Crystal is Fathoms creative director. She is a wannabe light-packer living out of overweight baggage. Heres what she has in tow for the long haul. Day bag: It took me forever to find a crossbody bag that didnt make me feel like a bike messenger. This Clare Vivier satchel converts to a tote and holds way more stuff than it probably should.A/V Department: I download whatever Earworms language lesson is appropriate for my destination. I l

When we heard Wanderlistas Andria Mitsakos was headed for a two-month European sojourn armed with nothing but her Tumi carry-on, our first reaction was to high five her, then to beg for her packing guidance. These are the secrets and the must-haves that make her wanderings possible. Carry-on: I live for my tiny Tumi rolly. For an overnight, I just flew to San Juan for dinner and tossed a Missoni bikini, a La Perla lighter-than-air caft

Links We Love, a compendium of what were loving right now. Happy armchair traveling.Pavia, founder/CEODo not be alarmed, but the earth has been on fire in the middle of Turkmenistan since 1971.On the other hand, with so many beautiful waterfalls, the Earth keeps itself in check.Jeralyn, editorial directorOlympic fever! Dezeen Magazine rounds up the most pinned Olympic designs, including Jaffa Cakes nibbled into British icons and landma

While on a scouting trip in Mexico, Los Angeles gallery owner Heather Taylor takes copious notes on the capital citys style and design.MEXICO CITY – Like Los Angeles, Mexico City is a sprawling metropolis best appreciated as a series of small towns nestled within one giant city. You could spend weeks exploring the diverse culinary, cultural, and artistic offerings! But if you only have a weekend in D.F. (Distrito Federal

Links We Love, a compendium of what were loving right now. Happy armchair traveling.Pavia, founder/CEOOnce again, Im dreaming of Turkey. Of locking myself into Ada Hotel in Bodrum for two weeks.Jeralyn, editorial directorBall sends you around the world in one minute and eighteen seconds. Its a smart, sharp video directed by Daniel Mercadante, who assembles images found on Google Image Search. The blog Plenty of Colour sh

Burning Man is back. Are you ready? Veteran Burner Deborah Schoeneman shares her essential information. It took years of experience to master it all.BURNING MAN, Nevada – So youre going to Burning Man for the first time?I hope you got a ticket. If you didnt, you may have to shell out major cash to get one off Craigslist — if youre lucky. And thats not where the money drain will end.I first started going to Burning Man in 1999 and Ive

Links We Love, a compendium of what were loving right now. Happy armchair traveling.Good news for cycling enthusiasts enroute to San Francisco or New York City: The new Spinlister marketplace lets you rent from individuals and local bike shops. Its like Airbnb for bicycles. – Jeralyn, Editorial DirectorWant to add some turn-of-the-century patina to your photo feed? New iPhone app Strut Type renders photographs as Edwarian-era snapshots

The seven Aeolian Islands off the coast of Sicily are one of those known-yet-not-overblown Mediterranean destinations. Theyre hard to get to, not very touristy, and gorgeous. Plan now: September and October are the best times to go.AEOLIAN ISLANDS, Italy – My husband and I wanted to honeymoon on the Aeolian Islands, a volcanic archipelago off the coast of Sicily that juts out of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The chain is named for Aeolus, the ke

Links We Love, a compendium of what were loving right now. Happy armchair traveling.Im in Paris for the weekend, figuring out how to slow down while in a big city. So far that means borrowing a jumprope from Le Meurice for a skip through the Tuileries. Listening to a concert at the Cloitre des Billetes. Taking my time at the dessert cart at George V. And appreciating the slow, deliberate work of master artisans I meet through the very cool

Andria Mitsakos first trip to Mykonos last year was so incredible she decided to spend this summer on the island. And what do you know: Laptops and business can mix with beaches and boat rides.MYKONOS, Greece – My best week last summer was spent on Mykonos.Im a Greek-American who has spent her life shuttling around the globe, continually touching down in Greece — with my parents when I was a kid to do the must-sees, with a boyfri

