Travel Classics Media News
June / July 2024
Do Colorado Right
Explore low impact travel experiences across the state of Colorado this summer. Colorado is a favorite travel destination for outdoor adventures and scenic beauty, and the state wants to preserve these offerings for generations to come. From low emissions travel options, supporting local food and drink systems, low impact outdoor recreation and travel experiences, places to sleep sustainably and voluntourism opportunities across the state, Colorado is the perfect eco-conscious escape. Visit Colorado Tourism. Media contact: Caitlin Johnson, 720-233-8520.
IT'S THAT HOT in Scottsdale, Arizona
This summer, it's easy to stay cool in Scottsdale. Resort pools are home to towering water slides, sandy beaches and lazy rivers. Visitors can continue their water adventure off-property while kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding on the Salt River. With discounted resort rates starting at $119 per night, scheduling a Scottsdale summer soiree is a no-brainer. Visit ItsThatHot.com to learn more. Media contact: Laura McMurchie, 602-625-1166.
Abundance of Fall Events in Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
After the heat of summer has gone, British Columbia's Okanagan Valley remains a hot destination for harvest time. With 226 licensed grape wineries, BC's largest wine-producing region celebrates crush time in the fall with events such as the Festival Of The Grape and the Fall Okanagan Wine Festival with grape-stomping parties, farm-to-table winemakers' dinners, barrel blending and terroir tasting workshops. Visit HelloBC.com. Media contact: Sabrina Robson, 604- 953-6708.
Sip + Shop, Hotel Valley Ho’s Summer Market Series is Back!
The indoor markets will be held on June 22, July 13, and August 17 and are free to attend. Guests get a wristband for six beverage tastings, and there will be live music and food by top local chefs available for purchase. The celebrity chef dinners cost $199-$299 and include a reception, 3-course dinner, and demo from the guest chef. Chefs Danny Grant and Beau MacMillan will be on June 21, Matt Carter on July 12, and Robert Irvine on August 16. Visit Hotel Valley Ho. Media contact: Kristin Heggli, 480-624-5461.
Refreshed Restaurant and Pool Bar at Scottsdale Resort
JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa unveils the newly-renovated Hoppin Jack's Restaurant and Pool Bar, featuring a new outdoor bar and firepits for guests to sip poolside cocktails from a breathtaking vantage point overlooking Camelback Mountain. The redesigned restaurant and pergolas also offer flavorful Mediterranean-inspired fare and spacious custom cabanas. Book the Casitas & Ritas Package for two handcrafted margaritas each night, $50 resort credit and casita accommodations. Visit JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn. Media Contact: Joan Magtibay, 480-529-3069
Two 2024 James Beard Awards Finalists in Greater Phoenix
Rene Andrade's Bacanora is an intimate space that offers mesquite-cooked Sonoran Desert fare and an extensive list of cocktails. Valentine is famous for its modern farm-to-table experience, boasting locally sourced ingredients, vibrant Sonoran Desert flavors, and an outstanding pastry menu by Krystal Cass. Check out Visit Phoenix. Media contact: Sarah Doyle, 602-452-6249.
Perfect Time for a Sonoran Summer in Tucson
Tucson resorts, restaurants, and spas are offering discounted rates and package deals this summer. In combination with the city's award-winning culinary scene, renowned Dark Skies, and outstanding outdoor adventures, guests will find more than 30 deals and packages across the city at VisitTucson.org/summer. Media contact: Cindy Aguilar, 915-253-0712.
Recharge, Reset at Four Seasons Resort Whistler
From Forest Sensory Bathing, an eco-therapy practice led by trained specialists, to guided hikes or complimentary e-bike explorations, guests can easily reconnect with nature and enhance their well-being in Whistler's breathtaking landscapes. On return, refresh in The 0% Lobby Lounge, the newest summer pop-up lounge opening in June. Visit Tourism Whistler. Media contact: Mary Zinck, 604-938-2702.
