Generation Z is defined as the demographic that follows the generation that has been names Millennials. Experts have described this group to have been born in the mid to late 1990s, and having an affinity for technology and social media. Research suggests that Gen Z has been influenced by events like the September 11th terrorist attacks and the Great Recession of the 2010s that have fostered feelings of insecurity.
 
While companies are just reaching an understanding of how the Millennial is changing the landscape, Gen Z is emerging as another challenge.
 
First Gen Z is using the same platforms like Millennials but in a different way. Gen Z spends nearly if not all of its time consuming media from a smartphone. Additionally, this group of consumers values experiences over products.
 
Gen Z desires to mold our culture. With their social media prowess and their capabilities as innovative content producers, they already have begun to change the consumer space.
 
With all of these implications, the travel industry is experiencing a new wave of trends as a result of Gen Zers.
 
Gen Z already relies on the power of social media, so, naturally, it has impacted where they wish to travel. In the past few years, the destination’s “instagramability” has been drawing young travelers to visit. Using top travel hashtags and by following influencers, Gen Z is on the hunt to find the most enviable spot.
 
Additionally, Gen Z appreciates a travel deal. Research suggests while a good portion of Gen Z still travels with their parents, most work to fund their trips. This group likes to feel the satisfaction of knowing they are getting a good bargain and won’t have to sacrifice their cash for a vacation.
 
Other travel trends popping up for Gen Zer is the importance of wireless. Being already so connecting it’s important to this generation to never lose that. They also value sustainable travel and are willing to support local businesses and appreciate opportunities for voluntourism.
 
Gen Z wants to trip of a lifetime and they want it now. This drives this generation to seek authentic and personal experiences. They want a bucket list trip.
 
Let Guardian Music and Group Travel create your very own customized trip with all your needs in mind that crosses a destination off your bucket list.

Scientists and researchers and Florida National University have published a study that highlights the benefits of music and its power to help students.
 
People have found that music activates both sides of the brain which can lead to maximizing learning and memory retention.
 
The most obvious benefit to listening to music while doing schoolwork is reducing anxiety and stress. Studying while listening to soothing music is proven to decrease blood pressure and one’s heart rate. It is also shown that listening to music has the same effect of getting a massage. Finding the right tunes to help you focus, put you in the right studying mood or create a calming atmosphere is what makes music so dynamic when it comes to schoolwork.
 
Music is also proven to boost performance. Studies have shown that listening to hip-hop music is uplifting for students, giving them an inspiring confidence boost while helping them perform under pressure.
 
Contrary to what some might think, music is not a distraction but supports the brain to pay attention better. Classics like Mozart, Bach and Beethoven have been proven to help students categorize information, an essential aspect to studying. Musical activity is a form of exercise, and utilizing it as a tool can help train our brains to function at a higher level later on.
 
Lastly, music has been proven to serve as a memory trigger. Our brains looks for patterns to understand information, and that’s why we tend to remember songs better than other memorization tactics.
 
Music is a powerful tool that we can use to soothe, strengthen and support our brain activity. With all its capabilities and positive benefits, its not doubt why people love it so much!
 
For more information see: https://www.fnu.edu/benefits-studying-music/
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​With less than three months till 2019 ends and a whole new decade begins, we’d like to look towards the future and mention the top destinations for next year!
 
At the top of Lonely Planet’s list is the lovely country of Bhutan. Known for being an environmentally friendly country next to the Himalayan mountains, this gem is nothing short of breath-taking. Also it has plans to become the first country to 100% farm organically.
 
Coming in second place for countries overall, there is England. With the expansive green hills and exciting city of London, England is a perfect spot with a little bit of everything to offer.
 
For cities alone, Salzburg, Austria was listed as the top destination for 2020. Next year it is the 100th anniversary of its world famous festival of music and drama. It is also known for being the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, its opera and theater scene, and its Baroque architecture.
 
Next, coming in second place, we have Washington D.C. known for being the capital of the United States and for being an epicenter of American history with more museums and galleries to suit every kind of traveler.
 
