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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
France: Paris travel woes worsen as strike disrupts subway, train lines
France braced for even worse transportation woes when the new work week begins Monday due to nationwide strikes over the government’s redesign of the national retirement system. French President Emmanuel Macron convened top officials to strategize for the high-stakes week ahead. Sunday saw more travel chaos as the strikes entered their fourth day, with most French trains at a standstill. Fourteen of Paris’…
— USA Today
Unst: A real life Treasure Island
From the northern tip of Unst, Shetland – the UK’s most northerly inhabited island – a dramatic view comes into sight. Encircled by gannets, the tiny isle of Muckle Flugga rises sheer out of the North Sea. Perched atop its serrated rocks, pointing upwards like a single candle stuck into a birthday cake and marking the end of the UK like an exclamation mark, is the most northerly of Scotland’s lighthouses. It wears the…
— BBC
Tours and Activities
Inside the 'world's most beautiful cafe'
Step inside the New York Café, and you may find yourself wondering if you've accidentally entered the Hungarian equivalent to the Sistine Chapel. Built in Italian Renaissance-style, with sparkling chandeliers dangling from high ceilings and walls adorned by spectacular frescoes, it's one of the oldest cafes in the city, dating back 125 years. It looks more like a lavish palace than a place to grab a slice of cake and a…
— CNN
Traveling To A Marathon? Study Finds The Best, The Worst
Millions of travelers each year head to marathons throughout the world — either to participate or watch. Now, a new study concludes which ones are the best and the worst. Germany’s Haspa Marathon in Hamburg is ranked the best, followed by Austria’s Vienna City Marathon and the Cracovia Marathon in Krakow, Poland, according to the study by The Sole Supplier. The company works with footwear retailers and…
— Forbes
Cruise
Crystal Cruises Debuts New 'Storytellers' Podcast
A new podcast offers listeners a chance to experience one of the highlights of taking a Crystal cruise. The new series, called Crystal Storyteller, features exclusive presentations offered onboard the small-ship luxury line, including conversations with novelists, actors, journalists and newsmakers. Each episode is focused on an expert guest speaker from a 2019 Crystal voyage in conversation with the ship's cruise…
— CruiseCritic.com
Cruise Will Visit Both the Arctic and Antarctic Circles
Cruisers who are looking for the ultimate adventure should know about a special expedition that will visit both the Arctic and Antarctic Circles. Travel to two of the world’s most isolated destinations with the new Pole-to-Pole offer by adventure travel specialists Wildfoot Travel. The brand-new adventure encourages intrepid travellers to visit both the Arctic and Antarctic circles in a combined package which offers…
— Cruise Fever
Transportation
American Airlines apologizes to passenger booted over 'Hail Satan' T-shirt
American Airlines has apologized to a passenger who was allegedly ordered to change out of her “offensive” T-shirt — or get off the plane. Runi Goyal had boarded the Las Vegas-bound flight in Florida on Oct. 30, wearing a T-shirt reading “Hail Satan” and “Est. 666,” above an image of an upside-down cross. And although she wears the shirt often, and that most people usually find it to be silly, a member of the flight…
— Fox Travel News
How To Handle The Pitfalls Of France’s Latest Public Transport Meltdown
The big question on my mind for days has been will my puddy tat make it back to Strasbourg from Paris. Also will Cupcake’s minder be able to make his currently overwrought trip from Strasbourg to Paris to fetch her. For this trip–booked weeks back–now falls smack bang in the latest French transport crisis. Cupcake would be among hundreds of thousands of animals also affected by the current strikes over pension…
— Forbes
Lodging
More Hotel Guests Steal Mattresses Than You Might Think, Survey Reveals
Plenty of people end up taking home small things from hotels, especially those little, complimentary soaps. But what about the bigger stuff, like hairdryers, bathrobes, or mattresses? Well, those go missing more than you might think. Yes, even the mattresses. A study by Wellness Heaven revealed that about 4.2 percent of the 1,157 four and five-star hotels (634 four-star hoteliers and 523 five-star hoteliers)…
— Travel+Leisure
Penh House & Jungle Addition
Two distinct hotel properties under one banner are located on a quiet lane in walking distance to the royal palace. Penh House offers modern boutique comforts and an infinity rooftop pool, while Jungle Addition is an intimate heritage property in a quiet garden compound. Penh House is located just north of the Independence Monument, on lively Street 240, home to a number of good restaurants and shops and a…
