Harrison's Secrets

[trip style = active & adventure + sightseeing]

Yesterday we took a trip style = spa + weekend getaway to Harrison Hot Springs for a cozy and rejuvenating escape. Beyond the springs, travel down some of area's country roads to pick up award-winning cheese and fresh-roast coffee, or meander down the Harrison River to view t-h-o-u-s-a-n-d-s of bald eagles in their natural habitat.

Harrison's Secrets Sturgeon Fishing And Eagle Watching Huddled around a heater on a BC Sport Fishing Group jet boat, I asked owner Tony Nootebos if his 22-boat operation catered mainly to men. I assumed reeling in 5-11ft dinosaur-era sturgeons was the ultimate mancation---ok, it is. Turns out ladies like it too, accounting for 21% of his clients, some of whom come for stagettes. During the late-fall/winter grab the binocs and eagle watch! This year, over 400,000 salmon spawning drew in excess of 4000 eagles. It was a party! Know this: - BC Sport Fishing group uses a barbless hook to catch, tag and release sturgeon, working in concert with the Fraser River Sturgeon Conservation Society. - Some boats are specialized for wheelchairs! - Open everyday but Christmas.

Farm Fresh Cheese When local cheesemaker Debra Amrein-Boyes of The Farm House Natural Cheeses was asked to send three cheeses to the White House as a gift to Obama, she obviously cleared her schedule. Within a 12-minute drive of Harrison, this family-run, working farm, makes cheese that pushes the boundaries of non-confrontational cheese with goat gouda, quark and 20+ other varieties. Know this: - Open Mon - Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5. Closed January, Easter Sunday, Dec. 25 & 26. - Buy in Vancouver at les amis du FROMAGE, Whole Foods and Save-On-Foods.

Fresh-Roast Coffee, And Pottery Learn what it's like to live and work off the land by a family of artisans. At The Back Porch, Lynda sells her recently spun pottery and Dan uses his circa 1919 flame roaster to churn farmer-friendly, organic and shade-grown beans. Roasted daily, far, far away from any Starbucks! Know this: - Open Wed - Sun 11 - 5. Closed December 25 to March 1.

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More IMG_FRI Bora Bora Portlandia Honolulu Urbanesque Coffee Shop in Bellevue, WA

[eagle photos by Tony Nootebos, all others by @tripstyler, taken while a guest of Tourism Harrison]

Spotlight :: Harrison Hot Springs

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

{Editor's Note: Today is Trip Styler's introduction to Harrison Hot Springs, look out for some of the area's foodie stops and wilderness adventures on Friday.}

—————————————————– Dear Harrison, At multiple junctures we've almost brushed shoulders. It's not that I didn't want to meet you, our paths never crossed.

And then, late in 2011, mutual friends connected our interests and a date was set. Harry, apparently you were making up for lost time, pulling out all the stops with a soak in the spring-fed mineral pools, massage in the spa and an evening of dinner and dancing. xoxo, Trish —————————————————–

It was a cold and rainy late-November day and with a weekend bag and still-warm Creme De La Crumb scone in tow, I made the arrow-straight, highway journey to Harrison Hot Springs from Vancouver. This road is well traveled in summer; in winter the lake-front destination is quiet and cozy with budget-friendly appeal.

The area's farm-to-table foodie stops and world-class nature exploration notwithstanding {more on this Friday}, the natural hot springs and spa at the Harrison Resort & Spa are the pièces de résistance. Luxuriate in the mineral pools in the early morning or at night {fewer spa-goers at this time} to watch the steam dance and water glow against the surrounding blue-black mountains.

When the clock strikes eight, get dolled-up like Marilyn Monroe and Cary Grant, and go back in time {literally} at the hotel's legendary Copper Room supper club. Dressed-up tables with dimly lit lamps are intimately arranged around the well-heeled dance floor, used every night thanks to the longtime crooners, The Jones Boys. Watching "Erma and Norm" storm the dance floor at the first hint of Moonriver, will make even the most timid dancers bust out their limited moves in the name of love.

—————————————————– Harry, I wish our first date would have resulted in a rose ceremony, but I'm a modern girl, so I'll settle for an itinerary filled with romantic gestures instead.

What To Know

• Getting There: Harrison is about an hour and a half from Vancouver and three hours from Seattle.
• Hotel/Spa/Mineral Pools: A series of adult and family-friendly pools at varying temperatures fit everyone's needs. Comfortable hotel rooms with modest bathrooms start at $99 {includes access to the spa's pools, complimentary parking and wifi}.

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[photos c/o abundantc, harrison resort & trip styler, taken while a guest of tourism harrison]

Condensed Mancations

[trip style = mancation + active & adventure]

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Mancations are on my mind. My husband, who is fast becoming Mr. Trip Styler with a travel schedule that's outpacing mine, has two on his roster, plus my friend is organizing a 14-guy bachelor break to San Francisco.

