Poolside Faux Pas

[trip style = all-inclusive + sun + beach + budget conscious + luxury]

First let me say, there are bigger problems to have in life than being annoyed by something or someone whilst lounging poolside. But since Trip Styler chats about travel lifestyle {and we're big on travel etiquette}, I digress.

Whether you've scored a deal on Travelzoo or paid full price for poolside bliss AND attendants at a Relais & Châteaux property, certain behaviours ruin the mood. And gosh darn it, you've paid to be there! If you're heading away this winter, here are some common poolside pet peeves to avoid for the greater good:

Hotel Pool Faux Pas

• Leaving your towel on your beach or pool chair when you leave!
• Saving pool loungers or palapas for 5 hours when you're not there!
• Loud speakers. Are you delivering a keynote? I didn't think so.
• Cell phone talkers. Step away, far away from the pool please.
• Smoking cigarettes, cigars and pipes in densely populated areas.
• Splashers. {Submitted by @ckjnewberry} Sure, a little pool play is fine, but don't splash other guests, that's what the ocean is for.
• Loud iPod'ers.
• Not treating the hotel or resort staff {who work harder than you know, and are often mistreated by other guests} with care.

Do you have any to add that we're missing?

Related Content Plane Etiquette Hotel {guest} Etiquette Travel Tipping Etiquette

[photo by @tripstyler, taken two weeks ago at the Parker Palm Springs]

Healthy Holiday Hopping

[trip style = active & adventure + beach + sun + budget conscious + ski + spa + weekend getaway]

It's hard to stay healthy during the holidays with bonbons and baked goods assaulting us from every direction.

Everyone has different priorities and schedules during the Christmas break. For many, it's the one time of year when everyone has a few days or a week off at the same time. And when the vacation time stars align, so does the opportunity to holiday hop. So why not do the holidays a little different this year with a mind, body and/or soul detox and refresh for 2012?

Sometimes I write for other travel publications. Last month I was working on Healthy Holiday Getaway Ideas for the NY-Based foodie publication, The Daily Meal, and I just found out it published this week! Here are some of the getaway options I wrote about in the article. I hope some of the ideas inspire a one-night, weekend or week-long healthy holiday trip style for you. Bon voyage! Read the full article here!

Surf's Up - Learn to surf like pro rider Kelly Slater, kinda. Where/How - Safari Surf School, Costa Rica or Monty’s Beach Lodge, Nicaragua.

Let It Snow - Escape to a winter wonderland of activity. Where/How - Whistler, Canada and Portes du Soleil, a collection of 12 connected ski resorts in the French and Swiss Alps.

Digi-Fast - Go off the grid, where you can't be reached. Where/How - Wilson Island, Australia; Yelapa Casa, Mexico; Rolling Huts, Washington.

Voluntourism - Travel and do good. Where/How - Travelocity has a section devoted to voluntourism, otherwise, check with your preferred charity for local and international opportunities.

Spa - Ring in the New Year with bliss. Where/How - Scottsdale, Arizona at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Retreat and Spa, the Fairmont Scottsdale or the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale.

The 100-Mile Retreat - Go local and eat local within 100 miles {161km}. Where/How - Search airbnb, VRBO or HomeAway for a vacation rental with a kitchen to cook up a locally sourced feast.

[images sourced online]

Two

It takes a village, and thanks to you, Trip Styler has entered the terrible twos.

Today is our second birthday, and it all started November 29th, 2009 with shaky fingers, a love for travel {and a fear of flying} and a post called “Bonjour.” Two years later I’m writing this post while on a semi-turbulent flight home from a trip style = urban + weekend getaway in NYC...still a little fearful of flying.

2011 We learned a lot in our first year, so our second year was about putting that education into practice with significant updates to our editorial calendar including new and popular series like The Savvy Traveler, Jetset Jingles and Roam+Board, in addition to a full site redesign.

Grateful The work has paid off, and this year I’m grateful for the international and local press Trip Styler has received. Some highlights are a double-page spread in NET-A-PORTER {the web’s premier luxury fashion website’s weekly magazine} and features in a host of online publications. It was also an honor to write for the travel section of NY-based foodie publication The Daily Meal and The Vancouver Sun, as well as partner with leading hotel brands, spas and beauty companies for reader giveaways!

Last But NOT Least Celebrating a birthday alone is no fun, which is why I’m fortunate to have a savvy team of contributors bringing travel lifestyle to our daily trip style tips. Thank you to Lauren {Travel Beauty}, Leah {Healthy on the Road}, Nicole {Jetset Jingles} and Heather {Fashion Friday} for your expertise and voice.

PS - This December our suitcase {aka. content} will overflow with traveler gift guides and destination spotlights on Palm Springs, NYC and Dallas.

