Getting your favorite people together for a destination birthday extravaganza doesnt have to be a logisitical nightmare. Weve thought it through for you. You made it! Time to celebrate the big 4-0. Instead of throwing a birthday bash at home, may we suggest gathering your nearest and dearest someplace far, far away? Chances are there will be a handful of spouses and children in tow, so youll need a few classy (but comfortable) hotels a

At the risk of stating the obvious, you need not break the bank to have a high-quality vacation on Americas West Coast. But thats easy to forget when our social feeds are filled with all-too-perfect pictures of sunny hotel rooms and high-society beach clubs taken by the trendiest top percentile.As a reminder that the affordable (and equally perfect) alternative exists, we filtered through the regions best hotels with nightly rates under $25

Finding a good-looking hotel is easy. Finding a good-looking hotel that wont set you back more than $250 is not. But thats what were here for. We found indie, cool, budget hotels on the East Coast that will redefine how you think of budget. What do they have in common? Thoughtful details, like complimentary small-batch beers and antiques sourced from Europe, that make each one a terrific option for travelers who appreciate good design and a

Daniel Schwartz is Fathoms resident young person and, therefore, Fathoms in-house Snapchat expert. He wrote a step-by-step guide for using the social media platform and makes a fun and compelling case for snapping while traveling. Not sure what to make of the latest app craze? Read Daniels Snapchat overview to figure out what Snapchat is and why its so great.Getting Started1. Do You Even Have The App?Snapchat doesnt exist online. Download i

Want help planning a one of the biggest trips of your life — but dont want to deal with a travel agent and dont have time to do it yourself?We get it, and were here to help.Inspired by all the requests we get for this very situation, we created Fathom Honeymoon Guides for the most popular destinations in Italy — Florence, Rome, Venice, and the Amalfi Coast. And despite the name, theyre not just for newlyweds. Theyre fo

Fathom reports on the latest hotel openings in New York City.NEW YORK CITY - Skyscrapers seem to go up over night in impossibly small foot prints. Restaurants turn over at a rate that outpaces just about every other city. The City That Never Sleeps is in a constant state of evolution and the hotel scene is no exception: Dozens of new hotels have cropped up in the last year touting clean design, historic properties, notable chefs, and reason

Few experiences thrill us more than a first day on the ground in a new country, which is why we make a point of trying every jetlag remedy out there. From light devices that naturally adjust your body clock, to a holistic flower elixir, weve done them all. Our biggest success: a good nights sleep. Here are the potions, oils, and sleeping masks were packing to help us achieve a full eight hours of shut-eye when our circadian rhythms are slow

An efficient and under the radar app service makes it possible for U.S. travelers to move through customs quickly. It might even beat Global Entry. Get online before getting in line.Whoever said patience is a virtue obviously never waited in line at airport immigration. You know the scene: a sea of jet-lagged travelers snaking toward unenthused customs officers. But theres a way to make it through the queue in the express lane — and i

Are you more of a sleek spinner or casual duffel? Do you fancy a vintage trunk, a smart suitcase, or a heavy-duty backpack? A word to the wise: Invest in the type of luggage that reflects the way you actually travel.This summer, Team Fathom tried out the latest models from brands we admire from classic labels like Tumi and Steamline Luggage to sleek newcomers Raden and Away. Some we liked, some we didnt, and some we cant wait to travel with

If you need a reason to get excited about 2017, we have 24 excellent suggestions: the hotel openings that were most looking forward to.From private island escapes and sophisticated urban skyscrapers to 230-year-old fortress-turned-luxury hotel and a village of historic dwellings transported to the suburbs, these hotels are raising the bar on design, upping the ante on service, and delivering memorable origin stories.And because 2017 is pois

When we compiled our original list of the 24 Best Travel Blogs and Websites, we thought we were creating an index that would be useful for readers and for ourselves. Little did we know it would become the most popular feature weve ever published.Were doing things a little differently in 2017, asking previous winners of the Blogs & Websites feature to nominate their favorite travel sites. The results give a refreshing glimpse into a tight-kn

Passing through town and in need of a place to work? Let us point you in the right direction with seven New York City co-working spaces that offer day passes. NEW YORK CITY - Mixing work and pleasure while traveling is becoming more and more common, so finding a nice space with reliable WiFi in an unfamiliar place is of the utmost importance — even when youre on vacation. New York City is home to dozens of co-working spaces, many of w

Dear Fathom: I want to drive across the United States. Which route should I take?Great question! Theres not one right way to get from sea to shining sea, and thats the beauty of the road trip. Possibility is the hallmark of America — just dont let all that possibility prevent you from ever shifting into gear. Pick a direction, choose a few cant-miss landmarks, and leave the rest to the open road. We sketched out a few time-tested rout

In the mood for a private island escape, waterfall diving, or a reason to explore the jungle? We have a few ideas.MIAMI — Ditch the city for a three-day weekend adventure. Tropical bungalows, alligator-viewing, and homemade key lime pie are just a few hours south from Miami.A slice of Key lime pie at Mrs. Macs Kithcen.FLORIDA KEYSIf youre in the mood for: A romanic getaway on a secluded tropical island. Route to take: Its a strai

National parks, long walks on the beach, sprawling historic estates — theres a lot waiting outside Raleigh. Make the most of your next three-day weekend at some of our favorite destinations a quick drive from North Carolinas capital.RALEIGH, North Carolina – Federal holiday, sick day, however its happening, youre taking a long weekend. A few days in these vacation spots just a few hours from Raleigh, and youll wish you had taken the w

Catch the symphony, rumble at a rodeo, take a dip in a mineral spring. When the Rocky Mountains are in your backyard, its easy to justify playing hooky from work. DENVER – With the Rocky Mountains as your backyard, you have no excuse to wait till one of those pesky public holidays roll around, take a Friday off work, pack your bags, and head out now. Even if youre not an outdoorsy-type (why are you in Denver, again?), theres plenty nea

Most people need five days and a plane ticket to get a taste of the Pacific Northwest. Citizens of Seattle can make it happen over the weekend.SEATTLE – If youre surviving in Seattle, youve got it pretty good: art galleries, progressive restaurants, coffee thats come a long way since Starbucks, accessible nature. But the time will come for an escape, whether its from the rain or the mundane. Make it a three-day weekend — the Pacific N

Make this one a season to remember with explorations in your backyard and beyond. This is the only kind of to-do list anyone should have posted on their fridge during summer vacation.J U N EJune 3-September 1: The Polaroid Project - Fort Worth, TXShake it! This debut exhibition, which will go on to tour internationally, showcases 150 photographs from big name sharpshooters like Robert Mapplethorpe, Barbara Kasten, and William Wegman, along

Dont fence me in, sang Cole Porter. A sentiment we share at Fathom HQ. On evenings when we have no getaway plans, we use movies to whisk us to faraway lands.Pop some corn, dive under a blanket, and roam the world cinematically.

Theres a lot to be said for luxury bath products, high thread counts, and, ahem, privacy, but todays hostels are in a class all their own. Heres a short list of hostels that might make you forget why you love big suites.Yesterdays hostels: multi-legged pests, apathetic hosts, questionable hygiene.Todays hostels: free Wi-Fi, delicious local breakfast spreads, knowledgeable staff offering concierge-style services.The ante has been upped: Host