Destinations
Get to Know Atrani, Location in the New Netflix Show RipleyAtrani on Italy's Amalfi Coast is attracting new interest as a filming location in the Netflix series Ripley. And it's easy to see why. The pocket-sized town is considered one of the most beautiful in Italy. Once a power to rival its mighty neighbor Amalfi, today …
This Lesser-Known Mediterranean Destination Is The Perfect Affordable Getaway
With its temperate climate, turquoise waters, historic nations with lost-to-time origins, and delectable cuisine, the Mediterranean is one of the top destinations globally, despite not being exactly the cheapest coastal region to visit. Italy, France, Greece and the like …
Beat The Dubrovnik Crowds With These 4 Equally Beautiful Ancient Towns In Europe
Dubrovnik is one of the most popular summer destinations in Europe not only because it's balmy and coastal, but largely thanks to its picturesqueness: we're talking fairytale-like forts, cobbled streets leading to hidden courtyards and Romanesque churches. You …
Peccioli: The Stunning Tuscan Town Even Italians Don’t Know
The winner of this year's national "Borgo dei Borghi" competition blends its medieval past with an eye-catching contemporary art scene and wandering robots. For the last 11 years, Rai, Italy's state-owned television station, has held a contest to find Il Borgo dei …
How to Have the Perfect Weekend in the French City for Wine-Lovers
The hub of the famed wine-growing region of the same name, Bordeaux is a fantastic city break destination to rival Paris, Porto and Florence, to name just three. From its wine tastings and fabulous food scene to its antique and vintage shopping, and classic sights …
Tours and Activities
Eat Your Way Through Tokyo’s Best SushiSushi book author, reviewer and guide Yukari Sakamoto shares her picks of the five best sushi restaurants in the Japanese capital. At first glance, Japan's most iconic food is a simple combination of seafood and bite-sized portions of rice. But like the culture it …
12 Amazing Black-Owned Bars, Breweries, and Wineries Across the United States
There is still a grave underrepresentation of Black owned breweries, wineries, and spirit makers. Here are some fantastic businesses to support. While stationed in France during WWI, John June Lewis Sr. grew fond of wine and wine culture. He took …
‘Slow Travel at Its Most Joyous’: Our Three-Week Road Trip to Croatia
How far would you go – and how long would you take – to avoid flying and thoroughly embrace the idea of slow travel? In my case, it was 3,167 miles over three weeks. For nearly a decade I had wanted to do a road trip to Croatia, and to get as much out …
How to Plan a Copper Canyon Train Trip
Travelling 220 miles through northwestern Mexico from the coastal city of Los Mochis in Sinaloa to the mountain town of Creel in Chihuahua, the Chepe Express is one of Mexico’s few long-distance passenger trains –– and an epic one at that. The train travels …
Everything You Need to Know about the Black Food Truck Festival
The Black Food Truck Festival is set to happen in Charleston, S.C. on April 26-28. The weekend-long event will include an opening party, karaoke, a morning workout, and the festival itself. Created to be a celebration of delicious food and culture, showcasing the …
Cruise
Carnival Cruise Crew Member Airlifted from Ship While at SeaWhile no one expects to become ill during their cruise vacation, or while working aboard a cruise ship, sometimes these things just happen. Luckily, cruise ships are equipped with their own mini urgent cares. But sometimes, passengers or crew members end up …
Royal Caribbean Cancels Radiance of the Seas Departure
Royal Caribbean International is canceling the current cruise of the Radiance of the Seas. Despite having passengers embarking the ship for a shortened sailing, the company announced this past Saturday that the cruise is no longer going ahead. “As you are …
Here is What You Need to Know Before Booking a Cruise for Your Honeymoon
Now that you’ve tied the knot and officially said, “I do,” it’s time to kick off your new journey together with an unforgettable honeymoon adventure. And what better way to celebrate your love than by embarking on a romantic cruise? Get ready to sail away …
Monster Growth! The Cruise Boom at Carnival Continues With Debut of Another New Ship
Make that five new ships for Carnival Cruise Line in just 18 months. The world's second-biggest cruise brand on Thursday welcomed the first cruisers aboard yet another new vessel, the 4,126-passenger Carnival Firenze, in Long Beach, California. The 135,156-ton …
5 Holland America Line Cruise Myths, Busted
Holland America Line can trace its roots back to 1873, when it began operating shipping and passenger voyages between the Netherlands and North America. Today it operates cruises around the world aboard its fleet of “smaller” and more intimate cruise …
Transportation
The Sad, Stale State of In-Flight Vegetarian MealsLast month, a traveler posted a photo to Reddit of his girlfriend’s vegetarian meal for a 12-hour flight. It wasn’t pretty. The sandwich featured two grim cucumber slices and wan tomatoes. On the top half of the dry roll, faint oval imprints of the filling …
These U.S. Airports Have the Most (and Least) Friendliest Staffs
Airports can be harrowing places, but a friendly face at the right moment can make a world of difference. Travelers are most likely to find those friendly employees at Oregon’s Portland International Airport, according to a study from Upgraded Points. The airport …
Southwest Apologizes After Dismantling Wheelchair Basketball Chairs
Myranda Shields and Justin Walker’s trip to Richmond, Virginia, for the National Wheelchair Basketball Association National Championships was not a slam dunk. Walker, who plays for the Phoenix Suns D2 wheelchair team, said that when he and his …
Is Southwest About to End Its Free-For-All Seating?
