Travel Classics Media News
September / October 2026
Several New Mexico Restaurants MICHELIN Recognized
New Mexico just earned its first MICHELIN culinary distinctions as part of the inaugural MICHELIN Guide Southwest. The Land of Enchantment is now home to 13 MICHELIN-recognized restaurants: five Bib Gourmand and seven Recommended. Additionally, the cocktail manager and chef at Campo were honored with the only MICHELIN Exceptional Cocktails Award and one of two of the new Mindful Voices accolade. Visit New Mexico True. Media contact: Nicole Barker, 505-469-2739.
Stellar Restaurants, Vibrant Festivities in Scottsdale
Scottsdale's opulent autumn kicks off with fresh culinary distinction as five restaurants earn recognition from the Michelin Guide: FnB, Hush Public House, Indibar, Reserve and Shinbay. A fall getaway in Scottsdale promises delectable cuisine, endless sunshine and a vibrant calendar of festivities including Dia de los Muertos, Canal Convergence, Arizona Indigenous Culinary Experience, Las Noches de las Luminarias and Scottsdazzle. Visit Experience Scottsdale. Media contact: Laura McMurchie, 480-429-2253.
Myriad Ways to Love Fall as Colorado Turns 150
Colorado turns 150 this year and autumn is joining the celebration with a colorful season of new experiences and statewide favorites. Travelers can take in the fall foliage by train or Jeep, celebrate the season at events ranging from La Junta's Tarantula Fest to mountain film festivals, explore the haunted histories of ghost towns and historic places and experience Colorado's harvest at its peak. Explore more ways to soak in Colorado's fall splendor. Learn more. Visit Colorado Tourism. Media contact: Caitlin Johnson, 720-233-8520.
JW Marriott Camelback Inn Offers Ultra-Private, Customized Spa Experiences
The newly unveiled The Villa at JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa offers a new way to experience the spa exclusively. Created as a standalone wellness retreat for up to 10 guests, The Villa provides an ultra-private setting for customized hydrotherapy rituals, small-group wellness sessions, couples experiences and celebratory spa days, starting at $7,500, and complete with private spa facilities, exclusive amenities & service and spa treatment credits. Visit JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa. Media contact: Tatum Luoma, 480-526-7021.
Kids Eat, Stay and Play All October Long in San Diego
"Kids Free San Diego" returns for its 15th year during the month of October. All month long, kids 12 and under eat, stay and play for free in San Diego. Offers include free hotel stays or amenities, free entrance to theme parks, attractions, and museums and free meals for children with a paid adult throughout the month and region. A complete list of participating partners and special offers is available at KidsFreeSanDiego.org. Visit San Diego Tourism. Media Contact: Edna Gutierrez, 619-557-2887.
Make Denver Your Home Base for Sundance Film Festival
This January, Denver makes an ideal home base for film fans attending Sundance Film Festival in its new home, Boulder. Visitors can pair screenings with Michelin-recognized dining, Nuggets and Avalanche games, and the National Western Stock Show. Festival goers can also ride the Winter Park Express from Denver Union Station to Winter Park Resort for a day of world-class skiing and mountain adventure. Check out Visit Denver. Media contact: Caroline Campbell, 303-330-7803.
Fall Means Food Festival Season in Utah
Just a few of the fabulous food festivals slated for Utah this fall include Salt Lake City's Eat Drink SLC and Brigham City Peach Days (September); plus one of the country's top draws for wine lovers, the Park City Wine Festival, and the Fall Harvest Festival at the American West Heritage Center, both in October. Find out more. Visit Utah Office of Tourism. Media contact: Marrissa Mallory, 619-277-8845.
Uncover Alberta's Celestial Wonders This Season
As long winter nights fall across Alberta, Canada, take in world-class stargazing at renowned preserves like Beaver Hills and Jasper National Park. Kick off the season at the Jasper Dark Sky Festival (Oct 16-25), then bundle up to witness winter constellations, the Geminid meteor shower, and the chance to see the Northern Lights dance across clear skies. Visit Travel Alberta. Media contact: Michelle Bender, 403-390-2650.
Québec Embraces the Magic of Winter
Québec is preparing for another winter filled with snow-covered landscapes, outdoor adventure and quintessential cold-weather experiences. From skiing and snowshoeing to dog sledding, ice skating and cozy après-ski traditions, winter offers countless ways to experience the province at its most atmospheric. New seasonal experiences and events are adding even more reasons to visit Québec this winter. Learn more. Visit Bonjour Québec. Media contact: Camille Dumont, 514-808-4128.
10 Diverse New Properties Join Preferred Hotels
Preferred Hotels & Resorts expanded its global portfolio with 10 new member properties during Q2 2026, strengthening its presence across key destinations in Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Asia. Notable additions include a wellness-focused beachfront retreat in Bali, a luxury safari camp in Kenya's Maasai Mara, a design-led hotel in Antwerp, and an upcoming villa-style resort in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Visit Preferred Hotels & Resorts. Media contact: Jennifer Jackson, 904-535-7167.
Luxury BC Inn Offers Dramatic Storm Watching Packages
This year, British Columbia's iconic Wickaninnish Inn celebrates its 30th anniversary. Opened in 1996 on Vancouver Island's rugged west coast, the luxury retreat pioneered and popularized storm watching as a must-do BC travel experience. This winter, travelers can experience the dramatic Pacific storms that inspired a global tourism phenomenon with special storm watching packages at the Wickaninnish Inn. Visit Destination British Columbia. Media Contact: Sabrina Robson, 604-953-6708.
