Perched dramatically on a mountainside in Italy’s Liguria region, the medieval village of Triora, known as the “Salem of Italy,” has embraced a haunting history of dramatic, infamous witch trials. The town’s strategic position at 780 meters above sea level made it a crucial defensive outpost during medieval times. The village’s name derives from “Tria Ora,” meaning three mouths, referring to the three gates that once protected this fortress town. Its robust walls and commanding position earned it the nickname “Keys to the Alps,” as it controlled important trade routes between the Ligurian coast and Piedmont. Read the rest of this entry »

For over two decades, Beyond Times Square has been the go-to destination management company for travelers seeking personalized, behind-the-scenes experiences in major US cities like New York, Washington D.C., Boston, and Philadelphia. Now the luxury travel experts are have announced the addition of two new destinations to their exclusive portfolio—the quintessential Southern charmers of Savannah, Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina Read the rest of this entry »

Rwanda. The Land of a Thousand Hills and the horrific genocide of 1994. One of the most rapidly developing countries in Africa, where one-quarter of the population is still illiterate. A country with many faces which, after years of turmoil, has risen and is becoming an increasingly popular travel destination.

Social media platform Pinterest has announced the launch of a new program to celebrate Black History Month – the Black Travel Hub. This initiative is designed to provide users with inspiration, education and guidance for travel to destinations across the world. Read the rest of this entry »

Just when it seemed that most major cruise lines had weathered the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the bankruptcy of Genting Group’s Crystal Cruises at the start of 2022 sent shockwaves across the industry.

Luckily for loyal Crystal guests and cruise industry supporters, the majority of Crystal Cruises’ nine luxury ships found other homes within a few short months. As the year draws toward a close, this list provides the latest standings of Crystal’s ocean, river, and yacht vessels. Read the rest of this entry »

Solo travel has become increasingly popular in recent years as more and more people are choosing to explore the world on their own. While it can be an incredibly rewarding and liberating experience, there are also certain considerations that need to be taken into account. The concept of solo travel is sometimes misunderstood  (Read More)

On first approach, the most noticeable part of London’s skyline is glass and steel—a modern society reaching for greater heights. As one gets closer, the London Bridge shows off its 700-year transformation from a stone-built medieval structure to concrete and steel. Big Ben (aka. Great Bell) stands tall, counting the 163 years on a clock face since it’s been built. Yet, an even closer look shows a city that keeps its roots close.

The new Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours discovery yacht, Scenic Eclipse II, will debut with an 11-day maiden voyage from Lisbon to Barcelona departing April 13, 2023. Read the rest of this entry »

The New York City-based destination management company Beyond Times Square has added a new experience to their 2022 luxury catalog, VIP Radio City Roxy Suite Reception & Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes.

Once the capital of a sprawling empire, Rome has persisted through the ages as a spectacle of awe. From the Colosseum, once a place that embodied this very spectacle, to the intricate stonework of the Trevi Fountain, to the immaculately maintained Pantheon—Rome is full of sights to behold. This classically romantic city has much to offer, even in the winter when the crowds have thinned out and the heat of a humid summer has subsided.

The last three years have been a difficult time for the tourism sector. Strong and unexpected hit from the COVID-19 pandemic, political unrest due to the Russian aggression toward Ukraine, and the outbreak of inflation in almost all Western countries have the strongest impact on travel and tourism businesses. Most experts from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) claim that the sector won’t fully recover until 2024. Read the rest of this entry »

Most visitors to Mexico head straight to the country’s stunning beaches, and there’s certainly nothing wrong with that. However, there is an abundance of delights in store for those who venture beyond the beaches to Mexico’s beguiling magic towns. The Mexican tourist board has selected 132 pueblos to be included on a list of so-called ‘magic towns.’ Read the rest of this entry »

I was invited by Emerald Cruises to experience the brand new Emerald Azzurra yacht that debuted 3-months ago. I spent a glorious two weeks sailing her from Dubrovnik to Athens, with port stops in Montenegro, Albania, Greece, and Turkey. It was a perfect mix of well-known ports and off-the-beaten-path destinations where the big ships can’t go. Read the rest of this entry »

Southwest Airlines yesterday announced the elimination of expiration dates on all Southwest flight credits unexpired on or created on or after July 28, 2022. Read the rest of this entry »

While American Airlines yesterday reported positive results year to date, capacity remains an issue as domestic airlines continue to struggle with pilot and staffing shortages.  American will continue to fly below 2019 capacity levels in the third quarter, but nevertheless, projects increased revenues resulting from higher fares. Delta, United, and American have now all reported Q2 profits due to a strong travel rebound and higher fares.

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Alaska-based UnCruise has rolled out the list of itineraries its nine adventure ships will sail from now through spring 2023—and shared with TRO some of the behind-the-scenes changes being instituted to support them. Read the rest of this entry »

Just a few days after the United States dropped its testing requirement for inbound travelers, Mandee Migliaccio at Stepping Out Travel Services in New Jersey already has booked a client who called to say, “finally I feel like I can travel freely”—and is off to Italy. Read the rest of this entry »

Being a commonly visited country, Spain often brings up an image of grand churches that inspire faith in the eye of the beholder—perhaps pictures of flamenco dancers, as they seduce an audience into a story of love and passion. These are accurate portrayals of a country that charms the traveler. But, Spain is a diverse destination, one that brings the culture of surrounding nations together in harmony. In the northwest sits Galicia, an ideal look at this cultural harmony. Read the rest of this entry »

The United States will ease some of the Trump-era restrictions on Cuba, the Biden Administration, in line with campaign promises, announced on Monday. The U.S. will allow some charter and commercial fights to airports other than Havana and reinstate educational travel but not yet the “people to people” program. Read the rest of this entry »

Untouched wilds have always been a draw in Canada’s north. With glass-like lakes surrounded by thick forests of coniferous trees and the snow-covered landscapes of mountains and the arctic tundras, northern Canada is an adventure of scenery. The addition of watching polar bears in their natural habitat, or hanging out with beluga whales, and northern lights that illuminate the skies make for a one-of-kind trip. This is particularly true on VIA Rail Canada’s adventure route, which provides a panoramic dome for maximum viewing pleasure. Read the rest of this entry »

Regional airline carrier Republic Airways, operating American Eagle, Delta Connection, and United Express regional flights, has requested the Department of Transportation (DOT) to grant an exemption from a rule requiring training pilots to log a minimum of 1,500 hours of flight time prior to flying passengers on a commercial airline. Read the rest of this entry »