Flights from the Istanbul airport resumed as of 2:20 a.m. local time on 6/29/2016, ABC News reports, although the international arrivals area remained closed. While as many as one third of scheduled flights have been canceled, with many others delayed, Turkish Airlines said that flight operations have resumed, and flights between Turkey and the U.S. are running again. 
The attack marks the second terrorist incident in an Istanbul tourist area this summer. A  car bomb struck the historic Beyazit Square neighborhood earlier this month. 
Travel to the city is down 43.7 percent this summer versus last year, according to a study released by Allianz Global Assistance in late May.. Travel to Europe overall was up 9.3 percent in that study. 

​AmaWaterways has announced that it will improve its line-up of biking and hiking tours for travelers in 2016. 
AmaWaterways carries a fleet of complimentary bicycles onboard its European ships, which will continue to be available to guests for individual or escorted bike tours. In 2015, the company introduced a partnership with Backroads for more adventurous bicycling tourists, with those sailings beginning this year. 
AmaWaterways’ 2016 new escorted bike tours will include:

• A tour of the historic waterfront town of Willemstad
• Cycling along the river Sava and through Kalemegdan Park in Belgrade
• A ride through Antwerp visiting a fortress, museums and hidden quarters
• Tours of the Wachau Valley along the Danube
• A ride through the historic town of Bamberg (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), seeing its famous breweries and market gardens
• A picturesque tour through wooded hills and beaches of poplars along the scenic shores of the Inn River in Passau

Additionally, in 2016, 12 port cities will be home to AmaWaterways’ new hiking tours. This includes two wine tasting options during the Fortress Hike in Durnstein. Other options include:

• Fourviere Hill in Lyon
• Passau Castle Hike in Passau
• Mount Pipet in Vienne
• Chateau Gaillard in Les Andelys
• Dom Luis Bridge, Old Harbor Quarter, Cathedral in Porto

The guided biking and hiking tours are included in the cruise fare in addition to standard tours that are often offered at a variety of paces, including gentle, regular and active. Guests can also participate in Limited Edition Tours, which give smaller groups unique opportunities to experience local culture.

A Global Entry Card is only $15 more than the TSA PreCheck Application.  My vote is for a Global Entry Card.
​Here is what to do with the card. ​ The card contains a   Known Traveler number, on the upper-left hand corner of the back of the card. To take advantage of TSA PreCheck, you’ll want to input this into your traveler profile whenever you fly on participating airlines: Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American, Delta, Hawaiian, Jet Blue, Southwest, Sun Country, United US Airways, and Virgin America. Without this number on your boarding pass, you’ll have to line up as usual, which really defeats the purpose (no, you cannot wave your card at a TSA agent). There are plans to get international airlines on board as well, but it’s currently a work in progress. There is one other bonus of the physical card: it works as another form of government-issued ID.
How Do I Use Global Entry?
​When you land at a major airport after an international flight, head directly toward signs for Global Entry kiosks (they have been well-marked at every airport I’ve been to). At the kiosk, scan your passport, which typically brings up your flight details to confirm. You’ll answer the customs form electronically (hint: there’s a useful "No to All" check box). The kiosk will then take your photo—stand way back if you’re short like me, or they will only get your forehead—and scan your fingerprints, and spit out a tiny receipt that you hand to the customs agent on your way out.
What Else Do I Need to Know?
​Your time from landing to picking up luggage will decrease substantially.  People have told me that when they arrived at JFK, they went from their airplane seat to the back of a taxi in less than 25 minutes. (flying coach, so the majority of that time was deplaning.) If time is important to you, you will apply.

​Travel and Leisure  Melissa Locker 5/29/2016
For More Information, click the link below.
:https://upgradedpoints.com/the-global-entry-program-from-application-through-airport/
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​Mexico City, welcomes more than 12.5 million visitors a year and is one of the hottest travel destinations for 2016. The reason is that is has more than 150 museums, 100 contemporary local art galleries and 30 distinct architectural and historic sites, as well as a host of trending arts, culture and culinary hotspots.

