Destinations
Why You Can – And Should – Travel to Southeast TürkiyeOn 6 February 2023, Türkiye suffered one of the most devastating events in its post-war history: a pair of 7.8- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes that ravaged the country’s southeastern region, killing more …
5 Reasons Why Americans Love Visiting This Diverse Latin American Country
Latin America is wide-ranging with some truly amazing destinations to visit, yet many are still overlooked. Between Mexico and South America lies Central America, home to just 7 nations. Even …
This Country Was Just Named the Most In-demand for a Luxury Vacation — and It's an Affordable Beach-lover's Paradise
Who doesn't love living in the lap of luxury, even if it's just for vacation? Apparently, we all do because searches for "luxury travel" destinations are way up, and Renty, a luxury car rental company, knows …
Celebrity Chef Alexandre Mazzia’s Favourite Ways to Enjoy Marseille During the Olympics and Beyond
Michelin-starred chef Alexandre Mazzia will be a torchbearer when the Paris 2024 Olympics kick off in his hometown of Marseille. Here is his guide to the city, from sunsets to seafood. A sultry city and the gateway to the South of France, Marseille thrives on fusion – of cultures …
Is Puebla, Mexico Safe to Visit in 2024? Here’s Why Stats Say Yes, but With Caution
Traveling abroad, regardless of where you are visiting, is all about safety first and foremost. If you are planning on or interested in traveling to Puebla, Mexico, here is some information you should know ahead of time. Mexico is a beautifully diverse country with thousands of …
Tours and Activities
Running Tours Offer a Fun Way to Visit a New Place—Here’s Where to Try ThemSix years ago, I suffered through one of the worst bouts of jet lag in my life. I had been traveling in Southeast Asia for about 10 days, but my mind and body were still stuck in Vampire mode. When I …
Inside The Toronto Restaurant Mentioned In Kendrick Lamar's 'Euphoria'
Toronto’s Chinatown is buzzing with a new beat, and it’s not just from the city’s energetic nightlife. New Ho King, a Chinese restaurant that has been a staple in the area since 1975, is now at the …
Amtrak's New Borealis Train Expands Service Between Two Great Midwestern Cities
A new Amtrak service will soon open more possibilities for travel within the Midwest. The rail company just announced plans to launch a train service starting May 21, called the Borealis line, which will connect Minneapolis–St. Paul, Minnesota, and Chicago, Illinois. The service …
The Best Pubs in Dublin, According to Locals
It started as a quest to get a pint before dinner. It ended with a slight bit of adventure, a few pints down and new friends. After a day of sightseeing in Dublin, my boyfriend and I wanted to wind down and take in some of the local scene (people watching is one of my favorite …
Tourists, Stop Getting Naked Where You Shouldn’t! Here’s Where You Can Legally Bare It All
ourists everywhere have been stripping down lately in places where they shouldn’t. Tourists angered Namibian authorities when they posed naked on the “Big Daddy” dune. Tourists were kicked out of Machu Picchu for taking nude photos. Bali has been similarly clamping down on …
Cruise
Elixir Boutique Cruises Kicks Off 2024 Season in the AegeanElixir Boutique Cruises recently launched its 2024 summer season in the Aegean Sea. Operating the Elysium, the Athens-based company is now offering a series of week-long cruises to the Greek Islands …
European River Cruises Offer More ‘Intimate’ Way to See the Continent
Europe has no shortage of marquee tourist hot spots, but Diamond Meadows’ first river cruise there didn’t include them. The 28-year-old graduate student took a cruise along the Rhine and Moselle rivers …
Cruise Ship Arrives at New York City Harbor With Dead Whale Caught on Bow
A cruise ship has journeyed into New York City’s harbor bearing a gruesome cargo in the form of a huge, dead whale sprawled across its bow. The incident happened on Saturday, according to local US media reports, and the event is being held by some as further evidence of the …
Mom Speaks Out After Air Force Rescued Her Son at Sea From a Cruise Ship
A mother from Massachusetts spoke exclusively to ABC News after her 12-year-old son was part of a high-stakes cruise ship rescue by the Air Force, hundreds of miles off shore. Angela Bridges was aboard the Carnival Venezia cruise ship with her family, including son Aiden, en route …
Cruise Ship Worker Accused of Stabbing 3 People With Scissors on Board Vessel Bound for Alaska
A cruise ship worker from South Africa was arrested Tuesday in Alaska’s capital city, accused of attacking a woman and two security guards with scissors on board the vessel, according to authorities. The U.S. attorney’s office says the man is charged with assault with a dangerous …
Transportation
This Is a More Affordable Business Class, but Is It Worth the Price?When it comes to flying, it’s funny how the things we consider as “basic needs” here on the ground are suddenly rebranded as luxuries when we’re 35,000 feet up in the air. A lie-flat bed and room to stretch …
These Are the Best US Airlines for Economy, Business, and First Class
It’s an unfortunate truth that air travel has become an overall frustrating experience. With shrinking seats, crowded flights, and rising fees for services like checking a bag, it’s enough to make even the …
Senate Approves Bill to Reauthorize F.A.A. and Improve Air Travel
