Guest User

June 18, 2015

Jetset Style

Jetset Style :: The Everyday Sneaker

Guest User

June 18, 2015

Jetset Style

[trip style = any]

Fashion vs. comfort—it’s a longstanding feud that haunts stylish globetrotters who want to look polished and be practical while pounding the pavement. Enter the everyday sneaker.

Every year or so, we see a new shape take over the fashion world, whether it’s the Nike Air Max, the New Balance 620, the Isabel Marant wedge sneaker or the Converse Chuck Taylor {a timeless treasure we featured in 2013}. Last year’s entry into the sneaker hall of fame was the Adidas Stan Smith, whose meteoric rise to reinvented cult status was fuelled by designers Pheobe Philo and Raf Simons.

The current trends toward minimalism, monochromatism and athleisure have opened the door to the everyday sneaker, cementing its staple status. Good news: these trainers go with everything so they’ll save you suitcase space! We’ve assembled a list of sneakers that will have you strutting in style no matter what your destination.

WHITE: Common Projects achilles leather sneakers {Men/Women}, Filippa K sport shoe {Men/Women}, Our Legacy classic sneaker white braid canvas {Men}, Maison Kitsune sneakers {Men/Women} GREY: Puma suede classic {Men/Women}, Adidas gazelle {Men/Women}, Native apollo moc {Men/Women}, Eytys mother grey {Men/Women}

This post is written by Trip Styler's Assistant Wayfarer/Editor Heather.

[images via glamour, myfreechoice, style.com, whowhatwear]

Guest User

June 9, 2015

Spotlight, Active & Adventure

Croatia Calling :: Plitvice Lakes

Guest User

June 9, 2015

Spotlight, Active & Adventure

[trip style = active + adventure]

For the final installment of our Croatia series, we're pulling back from the coast and heading inland. Scroll to the bottom of the post for more on Dubrovnik, the Dalmatian Islands and Rovinj.

Plitvice Lakes National Park might be the most beautiful natural wonder in Europe you've never heard of. Croatia's stunning coast receives most of the attention—and crowds—but away from the coast lies a gorgeous and unforgettable park made up of 16 crystal-clear lakes laced together by countless waterfalls. At Plitvice, the colors of the lakes are so vibrant you might think you're in Bora Bora or the Rockies. My Croatia guru Rick Steves compares Plitvice Lakes to a European Niagara Falls sliced, diced and sprinkled over a heavily forested Grand Canyon. With its lush landscape rich in deep blues and bright greens, I'd compare it to the Blue Lagoon meets the Shire. Whatever your comparison, you'll realize it's uniquely Plitvice and well worth a day or two on your Croatian itinerary.

Plan to spend three to four hours in the park if you stick to the main paths, or longer if you take the paths less traveled. — Plan to spend three to four hours in the park if you stick to the main paths, or longer if you take the paths less traveled.

A path along the Lower Lakes and the biggest waterfall in the park—Big Waterfall {seriously, that's the name}—a short walk from the main path. — A path along the Lower Lakes and the biggest waterfall in the park—Big Waterfall {seriously, that's the name}—a short walk from the main path.

Waters flowing over limestone and chalk have, over thousands of years, deposited travertine barriers, creating natural dams, which in turn have created lakes, caves and waterfalls.

The no-swimming and no-fishing rules guarantee a serene surrounding, but if it's warm, you'll really, really want to jump in.

Electric boats shuttle visitors across the park's largest lake. — Electric boats shuttle visitors across the park's largest lake.

During the 1960s, several "spaghetti westerns" were filmed in Plitvice because Germans and Italians believed certain sections of the park looked like the American West.

Miles of plank walks connect the 16 lakes.

Most park visitors focus on the Lower Lakes; hike all the way to the end of the Upper Lakes for a more peaceful experience. — Most park visitors focus on the Lower Lakes; hike all the way to the end of the Upper Lakes for a more peaceful experience.

It's hard to believe that in 1991, the first shots of the Croatia-Yugoslavia war were fired in Plitvice. The Serbs controlled the park until 1995, which allowed the ecosystem to recover from years of visitors prior to the war.

