Destinations
How to Spend 3 Perfect Days in MadridSpain’s capital city has plenty to offer on a 24/7 basis, no matter whether you’re looking for entertainment at 2 PM on a cool winter’s afternoon or 2 AM in the heat of the summer months. But even if you’re only popping by for a fleeting visit, it’s easy to tick off the …
The True Story of Japan’s Samurai City That Chose Art Over War
The breakout series Shogun has renewed interest in the clashing swords and political maneuvering of Japan's feudal era – and the city of Kanazawa is an excellent place to learn more. Long after the end of Japan's feudal era, there's still a sense of power and …
Barcelona’s Tourist Tax Just Got Higher. Here Are Other Places That Will Cost You to Enter in 2024
Barcelona, one of Spain’s most visited cities, has just announced another hike in its tourist tax. This increase comes after multiple tourist destinations have implemented visitor fees in response to the problems caused by excessive tourism. Overtourism …
A Remote Island Draws Thousands of Turtles Each Year. Could It Attract Tourists?
Each year, thousands of baby green sea turtles clamber across a beautiful, white-sand paradise that is one of the largest hatching sites of this species in the Atlantic, adorably making their way to the sea. There’s one noticeable absence: people. The spectacular …
10 Ways to Experience Oregon on a Budget
Oregon is like dozens of vacation destinations rolled into one. In addition to the natural beauty of its many landscapes, the Beaver State is home to vineyards, dazzling cities and exciting cultural events like the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. The only catch? With …
Tours and Activities
11 Fabulous Gardens Around the WorldStop and smell the roses. And the jasmine, the frangipani and the lavender, too. At these verdant sanctuaries around the world – all featured in Lonely Planet’s The Joy of Exploring Gardens – travelers can experience a connection to the natural world, giving us the …
Where Is California's Bowling Ball Beach? (How To Visit)
Discover Bowling Ball Beach's mystical concretions along California's beautiful coast for a unique beachside experience. More than a quirky stop on a road trip, the small boulders found on the beach are geological marvels formed in sedimentary rock. Arriving at low …
Tracing the Long, Winding Path of an Ancient Roman Aqueduct
The stone arches looped solemnly over their shadows, some teetering above the grass, some sinking into it. It was a dazzling January morning, and I was standing in the Park of the Aqueducts, about 20 minutes by metro from central Rome. Here, the ruined …
The Barely Visited Us National Park That Requires a Passport
With the astronomical growth in US national park visitation in the last few years, the National Park of American Samoa is a literal breath of fresh air. After 15 hours of flying, I finally reached my destination. I'd started my journey in Boulder, Colorado, and three …
This Island Has the Best Beach in the World, According to Travel Experts
The best beach in the world is often selected for its beauty — places where the water is so clear it appears turquoise and the sand is so soft it feels like powdered sugar. But it takes more than physical beauty to make a great beach. A great beach should …
Cruise
New Consumer Law Mandates Clear Pricing for Cruise LinesAre you frustrated that cruise prices suddenly balloon when finalizing your booking? Starting July 1, 2024, consumer protection legislation will require cruise lines to display the total price, not just the fare. California’s Consumer Legal Remedies Act (CLRA) goes …
Viking Valued at $10.8 Billion As It Heads to IPO
Travel advisors, like the general public, soon will be able to own a piece of Viking Holdings Ltd. Headed to an IPO on the New York Stock Exchange, the company expects to soon be selling ordinary shares at $21-$25, for a total market capitalization of between …
Scenic Eclipse II Makes Its Debut Down Under
Scenic Eclipse II officially arrived in Australia sailing into Sydney Harbour on Friday ahead of its first-ever exploration of Australian waters. The second ultra-luxury ship from Scenic Cruises stayed in Sydney for the weekend and then headed to Newcastle today …
Fincantieri Delivers Queen Anne to Cunard
Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has officially delivered Queen Anne to Cunard in a traditional ceremony held at its Marghera shipyard in Venice, Italy. The event was attended by Katie McAlister, president of Cunard; Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and managing director …
Thousands of Passengers Affected as Princess Cruises Delays New Ship
The next new Princess Cruises ship won't be arriving as soon as planned. Princess on Friday pushed back the debut of the 4,300-passenger Star Princess from Aug. 2, 2025, to Oct. 4, 2025 — a two …
Transportation
America’s Smallest Airports Are Hurting, Even as More People Than Ever Are FlyingIn many respects, 2023 was a record-setting year at airports. The Transportation Security Administration saw its busiest summer ever. All-time, single-day passenger traffic records fell on two occasions. Airlines fielded historic demand for overseas travel …
European Airlines Report Thousands of Problems During Flights Due to Suspected Russian Jamming
European airlines have reported 46,000 cases of jamming or spoofing over the Baltic Sea. Russia can be causing such GPS interferences, as the destinations where this practice occurs are near the country. Jamming or spoofing includes disrupting signals by …
Biden Administration Cracks Down on Junk Fees in Air Travel
The Biden administration finalized rules on Wednesday requiring airlines to automatically refund passengers for canceled or significantly delayed flights and to share baggage, change, or cancellation fees upfront. “Passengers deserve to know upfront what …
Air New Zealand Falls After Earnings Outlook Cut on Stiff Competition
Air New Zealand (AIR.NZ), opens new tab trimmed its annual earnings estimates on Monday, citing economic headwinds and a cost-of-living crisis leading to softer revenue in domestic and North American markets, sending the carrier's shares to a near two …
