Travel Classics Media News
January / February 2026
Regional MICHELIN Guide Includes Arizona
MICHELIN Guide recently announced the launch of their regional Southwest edition that will cover the states of Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah. The expansion of the MICHELIN Guide to Arizona not only shines a light on Arizona's very best restaurants and restaurateurs, it also signifies that a culinary journey through the Grand Canyon State is one well worth taking. Check out Visit Arizona. Media contact: Kim Todd, 602-364-3305.
Discover Ireland’s First Dedicated Whiskey Hotel
The newly reborn Harbourview Hotel in Carnlough on the breathtaking Causeway Coast pairs 300+ whiskeys with curated tastings, exclusive events, and luxurious heritage charm. From festival fun to coastal adventures and Game of Thrones locations, it’s a standout base for connoisseurs and curious travelers alike. Read the full feature online here. Visit Tourism Ireland. Media contact: Ruth Moran, +1 646-641-2070.
Scottsdale Boasts Two Major Hospitality Debuts in Early 2026
Kimpton Miralina will welcome guests beginning in January as Kimpton's first luxury resort in the Greater Phoenix region, transforming the former Scottsdale Plaza Resort into a 42-acre, wellness-driven desert retreat. Next up, AC Hotel Scottsdale Old Town will open in February with 168 rooms and European-inspired design in the heart of the city's arts district. Visit Experience Scottsdale. Media contact: Laura McMurchie, 480-429-2253.
2026: A Year to Celebrate in Colorado
Colorado turns 150 and the nation marks 250 years of independence. All across the state, you'll find festivals, events, community celebrations and hidden gems waiting to be explored. We invite you celebrate with us all year long. From iconic landmarks to small-town surprises, discover the stories, people and places that make Colorado memorable. Learn more here. Visit Colorado Tourism. Media contact: <a href="mailto:caitlin@handlebarpr.com">Caitlin Johnson</a>, 720-233-8520.
Experience Luxury Glamping Near Saguaro National Park
Inspired by true Conestoga designs, Solana Spanish Villas is bringing the spirit of the 19th-century American West into the modern age with their Luxury Conestoga Wagons for an authentic southwest glamping experience in Feb 2026. Set within a mesquite bosque and minutes from Saguaro National Park East, the four beautifully crafted wagons will deliver an unforgettable blend of rustic elegance and contemporary convenience. Check out Visit Tucson. Media Contact: Cindy Aguilar, 520-770-2145.
Kelowna, BC Named UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy
Canada's very first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, Kelowna, is celebrating a food scene rooted in sustainable farming, Indigenous traditions and hyper-local creativity. Also in Kelowna, Mission Hill Family Estate has earned a place among the World's 50 Best Vineyards -- the only Canadian winery on the list -- spotlighting the Okanagan Valley as a world-class wine region. Visit Destination BC. Media contact: Sabrina Robson, 604-953-6702.
Self-Guided Progressive Spa Retreat in New Mexico
Heritage Hotels & Resorts is helping travelers start 2026 feeling refreshed with the newly launched Heritage Retreat: a progressive spa retreat guiding guests through rituals for the mind, body and soul. The self-guided retreat visits four spas across New Mexico from Taos to Santa Fe and Albuquerque. The treatments are deeply tied to the land and traditions of the Southwest. Learn more here. Visit Heritage Hotels & Resorts. Media contact: Josie Lapke.
Newly Renovated Camelback Inn Spa Reopens in January 2026
JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa is undergoing a $25 million transformation of its iconic spa. Set to debut in January 2026, the fully reimagined Spa at Camelback Inn will offer a deeply personalized and nature-connected wellness experience rooted in its new ariVéa philosophy, a holistic approach that blends timeless rituals with the energy and serenity of the Sonoran Desert. Guests will discover sound therapy, hydrotherapies, desert-inspired treatments, and design elements. Visit JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa. Media contact: Joan Magtibay, 480-529-3069.
Snö '65: The New Outdoor Lounge in Jackson Hole
Nestled at the base of Jackson Hole's iconic ski slopes, sip, savor and celebrate in the new exclusive outdoor lounge, Snö '65. An exclusive Champagne by the bottle and by the glass menu is available for guests and local visitors, available from 3:00 to 7:00 pm daily. Throughout the winter season, a pop-up oxygen bar will be available every Thursday to Sunday from 4:00 to 5:00 pm for guests looking to acclimate in a lively setting. Snö '65 also can be privatized throughout the season. Visit Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole. Media contact: Kim Cole, 480-980-8773.
Winter is California Central Coast's Prime Wildlife Season
Cooler temperatures and fewer crowds bring nature front and center on the Central Coast. Elephant seals crowd Piedras Blancas during peak breeding season, gray and humpback whales migrate past shorelines and boat tours, and monarch butterflies cluster in sheltered groves. From kayaking alongside sea otters in Morro Bay to spotting wild zebras near San Simeon, wildlife encounters are abundant and accessible. Visit Highway 1 Road Trip. Media contact: Kirstin Koszorus, 303-669-5997.
Greater Victoria Flavour Trails Marks 20 Years
Greater Victoria Flavour Trails have connected visitors and locals with the region's culinary bounty for two decades. Explore self-guided itineraries and events featuring cider presses, bakers, distillers, and honey farmers. In 2026, enjoy special anniversary events celebrating our land, sea, and the diverse makers, farmers, fishers, and chefs who shape Victoria's food culture.Visit Destination Greater Victoria. Media contact: Jodi Westbury, 604-836-8317.
Canadian Winery Estate Recognized as One of World's 50 Best Vineyards
Mission Hill Family Estate in British Columbia has been recognized as Canada's only winery on The World's 50 Best Vineyards, placing among the most celebrated winery experiences around the globe. This recognition is a landmark moment not only for the winery, but for the extraordinary emerging Okanagan Valley region. As it enters its fifth decade, the relentless pursuit of excellence across winemaking, luxury hospitality and wine tourism, architecture, and guest experience has only accelerated. Check out Iconic Wineries of British Columbia. Media contact: Kaylyn Storey, 604-735-8503.
Spring in San Diego Brings Exciting New Attractions
Visitors to San Diego this Spring can experience the opening of Elephant Valley at San Diego Zoo Safari Park, an immersive habitat where guests walk alongside elephants and enjoy sweeping savanna views. Families can also explore LEGOLAND California's new space-themed land, featuring a first-in-decades indoor coaster, cosmic rides, and hands-on adventures. Both will debut in early March. Visit San Diego Tourism Authority. Media contact: Edna Gutierrez, 619-557-2887.
West Hollywood Boasts Luxe Entertainment Venues
West Hollywood hospitality shines in a new era of entertainment, having launched buzzworthy concepts befitting of our iconic destination. Luxe venues, like HiFi at Darling (Sean Brock), Andy's bar (Anderson .Paak) and entertainment venues such as the Peppermint Club, Backbeat at Ziggy, and Live at Sun Rose offer tasteful entertainment residencies with elevated cocktail service. Within a 1.9 square miles, offerings are energized in 2026 by yet another Ian Schrager offering, the PUBLIC Hotel. Check out Visit West Hollywood. Media contact: Eric Parker, 310-289-2525.