Travel Classics Media News
September / October 2018
Scottsdale’s Contemporary Month Draws on the Arts
Oct. 21-Nov. 21 marks the inaugural Scottsdale Contemporary Month, when the city becomes a hotbed for art events like Canal Convergence, bringing Scottsdale Waterfront to life Nov. 9-18 with nine large-scale installations curated from artists around the globe. Art connoisseurs will enjoy the Larsen Art Auction Oct. 27 and film buffs can’t miss the Scottsdale International Film Festival Nov. 2-18. Visit scottsdalepressroom.com. Media contact: Laura McMurchie, 480-429-2253.
The Sanctuary to Offer Brides a Time-Out
Recognizing the need for a bridal time out, Sanctuary has rolled out Bridal Balance, a complimentary two-hour wellness experience for all resort weddings through 2019. Designed to help brides refocus and unwind, the experience includes any two services from the Sanctuary Spa menu and is tailored to the bride’s wedding day priorities, be it emotional calm, physical fitness or spiritual re-centering. Visit sanctuaryaz.com. Media contact: kmassarand@sanctuaryaz.com, 212-980-9194.
Experience Columbus to Join Travel Classics West
We plan to wow you at Travel Classics. It’s the Columbus way. It’s how we do everything. Over the top. Exceeding expectations. For visitors and for storytellers. Whether you’re a road-weary freelancer on deadline or an editor wearing far too many hats, our rapid response, rich stories and perfect photos are exactly what you need. We can’t wait to meet you! Visit experiencecolumbus.com. Media contact: Megumi Robinson, 614-222-6104.
Whistler Sky Walk & Whistler Peak Challenge
New for 2018 Whistler Sky Walk is a 2-hour guided mountaintop hike along the edge of Whistler Mountain between Whistler and Blackcomb. Clip into a cable to safely cross small suspended bridges and features. The Whistler Peak Challenge is an exciting half day guided alpine adventure to the Peak of Whistler Mountain includes hiking, some scrambling, and learning some basic mountaineering techniques. mountainskillsacademy.com. Media contact: Mary Zinck, 604-938-2702.
More Foodie Havens For Downtown Tucson
Downtown Tucson continues to provide more options for dining, drinking and fun, as two of the city’s best breweries move to Congress (1702 and Iron John’s), Cobra Arcade Bar opened their second location and City Park, a multi-story dining/entertainment complex is slated for early 2019. Add Hotel Congress’ 100th anniversary and 2019 will be an exciting year. Visit visittucson.org. Media contact: Dan Gibson, 520-770-2133
Matterhorn Made Easy
Starting in autumn 2018, the world’s highest, most advanced 3S cable way will carry passengers to the Klein Matterhorn. The new lift in Zermatt combines cutting-edge technology with top-class design. This enhances ride comfort, makes the cable way more stable, minimizes essential maintenance work and increases the service life of the individual components. https://www.matterhornparadise.ch/en. Media contact: Ursula Beamish, 416-695-3496 Ext. 3.
Vancouver Art Gallery’s New Exhibition Guo Pei: Couture Beyond
This stunning exhibition runs October 13, 2018 to January 20, 2019, and provides an overview of Guo Pei’s work and delves into the evolution of her designs over a ten-year period. Prominent couturière Guo Pei is best known in North America for dressing Rihanna in a trailing yellow gown at the 2015 Met Gala. http://vanartgallery.bc.ca. Visit tourismvancouver.com. Media contact: Carly Whetter, 604-631-2854.
Autumn on Lake Como
Autumn is always the perfect time to experience Lake Como and the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni in Bellagio. Especially in 2018 while the hotel is celebrating 100 years of Ownership by The Bucher Family. Special Menus & rates for the 100 Year Fall Celebration begin September 16 at Euro 473 for a Double room included Buffet Breakfast per night. Visit villaserbelloni.com. Media contact: Noel Carroll.
Spirited Sipping Seminars at Mountain Shadows
Join Mountain Shadows on select Saturdays at Hearth '61 and go on a journey through the wonderful world of wine, beer and spirits. Beverage experts will guide you through a tasting seminar worth savoring. Each lesson is 30 to 45 minutes, from 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. and costs $30. The collection of events will suit every taste bud, whether you fancy wine, beer or classic cocktails with the first event on August 25 featuring the Mojito: Then & Now. Visit mountainshadows.com. Media contact: Kelly Fausel, 619-255-7069.
Tenth Year Anniversary at Scottsdale’s Montelucia
Celebrating 10 years in the valley, Omni Montelucia wants to thank the community and loyal guests in the Season of Giving with their 10th Anniversary Celebration Room Package. Make Montelucia your home away from home for two nights and receive the third night for just $10. Your restful stay will also help those in need in the community by providing meals to St. Mary’s of Phoenix Food Bank as part of Omni’s commitment to Say Goodnight to Hunger program. Visit omnihotels.com/hotels/scottsdale-montelucia. Media contact: Chloe Dake, 415-262-5318.
