Tipster

TBEX is in just a couple of short weeks. This year, it will be hosted in Toronto, one of the most vibrant cities in North America. Toronto blends urban chic with its multicultural heritage, and its hotels reflect its diverse character. We think these five Toronto hotels offer truly one-of-a-kind guest experiences. Although they may not be in your travel budget, they're certainly worth visiting for a pre- or post-TBEX martini and hotel tour. More...

Tags: TBEX, Toronto, Hotels, Toronto hotels, Cosmopolitan Hotel Toronto, Old Mill Inn and Spa, The Hazelton Hotel, Thompson Toronto, Drake Hotel

I find it fascinating how all of the world's different cultures can still be categorized into very similar areas: Visit any city in the world and you're likely to find museums, shopping malls, nightclubs, athletic venues and theaters. It just goes to show that people are people no matter what language they speak or their geographical location. Of course, every culture has some things that are uniquely its own, and those experiences are what make a trip to a new place truly memorable. More...

Tags: Lisbon, Portugal, Azulejos, Museu Nacional do Azulejo, Mosteiro e Igreja de Sao Vicente de Fora, Fabrica Sant'anna, Baixa, Castelo de Sao Jorge, Elevadoor de Santa Justa, Torre de Belem, Arrabida Natural Park, fado, Clube de Fado, Senhor Vinho, Museu do Fado, Restaurante Pap'Acorda, Cervejaria Ramiro, Antiga Confeitaria del Belem, Sporting Clube de Portugal, Sport Lisboa e Benfica

The annual TBEX North America conference is swifly approaching, and I'm thrilled to be attending for the first time to represent travel42. If you aren't familiar with TBEX, it is the world's largest gathering of travel bloggers, writers and new media content creators. The conference includes writing and photography workshops, dozens of talented speakers, and tours of Toronto and the surrounding area. 

I've blogged before about the ways blogging can benefit your travel business. As Cindy referenced in her column in our monthly newsletter, the great thing about blogging is that it's a fairly casual environment: You don't have to be a professional writer to be a great blogger. As a travel agent, you have an extraordinary knowledge base on the subject of travel. You can share that expertise with your clients and potential clients through a blog.

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Tags: TBEX, travel blog, travel blog conference, travel blogger expo, travel agent, travel agent blogs

A while ago, I watched a fascinating documentary called "The City Dark" about light pollution and the search for total nighttime darkness in such a heavily lighted world. In it, astronomers camped out at the top of the world’s largest dormant volcano, Maui’s Haleakala, where the stars are more visible than almost anywhere else on earth, thanks to its isolation and location above the clouds. More...

Tags: Hawaii, Maui, Haleakala

Have you ever been to see the famous ducks at The Peabody hotel in Memphis, Tennessee? I’ve visited them a couple of times, and these ducks are definitely enjoying the high life. I’m not sure I remembered how their good fortune came about until recently when I read the Potpourri section of travel42’s Memphis guide, which explains the origin of these famous ducks. More...

Tags: Memphis, The Peabody Memphis, Peabody Ducks

"Istanbul was Constantinople / Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople / Been a long time gone, Constantinople. . . . / Why did Constantinople get the works? / That's nobody's business but the Turks."

And now that I've gotten that silly little ditty stuck in your head, too - if you don't know it, you should definitely look it up More...

Tags: Istanbul, Constantinople, Byzantine, Ottoman, Aya Sofya, Hagia Sophia, Hippodrome, Kariye Camii, Church of the Holy Savior in Chora, Yerebatan Sarayi, Basilica Cistern, Gulhane Park, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque

Travel affords a multitude of photo opportunities. If you're a shutterbug like me, you strive for a healthy balance between viewing sights through your camera's viewfinder and taking in the sights with your own eyes. In my travels, I have found that there are a few photos that I'm always glad I took. Here are a few shots to jot down on your must-capture list for your next big vacation.

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Tags: travel photography, photography tips, photography, photos, travel photos, photo checklist, travel checklist, barcelona, la sagrada familia, la pedrera, Gaudi

Our destination guides are packed with helpful information for travelers to create thousands of potential itineraries, but one of the most valuable sections of our destination guides can be the "local tours." As you know, travel42 correspondents update our destination guides with trusted, tried-and-true information, but this is especially helpful when it comes to a local tour. (Raise your hand if you've ever been subject to an incredibly boring tour, or one with a less-than-knowledgeable guide! ...My hand's up.)

Some travelers prefer to skip out on classes or tours to see the local sights themselves. I think it depends on your travel style, but for most people, including a locally hosted tour or class into your itinerary can be the best part of your trip. Here are a few examples of local tours I've taken that made all the difference in my vacations. More...

Tags: local tours, local tour, local classes, travel workshops, travel, Florence, Italy, San Gimignano, Uffizi, Louvre, Paris, France, Munich, Germany, Neuschwanstein, Dachau

Many people consider Prague the most beautiful city in Europe, if not the world. The stunning architecture leaves you speechless and in awe. Not only is Prague a great city to simply stand and have your breath taken away, it also has a rich history and culture, which is shown in many of its best attractions. There are many different things to experience in Prague that could be called the best, but here are the five things that you absolutely must see, whether you are there for a short visit or an extended stay. More...

Tags: Prague, Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, Jewish Quarter, Astronomical Clock, Christmas Markets

Last week, we added a brand-new destination guide to travel42: Capri Island, Italy. It's become a very popular vacation destination, particularly among honeymooners and visitors to southern Italy who want to experience a diverse landscape with easy access to the Amalfi Coast.

The coastline of Capri Island

I was lucky enough to travel to Capri in 2007, and I loved every second of my trip. I visited in fall, which was excellent timing, because the island wasn't too crowded, and all of the great seasonal shops were still open. Here are a few things that I'd recommend to any visitor to Capri Island. More...

Tags: capri, capri island, anacapri, blue grotto, island of capri, amalfi coast, amedeo canfora, l'arte del sandolo caprese, giro dell'arco naturale, panta rei, sorrento, positano, naples, pompeii