The Senate on Thursday passed legislation to reauthorize federal aviation programs for the next five years and put in place new safety measures and consumer protections for passengers, at a moment of …
Riding the Rails at Night: What to Expect on a Sleeper Train
Sleeper trains are making a welcome comeback and it’s easy to see why; they’re more environmentally-friendly and sustainable than air travel, as well as being a fun and, often, comfortable way of traveling. However, if it’s your first time on a sleeper train, you might have …
JetBlue Just Made It Easier to Travel to the UAE With Expanded Etihad Partnership
JetBlue and Etihad Airways have expanded their partnership to allow travelers to earn reciprocal points benefits when flying either airline. Travelers flying on the two airlines, which have had a codeshare agreement for years, will now be able to earn and redeem points in each …
Lodging
These Are The 10 Oldest Towns In Canada (& Their Best Hotels)St. John's, NL has a vibrant culture with rich maritime heritage. Visitors can stay at Sandman Signature Hotel for a convenient experience. Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON offers wine tastings and waterfalls. Guests …
Cosseting Luxury at Foxhill Manor
A boutique Cotswolds hotel with a difference, Foxhill Manor has a dedicated team of staff to look after your every wish. Tucked into the rolling green fields of the 500-acre Farncombe Estate near Broadway …
We Experienced Authentic Italy At The Renaissance Tuscany Hotel, Here's How Magical It Was
Experience authentic luxury at Renaissance Tuscany: panoramic views, Tuscan decor, and amazing spa facilities await. Budget-friendly rooms start at $200 a night, offering spacious comfort and stunning views of the Tuscan countryside. Build connections with the local community at …
Highly Anticipated Regent Santa Monica Beach Opens for Reservations
Guest rooms and suites at one of the most anticipated hotels in the U.S. are now available for bookings starting later this year. Regent Santa Monica Beach opened for bookings for stays beginning Sept. 17, TPG can exclusively reveal. The hotel marks a return of the Regent brand to …
Marriott’s Four Points Express by Sheraton Will Expand Into Japan
One of Marriott's newest and most affordable brands is slated to grow in one of the world's most-visited countries. Four Points Express by Sheraton will expand into Japan with an initial lineup of 14 hotels, Marriott announced Tuesday. The deal came together after investment firm …
Other and Odd
These Are the Safest Destinations for LGBTQIA+ Travelers in 2024, According to a Travel IndexFor LGBTQIA+ travelers, safety and inclusivity are important factors in vacation plans, and the latest Gay Travel Index once again sheds light on destinations that exceed expectations, fit the bill, or fall …
Is Weed Still Legal in Thailand? Here’s What Tourists Need to Know as Government U-Turns
Less than two years after Thailand opened the floodgates by legalising cannabis, the country’s new conservative coalition government is seeking to slam them shut. Neon weed signs have become …
EU's Tourism Sector Continues to Recover in 2024, Expects Record Numbers in Coming Months
The increase in foreign arrivals and overnight stays in the first quarter of this year surpassed 2019 figures. The war in Ukraine continues to impact tourism flows, particularly in central and eastern Europe. Travel remains a top priority in 2024 with both intra-European and long-haul …
AI Can Make Planning Travel Easier, but Not Without Humans
It wasn’t so long ago that travelers planned trips without the internet. “Back in the day, our parents used to go to these travel agents and really kind of express what they were looking for and what kind of vacation they wanted,” said Saad Saeed, co-founder and CEO of Layla, an …
How to Plan an Affordable Family Getaway
Now that you’re a family, traveling is more expensive. We get it. It’s not just that prices for flights and accommodations spike during school breaks. (This is a constant, and it sucks.) It’s that the ongoing bite of inflation has made food, attraction tickets, gas, babysitters...everything …
Press Releases of Interest
The Travel Institute Launches Vietnam Destination Specialist CourseFRAMINGHAM, 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 …
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 …
Agent Perspectives
FyndTravel at One Year, Lisa Watson Showcases a Streamlined Travel Event CalendarMy 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 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.
Soundings
The Travel Institute’s New Survey Signals Need for Additional Agent Recruitment & RetentionThe 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
AmaWaterways’ Green InitiativesAmaWaterways shared the way it commits to sustainability by sharing a short video showcasing current initiatives to eliminate single-use plastics, minimize food waste and contribute positively to the preservation of our planet’s precious water resources
Anita’s Tips and Tools
The Incessant Traveler
A Good Time to Dive into the African Travel MarketNext week is the week of Africa’s Travel Indaba, the travel trade show for all of Africa. It will be held in Durban, South Africa, at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC) May 13-16. The word “indaba” is Zulu for “the story.” For those interested in the African travel industry, Africa’s Travel Indaba is the time and place to get the story, directly from the people engaged in that industry, at the point where participants gather from around the world. There will be 26 African countries participating in…