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Friday November 01, 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

The second coming of a paradise island
It has mile after mile of powder sand beaches lapped by clear, warm surf. It has beautiful unspoiled jungles. It has incredible food, UNESCO-rated historical sites and diving resorts, charming railways, hiking, safaris and relaxation. It was even named the top country to visit in 2019 by Lonely Planet. In other words, it's paradise. But for much of the past six months, these idyllic spots have…

This millennial spent nearly $2 million to turn a 'haunted' ghost town into a luxury travel destination
The purchase of the town of Cerro Gordo in California included more than 300 acres of land, 22 buildings and, according to legend, three ghosts. When Brent Underwood bought Cerro Gordo in 2018, he was told the property included a few ghoulish guests. One was the town’s former brothel owner, another died in a card game gone wrong and the third still remains a mystery. It was stories…

The secret colour of New York City
At 07:30 on a soon-to-be stiflingly hot late-June day, I boarded the ferry from Battery Park at Manhattan’s southernmost tip. The engine rumbled and the vessel swayed as crewmembers coiled heavy strands of sea-soaked rope, freeing us from our mooring. I watched the city shrink as we cruised into the harbour, acutely aware of the ceaseless thrum of New York City life – the thunder…

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Tours and Activities

Travel To These Cities For Luxurious Holiday Shopping
The holiday season is enormous, particularly for shoppers in the United States, and it often accounts for as much as 30% of annual sales for some retailers. And although 55% of shopping will take place online, a great number of people still enjoy heading out to the mall or stand-alone department stores in order to soak in the holiday spirit. Based on proximity to shopping epicenters, variety…

Okinawa’s Beloved 500-year-old Shuri Castle Destroyed by Fire
Shuri Castle, the 500-year old UNESCO Heritage Site and one of Okinawa’s most beloved historical sites, went ablaze on Thursday, just before 2:40 a.m. local time. The Japan castle is Okinawa’s largest wooden structure, and while the cause of the fire is still unclear, officials say that the fire most likely started within the building. Flames swept quickly throughout the site, including its…

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Cruise

Eight reasons why New Zealand offers the best scenic cruising in the world
Nature has blessed New Zealand with an ethereal beauty, packing countless natural wonders into two diverse islands. The South Island is the least populated and boasts the most dramatic scenery, with spectacular fiords, glaciers, waterfalls, rainforests and mountains. The North Island is where you’ll find secluded coves, pristine beaches, unspoilt forests and the big cities of Auckland…

MSC Cruises Takes Delivery of first Meraviglia Plus Class Ship, MSC Grandiosa
MSC Cruises has taken delivery of MSC Grandiosa, the first in the line's Meraviglia Plus Class ships and billed as the one of the most environmentally-advanced ships at sea. The official handover of the 17th ship in the MSC fleet took place at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, following a steel-cutting ceremony to mark the start of construction for the line’s…

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Transportation

The world's most glamorous airlines
Once upon a time, air travel was glamorous. In the 1950s, air travel's so-called golden age, flying was an occasion. Passengers dressed up, flight attendants served meals on china, standard seats were roomier, and everything about the experience felt dignified. Today flying is associated with overbooking, cramped quarters, badly behaved passengers and inevitable delays. But for…

Travel annoyances abound in the air and on the ground. Here's how to fix a few of them
What do you hate about travel? And is there any way to fix the problem, besides staying home? For Brett Manders, the answer to "what drives you crazy?" is simple. "The carousel cozy-uppers," he says. You know, the folks who crowd around the baggage carousel after a flight lands. "I'm 100% certain that your bags will not come out any quicker the closer you are to the baggage…

Boeing CEO Under Fire Over Company's Attempt to Move 737 Max Lawsuits From the U.S. to Indonesia
Boeing's CEO was at a loss for words when he was interrogated by Congress over the company's attempts to move lawsuits filed by the families of those killed in one of the 737 Max crashes to Indonesia. Rep. Henry Johnson questioned Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg about the company's stated intention to try and move the cases from the first crash outside of the US to…

