Kate Spade Partners With Fathom Travel Guides

Experiential travel website Fathom taking their notion of great travel experiences a step further. Why do you travel – do you go for the food, the hotel, the great adventure? Started by former DailyCandy editor Pavia Rosati, the new travel website curates “a charming mix of offbeat recommendations, playful experiences, visual packing ideas, practical trip-planning advice, and fresh design.”

An admirable goal, and the editorial team (including several former DailyCandy editors and writers) offers the chops to back it up.

Now a whole new audience can get access to Fathom’s insider info thanks to a sweet partnership with Kate Spade.

Launched this week, the fashion house is offering a series of unique guides, all online, to cities like New York City, London, Los Angeles, Tokyo and, interestingly enough, Tahiti. Here, explore carefully curated sections where you can learn the best places to sleep, eat and play, as well as custom itineraries and even packing lists, all decorated with Kate Spade’s signature playful design accents.

We can’t wait to further peruse these delightful-looking guides. Check them out, here.

These US Hotels Are Helping Guests Celebrate America’s National Pastime With Baseball-Themed Packages

As the weather gets warmer, Americans are getting ready to enjoy their favorite national pastime: baseball. To help bring your love of the game with you on your travels, these hotels around the United States are offering baseball-themed packages.

The Ritz-Carlton, Denver
Denver, Colorado

The Ritz-Carlton, Denver is helping guests root for the Rockies in style. Their “Sports” package includes two tickets to a Colorado Rockies’ game at Coors Field, a $50 credit to the hotel’s signature restaurant, Elways Downtown, a keepsake gift upon arrival and overnight valet parking.

Rates begin at $369 per night during the weekends for a Deluxe Room. Package valid until December 31, 2012. Call 303-312-3800 to book.The Cheshire
St. Louis, Missouri

To help Cardinals fans enjoy the game while traveling, the Cheshire is featuring a special package. Guests will get Cardinals’ tickets in outfield box seats, a complimentary upgrade to a superior king room and two complimentary drinks at one of the onsite restaurants or bars.

Package rates begin at $259 per night plus tax, and must be booked at least 14 days in advance. Call 314-647-7300 to book.

Mandarin Oriental, Miami
Miami, Florida

Marlin fans will have the chance to experience the team’s brand new Marlins Park, while also staying in world-class accommodations with the Mandarin Oriental, Miami‘s “I Love Marlins” package. The deal includes two nights accommodation in a luxury suite, a chauffeured transfer to and from Marlins Park, two Marlins baseball jerseys and caps and two spa treatments.

Package rates start at $2,450, based on double occupancy. Valid during home games from April to September, 2012. Call 305-913-8383 to book.

The George, a Kimpton Hotel
Washington, D.C.

If you’re a Washington Nationals fan, you’ll love the “Grand Slam” package being offered by The George, a Kimpton Hotel. Guests who opt for the deal will receive two tickets to a Washington Nationals’ game, transportation to the game and valet parking.

Package rates begin at $179 per night through October 3, 2012. Bookings must be made at least 48 hours in advance. Seats are located on the first baseline, section 109, row RR and seats between 23-26. Call 202-347-4200 and say promo code GSLAM to book.

The US Grant, a Luxury Collection Hotel
San Diego, California

The US Grant, which is conveniently located a few blocks from Petco Park, is helping San Diego Padres fans cheer on their favorite team. The hotel’s “Baseball and Brews” package includes accommodations, two Padres’ tickets with seats located behind home plate, a 6-pack amenity of Mission Brew Blonde Ale and complimentary overnight parking.

Package rates start at $269 per night. Reservations must be made five days in advance, with the package being valid through October 6, 2012. Call 866-716-8136 and use promo code LAPKG1 to book.

Hotel Commonwealth
Boston, Massachusetts

Located near Fenway Park, which is turning 100 this year, Hotel Commonwealth is celebrating baseball season with two themed packages this summer. First there is the “100th Anniversary” package, which includes accommodations for two in a Fenway Room overlooking Fenway Park, two tickets to the official 50-minute historic Fenway Park Tour, and a welcome basket of Baby Ruth candy bars, old-fashioned glass coke bottles, boxes of Cracker Jacks and stacks of baseball cards. For those who want a more upscale experience, there is the “Luxury 100th Anniversary” package. This promotion gives guests all of the above-mentioned amenities, although it includes an upgrade to the Baseball Suite, a luxurious space with 30s and 40s baseball decor. This promotion also includes a copy of “Fenway Park: 100 Years,” the Fenway Park 100th anniversary official definitive coffee table book. The book includes 256 pages of history and insight, with a forward by Stephen King and remembrances by Ben Affleck, Paul McCartney, Carlton Fisk, James Taylor, Conan O’Brien, Peter Gammons, Carl Yastrzemski and more.

Package rates start at $339 per night and $599 per night, respectively, and are available during the Boston Red Sox season from April to October, 2012. Call 617-933-5000 to book.

Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort and Golf Club
St. Petersburg, Florida

The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort and Golf Club is helping baseball fans enjoy their passion while traveling, with their “Grand Slam Baseball Getaway.” The promotion includes round-trip transportation to Tropicana Field, two souvenir seat cushions, a Spectator Survival Kit with a tote bag filled with classic baseball snacks and breakfast for two.

Package rates start at $209 per night, and are valid until September 26, 2012. Call 800-228-9290 and use promo code SPE to book.

Affinia Hotels
New York, NY

Baseball addicts will love staying at the Affinia Manhattan, the Affinia Shelburne, the Affinia Gardens, the Affinia Dumont and the Affinia 50 this sports season. Their New York properties are each offering a “For The Love Of The Game” package, which includes a complimentary room upgrade, late check-out, the choice of a 6-pack of beer or bottle of wine and a NYC Metrocard to help guests easily get to Yankee Stadium or Citi Field.

