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Friday April 11, 2025

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

Wellness & Luxury Travel In St. Thomas, USVI: Hotels & Hotspots
Sun, soft sand, and an easy atmosphere. For many of us—myself included—that is the definition of a getaway. And to get just that, the Caribbean is always a surefire bet. With a plethora of islands to choose from (each unique in their own way), you may wonder which one is the…

This Is How to Have a Very Chill Weekend in Berlin
When it comes to citybreaks, certain European destinations just have a kind of aura. Mention to a friend that you’re heading to Paris, Rome or Barcelona for the weekend and it’s all approving nods and misty-eyed reminiscence. ‘Oh the food, the galleries, the romance… such a short…

Crete Itineraries: 4 Ways to Explore This Epic Island
Crete is a small island that's huge in natural beauty. Alongside gorgeous beaches, dramatic landscapes, scenic ferry rides and fabulous walks and hikes there's ancient history to explore and wonderful food and wine to enjoy. You can spend a week driving around this ever-changing…

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Tours and Activities

How This Sleepy Southern Town Transformed Into an Art Lover’s Paradise
Bentonville, Arkansas, has emerged as a lively artistic and culinary destination, driven by the influence of the renowned Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Thanks to this cultural influx, and with plenty to capture the attention of parents and children alike, it's also a perfect getaway…

A 331-Mile Trail in Japan Through Centuries-Old Villages Will Transport You to the Era of Shoguns and Samurais
Hiking on the Nakasendo trail in the Gifu and Nagano Prefectures of central Japan, I encounter more Buddhist jizo statues, waterfalls with ancient lore, and family farms than people. Such is the allure of rural Japan for outdoor enthusiasts or those simply wanting to avoid visiting…

This New Jersey Farm Feels Like You’re in the Netherlands for Tulip Season—and It Opens Today
Walking through the rows of blooming tulips on this 300-acre farm is like being enveloped in a kaleidoscope of spring colors. As far as the eye can see in every direction are sheets of pink, orange, yellows, reds, and violet, totaling a whopping 8 million tulips of about 100 varieties—and…

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Cruise

Fewer Crowds, Cooler Temperatures: Holland America to Sail Late-Season Europe Cruises
Holland America Line is extending its stay in Europe in 2026. The cruise line will sail in and around the continent six weeks longer than planned, into early December. Major cruise lines often reposition ships to the Caribbean from around November until March. The longer season marks…

It Just Got Cheaper And Easier To Use Your Phone On Cruise Ships
One of the most common travel tips for a hassle-free cruise experience usually includes packing lightly with only the essentials. It's also recommended to go digital wherever possible, which is one of the many space-saving tips for minimalist packing before taking a cruise. Space…

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Transportation

Travel Strikes Are Impacting Europe: What You Need To Know
Heading into the summer, travel strikes are set to impact transportation in several European countries. Pay discrepancies and job security are at the heart of many airline and airport workers’ strikes. Travel And World Tour reported that in Italy April 9, easyJet flight attendants would strike…

Major Airline Slashes Economy Fares on Transatlantic Travel
Air France is cutting economy ticket prices on transatlantic flights amid weakening demand, according to the airline's chief executive. Ben Smith acknowledged a "slight softness" in economy-class fares, contrasting with the "relative stability" seen in premium cabins, in an interview with…

American Airlines Has a New Route to a Mexican 'Beach Paradise' Destination–and Tickets Go On Sale Next Week
Exploring new regions of Mexico just got easier. American Airlines announced its 30th destination to the North American nation: Puerto Escondido. Located at the southern tip of the Oaxaca region, Puerto Escondido is known for beautiful beaches, water activities such as sport…

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Lodging

These Tiny Hotel Rooms Are Changing The Game
Most travelers prioritize lavishly large vacation accommodations whenever possible. However, unique tiny hotel rooms across the world provide experiences worth considering, even if only for the epic travel story you’ll get to tell. The small but mighty stays below pack just as much…

