Travel Classics Media News

Happy Holidays Everyone! Many thanks for your patience and support during these COVID times. In an abundance of caution, we are postponing next year's conferences again.

New dates are TC West, November 18-21, 2021 at Adero in Scottsdale, AZ and TC Switzerland, April 24-27, 2022 at Beau-Rivage Palace in Lausanne. In the interim, beginning mid-January 2021, TC will be hosting weekly Podcasts and more. So, stay tuned for a few surprises in the coming months.

Meanwhile, all good wishes for a happy, healthy New Year.
Maren Rudolph

Through 24 December, the capital of Vaud will be enlightened with eight artistic creations for the lights festival Lausanne Lumières. The Olympic Capital will be brought to life through immersive XXL projections. Self-guided tours will be available online, giving the visitors the opportunity to enjoy a tailor-made experience and discover Lausanne in a new light. Details at lausannelumieres.ch. Visit Office du Tourisme du Canton de Vaud. Media contact: Caroline Eggenschwiler, 004121 613 26 25.

On Dec. 5 the new V-Cable Car system to the Top of Europe will be completed and the first gondola will depart from Grindelwald. It shortens the journey to the "Top of Europe" by 47 minutes, improving capacity for excursions in the summer and winter enthusiasts. Visit Switzerland Tourism. Media contact: Ursula Beamish-Mader, 647-899-4094.

After the Gotthard Base Tunnel in 2016, with the opening of the new Ceneri Base Tunnel in DEC 2020, travel time from Zurich to Milano is shortened to 3 h 17 min. For travelers as well as freight traffic, this is a fast, comfortable and environmentally friendly alternative on this most important north-south travel corridor through the Alps. Details at mystsnet.com/newsVisit. Swiss Travel System. Media contact: Martin Oester, 212-757-5944.

Arizona road trips offer small-town charm and some even have quirky attractions. Step into the World's Smallest Museum in Superior measuring at 134 sq ft. Or, peruse the Mystery Castle in Phoenix which took 15 years to build, has eighteen rooms and thirteen fireplaces. Have you heard of "The Thing"? Look for the giant yellow billboards on I-10 East. Visit Arizona Office of Tourism. Media contact: Becky Blaine, 602-364-3696.

CruiseCompete "CruiseTrends" provide a glance into what consumers are looking for in cruise vacations. Families plan ahead for family travel and get-togethers. CruiseCompete consumers' top picks recently are Royal Caribbean and Oceania, with top ship choices being Celebrity Edge and Queen Mary 2. Top regions are Caribbean and Europe, specifically Bahamas and Spain. Visit CruiseCompete. Media contact: Darla Freeman, 248-568-3860.

Canopy by Hilton, Old Town Scottsdale’s first new-build in over a decade, opened Oct. 1. The 177-room hotel delivers a modern elegance with two restaurants and a rooftop pool. Ritz-Carlton, Paradise Valley – a 215-room, 20-acre resort coming Q1 2021 – pivoted amid construction to incorporate new safety features such as installing Plasma Air to reduce airborne viruses and bacteria. Property highlights include a 16,000-square-foot spa and The Palmeraie. Visit Experience Scottsdale. Media contact: Laura McMurchie, 480-429-2253.

What's better than a restaurant started by one James Beard semifinalist in the midst of a pandemic? Two James Beard semifinalists collaborating on a restaurant opening during a pandemic. BARRIO CHARRO, featuring Don Guerra of Barrio Bread and the Flores family of El Charro opens this December with baked items and deliciousness galore (including transcendent avocado toast). Visit Visit Tucson. Media contact: Dan Gibson.

This winter at Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale, sip on themed-cocktails while gazing on major astronomical events during the Cocktails Under the Cosmos series or explore the scenic Quartz Ridge Trail with a private Guided Photography Hike offered through May. Make the resort the office for the day with the Work From Paradise package, including guestroom accommodations and pool access from 9-5 p.m. Visit Mountain Shadows. Media contact: Alexis Cortes, 619-255-7069.

Seeing the Northern Lights is a life-changing experience. Most of the world's best aurora viewing locations are in Canada, thanks to its prime location beneath the auroral oval. Destinations across Canada combine natural wonders with exciting outdoor adventures and memorable cultural experiences. Try dogsledding in Whitehorse, Yukon, a teepee viewing in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, or wildlife encounters in Churchill, Manitoba. Visit Destination Canada. Media contact: Liz Sperandeo, 604-362-9717.

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora announces the debut of its enhanced beachfront villa estates and the completion of the resort-wide renovation. These spacious villas range from 2,722-5,380 square feet, have been updated to include the addition of large infinity-edge pools, outdoor wooden decks and living space, new furniture, and technology. Some also offer a full al fresco kitchen. Visit Four Seasons Bora Bora. Media contact: Brad Packer, 310-712-1493.

On November 26, after much anticipation, a $14.2 million (CAD) re-imagined Fairmont Gold boutique 'hotel within a hotel' will be unveiled. Promising the ultimate "next level" experience for the discerning traveller with enhanced amenities, luxe accommodation, sophisticated culinary offerings, and personalized concierge services. Pro tip: Be sure to plan ahead! Whistler's Doors Open Directory provides up-to-date information on what is open, safety protocols and more. Visit Tourism Whistler. Media contact: Mary Zinck, 604-892-4564.

REI enhanced its private departures offering for its global trip assortment to make it easier to participate in exclusive fully guided vacations. Groups of four or more travelers receive the same pricing per person as REI's regular trips. Learn more abut REI's new trips. Media contact: Megan Behrbaum.

ADERO Scottsdale officially made its debut as Scottsdale's first Dark Sky Zone resort, connecting guests to the wonder of its natural setting in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. The 177-room luxury boutique resort is spread out over 17 wide-open acres offering outdoor adventure, fitness activities, nature experiences, art and culture, and an elevated dining experience at CIELO. Visit ADERO Scottsdale. Media contact: Anna Cofer, 913-744-9280.