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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
US scraps flights to nine Cuban destinations, adding to list of punishing sanctions
Starting Tuesday, it will be even harder for Americans to visit Cuba as a Trump administration mandate to US airlines to cut flights to nine destinations on the island takes effect. Only US flights to Cuba's capital Havana won't be canceled. The measure, which was announced in October, adds to an increasing list of punishing sanctions meted out to Cuba. The Trump administration has called on…
— CNN
The Italian village that celebrates ugliness
Tucked in a valley between the Apennine Mountains and the Adriatic Sea in central Italy, Piobbico is a handsome medieval town full of grand stone buildings surrounded by lush forests. But despite its picture-perfect setting, Piobbico is renowned for the “ugliness” of its people. Since 1879, this 2,000-person town has been home to the Club dei Brutti (“The Ugly Club”), an association whose…
— BBC
Everything You Need to Know Before You Go to Spain
Sometimes travel advice can seem obvious: Don’t rush! Drink a lot of wine! Hang out at the beach! These things are all true in Spain. But, the country can also be a little tricky. With its varied climate zones, regional cultural heritage, and ongoing issues related to the Catalan bid for independence, there are important factors to keep in mind if you want to have a smooth and drama-free visit.…
— Fodor's Travel
Tours and Activities
You Could Get Paid to Build Lego Models All Day at California's New Legoland Park
Do you have what it takes to be a master builder? According to SFGate, Legoland Discovery Center Bay Area, a new Lego park opening soon in Milpitas, California, is looking for a master model builder, so break out those tiny, plastic bricks and show Lego what you’re made of. Candidates who think they have the Lego know-how must participate in The Brick Factor competition, a two-day event…
— Travel+Leisure
Here’s Why the Northern Lights Are 100% Worth the Journey North
For centuries, people have tried and failed to describe the experience of standing under the northern lights. Viewers have been exhilarated, moved to tears, surprised into stunned silence as undulating ribbons of green light dance across the sky. Among other things, Aristotle described them as “jumping goats.” The Norse epic Kongespeilet calls them “a vast flame of fire.” Galileo called…
— Thrillist
Cruise
Cruise line sued by family of toddler who fell to her death from window
The parents of an 18-month-old who fell to her death from an open window on a Royal Caribbean Cruise ship in July are expected to announce Wednesday a lawsuit against the cruise line over the accident that they contend is the company’s fault. Alan Wiegand and Kimberly Schultz Wiegand, of South Bend, Indiana, were on a Royal Caribbean Cruise ship in Puerto Rico when their daughter,…
— NBC News
Royal Caribbean passengers hurt in New Zealand volcano eruption: Is the cruise line liable?
A volcanic eruption Monday on White Island in New Zealand killed at least six people, left eight others presumed dead and injured many more, leaving police questioning why 47 people – including Royal Caribbean cruise passengers – were on the island that had seen an increase in seismic activity in recent weeks. "We are devastated by today’s events and our hearts go out to all those…
— USA Today
Transportation
Severe turbulence leaves cabin crew member with broken ankle
Few people enjoy in-flight turbulence, but while it's anxiety-inducing you're usually pretty safe and secure with your seat belt fastened.
But on a Thomas Cook flight from Varadero Airport, Cuba, to Manchester Airport in the UK earlier this year, sudden unexpected severe turbulence caused two cabin crew members to suffer injuries -- with one flight attendant breaking an ankle and the other…
— CNN
WestJet Continues Their Holiday Video Tradition — This Time Asking People If They Want to Donate Prizes They’ve Won
WestJet has done it again. The Canadian carrier continued its annual tradition of producing a hearfelt Christmas video by offering people free flights and vacations — and then asking if they’d like to donate them instead to benefit families who are part of the Ronald McDonald House charities. Spoiler alert: many people donate their gifts and we can’t promise you won’t be crying by the end of it.…
— Travel+Leisure
Lodging
Five of the UK’s best new hotels for foodies: reviewed
Completely refurbished this year, the hotel is part of the Oakly Park estate owned by a direct descendant (and namesake) of Robert Clive, scourge of the Indian subcontinent. Three new bedrooms have been created in the large former farmhouse, while another 14 – in what were once outbuildings – have had extensive makeovers. My stay was in one of the new rooms and I found it a…
— The Guardian
Villa Mojana
A refined and exclusive six-bedroom villa on the tree-clad slopes of Lake Como, near the enchanting town of Bellagio. With limpid views of the water, an infinity pool and Italian designer décor, it’s an intimate and romantic setting for popping questions and champagne corks. A refined and exclusive six-bedroom villa on the tree-clad slopes of Lake Como, near the enchanting town…
— Telegraph (London)
Other and Odd
8 Travel Trends To Expect In 2020
Just as the destinations that we love to visit as avid travelers change from year to year, decade to decade, so do the travel trends that we partake in. Travel trends over recent years have included immersive travel, sustainable travel, multigenerational travel and skip-gen travel. While all of these have their merits, the travel landscape continues to evolve. In the upcoming year, we can expect…
— Forbes
Holiday Travel Can Be Mayhem. Here's How I Save Money and Minimize Stress
Traveling for the holidays isn’t always fun. From flight delays to long transit times, there are so many factors out of our control. While holiday travel plans will not always go as expected, there are things you can do to make your journey a little less stressful and a little more pleasant — and a bit more budget-friendly. You already know you’ll be packing more than your clothes and essentials.…
— Money
12 Best Travel Insurance Policies and Why You Need Them
You’ve purchased your flights and booked your hotel. Now, what about travel insurance? These days, it’s easy to add coverage to your trip, but what's the best travel insurance policy to buy? And is the extra cost always necessary? When planning a trip, nobody loves imagining worst-case scenarios and everyone has a different risk tolerance. For a weekend road trip, you may be willing to cross…
— Conde Nast Traveler
Today in History
Germany and Italy Declare War on The United States
The United States was still reeling from the surprise attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and had formally declared war on Japan. Tens of thousands of young American men rushed to join the armed forces. On December 11th, Germany and Italy responded by declaring war on the…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
CCRA Travel Commerce Network and Uplift Announce Strategic Alliance to Provide New Flexible Payment Options for Travel Advisors to Offer their Clients
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – December 10, 2019 – CCRA Travel Commerce Network and Uplift are pleased to announce their collaboration to provide travel advisors a flexible financing solution that makes it easy for clients to book today and spread the cost of their vacation into low monthly payments. With Uplift…
— Travel Research Online
Mike's Morning Missives
A Disciplined Life Is The Key
 “Success is about doing the right thing, not about doing everything right. The secret to success is to choose the right habit and bring just enough discipline to establish it.”
The plight of today’s entrepreneur is that they feel they have to do everything; and heaven knows there is plenty to do! To complicate things, they never seem to have enough time to get it all done. Too much to do… not enough time to do it.
This has the earmarks of a true conundrum. But the truth is that you have all the time there is, and you can’t possibly do it all… nor do you have…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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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 ➠
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