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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
50 Musicians in France Came Together for One Awe-inspiring Virtual Performance
People in France, like much of the world, may be quarantined due to the coronavirus, but that didn’t stop the National Orchestra of France from doing what they do best. Streaming solo from their homes, the orchestra of 50 played “Bolero,” sporting headphones and casual clothes during the at-home show. In the video, that has almost one million views, one musician beats a drum with…
— Travel+Leisure
A new form of house music: Berlin clubs livestream DJ sets
With bars, nightclubs and restaurants closed to slow the spread of Covid-19, nightlife in Berlin, was expected to come to a halt. But no, the beats are still thumping. The city’s premier “virtual club” is now in session. United We Stream is a collaboration of about 40 clubs and several other nightlife businesses in Berlin. Every evening at 7pm (6pm UK time), DJ line-ups are…
— The Guardian
Tours and Activities
Why San Francisco does sourdough best
When James W Marshall discovered gold in the hills north of San Francisco in 1848, it sparked a migration of epic proportions. Within a year, tens of thousands of immigrants from both across the country and around the globe had relocated to the Californian city and its surroundings, carrying with them basic necessities like clothing; carpentry tools; and coffee, sugar and flour.…
— BBC
How You Can Watch the D.C. Cherry Blossoms Bloom From Home
Washington D.C.’s cherry blossoms have long been a favored attraction to spring travelers. However, this year, it appears we will have to all sadly miss out on seeing the blooms in person. But, that isn’t stopping the National Parks Service from bringing the cherry blossoms to you. This year, the Trust for the National Mall, along with the National Park Service and The National…
— Travel+Leisure
A restaurant once dubbed the world's best reopens to feed first responders
It's safe to say no one in the world is sitting down to a three-plus hour, eight-course dinner costing hundreds of dollars at any of the top fine destinations around the globe. The pandemic's stronghold has all but made it impossible for luxury restaurants to keep doing what they were doing prior to the shutdown. On Wednesday night, however, one of the world's best restaurants,…
— CNN
Cruise
Holland America Cruise Ships Zaandam, Rotterdam Cleared to Dock in Port Everglades
Holland America Line's Zaandam and fleetmate Rotterdam successfully berthed at Port Everglades today to discharge and repatriate passengers aboard the ships, some who had fallen ill with the COVID-19 coronavirus. The docking comes after substantial pushback from local and state officials countered by pleas from Holland America executives and many others…
— CruiseCritic.com
New Cruise Ships for 2020 Will Debut Later Than Expected
Several new cruise ships that were scheduled to make their debut this year will now sail their first cruise later than originally planned. Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has delayed the launch of their first ship until April 2021. This is the second time that this new luxury cruise line has pushed back the launch of their first yacht. Evrima was scheduled to sail her first cruise in June…
— Cruise Fever
Transportation
Airlines Are Getting Bailout Money—But There Are a Lot of Strings Attached
Airline carriers have taken a massive financial hit as the coronavirus outbreak brings new travel restrictions and weaker passenger demand each day. In a government bailout bill signed into law earlier this week, U.S. carriers will be able to get financial assistance to help them stave off widespread layoffs and furloughs: $50 billion in taxpayer-funded aid, half of which are…
— Conde Nast Traveler
Dire Times For Private Jets Brings Out The Industry’s Best
Remember those stories you were reading about a month ago from private jet charter brokers and how their phones were ringing off the hook? Now think how you felt the morning after that day into night beach party where after drinking beer all day, you switched to martinis before dinner, numerous bottles of red wine, and then some tequila shots. Double that level of pain and…
— Forbes
Lodging
Hotel beds are being looked at to use amid COVID-19 pandemic
Governor Beshear says Kentucky has more than 18,000 hospital beds, but believes thousands more will be needed when COVID-19 hits its peak. Governor Beshear said they are currently under contract to get 1,600 additional beds from hotels. With people being told to stay at home, few are traveling. This has left many hotels either empty or having their occupancy drastically…
— CBS WYMT
Airbnb Offers A Way To Provide Free Housing To Healthcare Professionals And Payouts To Reimburse Hosts
Airbnb recently announced two new initiatives to help assuage the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The first is an initiative to help house healthcare workers, who need places to stay whilst helping fight the spread of the COVID-19 disease. The second is a new fund to help hosts financially with the cost of cancelled bookings. As the pandemic took root in Europe over the past…
— Forbes
Other and Odd
Writer Fanny Singer and Her Mother, Chef Alice Waters, on What Travel Means to Them
Out this month from Knopf, the memoir "Always Home: A Daughter’s Recipes & Stories" features author Fanny Singer’s recipes and recollections of life with her mother, the chef Alice Waters. Each vignette — be it sneaking a snack from the kitchen at Chez Panisse or devouring gelato on a summer day in Sicily — is rich with a sense of place and enhanced by Brigitte Lacombe’s…
— Travel+Leisure
7 Couples on Navigating Long Distance Amid Coronavirus
Countless couples have been separated as governments race to contain the spread of COVID-19, limiting movement of citizens to their home countries and even their own homes. In some cases, one party was away on business or visiting family abroad when borders closed with little warning. In others, a twosome was already in a long-distance relationship but had to postpone…
— Conde Nast Traveler
Today in History
The First Pony Express Run
On this day in 1860, a series of Pony Express messengers rode their mounts from Saint Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California. Reducing the time for mail delivery between the coasts to approximately 10 days, the Pony Express service carried letters on a horseback relay across…
— Travel Research Online
Agent Perspectives
Inform, Inspire, Reflect and Plan
by Paull Tickner
Friday April 03, 2020
Last Friday, I  spotted a recent Development Counsellors International survey on what travel advisors need during the COVI-19 crisis. The fifth of their key findings confirmed that 38 percent of those surveyed are using their time to engage in professional education. For those of you with the UK on your radar, check out the videos, expand your UK product knowledge, be inspired, reflect on what you see and start planning for the…
— Travel Research Online
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Deck Plans
Viking Will Sail The Mississippi
Viking announce d that it will further expand its fleet with the launch of new Mississippi River cruises, honoring a commitment Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen made to loyal past guests to launch the Mississippi product by early…
— Travel Research Online
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