Package rates start at $253 per night. Call 866-246-2203 and use promo code GAMES to book.

Nittany Lion Inn
State College, Pennsylvania

To help guests celebrate America’s favorite pastime in Happy Valley, the Nittany Lion Inn is offering a “Home Run” package. Guests will receive overnight accommodations, a breakfast buffet for two, two tickets to a State College Spikes’ home game and complimentary transportation to Medlar Field. No need to worry about the game being rained out, as the tickets are good for any home game during the season.

Package rates start at $155 per night, including taxes and gratuities. Valid for home games from July 1 to September 2, 2012. Click here and use promo code VILSPORT to book.

Ritz-Carlton Launches iPhone App

After a long wait, Ritz-Carlton is launching their first mobile app today. This free app will allow travelers to travelers to book and search online, but will also offer a series of unique tips and QR code experience tours that let them experience properties before they even arrive.

Some of our favorite functionalities of the new app include the “Presidential Tips” section, a specially-curated selection of tips from Herve Humler, company president and COO.

To learn Presidential Tips, guests use the app to scan a QR code at the time of check-in.

The code-based experience tours also add something new to the mix, with 20 hotels starring in the pilot program. For example, at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, where guests can participate in a Cultural Art tour led by QR codes that will allow them to learn more about the hotel’s art collection. At The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin, where young guests will be able to enjoy a digital scavenger hunt, led exclusively by QR codes and clues at each stop.

GPS technology also allows the application to recognize when a guest has arrived at a Ritz-Carlton and can provide location specific advice, information and exclusive offers. The app also integrates the hotel’s concierge recommendations from Four Square, updated weekly, as well as allow access to hotel and resort activity calendars so that guests can always know what’s going on at area properties via “Push” notifications.

The free app is available on both Apple and Android platforms.

7 Great Hotels Where You Can Cook Like a Local

One of the best parts about a vacation? The food. We love trying local delicacies and adding to our recipe books with tips and techniques learned from our travels. Immerse yourself in native cuisine with these seven great cooking experiences that combine luxury travel with fun, hands-on cooking classes.

Time to Thai in Bangkok
Learn traditional Thai cooking in Bangkok at Lebua. You’ll cook a five-course meal with a Thai chef in this three-hour class taught in both English and Thai for the exceptionally affordable rate of $160 per person. Combine it with an overnight at this all-suite luxury property for a true one-of-a-kind experience.

Game & Guinness in Ireland
Fish for wild trout and learn to make homemade chowder at the Guinness family’s 18th C estate-turned-hotel in Cong, Ireland.

Green Gardening in Jordan
Garden alongside locals at the bio-garden at Radisson Blu Tala Bay Resort in Aqaba Jordan, then learn to cook traditional Jordan dishes like Mansaff (roast lamb in a saffron yogurt sauce) using the fruits of your labor.

Shopping and Tapas in Barcelona
Shop Barcelona’s legendary Boqueria with Spanish Chef Roberto Holz, then prepare a Mediterranean lunch at Hotel Arts Barcelona.

Surf n’ Seafood in Nevis
Dive and dine” for your own spiny lobster at Four Seasons Nevis, then prepare it at a traditional Caribbean barbecue.

Food Safari in Australia
Discovery the bounty of Australia’s Kangaroo Island at Southern Ocean Lodge. The hotel hosts an annual KI Food Safari. Activities during the six-day journey will include hands-on classes with the island’s purveyors, who operate on a mostly small scale, sustainable and personal basis while tasting the unique products straight from the source.

Say Olé in Mexico
Learn the secrets behind perfect salsa, ceviche and more at one or three-day cooking classes (shown in the photo, above) at the luxurious Capella Pedregal in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. We’d suggest the three-day class – it includes a trip to a local farmers market.

Family Travel, England And Cuba Top Topics In Virtuoso’s ‘2012 Luxe Report’

Luxury travel agent network Virtuoso has released their annual “luxe” report. Generally, we’re fans of anything luxurious and travel related, so this was one we couldn’t wait to get our hot little hands on.

The network’s database of luxury travel agents and clients are generally seen as some of the industry’s best predictors in upcoming luxury travel trends.

So … what are luxury travelers doing?

Despite high fuel and hotel costs, affluent travelers are still traveling, particularly to international destinations like Italy and France, with England joining the top five on this prestigious list for the first time. They have a strong desire to explore new, undiscovered destinations with Cuba, for the first time ever, topping the polls as the most popular emerging destination.

Travelers are searching for new experiences in off-the-beaten-path locations. Cambodia and Belize made their debut in the “undiscovered destinations” category this year.

While we’ve read much about cruise disasters of late, the idea of traveling via boat hasn’t died a swift death. High-end river cruises were named as the second of five biggest emerging travel trends, just behind family and multi-generational travel.

Family travel was a huge trend studied in the survey. Families were most likely to visit destinations including Italy, England, Turks & Caicos, South Africa, Hawaii and Costa Rica.
Within the U.S., Miami and predominantly South Beach joined the list of top five destinations, coming in at number five on the list after Maui, New York City, Napa Valley and Sonoma and Las Vegas.

The most popular destinations for romantic travel continue to be Italy, French Polynesia and France; however, the 2012 report saw both Bali and the Seychelles join the top five. Apparently love can survive a 20-plus-hour flight – these travelers must be in first class.

We’re not super surprised by the results or the addition of England into many of the categories, given the recent Royal Wedding and Olympics-related media attention. What about you? Do these results surprise you?

[Flickr image of Cuba via citronate]