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Lodging

Aman Kyoto Hotel
Nature steals the show at the new Aman Kyoto – the brand’s third property in Japan – which is located in an exquisite hidden garden and surrounded by more than 32 hectares of dense forests, scattered with minimalist pavilions housing rooms, a serene spa with hot spring onsen bathing, and two high-quality restaurants. It’s Kyoto – but perhaps not as most people know it. Tucked away in a…

Party Like a Rock Star at the First-ever Guitar-shaped Hotel — Now Open for Business
What does it take to construct the world’s first guitar-shaped hotel on a protected Seminole reservation near the bustling metropolis of sunny Fort Lauderdale, Florida? Just $1.5 billion and some patience. The shiny new Guitar Hotel, centerpiece of the massive multi-year expansion of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, made its highly anticipated debut on October 24, 2019. In…

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Other and Odd

Body of 21-year-old British Backpacker Found Floating Off Coast of Cambodia
The body of the 21-year-old British backpacker who had gone missing last week was found floating off the coast of Cambodia on Thursday. Police found Amelia Bambridge’s body about 30 miles away from tourist destination Koh Rong where she was last seen, The BBC reported. She went missing from a beach party on the island around 3 a.m. on October 24, and a few hours later,…

Cookbook Author Alison Roman Loves to Grocery Shop When She Travels
If you have an Instagram account, you're probably familiar with at least one of Alison Roman's recipes. The Dining In author and New York Times columnist's chickpea dish, better known as #TheStew, quickly became the go-to humblebrag for home cooks on social media when it went viral earlier this year, while her salted chocolate shortbread cookies have garnered a huge following.…

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Today in History

The White House
On this day in the year 1800, President John Adams became the first United States President to move into and take up residence in the Executive Mansion, later to be called "The White House." Adams penned a prayer the next day that read: "I pray Heaven to bestow the best of blessings on this…

Press Releases of Interest

Central Holidays Unveils the Ultimate Experiential Opportunities in New 2020 Italy Brochure
Moonachie, NJ – (October 30, 2019) – Central Holidays today announced the launch of its new 2020 Italy brochure with exclusive experiential travel opportunities for all ages of travelers in this 100-page publication. Celebrated for exclusive experiential itineraries, uniquely presented by Central Holidays,…

Deck Plans

5 Reasons To Try A River Cruise In 2020

I always say that river cruising is a great option for a multitude of travelers because it includes something for everyone. Now, this is obviously a generalization. River cruising is not going to be the experience of everyone’s dreams. That’s not what the river cruise companies want it to be. What river cruise companies are striving for, however, is to reach new demographics and new travelers by enhancing their existing programs and making them better for everyone – not just those new to river cruising.

River cruising has changed a lot since I started cruising – and that’s only been ten years. Of course, river cruising has changed a lot more since its rise to popularity at the…

  — Travel Research Online
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Spotlight

The East Coasts of Canada with CroisiEurope
by Joseph DeLoach
Friday November 01, 2019

Canada’s east coast is sprawling. It is the quintessential image of the northeast, lighthouses dot rocky cliffs while the bustling city of Montreal is just inland along the St. Lawrence River. The entire area has more of a French feel than the rest of Canada (and one of the islands off the coast is owned France). Cities here are reminiscent of the 17th-18th century world, where elegant architecture was simple – yet never understated. Eastern Canada is a cross between European and North American, a beautiful mix that shows all over.

  — Travel Research Online
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Mike's Morning Missives

#8: Why Should I Do Business With You?

That is a good question. If not asked verbally, your prospect is undoubtedly thinking it.

Most agents would reply by telling the prospect what they think of themselves. They provide a data dump of superfluous information, which is of no interest to their prospects. They flatter themselves hoping that others share the same interest in them and their history. Ladies and gentlemen, this isn’t the way things work.

Excuse my bluntness but, by and large, people don’t care about you… or the horse you rode in…

  — Travel Research Online
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Upcoming Training Opportunities


Discover A Different Argentina

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

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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