Discover How Santa Fe Became a Crossroads of Travel, Culture and Commerce
Explore centuries of Santa Fe's transportation history on the new three-hour Mother Road Journey: Route 66-Themed City Tour offered through the property's onsite Adventure Center. From Indigenous trade routes and El Camino Real to the Santa Fe Trail and America's legendary Mother Road, guests will discover how Santa Fe became a crossroads of travel, culture and commerce long before the automobile era. The tour is available starting at USD 525 for up to two people. Visit Tourism Santa Fe. Media Contact: Joanne Hudson, 505-231-4947.
New Culinary Destination Opening in California's Central Coast
Michelin-starred chef Jeremy Fox is bringing a new culinary destination to Edna Valley in California's Central Coast. Opening in phases this summer and fall, Edna will unite an ingredient-driven restaurant, tasting room, distillery and family-friendly market in one four-part space. Rooted in local ingredients, the concept will showcase regional wines, craft spirits and fine dining, offering a reason to linger in wine country. Visit Highway 1 Road Trip. Media Contact: Kirstin Koszorus, 303-669-5997.
Wellness Itinerary for Media This Winter in Calgary
Embrace winter wellness in Calgary on a hosted group media visit January 27–30, 2027. Discover the destinations’ restorative side through urban forest bathing, an immersive synthesizer sound bath, a new outdoor hydrotherapy spa, and a meaningful Indigenous wellness experience. This thoughtfully curated winter itinerary invites media to recharge, get cozy, and experience Canada’s fourth largest destination in unexpected ways. Visit Tourism Calgary. Media Contact: Avia Kohen, 306-280-7797.
Updated Accommodations at Ocean Club, Four Seasons Bahamas This October
The Ocean Club is renovating its Hartford Wing Ocean View accommodations, unveiling a refreshed design for 24 Hartford Ocean View Guestrooms and two Hartford Ocean View Suites beginning October 2026. The redesign introduces a brighter, more contemporary interpretation of the wing's timeless character, featuring an airy palette inspired by the shifting hues of the sand and sea. Learn more. Visit The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, Bahamas. Media contact: Dana Berry, 407-313-6741.
Arts & Culture Month Returns to Victoria This November
Victoria's Arts & Culture Month returns this November, showcasing the city's vibrant creative spirit through inspiring exhibitions, live performances, museums, galleries, public art, and cultural experiences. From world-class attractions to hidden gems, visitors can immerse themselves in a month-long celebration of creativity, heritage, and artistic expression throughout Greater Victoria. Hands-on workshop experiences also available, such as the Paint in Paradise class on November 7th. Visit Destination Greater Victoria. Media contact: Cody Evans, 647-389-9122.
Design West Hollywood Returns
West Hollywood is a must-visit destination for design year-round, but especially from September 29 - October 1, when Design West Hollywood returns. As a creative capital, fashion, architecture, interiors, hospitality and art converge with modernist landmarks, globally recognized showrooms, galleries and style-setting hotels. Visit West Hollywood provides a front-row pass to creative minds shaping global trends, all as the Pacific Design Center celebrates 50 years in 2026. Check out Visit West Hollywood. Media contact: Eric Parker, 310-289-2525.
Explore Tucson's Gem History This Fall
Tucson's fall gem season returns with two premier showcases celebrating discovery, creativity and the global community that defines the city's gem legacy. The Labor Day Shows, Sept. 3-6, kick off the season with gem, mineral and jewelry events across the city, followed by the Dealers Showcase, Oct. 15-18, featuring dealers, showrooms and unique finds for trade and enthusiasts alike. With a history spanning more than 70 years, Tucson's gem events continue to shine as a global destination. Check out Visit Tucson. Media Contact: Cindy Aguilar, 520-770-2145.
Phoenix To Debut New 340-Room JW Marriott
The iconic 19-story office building anchoring the Arizona Center will be transformed into a 340-room JW Marriott. The facility will feature a resort-style pool, outdoor event space, food and beverage concepts, and 15,000 square feet of meeting space. Conveniently located near the Phoenix Convention Center, the hotel will boast 13-foot floor-to-ceiling windows providing panoramic city views. Check out Visit Phoenix. Media contact: Sarah Doyle, 602-452-6249.
Adams & Butler Offers LGBTQ Heritage Tour in Belfast and Derry
A 4-day LGBTQ heritage journey exploring resilience, activism, literature and music across Belfast & Derry. Discover hidden histories of Northern Ireland on a groundbreaking journey which explores the past through an authentic queer lens. This tour uncovers centuries of resilience, tracing the evolution of local LGBTQ activism from a period of criminalization to the historic hard-won victory of equal marriage. Learn more here. Visit Adams & Butler. Media contact: Siobhan Byrne, +353-1-288-9355.
New Experiences at Whistler Olympic Park
Whistler Olympic Park's "Callaghan Gold" stored-snow project could give Nordic skiers early-season access ahead of the winter opening. Winter 2026-27 will also feature expanded small-group Nordic Day Camps, including dedicated Biathlon and Women's Day Camps. A new Spring Festival joins the Park's signature events calendar, including World Snow Day, the 10th annual Nordic Women's Ski Day and the Payak Loppet. Visit Tourism Whistler. Media contact: Mary Zinck, 604-938-2702.