PPS - If you love something, share it! Don’t forget to continue to tell your friends about Trip Styler.

With thanks, The Trip Styler Team {Trish, Lauren, Leah, Nicole and Heather}

[photo by @tripstyler of a sketch by @heatherlovesit---chalk on chalkboard---taken in Portland at the Jupiter Hotel]

The ABC Islands :: Curacao {Spotlight}

[trip style = sun + beach + urban]

{Editor’s Note: This is the fourth installment of Trip Styler's ABC Islands Spotlight after a short and sweet intro a few weeks ago. First stop, Aruba, second stop, Bonaire and today, Curacao.}

Curacao would be the worst place in the world to do an Easter egg hunt. Its pastel green, blue, pink and yellow buildings would mask the colour of the eggs and the bright Caribbean hues would distract from the task at hand. The chocolate would melt too {it's the Caribbean after all}.

Curacao is the ABC's boutique island. Sure, its capital, Willemstad, welcomes cruise ship passengers and a few mega hotel mavens, but most of the resorts are small and most of the visitors are seeking an edited experience---the kind where you dine under a thatched roof for dinner, where you snorkel with turtles and where you sunbathe between a coral cliff and clear water that refracts light like a Swarovski crystal.

As a tourist you feel like you blend in---whether this is true or not. The 38-mile island has 50+ ethnicities represented and everyone seems to do every job---regardless of background. This is as refreshing as sipping a Blue Curacao cocktail {like a blue lagoon} under the shade of an umbrella with misters and fans refreshing you from the intense heat. {Trip Styler Tip :: Blue Curacao is also an apropos souvenir to bring home.}

Eat Overlooking Willemstad and the rotating bridge {which allows freighters entry into Curacao's deep-water port, its main and thriving industry}, Governeur De Rouville offers open-air dining in a restored Dutch building. Excellent service and a fusion of local and globally-inspired cuisine make it consistently busy with both tourists and Curacaoans. If you make it outside the city, there’s a local garden joint in Westpunt that can’t be missed. Jaanchies is an 85-year-old restaurant with an owner who acts as the host and talking menu.

Do Kill two birds with one stone: shop hop and cool off in Willemstad's boutiques, visit Blue Beach and dive off the far reaches of the island.

Stay Kura Hulanda Hotel and Lodge Hotel: Hang out in history in a UNESCO World Heritage Site and restored Dutch village in the heart of Willemstad. Walk along cobblestone streets, dine in the main square or massage your shoulders under the cascading waterfall in the eco-pool. Lodge: For a breezy beach experience, stay at the Lodge on the island’s west side. A tranquil cove and coral cliffs front the cool, coastal retreat with amenities from home, thousands miles away from it all. We just featured Kura Hulanda in our weekly Roam+Board feature---see more details and photos here!

Getting There Get there from the US with direct flights from NYC, Miami and Charlotte, and it just got a little easier from Canada. Starting December 24th, Air Canada is doing a weekly service from Toronto on Saturdays. This means that Air Canada Vacations will be offering flight and hotel packages to nine resorts, two of which are mentioned above!

Related ABCs {An Intro} Spotlight :: Aruba Spotlight :: Bonaire Roam+Board :: Sorobon Beach Resort {Bonaire} Roam+Board :: Kura Hulanda {Curacao} Jetset Jingles :: The Caribbean

[photos by @tripstyler]

Fashion Friday :: November in New York

[trip style = urban + weekend getaway]

{Fashion Friday posts are published on the last Friday of every month and written by fashion blogger Heather.}

Black Friday in Manhattan. The sun is shining and I'm sitting in a beautiful room at the Ace Hotel. What am I doing ... I should be out looking for deals! {But first, coffee.} Here's some stylespiration for a weekend in New York and just a tiny handful of my favourite shops.

Now what to wear? Women (clockwise from top left) APC  crew neck pullover, Anthropologie pilcro stet slim straight denim, Heidi Merrick raleigh denim shirt, Zara straight coat, Rag & Bone floppy brim fedora, Steven Alan infinity scarf, Rag & Bone scarborough headband, Clare Vivier messenger bag, Rag & Bone harrow boot

Men (clockwise from top centre) Paul Smith contrast trim stripe scarf, Filson shelter cloth foothills parka, Steven Alan new shawl cardigan, Acne max soft raw slim jeans, Two Feet Ahead ragg wool socks, Columbiaknit for Woodlands chunky knit cap, Rag & Bone 7" lace up boot, Rag & Bone basic tee

New York mini shopping guide {for women & men} - Steven Alan - Opening Ceremony - Rag & Bone - Barney's Co-op - Bird - Oak NYC

More Fashion Friday Global Style Romantic Caribbean Shoulder Season Cabin Fever Buoy Oh Buoy

[img by @heatherlovesit]