Holland. The Original Cool.

[trip style = urban]

Holland's been on my mind A LOT lately. My sister was just there, my dog's breed is Dutch and now this... The country of canals, cheese and cycling just came out with a two-minute video you NEED to watch.

Here are a few lines I love: "You call it organic and artisanal, we just call it food" "You call it boutique, independent, alternative, we call it the 9 Streets" "You call it exercise, we call it a way of life" {biking} "You call it green energy, we call it tradition" {windmills}

Video - Holland. The Original Cool. {Can't view this video?}

[photo via video]

Roam+Board :: The Ampersand Hotel

[trip style = luxury + urban]

What
Distracted by every fabric, wall covering and light fixture, I couldn't stop photographing The Ampersand Hotel, which I booked on a whim to extend a short trip to London. It was my version of a celeb and I was the paparazzi.

A stately stay influenced by the Victorian values of discovery and wonder, orchids welcome guests into the smart-whimsical lobby and the rest is history. I checked in early {10.30am} and the happy-go-lucky-meets-highly-efficient staff made a room available for me right away.

Opening the door to my overnight abode, I smiled. The bedroom's neutral tones and rich fabrics made the tufted headboard and musical wallpaper pop. Inspired, I cracked open a package of cookies and a chilled sparkling water---raiding the minibar is free and encouraged---and sat in silence studying every detail around me.

Later that day after exploring the city, I came back for a spot of tea. When in London... The Drawing Room's spread was fit for a queen. Instead of a tired tray of crumpets and clotted cream, there was an oversized marble table filled to the brim with mega macarons, tarts and pink meringue. I chose peppermint tea and a raspberry-filled, heart-shaped macaron {and ate the whole thing}. Trip Styler approved!

Where
London, England, 20 steps from the South Kensington Tube station.

When
Will and Kate's playground is brightest in the spring, summer and early fall. Winter is usually wet.

Who/Why
You're into the complete package---design, service, comfort, location and chic eateries.

Cost
Rates start around $200 per night and include WiFi and the minibar's bounty.

More Roam+Board
Mount Engadine Lodge – Canadian Rockies
Lava Lava Beach Club – Hawaii Island
Ace Hotel – Seattle
The Wickaninnish Inn – Tofino
The Burrard – Vancouver
Hotel de Glace – Quebec
Alcazar Palm Springs – California
Jumeirah Zabeel Saray – Dubai
Makena Resort – Maui
Find more R+B hotels featured here, plus our it list of worldwide hotel picks.

[photos taken by @tripstyler]

The Savvy Traveler :: Jesse

[trip style = beach]

When I was in Nashville recently, I made sure to meet with my pal Jesse. He's one of my oldest friends---we used to jam together with pots and pans when we were three---and now, as a musician, he lives in the mecca of music. For this rocker, Willie Nelson's "On the Road Again" isn't just a figure of speech; it's a lifestyle. After we grabbed beers, he had to rush home to pack for a road trip playing guitar for Katie Armiger. The tour bus was leaving just after midnight.

Joking that a career with "benefits, security, stability and longevity" wasn't his beat, he pursued his passion, which has landed him three nominations for Guitarist of the Year, plus a couple of others for Songwriter of the Year at the Canadian Country Music Awards. Talking travel, of course, he told me he's home an average of two nights a week, and with that I implored my friend/road warrior to be this month's Savvy Traveler!

1/ Your top trip style
[trip style = beach] I love BEACHES! And also random small towns with town squares and thrift shops.

2/ The destination that rocked your world
Two Words: Tokyo, Japan. No other urban landscape like it. No other food/accommodation options even CLOSE to it. Some of the best rock music I've ever heard. Also: spent a night there drinking with The Rolling Stones crew... How could anything compare to THAT!?!

3/ Best Music City
Nashville -- it's just simply impossible to be disappointed by the performers and venues in this city. Regardless of genre, you can hear it all here, presented by the best of the best.

4/ Bands you'd travel to see
The Black Crowes, Arc Angels (if the ever reunite), Tedeschi/Trucks Band.

5/ What's it like to travel on a tour bus?
I love traveling by tour bus. I sleep frequently and very soundly. I've learned to tune out the multitude of mobile conversations all going on around me at once, too. I watch a lot of movies, and once my bunk curtain is closed, I'm in my cocoon and happy as a sardine in a can!

6/ I can’t travel without my…
- JH Audio In-Ear Monitors
- Apple MacBook Pro
- Apple iPhone 5
- Jack Spade Messenger Bag
- Mountain Equipment Co-op Rain Jacket

7/ Carry-on or checked bag?
I actually check bags more often than I carry on. I fly Southwest Air in the US a lot, and they allow two free checked bags, and since I'm ALWAYS traveling with a guitar, I check that and my suitcase. I used to carry my guitar onto the flight, but since I bought a Calton Case, I have zero worries about it arriving safely at my destination when I check it. I'm actually writing this from the Delta departure gate, and today I'm carrying on my suitcase AND messenger bag. Haven't done this in a while!

8/ My packing M.O.
I often have to pack a VERY small bag to get me through a dinner-meeting, a performance and {hopefully} a stop at a hotel gym. Dark jeans work for the first two. Sneakers and workout shorts for the third. Dark colored t-shirts work for ALL.

More Savvy Travelers
Jackie, Paris Is Always A Good Idea
Lori, A License To Move
Shaun, Packing Like A Rock Star

{If you know anyone who should be featured in our once-monthly The Savvy Traveler series, drop us a line!}

[photos via Jesse]

Spotlight :: Nashville

[trip style = urban + sightseeing]

{Editor's Note: I'm on the last stop of a one-way road trip from Tennessee to Texas, starting in Nashville and wrapping in San Antonio. More on each of my stops in the weeks ahead. Today; Nashville!}

I found part of my soul in Nashville. Maybe it's the music; there are more musicians per capita than any other city in the world. Maybe it's the people; they seem to know a thing or two about balancing contemplation and cheer, there are lots of churches in Nashville AND just as many bars! Maybe it's the small town atmosphere; the entire place feels like a collection of neighbourhoods rather than a big city. All I know is the second I stepped off the plane, there was a bearded gent playing live music in the airport singing a soulful tune of his own creation. At that moment, before I even hit Nashville's streets, I knew I'd like it. And I did.

Here's where it's at in Music City USA:

Eat Barista Parlor

Mas Tacos

Rolf and Daughters

Loveless Cafe. Go for breakfast. They are a half-hour outside of town, and uber Southern--->they make over 7,000 biscuits per day!

Do Hatch Show Print. The oldest letterpress print shop in North America.

Ryman Auditorium. The original Grand Ole Opry.

Country Music Hall of Fame

Trail West. Cowboy shopping!

B-cycle Bike Share

Stay Hutton Hotel

[photos taken by @tripstyler while a partial guest of Nashville (except hutton hotel via jetsetter)]

Road Trip :: Tennessee To Texas

[trip style = sightseeing + urban]

The USA's South has been calling my name for an eternity, so when I got the chance to strum my own Southern tune, I jumped onto the y'all express. Destination: Tennessee and Texas! My road trip started in Nashville last Wednesday, took me into Memphis on the weekend, on a 10-hour fried food-filled journey to Austin {where I am right now}, and will wrap in San Antonio on Wednesday. More on each destination in the coming weeks, but for now here's a few photos. Jump on the bandwagon via TS's Instagram {no promises, but I'm *hoping* to photograph fried pie}.

[photos by @tripstyler]