modern standards (13 storeys and 70 metres tall), Nebotičnik was the first “skyscraper” in Yugoslavia, and the ninth-tallest building in Europe when it opened in 1933. Architect Vladimir Šubic was inspired by the art deco skyscrapers of New York, though more conservative residents dismissed it as a “freak”. Today, the wraparound rooftop…

A Swiss village obsessed with Scotland
The unmistakeable sound of bagpipes rose up and I joined the crowd to watch the pipers and drummers, decked out in kilts and sporrans, play the rousing standard Amazing Grace. Behind me was a whisky bar and a stall selling haggis. The mock street signs read Cowgate and Princes Street, leading to a field where, later, I would watch a caber-tossing competition.…

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Tours and Activities

Tour de northern France: a new cycling trail in Flanders
I’m sitting down to a picnic breakfast at a sun-flecked table beside the River Lys in Flanders. Consulting my map, I write the following numbers on something approximating a waxed luggage tag: “22-37-71-34-33-32-31-30-08-01-33”. I put the map away, slip the tag around my bike’s handlebars and I’m set for the morning. I’ve never been to this part of Flanders…

The secret Camino: Europe's greatest pilgrimage – with coastal views and no crowds
As I set off on my pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, I was in a tetchy mood. The sky was blue, the sun was blazing but, for piffling reasons, my brain felt as angry as the Atlantic by my side. I beat myself up further; this was wholly inappropriate for the “spiritual journey” that lay ahead. But then I realised: actually, I’d come to just the right place. Because as I left…

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Cruise

Shaking Down a New Cruise Ship
Some things are simply worth the wait. It's been more than two years since Princess Cruises launched a new ship, so we've been eagerly anticipating Sky Princess, a vessel designed to follow in the footsteps of and improve upon the blueprint of Royal Class fleetmates Royal Princess, Regal Princess and Majestic Princess. The newest ship in Princess Cruises' fleet…

Royal Caribbean’s ‘Adventure of the Seas’ requests help from Coast Guard off Jersey Shore
A cruise ship passenger suffered a stroke aboard Royal Caribbean’s “Adventure of the Seas” and had to be airlifted to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center from more than 100 miles off the Jersey Shore, according to the Coast Guard. The medevac took place after the Coast Guard was contacted by the ship’s crew via satellite phone about 6:20 p.m.…

Visit Real-life Sites From ‘Downton Abbey’ With an Exclusive Look at Highclere Castle on Viking's New Cruise Extensions
After topping the box office in the UK and the U.S. after its recent release, it’s clear that "Downton Abbey" is here to stay. And thanks to a sponsorship with Viking, fans of the show, movie, and those fabulous costumes can head to the UK for privileged, private access to Highclere Castle, the real Downton Abbey — home to the fictitious Crawley family on screen,…

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Transportation

Has Brexit sent airfares into a tailspin?
With days to go before a possible October 31 exit date from the European Union, people in Britain are still unsure about what Brexit will mean for them. And it appears that travelers to the United Kingdom feel the same way -- and might be staying away as a result. Flight fares from international destinations to the UK are down by as much as 49% year on year for…

Booking holiday travel? Here are the best airlines for families, ranked
About 60 million Americans are expected to travel by air during the upcoming holiday season. And if you are booking a trip for the whole family, some airlines are better than others, according to new research from The Points Guy. The travel benefit maximizer website ranked all of the major U.S. airlines according to how they accommodate families. It looked…

This Is the Scientific Reason Flying Makes You so Tired
We’ve all stepped off the jet bridge feeling tired, groggy, or ready to practically drop on the floor and take a nap in the middle of a terminal. At least, most of us have. Traveling can make anyone tired, though it affects some people more than others. This phenomenon is known as jet lag and it’s actually a real, temporary disorder rather than just a traveler’s…