For the wallet-conscious, Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, Budapest, Hungary and Madhya, India were ranked for their value.
 
If you’re interested in the full list and more information their book “Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2020,” which goes on sale tomorrow, Oct. 23 for $17.99.

Real ID is popping up more and more and it is because the deadline to have one is fast approaching.
 
For those who need a short refresher on this topic, in an attempt to cut down on domestic terrorism and security threats post 9/11, Congress enacted Real ID Act in 2005. This federal law deals with the security, authentication, and issuing of standards for identity licenses and documents. Essentially, this elevated ID technology is more difficult to fake.
 
The Real ID law intensified the standards for identity cards accepted at the federal government level for boarding commercially operated airline flights, entering an official federal building and nuclear power plants.
 
In addition to other aspects of the Real ID law, the most pertinent to the travel industry is the portion regarding the Real ID-compliant form of identification for domestic air travel. What this means traveling is by October 1, 2020, you will need a Real ID to fly domestically.
 
To find out if your driver’s license is a Real ID, it must have a black or gold star on it. If you live in Hawaii, Tennessee, Ohio or Utah, you will have to check with your state government.
 
To complicate things, some states are issuing driver’s licenses that are a form of Real ID but will not pass for a Real ID for air travel.
 
It is best to check if you’re not certain if your ID is a Real ID. Otherwise, this could prevent you from boarding a flight after the deadline.
 
To learn more information see: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id and https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-frequently-asked-questions
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​The Arlington National Cemetery is a United States military cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia. This cemetery is adjacent to Washington D.C. and across the Potomac River.
 
Established during the Civil War on the grounds of the Arlington House, which previously had been the estate of the wife of Robert E. Lee, Mary Anna Custis Lee. Arlington National Cemetery is controlled by the United States Department of Defense and is the resting place to the dead who served their country during the conflicts.
 
Since April 2014, Arlington National Cemetery has been on the United States’ National Register of Historic Places which is a list of the most historic places and monuments deemed worthy of preservation in regards to our nation’s history. It is also the resting place for John F. Kennedy and William Howard Taft among other important characters in U.S history.
 
Purchased initially for the high elevation and generally pleasing aesthetic, Arlington National Cemetery is also home to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This memorial is dedicated to all the U.S. servicemen and women whose remains have not been identified. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is guarded perpetually guarded with a meticulous routine to symbolize the highest military honor that can bestowed.
 
Guardian recommends Arlington National Cemetery to all individuals visiting Washington D.C.
We suggest timing your visiting to see the Changing of the Guard Ritual performed every half hour in the summer and every hour in the winter. 

September 27th marks a special day in the tourism industry. It is World Tourism Day, which was created by the United Nations World Tourism Organization in 1980 in effort to raise awareness about global tourism.
 
#WorldTourismDay aims to educated the public on the role that tourism has throughout the world and emphasize how it impacts the social, political, economic and cultural values of communities and nations.
 
Each year has a specific theme that is relevant to the tourism and travel industry. Back in 1980, the theme was “Tourism’s contribution to the preservation of cultural heritage and to peace and mutual understanding.” In 2017, it was “Sustainable Tourism – a tool for development” and in 2018 it was, “TOURISM AND CULTURAL PROTECTION.”
 
With the tourism industry generating 10% of all jobs globally, and the industry overall working towards more sustainable goals, the theme for this year is ‘Tourism and Jobs: a better future for all.”
 
New Delhi, India has been chosen as the host city for #WorldTourismDay because it is one of the oldest cities in one of the oldest countries spanning centuries and empires. New Delhi is home to some of the most diverse and culturally rich communities and their tourism in India reflects this perfectly.

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1. Portland, Oregon

The Forbidden City of the West is home to indie bands and offers a unique atmosphere focused on intimacy. Some of the bands that have come out of Portland are the Decemberists, She & Him, the Dandy Warhols and the list goes on and on. Portland is also home to the Alberta Rose Theater, Al’s Den, Kelly’s Olympian, and Revolution Hall.