Southwest Airlines fans know the drill: Check in to your flight exactly 24 hours in advance and secure your spot in line to board the plane. What seat you’ll end up in? That’s a mystery until the last minute. A puzzle to some and an invigorating challenge to others …
Why Are Flights So Expensive Right Now? We Asked the Experts
If you’re preparing for summer travel, you’re likely experiencing some sticker shock when searching for airfare. Even though the Department of Transportation just announced new rules to curb airline "junk fees," there's still some mystery around what exactly …
Lodging
Marriott PointSavers: Redeem Fewer Points at Select HotelsMarriott PointSavers lets you book select room types at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels at lower award rates on some dates. I figured PointSavers rates would disappear after Marriott adopted dynamic award pricing, but they're still around. So, here's what …
Welcome to the New All-Inclusive
It was late fall, and the sun had already slipped below the horizon in Big Sur, that iconic 90-mile stretch of California coast, when a friend and I pulled into Alila Ventana Big Sur. Within 15 minutes, we had been whisked from our serene, wood-paneled cabin by a …
My Recent Airbnb Stay Reminded Me Why I Prefer Hotels
I’ve always been a hotel person. There’s a kind of magic about hotels—not having to make your own bed is chief among them—that is difficult to match in other types of accommodation. Yet I also understand why they have their detractors. The cookie-cutter, box …
12 Best Hotels in Mykonos
Dive into the allure of Mykonos, a Greek island nestled in the Aegean Sea. It showcases stunning beaches, crystal clear waters, and a party scene fused with glitz and glamour. Venture beyond the vibrant Super Paradise Beach and discover the serenity of Greek …
There’s a Luxury Hotel on the Grounds of Versailles—and There Are Still Rooms Available During the Olympics
If you have ever fantasized about staying in one of the most opulent palaces in the world, your dream can now become a reality. In 2021, French hotel company Airelles opened Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle, a luxury hotel located within the the …
Other and Odd
Speak Like a Local: 30 Italian Sayings to Use While TravelingOne of the best parts about traveling to a foreign place is immersing yourself in an unknown culture. From new foods to sacred traditions, you can expand your mind by leaning into the differences and embracing life as a local. If you’re planning a visit to Italy …
The Future of Ethical Elephant Tourism in Thailand
My most shameful moment as a traveler occurred in Thailand. On my first backpacking trip at the age of 20, I sought out an elephant sanctuary in the Golden Triangle region of Northern Thailand hoping to see an elephant up close. I assumed “sanctuary” …
Expert Tips for Autism-Friendly Vacations: What to Know Before You Go
Many people with autism thrive on routine and predictability. That means traveling somewhere with new sights, sounds, and foods may be difficult for children with autism. However, that doesn't mean that autism and travel don't mix. It may take a little more …
Venice Introduces New Entry Fee for Visitors
Today marks a big change for Venice as it officially rolls out an entry fee for day trippers. This long-anticipated measure aims to ease the heavy toll of overtourism that the UNESCO-listed city has struggled with for years. Alongside cities like Barcelona and …
We Can Get Tourism Policies Right — These Three European Cities Show How It Can Be Done
To harness the power of travel, alleviate the drawbacks with smart policies, and make our world more tolerant and inclusive in the process — that’s the vision I’d like to offer, Peter Lochbihler writes. What do we know about travel? And by that, I don’t just mean …
Editorial Musings
Are you bringing your “A-Game” to the table with the human touch?The competition is fierce out there. Not only are we competing with the travel agency down the road, we are competing with the one across the globe. We are competing with the big, bad Internet. And, we are even competing with our “valued partners” who are still leveraging their direct to consumer sales. So, how does a small agency (or a large one for that matter) compete in today’s market? Easy! Bring your “A-Game” to the travel table. It’s just that easy. I am not sure about your neighborhood, but 10 years ago, Home Depot was the place to go for any hardware store type needs. I remember walking into a cavernous building with millions of items. An associate would approach me and ask if he or…
Publishers Corner
Good examples of bad examplesIn the past I’ve written articles about how travel professionals can learn from really good companies and industries. An incident over the past week, however, reminds me of how much we have to learn from companies whose sense of customer satisfaction was apparently developed in a vacuum. On a positive note, because most consumers have to deal frequently with these bungled attempts at customer service, the cosmic bar has been lowered and good customer service is a very welcomed change you can deliver on with surprising ease. Nevertheless, it is worthwhile to briefly study some good examples of bad examples: Cable companies - certainly Comcast and Time Warner have worked hard to earn the top