On his debut trip to Greece, venture capitalist Mo Koyfman and his fiancee covered the basics: Santorini and Mykonos, gorgeous beaches and fresh seafood.Whered you go? Greece. It was my first time.Why did you go? Summer vacation.Who were you with? My fiancee, Hilary Rosenman, the shoe designer behind Madison Harding.What was the best tip you got before you left? Three friends told me to stay at Santorini, so I knew it had to be good.Photos

The PGA Championship just wrapped up at The Ocean Course on Kiawah Island, South Carolina. After Tiger and Rory and Vijay pack up their clubs, Kate Donnelly will be on the porch with a sweet tea, taking in the quiet scene.KIAWAH ISLAND, South Carolina – I dont love Kiawah Island Golf Resort for the golf. Admittedly, I dont play, though theres nothing like walking along its prized golf course for sweeping, spectacular views of the

For 96, they look pretty fresh. And green! Very, very green. From sea to shining sea — in nearly 400 national parks — the United States National Park Service cares for 84 million acres of beloved landscapes, treasured memorials, and irreplaceable ecosystems. Happy 96th birthday to all 20,000 of you!If you cant head out into the great wide open, do some armchair travel to mark the occasion. Heres a quick tour:1. Glacier National

The mysterious little desert town of Marfa, with its ghost lights and vast emptiness, continues to draw travelers looking for adventure, inspiration, and art. Its the same as it ever was — retro and futuristic. Larry Burnett tries to find the beginning. MARFA, Texas – To understand what has happened in Marfa, Texas, you must understand what has not happened. Unlike so many other pioneer towns whose carcasses have been chewed up, spit-

The renovated palazzo that is now the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze is its own great excuse to travel to Italy. Its centerpiece: Europes most expensive hotel room.FLORENCE – Ive seen a hotel or two in my day — some shabby (not anywhere near chic), some completely fabulous — but nothing couldve prepared me for my recent stay at the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze, a renovated palazzo in the heart of the Renaissance ci

In a Texas desert far, far away, one woman falls in love with more than the landscape.MARFA, Texas – I was getting desperate. I had already been in the car for eight hours when I arrived in Marfa. But I had to endure thirty more minutes of driving before Cibolo Creek Ranchs warm West Texas embrace could envelop me.Passing grazing cattle, sprightly white-tailed deer, and looming buffalos on the long, bumpy, ten-mile dirt road to reach i

Casey Storm is a costume designer whose job takes him to far-off lands on film and commericial projects. In part due to his impressive collection of ashtrays nicked from the Alvear Palace, he is known for bringing home the best souvenirs.Reading Material: Throwaway mystery novels by Dean Koontz. That guy is prolific.Travel Snack: Corn nuts. They always taste better on a plane.App: Words with Friends. I have about fourteen games going. It ma

Fathom assistant editor Berit Baugher is a no-nonsense traveler who favors streamlined gear — the better to keep her hands free to capture her adventures in glorious photos and copious notes.Excess Baggage: I always try to do carry-on, so my purse needs to be sturdy, preferably a large tote that holds a lot.A/V Equipment: My Canon PowerShot SX40 is powerful enough to get amazing shots but small enough to fit in my purse.Essential Extr

Fathom co-founder and CEO Pavia Rosati once transported a months worth of clothing and a king-sized down comforter in a carry-on bag on a transcontinental flight. Her secret? Vacuum-seal bags. Here are the rest of the tricks in her smart travel arsenal: Day bag: Ive tried to find better travel bags than the MZ Wallace collection. Ive failed. So I bought multiples.Pocket-sized pick-me-up: EBoost is my energy/immunity/vitamin shot t

Lockhart is the founder of the Curbed Network of websites. He travels for the thrill — and the peanut butter crackers. Here he shares his list of must-haves for the road. Day bag: Ive worn my laptop/work bag, one of those special-to-Apple Jack Spade numbers, that Ive worn into the ground. Two huge holes on side. Time for retirement. Seeking suggestions on a slightly more upscale replacement. Would consider going leather if I