Former Boeing Engineer: Ground All Boeing Dreamliner Aircraft
Travel ground to a halt last week at the world’s second busiest airport in Dubai when a severe storm flooded the city. Airport operations were severely impacted and the CEO of Emirates Airlines issued a letter of apology. But travel chaos also struck closer …
Lodging
These Are the 15 Best Hotels in ChicagoWith its world-class cultural institutions (the Art institute of Chicago and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra among them), 24 sand beaches right in the city, and a richly diverse population, Chicago remains one of the United States’ most visited metropolises. The …
Travel + Leisure’s Best Hotels in Phoenix and Arizona for 2024
Five Arizona hotels were just named among the best in the world for 2024. Travel + Leisure unveiled its 2024 T+L 500 list of the world's best hotels, compiled based on ratings from its readers, in its May issue. The list includes five Arizona hotels, including four …
A New Glass Dome Resort Is Coming to Bryce Canyon National Park
If you like the notion of experiencing southern Utah’s crimson-colored rocks and hoodoos by day and the majesty of the Milky Way by night—from the comfort of your bed—a new glamping resort could be calling. Clear Sky Resorts recently announced that on …
7 Insights I Learned From Hilton Executives on New Brands, Partnerships and Hotel Innovations
Over the last few months, Hilton has been on a major growth campaign, announcing strategic partnerships and acquisitions to help beef up its global footprint and strengthen its luxury and lifestyle offerings. On the luxury front, Hilton recently announced it …
Do You Want an Early Hotel Check-in? Here’s What Is Happening Behind the Scenes.
Joy Felicitas’ bed-making skills are an artform. Moving swiftly, Felicitas pinched the pillows in half with her forearm so they slid smoothly into the pillowcase. She flung the double-sized mattress up as if it …
Other and Odd
7 Destinations That Do Not Want Travelers To Visit This Summer (And Where To Go Instead)Overtourism is a real problem that has blighted many of the world’s most popular cities. As a result, many destinations are asking tourists to stay away. But that hasn’t stopped our desire to travel the world. So where should you go? Here are 7 destinations that …
Planning an Upcoming Celebration? Keep All-Inclusive Travel in Mind
In an era where people increasingly value experiences over possessions, milestone celebrations have taken on a new meaning. Hilton’s 2024 Global Trends Report found that travel this year will be all about building and strengthening connections. Nearly half of …
Climate Change Is Here. Are National Parks Ready?
On a hazy day in June, Jessie Haffener, a guide for Wildland Trekking, was leading a backpacking trip in Yosemite National Park when she saw smoke along the canyon rim near Glacier Point. As she arrived at the scene, flames ignited from the smoldering …
The State of Sustainable Travel in 2024
As we recognize the importance of protecting our planet’s natural resources and bounty on Earth Day once more, we can also recognize the travel industry’s role in protecting those resources and limiting its negative impact on the world around us. The …
4 Travel Secrets of the Mega-Rich, From a Vacation Planner for Billionaires
Imagine closing down Versailles to enjoy a private candlelit dinner. That’s the reality for the ultra rich, and people like Jaclyn Sienna India make it happen. India is the founder of a Sienna Charles, a …
Press Releases of Interest
Booking Is Open for Collette’s All-New ‘Historical Greenbrier Holiday’ TourPawtucket, 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 …
Collette’s ‘Hello Spring’ Presale Live Through April 7: Travelers Can Save up to 20% *
Pawtucket, RI (April 1, 2024) – Collette’s “Hello Spring” presale is now live through April 7. Advisors are able to help clients save up to 20% if they book seats during the window. The sale will open to the public on April …
Collette Launches ‘Collette Connection’ Service for Advisors
Pawtucket, RI (March 28, 2024) – Collette announces the launch of its new “Collette Connection” service. With the print-on-demand service, travel advisors will be able to send their clients Collette’s Explorations brochure …
Elite Voyages Joins the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA)
NEW YORK (March 26, 2024) – Terry Dale, president and CEO of the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) announced today that Elite Voyages has joined USTOA as its newest Active …
Point-to-Point
Are You Shopping for Another Host Agency?As discussed in the last Point-to-Point column, travel advisor independent contractors (ICs) are renters rather than owners that can become affiliated with as many host agencies as they wish. While few ICs will want to do business with more than two or three host agencies, there is a strong business case for not limiting yourself to one. Also as discussed in the earlier article, you may want to do this to take advantage of a second host agency’s strengths; or it may be to avoid what you see as glaring…
Supplier Profile
Blue-Roads Touring and Europe 2024Blue-Roads Touring got its current name from a man who went on a journey of discovery across America. William Least Heat-Moon began this road trip in 1978, a road trip that would take him 13,000 miles along “blue roads” around the United States. Meaning, William traveled mostly on secondary roads, with the sights and sounds of local folk in his chronicled collection titled Blue Highways. Fitting for Blue-Roads Touring to gravitate to this name, as they take the traveler beyond
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.
Anita’s Tips and Tools
Travel Agent Diaries
SOS! Are You Providing 24/7 Service to VIP Clients?A conversation with one of our Society of International Railway Travelers (IRT) clients one recent Sunday morning went like this: Text to my phone early morning: “My passport is lost! We are in London. Help!!”