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Lodging

The top 8 most popular Silicon Valley Airbnb listings tech workers book for business travel proves price and location are everything
Silicon Valley and San Francisco are home to many of the world's biggest tech companies, so they're naturally major destinations for business travelers. Yet, they are also notoriously expensive to stay in, which can make planning travel difficult. According to Statista, the average price for a San Francisco hotel room in October 2019 is $230, a figure which…

This Parisian Palace Was Once Home to Royalty — and Now You Can Book a Room With Views of the Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower views, the indulgent French pastries, the quaint homes lining cobblestone streets — it’s hard not to have a magical time on a trip to Paris. But if you’re traveling from afar and hoping to return home with truly unforgettable memories of the City of Light, a stay in an actual Parisian palace may be up your alley. And if you book now through Skylark, you…

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Other and Odd

Guardian climate pledge 2019: 'With air travel, it's best to take a flexitarian approach'
We recently published a guide to Helsinki in which we gave details of how to get there and back without flying. In the comments below the article, a reader wrote: “I think you have to concede that it’s a little disingenuous to pretend that people will be going to Helsinki by train and boat … very few will be willing to allocate six days of the holiday just for the journey.…

11 Travel Memoirs Written by Some of the World’s Most Adventurous Women
Running behind a line of wild-eyed sled dogs, Blair Braverman skimmed over glaciers and Arctic plains. Cyclist Kate Harris ducked Tibetan army checkpoints as she pedaled between the Himalayas, while war reporter Martha Gellhorn wise-cracked across China by riverboat and rickety plane. In between, these authors struggled with self-doubt, found love, and…

Today in History

The Straits of Magellan
On October 21, 1519, a small fleet of Spanish ships led by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived at 52 degrees south, seeking to round South America in its quest for a western passage to the Spice Islands of Indonesia. The 373 mile passage was arduous, and one…

Editorial Musings

Strike while the iron is hot
by John Frenaye
Monday October 21, 2019

The old adage, “strike while the iron is hot” holds a lot of truth. And today, I have a hot iron for you—but don’t worry, I suspect there is still a bit of time to do your striking. If you have traveled through an airport recently (any airport will do), judging from the lines and the crowds, you might assume that everyone is traveling. I know when I travel, it seems they are all traveling on my plane and claiming luggage from my luggage carousel and fighting for the same taxi I want. But, that assumption, could not be any more wrong.

A recent poll by One Poll for Victorinox offered some pretty stunning results. Two thousand Americans were polled and here are some key…

  — Travel Research Online
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Publishers Corner

Things I want to say more often
by Richard Earls
Sunday October 20, 2019

Travel planning tends to be a very independent enterprise. You work one-on-one with your clients, often in complete isolation from co-workers. Independence is a great thing, but carries risks. We too often lack a sounding board to bounce ideas off and to confirm our instincts. So let’s explore a series of statements you should frequently hear yourself say to ensure you are receiving the appropriate input from your business associates, your clients and your family. Each of these groups are stakeholders in the success of your travel practice. Giving them a voice can be a great gift to both them and to yourself.

"What do you think?"

Here's a phrase you should use often around the work place - especially if you are "the boss." Seeking the…

  — Travel Research Online
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Mike's Morning Missives

Sales, Marketing, Service, Teamwork and Communication

For lack of a better term, let’s refer to these business concerns as the Big Five. Together, when executed properly, they can spell success for you and your…

  — Travel Research Online
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Upcoming Training Opportunities


Discover New European Rail Adventures

Discover New European Rail Adventures

Wednesday, October 23, 2019 at 12 pm EDT/9 am PDT

Join Vacations By Rail’s New European Rail Adventures webinar and uncover the top-rated experiences and iconic trains that are the backbone of our collection of new European rail vacations. Learn about leading destinations, top activities and accommodations, and what makes these tours extra-special.

Register Now ➠


Become an Expert in Awesome

Become an Expert in Awesome

Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT

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 with Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations- the official travel company of Universal Theme Parks.

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