1. Memphis, Tennessee

This comes as no surprise that the old stomping grounds for the King of Rock and Roll is on the list. Elvis, John Lee Hooker, B.B. King and Justin Timberlake are some of the most famous musicians to come from Memphis. Not to mention Beale Street is also an iconic landmark for the city with plenty of cool places like Young Avenue Deli and Blues City Café for food too,

1. LA, California

The City of Angels attractions thousands in hopes of making it big, but it also is a hub for music and music lovers. Los Angeles has a repertoire that ranges from classical music to country to a lively EDM scene. It is also where Guns N’ Roses and Tupac Shakur are from and home to a plethora or record labels and more music venues than we could mention.

1. Seattle, Washington

The music scene in Seattle is known for its 1990s grunge with the likes of Pearl Jam and Nirvana. It is also the birthplace of Jimi Hendrix and others like Macklemore, Death Cab for Cutie and the Shins. Seattle, Washington is also home to bars that are located around Capitol Hill and Belltown. We recommend you check out the Bumbershoot Festival that happens ever September that features the up and coming performers with other big name musicians too.

1. New Orleans, Louisiana

Known for the birth of jazz and second line parades, also known as the funeral processions from the funeral to the cemetery, New Orleans deserves to be on this list. We recommend taking the time to wander around the city on Frenchmen’s Street and on Burbon Street to take advantage of all the live music playing and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival every spring.

1. Chicago, Illinois

When people migrated north after WWII, Chicago became the center for blues and jazz music. “Chicago Blues” became well known to the likes of Buddy Guy and Muddy Waters. Nowadays there is the Chicago Blues Fest that happens every June in the city and Lollapalooza every August. It is also home to Kanye West and Smashing Pumpkins

1. Nashville, Tennessee

Last but not lease we have Nashville rounding out our list! It is the home for country music, musicians and music listeners. This city is also home to the Grand Ole Opry, the country music radio show that to this day records live music. Nashville is home to Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, and Martina McBride!

​Summer at the Grand Canyon means it is packed with tourists, but visiting in the fall means taking advantage of smaller numbers and the less intense fall weather. Visit the Grand Canyon in the fall for better hiking and a more immersive wildlife experience.

​Autumn happens to be the best season to enjoy the city by the bay. Summer is peak season to visit San Fran so there will be less foot traffic at attractions. We recommend this destination for those interested in food, music and different kinds of fun seasonal festivals.

​The Big Island is perfect in fall due to the lower number of tourists visiting, the less expensive prices and the wonderful weather. Take advantage of these perks and visit Hawaiian paradise to snorkel, surf and enjoy the sunshine!

​Visit New Mexico in the fall for their hot air balloon festival called the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta that happens every October. This unique event began in 1973 and occurs over multiple days drawing many to the area to watch the skies. Read more about the festival here: https://balloonfiesta.com/Event-Schedule

Located in the business district of New Orleans is the National World War II Museum, one of Guardian Music and Group Travel’s favorite New Orleans attractions. Formerly known as the National D-Day Museum, this museum details of the United States’ involvement in World War II.
 
The National World War II Museum in New Orleans has been the designated by Congress as the official World War II Museum for America.
 
Since its beginnings in June of 2000, the museum has continued to open exhibits and expand. It has opened the Solomon Victory Theater, the John E. Kushner Restoration Pavilion, the US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center, and the Campaigns of Courage pavilion and there are current plans for more expansion with a Liberation Pavilion.
 
Guardian loves the National World War II Museum because of its interactivity. With a completely 4D movie experience in the Solomon Victory Theater that emphasizes the U.S. involvement in the Allied victory and multiple spaces that illustrate the war, you will be impressed, shocked and informed around every corner you look.
 
We recommend you allocate 2-3 hours to fully experience the engaging and interactive museum. With so many expansive exhibits and additions, every portion of the museum deserves to be explored in its entirety.