New Tipi Graces Spa at the Boulders Resort
The Spa at the Boulders Resort draws deeply on its Sonoran Desert surroundings, but also on its Native American legacy. Just in time for the autumn season is the arrival of a new, exclusively designed Tipi that will be used for private meditation, desert-inspired treatments and a true wellness journey that is customized for the mind, body and spirit experience. Visit theboulders.com. Media contact: Debi Bridges, 480-306-4242.
Country Music Festival in Las Cruces
Dwight Yoakam will headline the 6th Annual Las Cruces Country Music Festival October 19-21. New Mexico's largest country music festival will also feature country stars Randy Houser, Sawyer Brown, Frankie Ballard, King Leg, Rick Trevino and rising star Brennin Hunt. More details and tickets at www.lccountryfest.com. We'll be bringing media to enjoy the festivities: contact Peggy Bendel if interested. Visit lccountryfest.com. Media contact: Peggy Bendel, 917-969-9919.
More Kudos for Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora
The resort has been named a second time, Best Luxury Beach Hotel Worldwide by Luxury Travel Advisor, in their annual Awards of Excellence. Winners were determined exclusively by travel advisor readers, who voted for nominees selected by an invitation-only advisory board. Nominees represent hotels, resorts, individuals, cruise lines and professional services that excel at delivering memorable experiences, a hallmark of the luxury travel industry. Visit fourseasons.com/borabora. Media contact: Brad Packer, 310-712-1493.
Re-Design for The Scott: A Boutique Resort in Old Town Scottsdale
Currently undergoing a $15M redesign, the 204-room property debuted new public spaces – including a refreshed lobby and signature restaurant, The Canal Club – in September 2017, inspired by the colors and comforts of old Havana and the Bauhaus movement. This fall, The Scott will unveil updated guest rooms, an all-new Presidential Suite and four one-bedroom suites. Visit thescottresort.com. Media contact: Claire Marshall, 310-664-8860.
Flagstaff’s Lunar Legacy
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of humankind's grandest achievements in setting foot on another world. Join Flagstaff in commemorating Neil Armstrong and the 11 other astronauts who walked on the Moon, a feat made possible only with years of preparation, in which many milestones occurred in the Flagstaff area including astronaut science training, instrument development and lunar mapping. Visit newsroom.visitarizona.com. Media contact: Becky Blaine, 602-364-3696.
Experience Personal Service Like Never Before with Fairmont Gold
The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess has renovated its 69 Fairmont Gold Junior Suites bringing to life a Desert-Boho design in a cream palette. Rooms include Alexa, a hands-free, voice-activated phone concierge customized to the Princess and exclusive lounge offers deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon appetizers. This “hotel within the hotel” embodies the elevated accommodations and personalized service that discerning travelers expect. Visit scottsdaleprincess.com. Media contact: Erin Stewart 480-585-2782.
Cruise Compete Gets Big Kudos from Travel + Leisure
The company stands alone as the recommended website for “Cruises” category in Travel + Leisure's May 2018 article: 23 Sites to Help You Find the Best Deals on Flights, Hotels, and More. Cruise Compete also recently introduced a comprehensive new travel tool, the Cruise Compete Virtual Cruise AdvisorTM, which delivers custom cruise recommendations to consumers. Visit https://www.cruisecompete.com. Media contact:
heidi@shaneandshaneinc.com, 248-935-3224.
The Phoenician Puts Finishing Touches on Multi-Year Transformation
The Phoenician is completing a massive renovation – the largest since opening in October 1988. In addition to redesigned accommodations and public areas including the main lobby and pools, the resort has also debuted the three-story Phoenician Spa with rooftop pool and Drybar; and the two-story Phoenician Athletic Club with fitness center, game room and courts for tennis, pickleball and basketball. Visit thephoenician.com. Media contact: Denise Seomin, 480-423-2657.
Repurposed Shipping Containers Make up New Phoenix Dining Center
Shipping container center The Churchill, opening Summer 2018, is sure to impress visitors and locals alike. The containers surround a common area for dining and relaxing. All tenants of the space are local businesses. Focused on community, the center requires tenants to complete four hours of community service a month, and will hold a monthly fundraiser for a charity. Visit VisitPhoenix.com. Media contact: Doug MacKenzie, 602-452-6231.
Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley to Celebrate bauhaus100
In 2019, Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley join an international celebration of the 100-year anniversary of the Bauhaus. bauhaus100: aspen will commemorate the influence of the Bauhaus on Aspen and reveal the many ways that it has impacted the City of Aspen, and continues to influence and inspire artists, designers, architects, landscape architects, musicians, and thinkers in Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley. Events will kick off in Jan. 2019 and continue through Aug. 2019. bauhaus100aspen.org. Visit aspenchamber.org/media. Media contact: Maureen Poschman, 970-948-3176.
Peak Time for The Garrison
The Garrison, a Dick Wilson designed 72-par course in New York’s historic Hudson Highlands, enjoys a host of new improvements, including state-of-the art golf carts and repositioned driving range. Situated across the Hudson River from West Point, the club offers stunning views, especially in fall when its signature restaurant, Valley, becomes a mecca for foodies and golfers alike. The inn has four guest rooms and banquet facilities for weddings and special events. Visit thegarrison.com. Contact: Chip Allemann, 845-424-3604.