Roam+Board :: Bitter End Yacht Club

[trip style = luxury + sun + active & adventure]

{I've come across this far-flung, understated luxe property a few times over the past year, and when a friend asked about Trip Styler's top romantic Caribbean picks (publishing next week), I suggested The Bitter End Yacht Club---partly for the barefoot elegance, partly for the GORGEOUS bedspreads.}

What Barefoot by day, boat shoes by night; Bitter End Yacht Club {BEYC} is a boater's dream. Maybe the wind-in-your-hair, zinc-on-your-nose lifestyle's not your thing. Not to worry, hike in the tropical canopy, relax in the Conde Nast Traveler World's Best-rated spa, heat up in the sun or cool down by the pool.

Where Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands {12 miles from Tortola, 30 miles from St. Thomas and 75 miles from Puerto Rico}.

When Winter is the resort's high season with the rates to show for it. Nightly prices are most reasonable October 17 to December 19 and in the spring. The resort goes on hiatus in August, September and early October.

Who/Why For luxury adventurists who want to sail a Hobie Cat into the sunset and don't mind the two to four flights, plus a 30-minute water taxi/ferry required to reach BEYC. Bring the kiddies, there's even nightly outdoor movies.

Cost Prices are based on double occupancy and start from $500 per night for a garden villa and include 3 meals per day. Book a 7-night package with a few extras for $3500.

More Roam+Board Sleep On The Water in London A Woodsy Hideaway In Big Sur, CA.}

[images via BEYC]

Finding Cool

[trip style = any]

I value a good hotel concierge, someone who takes the time to talk and point you in the right direction. It's been a year since I stayed in Montreal at The Fairmont Queen Elizabeth, but I will always remember one particularly helpful concierge. His directions and suggestions facilitated one of the greatest afternoons I've ever had traveling, exploring the far reaches of the city {surf spots, iconic condos, bridges and neighbourhoods} by bike.

But, what do you do if your hotel doesn't have a concierge, or you want an off the beaten track suggestion? You find cool.

Finding Cool Finding cool is about talking to locals, having a flexible schedule {even if just for an afternoon} and being open to new experiences.

Asking About Cool On a recent trip style = weekend getaway in Victoria, BC, I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted to do and where I wanted to eat. Stumbling upon a clothing boutique with teepee changing rooms and clothes I w-i-s-h-e-d were in my personal closet, I met a staff member who added some bang-on suggestions to my Victoria hitlist. He even suggested an out-of-the-way brunch place I would have never known to consider! And then it dawned on me: we both like the same clothes and after chatting for a bit, realized we both like the same restaurants, so why wouldn't I ask this guy more about the everyday hotspots in his town?

Finding Your Cool 1. Find someone to be your eyes and ears to the local scene. 2. Seek a restaurant server, bartender, hotel staff {like housekeeper of bell staff} or boutique owner with whom you connect. 3. Chat it up, and be willing to have a two-way conversation. 4. Learn what areas/restaurants/experiences to avoid and what to invest in. 5. If you love the suggestions, take a moment to say thanks.

Related It's A Beautiful Day In The Neighbourhood Party Like It's Your Birthday It’s the Little Things 5 Ways to get the Best Hotel Room It Never Hurts to Ask 

[photo taken by @tripstyler at Michel-Schlumberger winery---going there was a local's suggestion we took and loved!}

Travel Beauty :: Squeaky Clean

[trip style = trip style ]

{Editor's Note :: Congrats to Lauren, our Travel Beauty contributor who just had a baby boy! While Lauren's settling into motherhood and dreaming up her first family trip, I've rounded up a few ideas for jetsetting with a fresh and beautiful smile.}

Last weekend I did a trip style = weekend getaway trip in Seattle with 7 girls to celebrate a friend's birthday and do some power shopping. Aside from driving, eating and sleeping, we spent most of the weekend's waking hours in the shoe department of Nordstrom and at The Bellevue Collection. After shopping for nearly 8 hours and eating grab-and-go food, we were all c-r-a-v-i-n-g our toothbrushes! We'd remembered to bring them in our overnight bags, but not in our day bags.

Whether you're power shopping like us, sightseeing or on an all-night flight, one way to help you feel awake and clean is to sneak in a few teeth brushing sessions when you run to the loo. Believe me, your friends and seat mates will thank you!