Accessible
It’s easily accessible through ample direct flights from the U.S. Relatively short flight from major U.S. gateways (a little more than two hours from Houston, 3.5 hours from Los Angeles and just over five hours from New York), makes

Culture
Mexico City is large, extending to more than 16 boroughs with more than 300 neighborhoods, making it impossible to see everything in one visit, so, we’ve come up with some high points for your urban-oriented clients, depending on their special interests.
The Zocalo is a good place to start. It is the main plaza in the heart of the historic city center. It is bordered by the Cathedral to the north, the National Palace (where several murals by Diego Rivera reside) to the east, the Federal District buildings to the south and the Old Portal de Mercaderes to the west. Just outside the Zocalo is the Templo Mayor site, an ancient Aztec pyramid site that was discovered just beneath the pavement of the Zocalo. For the best views, visit the Porrua library. There’s a rooftop cafe here that overlooks the site, giving guests a bird’s-eye view of the discovery.

​Museums
The Soumaya Museum is known for its collection of more than 66,000 pieces of art.Arts and Culture.
Must-sees include the National Museum of Anthropology, which houses Aztec ruins from pre-colonial Mexico City and is a jewel of Mexican architecture by Pedro Ramírez Vázquez, and the Soumaya Museum, another architectural gem known for its collection of more than 66,000 pieces of art, mostly European works from the 15th to the 20th centuries, as well as Mexican art, religious relics and historical documents and coins.
Skip the long lines at Casa Azul and head to the somewhat lesser-known Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo..
Contemporary art abounds in establishments such as Museo Rufino Tamayo in Chapultepec Park, and Museo Jumex, which houses one of the largest private contemporary art collections in Latin America. For fine arts, the imposing, domed Palacio de las Bellas Artes is seven blocks west of the Zocalo and next to the Alameda Central Park. Edgier art galleries, such Kurimanzutto, LABOR and Bikini Wax may appeal to others.

Food
There are many new restaurants such as Havre 77 from Chef Eduardo García of Máximo and the Milan 44 food hall are revitalizing the emerging Juárez neighborhood. Mercado San Juan, in the downtown historic center, is a food market that sells everything from fresh fruits and produce to grasshoppers, goats, fish and pork. This is a truly authentic experience. Travelers wind their way through the stalls to see local farmers and fishermen hawking their wares to chefs and locals.
Street food is at the heart of Mexico City’s culinary scene, and top chefs such as Pujol’s Enrique Olvera are known for reinventing traditional street dishes to put on their high-end menus. A tour with Club Tengo Hambre or Eat Mexico to discover some of the city’s best-tasting curbside tacos, tortas and tamales is suggested.

Shopping and Design.
Fashion designers have set up shops in the hip Condesa and Roma neighborhoods, where boutiques abound with trendy clothing from Mexican designers. Traditional markets show off Mexican handicrafts. Bargain hunters can find inexpensive artisanal goods from all over the country at La Ciudadela, El Bazaar Sábado and La Lagunilla. Those with deeper pockets may wish to browse the boutique home decor shops at the upscale Polanco enclave and showrooms such as Studio Roca, Onora Casa and BLEND.

Don't forget Madero Street at Centro, a pedestrian area that has everything from well-known brand stores for clothing and shoes to small flea markets, plus restaurants with beautiful terraces.

Travel Agent Central  6/21/16  David Moseber

Beginning as early as this fall, the carriers can start to schedule flights between Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Minneapolis/St. Paul and Cuba. These flights can travel to the Cuban cities of Camagüey, Cayo Coco, Cayo Largo, Cienfuegos, Holguín, Manzanillo, Matanzas, Santa Clara, and Santiago de Cuba. Air travel to the capital, Havana, is still up in the air; DOT said an announcement on travel there would be made later this summer. The change in policy is part of the continuing normalization of relations between Washington and Havana that began in December 2014.

