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Destinations

Kenya’s Beautiful Masai Mara Hit Hard by Floods—Here’s What Has Happened and How to Help
May is usually a very special month for me. Traditionally, this month marks my annual pilgrimage to Kenya’s Masai Mara, where apart from immersing myself in the spectacular landscapes, I get to explore how the region is preparing for the wildebeest migration, which usually …

Is It Safe to Travel to the Caribbean During Hurricane Season?
Winter, spring, summer or fall – it’s never a bad time to visit the Caribbean. While summer ushers in the Caribbean’s hurricane season, the increase in rainfall usually yields deals on everything from flights to hotel rooms. Wet weather doesn’t dampen the spirit of the region or its …

A First-Timer’s Guide to Downtown Manhattan, New York City: Where to Stay, What to Do and Where to Eat
Gossip Girl, The Bold Type, Sex and the City, The Devil Wears Prada, Friends, etcetera, etcetera, (honestly, I could go on) all shaped my childhood... And if I'm being real, my adulthood, too. The one thing they all have in common? Well, other than being the most iconic …

It Just Got Easier for Americans to Visit China—Here's What to Know
I was recently applying for a new passport, dreaming of all the new stamps and visas I’d collect, when I wondered: “Can Americans travel to China?” As it turns out, some recent policy changes out of Beijing have made it easier than ever to marvel at the Great Wall of China …

What to Know About Travel to Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon
Pia Abboud’s tour business, Discovery Beyond Borders, was already hurting after a trifecta of crises hit her native Lebanon. “Worldwide we had COVID, but in Lebanon, we also had the economic crisis, the Beirut explosion [in 2020], and now the war [in] Gaza and Palestine …

Tours and Activities

German Police Are Issuing Massive Fines to Road-Tripping Tourists
Germany is preparing for a busy summer season this year. It will host the UEFA European Championship beginning June 14, which is expected to bring a massive influx of tourists from around the world. And for those planning on road-tripping, experts in the U.K. are …

The Loveliest Libraries in the US
Libraries represent a shared culture and the universality of learning. Around the world, they provide vital and vibrant spaces for communities to gather, debate, discuss – and maybe even read a bit. We’ve compiled a list of 10 outstanding libraries across the USA that …

Estonia’s Naked Wellness Tradition to Cleanse Both Body and Soul
Used for centuries by rural Estonians to heal their aches and pains, smoke saunas are a soulful experience that clears the mind and cleanses the spirit. It's an uncommonly sunny March afternoon in Estonia but I'm in the dark cocoon of a smoke sauna, lying on a bench …

10 Things To Do In New York City For $10 Or Less
New York City, often perceived as expensive, is brimming with opportunities to enjoy without splurging. While the city boasts high-profile attractions like Broadway and Michelin-starred eateries, it also offers numerous budget-friendly and even free activities that don’t skimp on …

Viral NYC-Dublin 'Portal' Shuts Down Amid Racism And Indecency
A new art installation that created quite a buzz has faced an unfortunate shutdown. “The Portals,” located in New York City and Dublin, Ireland, were exciting public art additions to the cities, appealing to tourists and locals. Many portal interactions went viral as people …

Cruise

This Cruise Line Launched a Summer Season Pass for Caribbean Cruises
Travelers can make a cruise ship in the Caribbean their floating vacation home this summer. Virgin Voyages is launching a Summer Season Pass on its Valiant Lady ship, allowing guests to sail six back-to-back cruises over the course of a month at a discounted price. The adults …

How to Deal With Seasickness on a Cruise Ship
In 2024, almost 35.7 million people will go on a cruise, myself included. While I love the warm days spent in port, unlimited ice cream, and dips in the pool while watching a movie on the outdoor screens, there is one thing I hate about cruising: seasickness. Symptoms of …