With this in mind, here are a few ways to give your mouth a cinnamony or minty shower when you can't run back to your room to do a full brush:

On-The-Go Teeth Brushing Solutions 1. Travel toothbrush and toothpaste, from $2.00 2. denta*burst Brush And Go: textured teeth wipes, from $3.00 3. Colgate Wisp: portable mini brush {needs no water or toothpaste}, from $8.00 4. Pearly Wipes: textured teeth wipes and stain remover, from $7.00

{Trip Styler Tip :: If it's 11pm, you've already donned your robe and slippers and realize you've forgotten your toothbrush, call the front desk of your hotel and ask if they have any travel toothbrushes available. Most nicer hotels keep these items on-hand, but don't advertise it.}

More Travel Beauty Quickie Teeth Whitening St. Tropez' Celebrity Tanning Expert's Self-Tanning Secrets  Pre-Trip Primping NYC’s Best Beauty Dr. Murad Interview The Best Fragrance For Each Trip Style Q&A With tarte Cosmetics Founder

{Image by @tripstyler of referenced products]

Tech Tuesday :: Google Flight Search

[trip style = any]

If Google was a pilot, she just got her wings!

Until now, Google's been quietly working as a first officer, but last Tuesday the company who made the term googling a verb, soft-launched Flight Search, a full-featured extension of the quick flight lookup they announced in May.

Playing around with the feature I notice: a} it works very similarly to Kayak's flight search, b} is easy to use and c} is fast as lightning.

This is big news and a potential travel game-changer, but not a surprise. I've been waiting for the annoucement since last July when much to Expedia and other travel goliaths' chagrin, Google purchased ITA Software---the developer of airfare search and pricing software and the back-end behind Kayak, Orbitz and many airlines.

The Skinny

• Find the flights feature on the left-hand sidebar, or by typing in google.com/flights.
• Feeling spontaneous? Like Kayak's Explore feature, type in your home airport in the "from" search bar and you'll see flight prices for destinations all over the USA. If you find a flight you like leaving that day and book it, use the Hotel Tonight App to book a last-minute hotel!
• Locations outside the US are not currently supported, but likely will be in the coming months.
• It is not easy to book a one-way flight.

PS - Even if you can't search flights from other countries in google.com/flights, you can search flight schedules in google.com's search bar by googling "flights from YVR to LAX" {example}.

Video How Google Flight Search works in 1 minute, 56 seconds. Trouble viewing this video?

Related Kayak Explore {Visual Flight Search} Travel Apps :: On The Fly {ITA Software's App} Master Of Flight {Re}Search Google Hotel Finder

[Images of Google Flight Search]

From The Archives :: A Steal At Sea

[trip style = cruising + budget conscious]

{Editor's Note: This was originally posted in June of last year, but has been significantly updated for today. Sidebar: the day this was posted last June, our travel beauty editor recommended/shared Trip Styler on her company's Facebook page and Forest Whitaker's wife "Liked" this! Ok, back on track...

Repositioning cruises are one of the most cost effective ways to travel in the fall {and spring}. Next week, I'm taking advantage of one of the 13 cruises leaving from Vancouver for other ports and have booked a five-night itinerary with two stops, one in Astoria, OR and another in San Francisco, CA. It was the perfect vacation solution as I looked for an early-fall break. The price was right too starting at $199+taxes---a steal for five-nights.}

Repositioning Cruise:  when a cruise repositions from one route to another by switching ports of call. Many people see repositioning cruises as the cruise industry’s 50% off sale rack with uber-colourful shirts and ill-fitting pants, or a lesser excuse for cruise itinerary. Don't be fooled, these direct and/or sometimes creative journeys have become a big business. If a ship is going to reposition anyway, why not take advantage of its discounted price tag, unique itinerary and interesting ports---all while eating well and then working it off on the dance floor. Here are some pros and cons about repositioning cruieses to help you make a more informed decision about the trip style:

Repositioning Pros - fun alternative to flying - can be economical considering on-board amenities, food and destinations - visit places you might never plan to see {ie: for me, Astoria, OR!} - can take you off the beaten path - depending on the cruise line, child care for kids three and older is usually included {but make sure before booking}

Repositiong Cons - you’re not going on a round-trip, so you’ll need to book additional travel - sometimes the unique itineraries offer fewer or no ports of call - communication with the outside world is expensive and challenging for longer journeys

How To Book Repositioning Cruises My recommended repositioning resource is RepositioningCruise.com, also listed in TS Recommends. It's comprehensive, easy to use and simple to book. All you have to do is sign-up and then click on the "show me the deals" link. Once 'inside,' sort by the incoming and outgoing ports, dates, price, days at sea, etc...

Bon voyage!

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[photo by Jamez Flickr]