How One Hotel Brand Is Optimizing Blended Travel to Help Guests Focus on Personal and Professional Goals
Seamlessly combining business and pleasure is a work-life win-win. So, it's no surprise that travelers are increasingly finding ways to capitalize on both in the form of blended travel. According to one report, 56% of US and UK travelers said the ability to travel while working is a major…

Top 8 Historic Hotels in Pennsylvania
It’s easy to settle for the first great hotel we find when planning a trip. We look for the basics, like location, cost, and amenities. After, we read through the reviews to make sure we know what we’re signing up for. Lastly, we look for extras like romance packages or experiential…

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Other and Odd

How Music Festivals Are Driving Global Travel in 2025
Music festivals have become a cultural staple, evolving from small gatherings to grand events that captivate millions worldwide. By 2025, projections suggest that over 32 million people will attend music festivals globally, a testament to their growing appeal. This surge in…

American Arrested in Thailand for Allegedly Criticizing King
The U.S. State Department is working to get access to an American citizen who was arrested in Thailand on charges of criticizing the country’s monarchy. Dr. Paul Chambers, a professor at Naresuan University in northern Thailand, frequently gives lectures on civil-military relations in the…

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Today in History

The Stone of Scone is Returned to Scotland
The Stone of Scone, sometimes called the Stone of Destiny, is a 330-pound rock made of sandstone that has for centuries been used in the coronation of Scotish, English, and British monarchs. The Stone of Scone figured into…

Press Releases of Interest

15th Annual Las Vegas Travel Agent Forum Wraps with Sold-Out Success
(Boston, MA – April 9, 2025) Travel Show Marketing Group’s (TravelSMG) 15th Annual Las Vegas Travel Agent Forum received rave reviews from both Travel Suppliers and Agents in attendance. The 2025 event was a sell out…

Laurence Pinckney Inducted in KHM Travel Group’s Agent Hall of Fame
Brunswick, Ohio [April 9, 2025] – KHM Travel Group is honored to welcome Laurence Pinckney, CEO of Zenbiz Travel, LLC into its prestigious Agent Hall of Fame. Laurence was selected for induction by meeting all the Hall of…

Deck Plans

Thinking Of A European River Cruise This Year? You’re Not Too Late

If you›ve been toying with the idea of taking a river cruise this year but haven’t pulled the trigger yet – good news: you’re not too late. In fact, you might be right on time. AmaWaterways still has space on some top itineraries for 2025, and a few of them come with seriously solid promos.

— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »

The Rosen Report

My Bucket List of New Hotels in The Americas for 2025 (Part 2)
by Cheryl Rosen
Friday April 11, 2025

If I were putting together a bucket list of properties opening in 2025, there’s a few that look really different or inviting that I’d include. Here are some I’d love to check out in Mexico, the Caribbean and South America. (For my picks in the United States, see My Bucket List of New Hotels in The Americas for 2025 (Part 1) | Travel Research Online.)

Mexico, the Caribbean, and South…

— Travel Research Online
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Top Headlines

Carnival Debuts 8,000-Passenger Project Ace Ships, Plus Carnival Festivale and Carnival Tropicale
by Cheryl Rosen
Thursday April 10, 2025

Port of Miami — It’s official: Carnival Cruise Line’s two new Excel-class ships will be named Carnival Festivale and Carnival Tropicale—and they will be followed by three even larger ships, big enough to hold 8,000 guests each.

At a lively press preview at the Port of Miami this week, Carnival president Christine Duffy said the three giant ships, on a platform that for now is being called Project Ace, will be delivered in 2029, 2031 and 2033. At 230,000 gross tons each, they will carry more guests than any ship in the world…

— Travel Research Online
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Upcoming Training Opportunities


Exploring the Edge of the World: Expedition Cruising with Australis in Patagonia

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Unlock the Iberian Peninsula & Beyond: The Advantage Every Travel Advisor Needs

Unlock the Iberian Peninsula & Beyond: The Advantage Every Travel Advisor Needs

Sunday, April 20, 2025 at 2 pm EDT/11 am PDT

Join us for an exclusive webinar with Petrabax, the trusted name in Spain, Portugal & Morocco for almost 40 years — now expanding into Italy, Greece & Turkey.

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