Cycling in Manhattan and Brooklyn may not always feel like a big joyride, but New York City is becoming truly bike friendly. Lauren Jones of TriBeCa-based Brilliant Bicycles, Manhattans only purveyor of locally made, low-upkeep, budget-friendly cycles, shares her favorite routes for everyday cyclists and casual riders.NEW YORK CITY – Biking in New York City can be daunting, especially for beginner cyclists. The traffic. The crowds. The logi

We spend a lot of time thinking about — and planning for — trip experiences that go beyond the standard beach vacation. How can we connect with locals? Contribute to the economy? Make new friends? Make some meaning for ourselves? And do so in a dignified manner — without exploiting the environment or the people in it?The world of volunteer travel is a tricky one, but weve found a number of organizations that

Fathom editor Berit Baugher unpacks her favorite finds from a recent trip to Tokyo.There are so many reasons to love Tokyo — the clean and efficient subway system, elegant and well-mannered locals, ramen around every corner — but for me, the small shops and local craftsman really take the cake. Im not a huge shopper in my everyday life, but in far-flung destinations like Tokyo, I know to leave plenty of extra room in my suitcase

When you need a respite from the hectic pace of Marrakech’s lively medina, drive 45-minutes outside the city for a relaxing stay at a tented camp.AGAFAY DESERT, Morocco – When in Marrakech, most travelers hit up the souks, visit both the old and new cities, and taste their way through tagines of all kinds. I wanted to do all that and more, which led me one hour southwest of the city to Scarabeo Camp in the rocky Agafay Desert.Located 22 mil

A whopping 25 canal houses and courtyards come together in one iconically Dutch hotel. Fathom co-founder Jeralyn Gerba checks in to check out an old Amsterdam property with a new look.When I stayed at the extensively resigned Pulitzer Amsterdam, it had everything I was hoping Id find in the city: Dutch house charm, Netherlander design mojo, incredible canal views, perfect neighborhood location, a chic aesthetic that doesnt take itself too s

We asked Phoebe Connell and Nora OMalley, the ladies behind adorable East Village wine bar Lois and specialty food product line Aida, to put together a shopping list for a weekend getaway — complete with wine selection and picnic accoutrements, of course.Donkey & Goats Lilys Pet NatThis sparkling Chardonnay is the perfect wine to sip by itself or with fresh produce. ($35)La Cotes Folding Cheese KnifeA great knife (or folding knif

Heres what caught our eye on the internet this week.Loving this series by Romanian photographer Bogdan Grbovan, which highlights how different people live in identical apartments in one building in Bucharest. – Daniel, editorial assistantHow do families all over the world spend their vacations? The NYT has a wonderful photo series showcasing moms, dads, and kids enjoying smoke saunas in Estonia, sand baths in Japan, and picnics in

As far as travel calamities go, grimy iPhone and laptop screens rank pretty low on the list. But it doesnt take long for 1,000 snapshots of Havana and a trans-Atlantic flights worth of TV shows on the iPad take their toll. Peanuts + keyboard + tomato juice + power button = fingerprinty messes. Ugly displays are only half the problem. Germs are the other.Do I sound too fussy? Maybe. But when the belongings I have are limited to those I

For the sake of romance, well share our best spots so you and your sweetheart can build heart-shaped memories.There’s a reason why so many love stories are set in New York City. The old-world charm, the iconic landmarks, the streets and all their stories, the endless possibilities. Heres our crib sheet for planning a memorable honeymoon in New York City.MOST ROMANTIC HOTELUptown: The Mark, a refashioned 1920s grand dame one block from Centr

A frequent visitor to Marrakech, designer Harper Poe opens up her little black book of the citys best purveyors of handmade ceramics, silk rugs, and rattan furniture. Marrakech – I have the good fortune of traveling to Marrakech twice a year to develop new products for my global textile company Proud Mary. I love the design, the light, the hot and dry weather, the traditional crafts (of course), the food, the people, and the color... i

