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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
36 Hours in Berlin
On Nov. 9, 1989, the East German government made a surprising announcement: It was easing up travel restrictions on its citizens. East Berliners flocked to the nearest border crossings at the Berlin Wall, especially at Checkpoint Charlie, the famed crossing between the divided Berlins. Not long after that, Berliners from the east and west began chipping away at the literal and metaphorical…
— New York Times
Greece's last island paradise?
I first landed on Arkoi a few years ago by chance while seeking an escape from the August crowds on Samos, another Greek island in the eastern Aegean Sea. There happened to be a boat headed there one morning – a relatively infrequent occurrence, even in summer – so I jumped at the opportunity. While Samos is teeming with commerce and pleasure seekers, the tranquil and…
— BBC
Tours and Activities
10 of the best pilgrim routes in Europe
A 10-day pilgrimage from Winchester to Canterbury, following Walking The Pilgrim’s Way by Leigh Hatts (Cicerone), included many ups and downs, both literal and emotional. There are many glorious parts of the walk, but the one that took my breath away was the hard push up Hackhurst Downs in Surrey, through a gorgeous yew-lined avenue, which then opened magnificently on to…
— The Guardian
350 Koalas Believed Dead After Massive Wildfire in Australia
Hundreds of koalas are feared dead after a wildfire tore through bushland on Australia’s east coast, animal rescuers say. The fire has burned almost 5,000 acres in an area south of Port Macquarie where “the most significant population of koalas in this region” lives, Cheyne Flanagan, a koala rescuer, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). "Because it was of such high intensity, I…
— Travel+Leisure
The Best Way To Experience Winter Is By Train
Winter travel plans typically revolve around getting away from the cold or heading someplace tropical. Or they’re all about hitting the slopes and getting cozy by the fire. You don’t usually think of it as a time to do some major sightseeing. But there is no better time to take in snow-capped terrains and festive lighting around the world. And the best way to do that is by train. “Some travelers choose…
— Forbes
Cruise
Will this cruise ship end seasickness?
One of the main reasons some people don't book cruises is seasickness. But if a new ship called the "X-Bow" delivers on its promises, that could be a problem of the past. Ulstein, a Norway-based shipbuilding company, designed the vessel to make the experience at sea easier for people who usually get queasy, while ensuring the overall cruising experience is smoother for everyone on…
— CNN
Viking Ocean Cruises Offers Wide Range Of Dining Options, Specialty Restaurants
It was just a humble corn tostada, crisp and not even two inches across. It held a few coins of sliced grilled octopus, a few slivers of onion, a drizzle of lime juice, a judicious sprinkling of finely minced jalapeno to add some zing. Clearly it had to be consumed in one bite or I’d be nibbling the debris out of the palm of my hand. So, down the hatch. It was the best thing I’d eaten in a couple…
— Forbes
Virgin Trains to Build PortMiami Cruise Terminal Train Station
The Miami-Dade County Commission has given Brightline, soon to be Virgin Trains, a mandate to build an intercity train station at PortMiami by 2020. The line, which currently operates from downtown Miami through Fort Lauderdale and to West Palm Beach, will eventually extend as far as the Orlando International Airport by 2022. Another station is expected to be added in Aventura,…
— CruiseCritic.com
Transportation
Airline passenger claims baggage handler stole clothes from luggage, tried to sell jacket online
A woman from Oklahoma claims she recently found a pretty sweet Patagonia jacket for sale online — the very same jacket that went missing from her luggage at the Tulsa airport. Kinley Rice, of Sapulpa, had recently flown with American Airlines out of the Tulsa International Airport, but discovered upon arrival that several pieces of clothing from her bag had gone missing, along with the…
— Fox Travel News
Dreading airports? This Hong Kong-Based Company gives you reasons not to!
