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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
Finding Comfort (And Wine) On A Virtual Trip To Napa With Peter Mondavi Jr.
I’d never never heard the term “comfort wine” before but in a lot of ways that phrase makes a lot of sense. There were a lot of things I’d never heard of pre-global pandemic so like many people, I’m taking the time in quarantine to learn a thing or two and wine happens to be at the forefront of that list. Simply put, comfort wine is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the bottle of New Zealand Sauv Blanc…
— Forbes
The forgotten story of London's lost Versailles
The Duke of Wellington’s nephew has plenty to answer for. Were it not for William Wellesley-Pole’s rakish ways, east London might have a stately home – perhaps even a royal palace – to rival Versailles. Few Londoners, let alone tourists, make it to Wanstead. The leafy district in the borough of Redbridge offers a relatively affordable option for first-time buyers. There’s a “village”, according to the…
— Telegraph (London)
Tours and Activities
How to make pizza like a Neapolitan master
When you think of Italy’s most memorable dishes, its beloved pizza will most likely be among your top five, if not top three, favourites. It’s an ultimate comfort food that has become an ever-growing obsession around the world. But what is it that makes pizza from Italy so special, and where do you find the very best? Like so many of the country’s most prized gastronomic delights like wine, olive oil…
— BBC
'If I had your face': A peek into South Korea's secretive underground world
Dubbed one of the most anticipated novels of 2020, appearing on multiple 'must-read' lists, Frances Cha's debut book "If I had your face" offers a gripping immersion into the lesser known sides of South Korean culture. How to best sum it up? One could argue it's "Parasite" meets "Crazy Rich Asians" meets "Big Little Lies." Covering everything from the unwritten rules of the country's "room…
— CNN
Top Online Experiences Include Symphonies, Yoga And Sandhill Cranes
In order to provide homebound populations with a virtual respite from the current stay-at-home orders across the world, resorts and travel destinations are offering online experiences to be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home. Here are nine of the top online experiences. Massanutten Resort, an all-season adventure resort, is bringing the fresh mountain air of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley…
— Forbes
Cruise
Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Azamara and Silversea Suspend All Cruises Until June 12
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., the parent company of Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara and Silversea Cruises, has extended its fleet suspension through June 11, 2020. The move follows the line's announcement of the suspension of all U.S. cruises as of March 13, which extended to a 30-day worldwide suspension on March 17, as a result of the global coronavirus…
— CruiseCritic.com
Singapore has a plan for the world's empty cruise ships
With cruise ships around the world being idled after hundreds of infections occurred during their voyages, they might have found a new purpose in Singapore. The city-state is studying using cruise ships to temporarily house foreign workers who have recovered from the coronavirus and tested negative, as it tries to limit the spread after cases soared in the last week. The potential measure…
— Fortune
Transportation
EasyJet proposes leaving middle seats empty to cut virus risk
Budget airline EasyJet is considering leaving airplane middle seats empty once Covid-19 restrictions ease and travelers return to the skies. The carrier, which has one of Europe's largest commercial aircraft fleets, said the measure would be temporary and would form part of a package of strategies for safeguarding travelers. "Based on our discussions with EASA [European Union Aviation…
— CNN
NYC Transportation Workers Will Sound Their Horns in Unity Today As They Keep the City Moving
The soundtrack of New York City — meaning the rumble of its buses, ferries and trains — will make even more noise today to honor their workers who transport first responders to and from work amid the coronavirus. At 3 p.m., two one-second blasts will be heard throughout the city’s streets as thousands of drivers across the city blow their horns. Included in the moment are New…
— Travel+Leisure
Lodging
Fitness Classes, Yoga Sessions, and Spa Treatments You Can Stream From Your Favorite Hotels
Right now, most of us are hunkered down at home, doing our part to help stem the spread of COVID-19. But with life thrown so far off balance these past few months—school years cut short, trips postponed, and everyday schedules tossed up in the air—we’re all in need of a little self-care. And while we can’t hit our favorite hotels for the hammams, spas, and heart-thumping fitness classes we love…
— Conde Nast Traveler
Most people aren't staying at hotels due to coronavirus. Here's how they're filling rooms anyway.
Hotels across the U.S. and the world are struggling amid the coronavirus pandemic. Many have temporarily shuttered and more are on the way. Some may never reopen at all. "I don’t think the (hospitality) industry itself has yet come to terms with the full scope of every piece of minutiae that needs to be reimagined," Steve Carvell, professor of finance in the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business,…
— USA Today
Other and Odd
People Are Recreating Travel Photos at Home With Hilarious Results
For now, traveling from your bedroom to your living room is about the best you can hope for. Maybe if you’re lucky you’ll have a long layover in the kitchen too. However, that doesn’t mean you still can’t dream about traveling again and maybe even get a little nostalgic about travels past. You could even join the legions of people posting some truly inspirational at-home recreations of previous…
— Travel+Leisure
Travel Without Leaving the House
Traveling is a favorite hobby of millions of people because it is a great way to escape your stressful life while also seeing a new part of the world. Unfortunately, traditional means of travel are just not possible right now. However, while you may not be able to leave the house, you can still find ways to experience new destinations. These are the four best ways to travel without leaving the house.…
— Thrive Global
Today in History
The Bay of Pigs Invasion
On April 17, 1961, US-backed Cuban exiles landed on Cuban shores in an ill-fated plan to overthrow Fidel Castro. Although financed and planned by the United States, the Kennedy administration withdrew its planned air support for the invasion out of fear of direct involvement, and Cuban forces defeated…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
Sky Vacations Announces Ground Breaking Travel Initiative #StressFreeTravel
New York City, April 15, 2020 - Sky Vacations launched its exclusive collection of travel programs, #stressfreetravel. The Stress Free Travel collection of itineraries feature no deposit due for 60 days and no penalties for bookings cancelled from 48 hours to 7 days prior to commencement. “The credit…
— Travel Research Online
A Virtual Visit to New York City: Part 1 – The Arts
The City we here at New York City Vacation Packages (NYCVP) love is suffering once again – although unfortunately this time not alone – but rather with the rest of the world. Coronavirus has stolen what many of us have taken for granted and slowly shut it all down for the foreseeable future and that…
— Travel Research Online
Agent Perspectives
Discover Scotland’s Castles, Gardens, and Malt Whisky Trails
by Paull Tickner
Friday April 17, 2020
Regular readers will be familiar with my four-word mantra of "TRAVEL LESS, SEE MORE." This week, I’m taking you north of Hadrian’s Wall as I sow some seeds that could become the basis for a customised tour for 2-4 or 10-12 clients in the spring/summer of next year. Read on, become inspired, dream a little and then let’s exchange some emails about a plan for…
— Travel Research Online
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Deck Plans
When Will We Return To River Cruising?
If the river cr uise companies resumed operations in July, would you feel confident about going on a river cruise? Because we value your thoughts, we are running a survey to see how you are feeling about river cruising in the short term and beyond.
COVID-19 has made something as simple as going to the grocery store a large task that requires proper protection. Not only is the virus leaving people uncertain in their daily lives, but also leaving them uncertain when it comes to future plans. There is so much uncertainty surrounding travel right now – and with no definite end in sight – that it’s hard to say when travel will return to some semblance of normal.
Though largely applying to ocean cruise companies, on April…
— Travel Research Online
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Mike’s 1-Minute Marketing Memos
Emotion
 It was Dale Carnegie who first reminded us, “When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but creatures of…
— Travel Research Online
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