Plitvice is one of Croatia's seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

For a Euro-Disney-meets-Jurassic-Park experience, take a "train" {which the park calls its shuttle buses} from the top of the Upper Lakes back to the park entrance. — For a Euro-Disney-meets-Jurassic-Park experience, take a "train" {which the park calls its shuttle buses} from the top of the Upper Lakes back to the park entrance.

Things to know

With over a million visitors a year—up to 10,000 a day—Plitvice {Pleet-veet-seh} is a packed park. Visit during the shoulder or low seasons for fewer crowds, or before 10am or after 3pm to avoid the bus tours.
Stop at a nearby grocery store to stock up on snacks and enjoy a picnic on the shores of the largest lake.
Adult cost: ~$10-33/day depending on the season
The park is located two hours from Zagreb, or three hours from Rovinj. It has three hotels, but we chose to stay in an apartment nearby.

This post is written by Trip Styler's Assistant Wayfarer/Editor Heather.

[images by @heatherlovesit]

Guest User

May 28, 2015

Beach & Sun, Spotlight

Croatia Calling: Dalmatian Islands

Guest User

May 28, 2015

Beach & Sun, Spotlight

[trip style = beach & sun]

It's hard to choose an island or two when visiting Croatia — especially with over a thousand to choose from. Set against the shimmering Adriatic, Croatia's islands boast romantic towns, pebbled beaches, fresh seafood and dramatic landscapes. Whether you're looking for a low-key escape or a jet-set experience, there's an island for you.

I visited two Dalmatian islands — Korčula and Hvar — during shoulder season, before the hiking sandal and bikini clad crowds {respectively} took over these otherwise sleepy southern islands. Korčula is humbler than its hipper and ritzier sister island; with an easygoing appeal. Picture-perfect as either a day trip or a two-day vacation from your vacation, Korčula — the purported birthplace of Marco Polo — is also known for its medieval old town and local dessert wine. Hvar is Croatia's answer to Ibiza, otherwise known as the "Croat d'Azur". In the summer, this fishing village turns into a catwalk as multiple yachts drop anchor in the busy Hvar town harbor. I was amused by the signs outside businesses {even the fortress} banning visitors wearing only bathing suits. Its popularity must be due to its undeniable beauty — a harbor edged with bougainvillea, crystal-clear water and an intoxicating scent of sea air and lavender.

Korčula

DO // Enjoy a coffee or beer along Šetalište Petra Kanavelića in Old Town. — DO // Enjoy a coffee or beer along Šetalište Petra Kanavelića in Old Town.

DO // Set off on foot to explore the island and find secret swimming spots, basketball courts or vineyards

STAY // Our charming apartment in Old Town, recommended by Rick Steves and found on Booking.com

Hvar

View of the Hvar town harbor from our hotel room balcony — View of the Hvar town harbor from our hotel room balcony

Indoor infinity seawater pool with adjacent rooftop terrace

Harbor views from our hotel restaurant, which served a champagne breakfast {included in room rate}

Sailboats lined up along the Hvar harbor — Sailboats lined up along the Hvar harbor

DO // Hike up to Hvar Fortress for gorgeous views and tiny churches {see image at top for harbor view}.

Things to know

A little pronunciation help: KOR-choo-lah and h-VAR
To avoid Hvar's Ibiza-level crowds, visit before or after the height of summer in mid May/June or September/early October.
Don't miss out on the regional cuisine: fresh-off-the-boat, melt-in-your-mouth fish and shellfish.
Croatia has a very good national ferry company, Jadrolinija. Buy tickets early for peak-season travel.

This post is written by Trip Styler's Assistant Wayfarer/Editor Heather.