Press Releases of Interest
Michael Brown Joins Travel Answers as National Account Sales ManagerBellevue, WA, April 1, 2024 - Luxury global travel wholesaler Travel Answers, comprising the brands of Down Under Answers, Africa Answers, Asia Answers, Travel2 and Islands in the Sun, has announced a …
Travelers Can Save up to $400 on Select Collette’s ‘Netherlands, Belgium & France’ Explorations Tour Departures
Pawtucket, RI (April 24, 2024) – Travelers can save up to $400 on select departures on Collette’s “Netherlands, Belgium & France” Explorations tour. North America’s longest-running tour operator’s …
Avanti Celebrates National Travel Advisor Month With Gift Card for Each Land Booking Of $5,000 or More Made in May
Portland, OR, April 23, 2024 – In honor of National Travel Advisor Month 2024, independent travel specialist Avanti Destinations is offering a $25 gift card for each FIT* land booking of $5,000 or more …
Booking Is Open for Collette’s All-New ‘Historical Greenbrier Holiday’ Tour
Pawtucket, RI (April 10, 2024) – Collette reminds travelers that booking is now open for its brand new “Historical Greenbrier Holiday” tour. Two departures for the eight-day experience are available …
American Cruise Lines Announces American Patriot & American Pioneer New Ships in the Project Blue Fleet
Guilford, CT—April 8, 2024— American Cruise Lines is pleased to announce two more new small ships coming in 2025, American Patriot and American Pioneer. These 125-passenger sister ships represent …
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Interview with LeeAnn Roper Cumbow, Senior Business Development Manager for Vacation ExpressLeeAnn Roper Cumbow’s career within the world of travel began in 1992 with Northwest Airlink as one of their flight attendants. In 1997, she shifted gears and launched her career with Vacation Express as one of their travel agents. She immediately caught the attention of Vacation Express executives, and in 1998, Cumbow became their Business Development Manager for Memphis. In 2001, she was promoted to Inside Sales Manager and simultaneously served New Orleans and Nashville as their Business Development Manager. In 2012, Cumbow became the Senior Business Development Manager for Vacation Express. Today, she provides strategic direction for overall business development and implementation. Her knack for developing pricing procedures, contract negotiations, and overall strategies…
Editorial Musings
The Evolution of the Travel Agency Industry: From Casual Hobby to Professional VentureThe travel agency industry has significantly transformed over the past few decades. Once a pastime predominantly pursued by the wives of wealthy businessmen who organized leisure trips more for social interaction than profit, it has evolved into a true professional sector.
Mike's Morning Missives
And That’s a Wrap2019 is just about yesterday’s news. I don’t want to use a beat up worn-torn saying but I will: “Where has the time gone?” I also refuse to suggest that you have a Happy New Year. I’d rather remind you that time waits for nobody, and whether your New Year will be happy or not is entirely up to you. As I look down the barrel of another year I see an empty slate. Yesterday’s news is exactly that… yesterday’s news. Not a single evening news program goes by without…
Mike’s 1-Minute Marketing Memos
Woulda-Coulda-ShouldaDon’t allow yourself to fall victim to this behavior: I would’ve done it if I had more money. I could’ve tried if I had more time. I should’ve called them but … This happens more often than not, when you get an idea and fail to act on it. This simply does not have to happen. Once you have an idea for a notion to do something, do it. Don’t think it to death. And don’t procrastinate until you forget what it is you were going to try.
Publishers Corner
Champions of the Natural World“We cannot protect something we do not love, we cannot love what we do not know, and we cannot know what we do not see. Or hear. Or sense.” ~ Richard Louv Non-profit organizations dedicated to conservation and animal welfare play a critical role in safeguarding our planet’s biodiversity. From protecting endangered species and their habitats to advocating for better animal welfare practices, these groups work tirelessly to ensure a healthier future for all living things. Here’s a closer look at some of the most respected organizations making a difference…
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Toby AI, Artificial Intelligence, VoyagerThe following article is a republish of an unedited interview with Voyager’s new artificial intelligence, Toby. Starting with “tell us about yourself.“ Toby uses an artificial intelligence language model created by OpenAI, and I’m glad to be of service to you and to the travel professional community. I’m capable of processing vast amounts of data and providing responses to a wide range of inquiries. I’m also constantly learning and improving, thanks to the advanced machine learning algorithms used in my development. Whether it’s helping companies improve their customer service, assisting…