However, in a fact sheet released along with the statement, the Department of Transportation made clear that travel to Cuba as a tourist is still strictly prohibited. Only those who fall under one of 12 federal categories, including religious work, journalism, family travel, and official government business, can make the journey south.  
Last year, President Obama announced that it was time to ‘begin a new journey’ with the Cuban people

​Keep in mind, you can travel solo, without a group, but you still need a VISA and have to have one of the reasons to travel to Cuba as listed above. 

​Foreign Policy, David Francis, 6/10/2016

The Minister of Tourism in Jamaica said, $286 million will be spent on the Ocho Rios Improvement Project, to create a new visitor experience. He said work to be undertaken will include completion of the promenade from the Marina to Ocean Village Shopping Centre. It will include improvements to Main Street and the Ocho Rios Bay Beach entrance to the Turtle River intersection. The project, financed by the TEF, is being undertaken in partnership with the Port Authority of Jamaica and the Urban Development
This combined with the completion of their new highway will significantly appeal to tourists.
Some of their most popular tours are: 
Club Montego Bay
Club Montego Bay fast tracks you through customs and out to your transportation upon arrival. Departure only where once checked in to your flight you can enjoy the relaxation of the lounge with the drinks and snacks offered all included in the charge. Or both combined to give you the arrival in to Jamaica and out again smooth sailing. I used the club last October when I was there visiting. It was a pleasure to use the lounge and avoid the crowded waiting areas.

Mystic Lagoon
It is said to be the largest of the four natural wonders of the world.  Take a spectacular after dark pontoon ride, to experience the beauty of this iridescent lagoon, whereby microscopic dinoflagellats, when agitated, produce the bioluminescene which lights up the water outlining the fish and causing streaks of light, as they swim. Take a dip and see yourself light up!  The night ends with e fire eater.
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South Coast Safari
The undiscovered and rustic side of Jamaica! Cruise the Black River, home to crocodiles who will come to the boat for feeding. Then the YS Falls where you can enjoy the quiet beauty or choose to cool off in these waters. Optional, See how the rum is made as well as taste and buy at the Appleton Rum Factory. (Lunch included)
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Business trips pose two primary challenges for light packers: looking professional without toting half your wardrobe, and bringing only the most essential gadgets to get the job done.

Unless it's a particularly lengthy trip, you can usually get by with a single neutral-colored suit that can be mixed and matched with different shirts, ties and/or accessories. For example, a woman can wear the same pair of black suit pants for a daytime meeting (pair with a button-down shirt and jacket) and for dinner out (substitute a flowing wrap for the jacket and add earrings or other jewelry to dress up the look). By sticking to neutral colors, you should also be able to keep yourself to a single pair of dress shoes. If you're bringing a blazer or jacket, wear it on the plane to free up space in your carry-on.

iPads and other tablets have helped lighten the load of the business traveler considerably by providing an alternative to bulkier laptops. Don't have a tablet? If it's a short trip, you may be able to get by simply with a smartphone and a trip or two to your hotel's business center or computer kiosk.

If you are attending a conference: Forget about lugging all those folders and freebies you received on the trade show floor. Go through them the night before your departure and pack only what you really need or want. If you still don't have room in your carry-on, have your hotel mail the remaining goodies back to your office.

Rules for Carry-Ons
Here are a few rules of thumb:
1. Limit yourself to two pairs of shoes and two pairs of pants, and wear the heavier items on the plane.
2. Don't pack more than a week's worth of clothes. For longer trips, plan to do laundry along the way.
3. Pack only garments that can be color-coordinated with everything else in your travel wardrobe. If it doesn't work in multiple outfits, leave it at home.
4. Every little bit of space helps. Forget about those "just in case" items you could easily buy in your destination.
5. Many travelers swear by compression bags (also known as Space Bags) to help save precious space -- but keep in mind that they won't help you stay within airline weight limits. (Some carriers do weigh carry-ons.)
6. Maximize your personal item. In addition to a carry-on bag, airlines allow you to bring a personal item such as a purse or laptop bag. I generally bring a small backpack, which can hold a lot more than a purse but will still fit easily under the seat in front of me.
7. Roll your clothes instead of folding them -- it minimizes wrinkles and maximizes space. It might help you save space or a combination of folding and rolling works well.
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Locks on Zippered Suitcases are Useless
Don't bother to lock zippered suitcases. You can pop a zipper with a pen and drag the locked zipper pulls around the bag to close them back up. TSA also pops the lock if you have questionable content in your suitcase.