These Cruise Lines Will Be More Transparent About Pricing Soon — Here’s Why
Cruise prices are about to get more transparent thanks to a new law in California that requires cruise lines to include extra expenses like taxes and port fees in the advertised fare. The state’s “Honest Pricing Law,” which goes into effect on July 1, will make it illegal for a …

PandO Cruises Guest Denied Boarding Over Wheelchair Declaration
A 69-year-old male passenger booked aboard P&O Cruises’ Ventura was denied boarding because of his electric wheelchair, which had not been previously declared under the cruise line’s special needs and accessibility policies. Ultimately, the disabled guest was told he could …

Should I Use a Travel Agent to Book a Cruise? What to Know
Cruises could be considered one-stop shopping for travelers. With accommodations, transportation, food and entertainment all in one, they can help take the complications out of vacation planning. But there’s more to booking a cruise than first-time passengers may realize …

Transportation

Flyers Have Rights, Just Not Many. How DOT Is Trying to Fix That.
You've probably heard about the new airline consumer protection rules that rolled out with a one-two punch last month. There were so many, it's almost hard to keep track. And maybe you're saying to yourself: Finally, I'll have some rights when I fly. Please, don't get too …

Wildfire Smoke Snarls U.S. Air Travel With Flight Delays
The wildfire smoke that has cast a sickly pall over major cities across the eastern United States snarled air travel Thursday, creating headaches for big aviation hubs and upending plans for thousands of travelers. At least 330 flights across the country were delayed and …

House Signs off on FAA Bill That Addresses Aircraft Safety and the Refund Rights of Passengers
Congress gave final approval Wednesday to a $105 billion bill designed to increase the number of air traffic controllers, add more safety inspectors at aircraft factories, and require airlines to automatically pay refunds to travelers whose flights are canceled or significantly …

Summer Travel Chaos Warning After Boeing Safety Crisis Leads to Plane Shortages
There are fears of holiday travel chaos this summer as a safety crisis at plane manufacturer Boeing leaves airlines struggling to secure enough planes for peak season. Avia Solutions, the world’s largest aircraft leasing company, has warned carriers in Europe were likely to …

Easyjet Sees ‘Positive Momentum’ Going into the Summer Travel Season, CEO Says
EasyJet CEO Johan Lundgren says he anticipates “positive momentum” going into the summer after the low-cost airline posted a slight narrowing of losses in the first half of the year …

Lodging

Staff Member at Eldora Ski Resort Dies After Tree Falls on Them
Officials with the Eldora Ski Resort issued a statement to the public following the death of a staff member who reportedly had a tree fall on them …

After Grief, I Quit Traveling. But This Trip to Mexico Reminded Me That I’m Never Alone
I used to love traveling. With my best friends by my side, I was nearly swept away by the Reynisfjara waves in Iceland, spun like a princess outside of the Royal Palace of Madrid, rock-climbed Las Tetas de Cayey in Puerto Rico, and danced nights away on Havana streets. But …

11 Best Hotels for Nightlife — From Popular Nightclubs to Swanky Lounges
Sometimes you want to go to a hotel to rest and relax. Sometimes a hotel is just where you end up after a long day of traveling or for some conference for work. And then sometimes you go to a hotel for the nightlife — or, at least, you a pick a hotel wherever you're going …

Why You Should Book Airbnbs for Two Even As a Solo Traveler
I'm a frequent solo traveler who prefers to stay in Airbnbs over hotels. When I book an Airbnb for a solo trip, I say it's for two people, so hosts don't know I'm alone. Sometimes booking for two costs extra, but I'm willing to pay it because it makes me feel safer …

5 Reasons Why This Hidden Country Resort Should Be Your Next U.S. Getaway
Forget stuffy resorts with the same old experience. This hidden gem in Georgia throws the ultimate curveball, and I loved every moment I spent there! Prepare yourself for gourmet farm-to-table feasts you won't (and I can't) stop raving about, unique bourbon tastings …