Plaza Premium Group is changing airplane travel by making the most-dreaded aspect of the journey – passing time at uncomfortable, cold, smelly airports – pleasant, tasty and relaxing all in one go, much like ‘home’, which is something group chief executive officer, Song Hoi See, says he focuses on. Born to, and raised in a big family inculcated a strong sense of family values in him, See…
— Entrepreneur
Lodging
These Are the 8 Best Ski Resorts in Vermont
Known for maple syrup, Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, and breweries galore, Vermont has a lot to offer tourists. Even though it's a great destination to visit throughout the year, the state really shines during the winter months, when visitors flock to its snow covered mountains. Don your best puffy jacket and head to one of these Vermont ski resorts, where you can burn some calories on the slopes…
— Travel+Leisure
A Rising Hotel Trend: The Inhouse Bakery
Once the biggest must-have a hotel could have was its own club (it was a late 1990s thing) Today, it’s very different; an in-house bakery is now the ultimate hotel welcome package. It’s not hard to see why; a bakery offers multisensory joys, from scent to texture that touch on nostalgia, innovation and pure pleasure. In the past, whole hotels have been built on the quality of its baked…
— Forbes
Other and Odd
What to Do If You Forget to Pack Your Medication While Traveling Abroad, According to an Expert
Your medication is one of the most important things to remember to pack when you go on vacation. It’s part of that necessary mental checklist we go through right before jetting out the door: Do I have my passport? Do I have my phone? Do I have my medication? If you forget something like toothpaste or a bathing suit, you can likely buy a substitute wherever you’re going, even…
— Travel+Leisure
Americans can easily travel almost anywhere — except here
An American passport opens doors. According to the Henley Passport Index that tracks passport rankings, Americans' visa-free access to 184 countries makes a US passport the sixth most powerful passport in the world. That freedom and flexibility is what some call "passport privilege," and it might help explain the record numbers of United States citizens that traveled internationally in…
— CNN
Today in History
The Death of Harry Houdini
On this day in 1926, world-famous magician and illusionist Harry Houdini died of peritonitis from a burst appendix. The 52-year-old Houdini had been in considerable pain for many days beforehand, performing despite a fever of over 102° Fahrenheit. During his final show, Houdini fainted halfway through and…
— Travel Research Online
Departures
The Croatian Coast
On the Adriatic Sea, just across from Italy, is the coast of Croatia. These 1104 miles of magnificent coasts, and 1246 islands, are world-renowned. The stunning clear-blue waters along the Croatian coast have always been a draw for those looking to experience a vision of paradise. Cliffs and islands offer up sites to behold that can not be overstated. The shores of Croatia are picture-perfect in every way.
— Travel Research Online
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Luxury Travel Tips
Kick the "Tire-Kickers" to the Curb!
by Dan Chappelle
Thursday October 31, 2019
At a recent con ference I attended, one of the keynote speakers said something that hit me like a brick – square between the eyes.
He said, and I quote, “Your prospects self-worth or ability to pay is not your problem. They are not your customers. Don’t let them make you feel guilty or drag you down.
This is a profound statement, because we often find ourselves wasting time with tire kickers. These are the folks who are looking for the high service levels you can provide, but don’t want or can’t pay the price. As a result, they will beat you up on price, threaten to buy from a competitor, and basically suck all of the life out of a room. You know who I am talking…
— Travel Research Online
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Mike's Morning Missives
#7: Ask Better Questions
 Somewhere along the way, some not-so-smart guy or gal suggested that in order to excel in sales, it would work in their favor if they were blessed with the “gift of gab.” Nothing (spelled N O T H I N G) could be further from the truth. Let’s see if I can dispel this notion.
Flash back, if you can, to the movie Cool Hand Luke starring Paul Newman. The warden in the movie was a tough guy who also had it wrong when he reminded Paul Newman that “what we have here is a failure to communicate.” Nope! Wrong again.
These are two areas in our sales repertoire that need a small adjustment. Speaking excessively and communicating in…
— Travel Research Online
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Upcoming Training Opportunities
Discover A Different Argentina
Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at 1 pm EST/10 am PST
Argentina is diversity in nature, adventure and culture. There are only a few places in the world where you can find mountains, seacoast, deserts, volcanoes - all in one country - and AEROLINEAS ARGENTINAS can take you there.
Register Now ➠
The Best of Vacations By Rail 2019
Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at 12 pm EST/9 am PST
As 2019 winds down, look back at a wonderful year of travel with this month’s webinar, Best of Vacations By Rail 2019.
Join Vacations By Rail as we recap another fantastic year of travel featuring top destinations and some of our most popular tours.
Learn more about what made this year great as well as exciting new tours and announcements for 2020.
Plus, as an added bonus, attendees of the webinar will receive a special offer for joining us!
Register Now ➠
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