Bring Your Own Headphones
The headsets that are given to you are not new, despite being wrapped up. They are taken off the flight, “cleaned”, and then packaged again.

Remove Old Flight Tags
It is just common sense; the reason some bags miss their flight or get misrouted is because passengers don't remove old tags. It confuses handlers as well as the conveyor belt scanners.

Be Kind to Employees
The nicer you are to them, the more they do for you. Ran out of beef? Ask politely and we will get you a fillet mignon from first class. Is your neighbor noisy? Tell the flight attendant nicely, and they might be able to get you a better seat.

Be nice to the ticket agent and they will pretty much always let you get away with overweight bags.

Buy and Fly on a Tuesday
On average, the cheapest time to BUY a ticket is Tuesday afternoon. The cheapest time to FLY is Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday. This applies to US flights in my experience. Of course, there are some exceptions.

Put Your Pet’s Name on the Carrier
If you checked your dog there's about a 30 percent chance it's terrified before it even gets on the plane, who knows how scared it gets during the actual flight. Bag room agents will usually try to comfort a scared animal, but all they can really do is talk to it, so if you write your pet's name on their carrier it usually helps a lot.

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In the past most cruise line charged extra for a single. Now there are at least five ships that have made accommodations for a single. They may even build some comradery for singles.

Holland America Line
Individuals are not only welcomed to book with Holland America, but are encouraged to with their Single Partners Program. The offer includes mixers and cocktail parties, various activities including wine tastings, exercise classes, and line dancing lessons, and dinner seating with other singles requested in advance. And to make the trip more convenient, the cruise line provides same-sex stateroom pairings for the duration of the trip, so each only pays the per-person double occupancy rate.

AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways river cruises rolled out their Solo Traveler Program giving passengers a single supplement break. Although space is limited, the choice of trip isn’t; solo travelers are able to pick from any weeklong river cruise. Sail on Melodies of the Danube cruise that takes you from Budapest to Vilshofen, or book a round-trip Amsterdam journey on the Tulip Time Cruise. No matter what destination you choose, additional fees for flying solo won’t be in your future.

Norwegian Cruise Line
Studio staterooms are currently offered on five of the Norwegian cruises, specifically designed to sleep parties of one. Each of these 100-square-foot spaces are equipped with a single-styled shower, personal TV, and other guestroom essentials, plus room service for those nights of staying in. Solos have access to the Studio Lounge, a private hangout shared exclusively by Studio guests, where solo travelers can easily meet one another.

American Queen Steamboat Company
Steamboat Company finished renovations to two paddle wheelers, including the American Queen a huge steamboat that keeps all party sizes in mind. Eight inside cabins and four outside staterooms (with open verandas) accommodate single travelers, positioned near each other for easy meet-and-greets. Not to mention the intimate size of riverboats allows a natural openness among passengers, whether they’re with a group or alone.

Grand Circle Cruise Line
They have an entire website page dedicated to solo travelers. They especially have the services to back it up, such as free to low-cost single supplements, a free roommate matching service, and even program directors specifically catering to single passengers. And for those still wary about going alone, Grand Circle has a Travel Companions online community that connects voyagers before departure.

Solos are being catered to more and more. Try one of these options or let me know if you've experienced another travel program that has catered to singles.
​Afar Nicolette Richardson 3-31-16
​http://www.PetersonTravelPros.com