Other and Odd

What in the World Is a Travel Psychologist? We Asked One to Find Out
It’s a widely held belief that travel changes you. We all have that one friend who went to Bali and claimed to have found enlightenment, or the one who adopted a Spanish accent after studying abroad in “Barthelona.” But behind such cliches lies a fundamental truth: We’re not …

Google Unveils Gemini Updates, Revolutionizing The Future Of Stress-Free Travel Planning
Gemini, Google’s latest marvel, is poised to revolutionize travel planning. Announced at the Google I/O 2024 developer conference, Gemini is not just another chatbot. It’s an AI-powered assistant designed to craft your entire vacation itinerary in the blink of an eye. Gemini …

Navigating the Complex Landscape of Racism in Travel
Traveling while Black can be a complex experience, with racism and discrimination presenting real challenges in various destinations worldwide. From the shutting down of the NYC-Dublin portal due to racism and indecency to the racial profiling of Black students and the …

Unconventional Travel Destinations for Introverts
There are many destinations out there that provide solitude and calm for introverts who need to get away from the over-stimulation of crowds and social activities. Breathtaking scenery, small groups, intimate conversation, and plenty of time to reflect are just some of the …

Why Points and Miles Are a Bad Long-Term Investment
It's easy to think of points and miles as a variant of Monopoly money. To some, they're easy to throw around and spend nonchalantly; they can almost seem ethereal. To others, travel rewards can be easy to hoard. They are a form of currency, after all — and we can become as …

Press Releases of Interest

Avanti Debuts Last-Minute Booking Phone Line; Suggests Destinations with Plenty of Summertime Availability
Portland, OR, May 7, 2024 – For travel advisors with a new client who is in a hurry to travel, or a client who has delayed their decision about where to go this summer, Avanti has launched a Last-Minute Booking phone …

The Travel Institute Launches Vietnam Destination Specialist Course
FRAMINGHAM, MA, May 6, 2024 – The Travel Institute has released its newly created Vietnam Destination Specialist Course as traveler demand for the scenic, well-preserved, and culturally rich destination continues to …

Michael Brown Joins Travel Answers as National Account Sales Manager
Bellevue, 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 …

Agent Perspectives

FyndTravel at One Year, Lisa Watson Showcases a Streamlined Travel Event Calendar

My first interview with Lisa Watson went great. She was easy-going and her dedication of work to the creation of FyndTravel was obvious. However, a dead computer on my end took all text and recordings with it to the scrapyard. Chaos happens, I suppose. We tried again and, as expected, I found the conversation just as enjoyable and informative. Lisa started our conversation by pulling up a screen share



Mike's Morning Missives

And That’s a Wrap

2019 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-Shoulda

  Don’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.



Soundings

The Travel Institute’s New Survey Signals Need for Additional Agent Recruitment & Retention

The Changing Face of Travel Agents 2023, the report released by The Travel Institute, offers valuable insights into the current state of the travel industry. Based on the findings, the gig economy continues to thrive, and more agents are interested in part-time work that provides greater flexibility and independence.



Deck Plans

Bicycling Excursions On The Rhine

This week on the Rhine River, while cruising on AmaWaterways’ AmaLucia, I chose to straddle a saddle on four excursions by bicycle. “It’s the best way to see a place,” our guide Monika said as we rolled through Strasbourg, one of Europe’s most bike-friendly cities. More than a dozen of us chose to cycle into the city center for an invigorating three-hour tour.



Anita’s Tips and Tools

The Incessant Traveler

French Bee: A New Way to Fly to France and Tahiti

If you’re planning to go to France, I’ve got an idea for you. First, let’s define our terms. The US airline industry is an oligopoly. An oligopoly is “a state of limited competition, in which a market is shared by a small number of producers or sellers.” In the US airline market, four airlines control 82 percent of the $194.7 billion market. That’s nice for them. It’s a big pot of gold for them to divvy up. For the passengers, maybe it’s not so nice, because choices are extremely limited.…