[images by @heatherlovesit]

Guest User

May 26, 2015

Spotlight, Beach & Sun, Urban

Croatia Calling: Dubrovnik

Guest User

May 26, 2015

Spotlight, Beach & Sun, Urban

[trip style = urban + beach & sun]

Dubrovnik is a modern city whose rugged beauty rivals the Mediterranean, as well as a medieval city that serves as a metaphor for freedom and Croatia's complex cultural past as a Republic of the former Yugoslavia. These elements, coupled with the affordability of the region in relation to the Côte d'Azur or the Amalfi Coast, make it a charming and cost-effective destination. Not quite a hidden gem, as charter flight and cruise ship crowds descend in droves over the summer months, Dubrovnik — the Pearl of the Adriatic — is still the country's single best destination. Check out our Drink and Do recommendations below. Must-do's: walk the wall, swim the sea and drink the wine!

DO // Explore the side streets of Old Town. Above left: The view from our apartment.

DO // Rent a kayak and paddle to the nearby island of Lokrum.

DRINK // This literal hole-in-the-wall bar — accessed through a hole in the ancient city walls — boasts spectacular views and pricey beer. To find Buza Bar, follow the signs that read "Cold drinks with the most bea… — DRINK // This literal hole-in-the-wall bar — accessed through a hole in the ancient city walls — boasts spectacular views and pricey beer. To find Buza Bar, follow the signs that read "Cold drinks with the most beautiful view".

DO // You may notice it's more difficult to swim in the saltier waters of the Adriatic Sea, but swimming off the rocks outside medieval city walls is not to be missed. — DO // You may notice it's more difficult to swim in the saltier waters of the Adriatic Sea, but swimming off the rocks outside medieval city walls is not to be missed.

DO // Walk the walls of Old Town [~$16] to get a feel of the place.

DO // Hop a boat to a nearby island — Lokrum, Mljet or the Elaphiti Islands — for the best beaches and hikes. — DO // Hop a boat to a nearby island — Lokrum, Mljet or the Elaphiti Islands — for the best beaches and hikes.

The cliffs below Dubrovnik castle, included in the city walls walk

DRINK // Try a flight of Croatian wine at d'vino wine bar on a charming side street in Old Town.

DO // Ride the cable car high above Old Town for a history lesson and panoramic views. Buy a one-way ticket [~$10] and hike down the mountain and through the steeply set hill homes. — DO // Ride the cable car high above Old Town for a history lesson and panoramic views. Buy a one-way ticket [~$10] and hike down the mountain and through the steeply set hill homes.

Things to know

The best time to visit is April to October. Avoid the charter and cruise ship passengers by visiting in shoulder season or staying away from Old Town in the mornings and early afternoons.
Staying inside the walls of Old Town is charming, but consider an apartment or hotel up the hill or in the newer area of town for a quieter atmosphere and a view.
I booked our apartment on Booking.com, which doesn't charge the booking fees of Airbnb [but offers many of the same properties for rent!]. Another option is to wait until you arrive, where in the summer months you'll be greeted by homeowners advertising their suites at the city gates.
I still miss the lemon, lime and grapefruit beer in Croatia. Seek out the refreshing and affordable radlers from Ožujsko and Karlovačko.
Our best meal in Dubrovnik was in nearby Cavtat at Bugenvila.
English is widely spoken throughout the city.
A member of the EU since 2013, Croatia still has its own currency, the kuna, for now.
Rick Steves' Croatia and Slovenia Guidebook is a worthwhile sidekick for history tidbits and self-guided walks.

This post is written by Trip Styler's Assistant Wayfarer/Editor Heather.

Related
Roam+Board: Hotel Lone

[images by @heatherlovesit]

Guest User

May 14, 2015

Misc

Destinations We're "Pinning" For

Guest User

May 14, 2015

Misc

Here at Trip Styler, we always have our eyes on our next destinations. This summer we're looking at you, Italy and France, while gazing longingly at Texas and Germany. While we can't take you with us, we can share our inspiration boards to show you these jaw-droppingly beautiful and ever stylish locales. Warning: These Pins may cause you to book a flight across the globe to drink rosé in Provence, up your cool factor in Berlin, hop on a boat to a secluded cove for dinner on the Amalfi Coast, or swim in a three-acre outdoor pool in Austin.

Click the destination names for more pins!

Amalfi Coast