— Telegraph (London)
Other and Odd
Traveling overseas with kids? They might need extra measles protection
Many young children traveling abroad aren't receiving the vaccines they need to protect them from measles, a study published Monday in JAMA Pediatrics finds. Kids are more likely to be exposed to measles when traveling internationally than when they are at home in the United State, said study co-author Dr. Emily Hyle, an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Worldwide, measles cases have…
— NBC News
Three Men Drove From NYC to LA in Under 28 Hours — and Didn’t Get Pulled Over
Traveling as fast as they could, three men claim they broke the cross-country driving record, making it from New York City to Los Angeles in only 27 hours and 25 minutes. The three men, Arne Toman, Douglas Tabbutt, and Berkeley Chadwick, told CNN they raced across the country in what is called the “Cannonball Run,” beating the previous record by more than an hour. They reportedly drove an average speed of…
— Travel+Leisure
Today in History
The King Abdicates the Throne
His name was Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David and he ascended the throne of the United Kingdom on January 20, 1936 as King Edward VIII. But shortly after he took the throne, Edward announced he wished to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson. His ministers, however, had other ideas. Being a…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
Central Holidays Unveils the Ultimate Experiential Opportunities in New 2020 Europe Brochure
Moonachie, NJ – (December 9, 2019) – Central Holidays today announced the debut of its 2020 Europe brochure with authentically rich experiences in Greece, France, Malta, Spain, Portugal, & Croatia, featuring inspired itineraries and ultra-personalized programs. Celebrated for its affordable luxury itineraries,…
— Travel Research Online
Croatia’s Katarina Line Announces 2020 Trade Show Schedule for North America Following Record 2019 Bookings
With a fleet of more than 60 ships in six different categories, Katarina Line continues to build its reputation worldwide as Croatia’s premier small ship cruising company and leading DMC. Coming off a record year in bookings, the company has announced its schedule for participation in winter 2020 workshops and trade…
— Travel Research Online
Mike's Morning Missives
Beware The Extrovert
 “It was an excess of assertiveness and zeal that led to contacting customers too frequently. Extroverts, in other words, often stumble over themselves. They can talk too much and listen too little… which can be read as pushy and drive people away.”
It has been believed for years that successful sales personnel exhibited an outgoing, people-oriented, fun, and vivacious personality. Sales pros had one thing in common, and that was the “gift-of-gab.” They could mix and mingle with anybody at a moment’s notice. They were always “on” and more often than not they would border on the obnoxious.
As consumers were given access to more information and became smarter as a result of their own research, less demand was placed on the extrovert of yesterday when it…
— Travel Research Online
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Upcoming Training Opportunities
Australis 101
Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at 1 pm EST/10 am PST
Navigating the Patagonian waterways for 29 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.
Register Now ➠
A Journey to South Africa with South African Airways
Thursday, December 12, 2019 at 3 pm EST/12 pm PST
Learn about South African Airways, the largest airline in Southern Africa. SAA offers convenient connections from more than 100 cities in North America and daily flights from New York JFK and Washington Dulles with connections to over 75 destinations in Africa.
See why South African Airways, a Star Alliance Member is Africa’s most awarded airline, which includes earning a 4-star rating for 17 consecutive years and recently named as having the “Best Airline Staff in Africa” by Skytrax.
Register Now ➠
Hungary – The Wellspring of Wonders
Wednesday, December 11, 2019 at 1 pm EST/10 am PST
Hidden in the centre of Europe is a country where water roils under the earth and erupts to the surface, hot and healing. A country, where you can refresh your body and mind by relaxing in the hot water of genuine medieval Turkish baths, both in the summer and winter. Where you can always find something historic or modern that touches your soul, and the atmosphere is vibrant and relaxing at the same time. Where the ”aszú” grape berries are harvested during autumn, from which beautifully balanced “gold wine” is produced. Where on hilltops, deep in the valleys and on endless plains, you find the hustle of small, centuries-old villages, charming towns, luxurious castles and a lively metropolis.
Register Now ➠
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