Heres what caught our eye on the internet this week.Adding this Norwegian tourist route, which is connected by a series of small islands, to my must-visit list. – Berit, senior editorGoogles new earbuds, which will be able to translate more than 40 languages in real time, sound like a revolutionary piece of travel tech. The question is, how long until we all start using them? – Daniel, editorWhen your mom writes a Manhattan guidebook for yo

ST. KITTS – For anyone with a political conscience bigger than a conch fritter, traveling to the Caribbean can be fraught with anxiety.The calm turquoise waters? They once gave passage to slave ships. The lush rolling hills? They were farmed by slaves. And pretty much every single hotel used to be a plantation. Or, even worse, is still called a plantation today. Which is why I was so grateful to discover Belle Mont Farm.Nestled on Kittitian

The Hall South BeachMiami Beach, Florida Cozy, $ (from $97)There are more hotels in South Beach than you can shake a bottle of sunscreen at, so how do you choose where to rest your suntanned head? For travelers looking for a central location, party atmosphere, and occasional double digit price tag, The Hall pulls through. The cute Deco building on Collins Avenue has chill California decor vibes. Its a straight shot down 15th to the beach. A

The violent hurricanes that plagued the Caribbean this season were damaging and abusive, especially in Puerto Rico and the surrounding area. Fortunately, the majority of the islands were spared, and recovery is proceeding apace (again, except for Puerto Rico, which is struggling). That said, every island needs visitors so they dont lose the valuable upcoming winter season. Travelers who want their trips to have a positive impact (read: 

There are web articles, Instagram posts, and word-of-mouth recommendations. But an old-fashioned travel guide is one of the nicest ways to explore a new city. I’m particularly fond of the indie variety — preferring the unique insight, compelling design, and local perspective to books by bigger, mainstream brands. Here, a few new finds that I’ll be referencing for next year’s travels.The Considered GuidesThe fresh new series dives into

A dreamy romantic weekend in Santa Barbara doesn’t have to be ritzy. Affordable, memorable, adventurous dating ideas are more than possible when you roll like a local.CALIFORNIA – They call Santa Barbara America’s French Riviera. But its an all-natural glamour. Misty mountains perch over salty beaches, and the ocean creates excitement in the air — its a treasure trove for outdoor enthusiasts. Like the Riviera, the areas filled with ce

San Francisco Proper San Francisco, CaliforniaTrendy, $$$ (from $400)The boutique hotel scene in San Francisco has a bleak history, but theres good news: San Francisco Proper recently opened in an historic flatiron building in the emerging Mid-Market neighborhood. Its the flagship of Proper Hotels, a new collection from The Kor Group and developer Brad Korzen. Not surprisingly, his wife, superstar designer Kelley Wearstler, o

Heres what caught our eye on the internet this week.The yearly cost of tuition for a young girl in Zambia is roughly $1,200. Join me in supporting Charity, a sassy and curious young woman living in Liuwa Plain National Park who needs help. You never know: She could be the next president of Zambia. – Berit, senior editorWhy am I only finding out about the charming Facebook-first video series Brief But Spectacular on its 100th episode? I have

LONDON – Blue lobster chowder, served in the beautifully revamped restaurant The Grill, which opened at The Dorchester Hotel as long ago as 1931. A gluten-free high tea, served with rare flavors from the Orient and champagne, in the Corridor, the hotel’s central axis where society types like to linger for an afternoon. A night relaxing in the most comfortable bed on earth, after an amusing rifle through the in-room gift boxes, selling £200

AUSTIN, Texas – Several years ago, I reviewed Lake Austin Spa Resort for Fathom. Everything was so amazing that it felt like a movie set, so I turned my story into a screenplay. (Let’s call it a professional liability: I’m in the industry.) If my first visit was The Original, then let’s consider this treatment of my recent visit, five years later, The Sequel. Act 1: The Journey Begins … AgainAll good sequels need a great opening scen