Private, Residential-Style Suites in Waikiki
ESPACIO The Jewel of Waikiki offers the ultimate privacy, with residential-style suites that each span an entire floor and have private elevator entry. New to ESPACIO is its in-suite private chef dinner experience, in which Mugen Executive Chef Colin Sato presents a tasting menu in the comfort of the guest's private kitchen. The award-winning hotel's restaurant, Mugen, will debut a tasting menu centered around house-aged Tomahawk steaks alongside its Wine Spectator award-winning wine collection. Check out ESPACIO. Visit Aqua Aston. Media contact: Theresa Van Greunen.
Seaweed Tasting? Yes, Please!
Dakini Tidal Wilds in beautiful Greater Victoria, BC, Canada is up and running for the season, offering seaweed tours, workshops and tastings. Showcasing sustainable harvesting techniques, owner Amanda Swinimer is on a quest to deepen our understanding of local seaweeds and is encouraging us to immerse ourselves in their richness and wonder. Check out dakinitidalwilds.com. Visit Tourism Victoria. Media contact: Jodi Westbury, 604-836-8317.
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver Introduces "Timeless Icons"
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver introduces "Timeless Icons" experiences to rein in its 85th Anniversary in 2024. Partnering with OMEGA, a new experience features luxurious Fairmont Gold and suite accommodation, champagne welcomes, and private OMEGA watch consultations with timepiece keepsakes. Collaborating with Vancouver Art Gallery, celebrating renowned artist Emily Carr with an immersive Afternoon Tea "Into The Forest With Emily Carr" inspired by the legacy of the Canadian artist. Visit Fairmont Hotels. Media contact: Kaylyn Storey, 604-561-2710.
New Cold, Mineral-Rich Plunge Pool at Castle Hot Springs
Arizona's 1,100-acre luxury all-inclusive resort, Castle Hot Springs, lands on Travel + Leisure's 2024 T+L 500 Best List of hotels for a third consecutive year. New this season, visitors can dip their toes into a cold-plunge pool with contrast hydrotherapy in the mineral-rich water known to remedy anxious minds and soothe aches and pains, whilst also improving mobility and boosting skin health.
Visit Castle Hot Springs. Media contact: Meghan Patke, 323-377-7210.
Santa Maria Valley Summer Passport & Makers Market Crawl
The Foxen Canyon Wine Trail Summer Passport & Makers Market Crawl, happening July 20-21, 2024 in Santa Maria Valley, is new this year and will offer a memorable, collaborative artisan experience. Visitors can taste 20 (1 oz) pours from any of the 12 participating wineries along the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail, with opportunities to enjoy wine pairings, live music, exclusive discounts, maker wares at each participating winery and more. Visit Santa Maria Valley. Media contact: Nicole Shearer, 530-448-6485.
Immersive Plant-to-Plate Experience at Ashford Castle
A sustainable experience lies a philosophy rooted in nature: "CRÉ". In Irish, "Cré" has two meanings. In its first iteration it means "soil" or "earth". Yet it also means "creed". At Ashford Estate, "Cré" echoes the deep-rooted commitment of the gardeners, who cultivate many vegetable plots and gardens holistically, as well as the talented team of chefs who are dedicated to infusing every dish with a profound sense of purpose. Learn more. Visit Adams & Butler. Media contact: Siobhan Byrne, +353 1 288 9355.
New AquaRidge WaterPark and Sky Island in Phoenix
This summer, JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa welcomes guests and locals alike to experience the new AquaRidge WaterPark and adult-only Sky Island experience. Book the Splash into Summer package and indulge in a desert getaway complete with a $50 daily resort credit, complimentary parking and access for four guests to AquaRidge WaterPark. There's something for everyone--from enjoying a poolside cabana with inspired bites and sips and taking a float around the Lazy River. Visit JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge. Media contact: Joan Magtibay, 480-529-3069.