{Trip Styler Tip :: See Mancation tips, resources and definition here.}

Occasionally, I wish I were a man, so I could take a man trip; there's no drama, virtually no budget, and a sport-filled schedule. Man time is maximized, nay a spa week in sight; they're in, they're out, and back to normal life. Done.

The more I think about it, Mr. breaks are just like men {at least on the surface}; direct and not too complicated. Maybe one day I'll get invited on a mancation, or take a girls getaway moonlighting as a mancation, but for now, I'll live vicariously through the men in my life.

Curious about what makes a mancation tick, here's a peek into two bro furloughs my husband is taking over the next few weeks:

The 30-Hour Cat Ski Destination :: Cascade Mountains, WA - Friday afternoon: leave {by car} - Eat a meaty take-out dinner on the road - Drive to a small hotel near the cat ski base camp - Saturday: ski brains out with Cascade Powder Cats - Late afternoon, drive home

The 48-Hour Sport 'n Sun Destination :: Scottsdale, AZ - Monday afternoon: leave {by plane} - Evening of bbq'ing, tequila, cigars and hot tubbing at a vacation rental - Tuesday: brunch, golf, hockey {watch The Phoenix Coyotes play the Vancouver Canucks in a suite at the arena} - Wednesday: morning breakfast, afternoon flight home.

[photos via cascade powder cats & grayhawk]

Roam+Board :: Nira Alpina

[trip style = ski + spa + luxe]

{Editor’s Note: I've seen this chic ski resort making the rounds over the past few months and can't get its location and design out of my head. I haven't been here, but am hoping to stay {and ski} in the Swiss Alps in the nearsighted future.}

What Following the cascading lines of the hill, every room in this recently minted ski-in, ski-out mountain resort features floor-to-ceiling windows opening onto a private patio.

With panoramic views of the Engadin Mountains and Lake Silvaplana, the 70-room Nira Alpina hotel and spa layers Swiss spruce, Italian stone, traditional touches and contemporary lines in its modern chalet design.

Access the ski hill via a private walkway to the Corvatsch cable car station and get lifted 3300 meters to the mountain's highest point before shredding 350km of ski terrain below.

Soothe tired muscles in the sauna and steam room, and wind down at hotel's swish piano bar beside a crackling fire. Romantic après anyone?

Where Perched at the highest point in the small village of Surlej, five kilometres from St. Moritz, Switzerland. Fly into Zurich and ride the train for four hours past high-reaching glaciers and soaring bridges. PS - Bluebird days are a dime a dozen with the region's average 322 days of sun per year.

When Like any mountain resort town, there is a distinct sport-induced seasonality: winter skiing {Dec - Apr} and summer hiking/biking {Jun - Oct}. The rest of the year is rest and reno time for locals.

Who/Why You're a skier/snowboarder with a leaning toward luxury seeking your next mountaintop experience.

Cost From $330/night in winter, and $250/night in summer. Includes wifi and breakfast.

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More Roam+Board Rockhouse – Jamaica Hotel Bellevue – Near Seattle Rolling Huts – Methow Valley {WA} Golden Rock Inn – Nevis The Ace NYC – New York The Viceroy – Palm Springs Sorobon Beach Resort – Bonaire From ice hotels to Anna Wintour’s steal-of-a-deal holiday escape, find all featured R+B properties here.

[photos via nira alpina]

Roam+Board :: Hotel Bellevue

[trip style = weekend getaway + luxury + active]

{Editor’s Note: Enter to win a travel set from Shaffali Skincare, inspired by Ayurvedic herbs aromatherapeutic essences including French lavender, Croatian sage, Italian orange blossom, and Egyptian geranium! Contest ends TODAY. Enter NOW!}

What The 67-room Hotel Bellevue is hidden, that's the point. Not a place to be seen or be dazzled, the sub/urban retreat has a secret weapon: Bellevue's most prestigious wellness address. Hotel guests get access to the 200,000-sf Bellevue Club with a state-of-the-art spa, health club, indoor jogging track, gym, three pools {one outdoor}, tennis, racquetball and squash.

Wrapped in a West Coast architecture with a refined contemporary interior, the sub/urban retreat leaves you with a sense of low-key luxury. Above a landscaped garden, one of the rock pillars fronting the property holds a small, gold sign -- Small Luxury Hotels of the World -- which sets the tone for your entire stay. With discreet service and amenities like a Mercedes towncar, this health hotel holds its own, without having to be in the centre of it all.

I recently stayed here and this property is Trip Styler approved. {See my detailed Trip Advisor review here.}

Where Bellevue, Washington. Two minutes outside of downtown Bellevue, 15 minutes from Seattle and 2.5 hours from Vancouver.

When Year-round. Stay and play in the health facilities, walk in nearby parks, or shop at Bellevue Collection or The Bravern. Don't miss our fave restau picks.

Who/Why You're seeking a calm and collected trip style = weekend getaway. Ideal for a girls shopping/wellness weekend, couples health retreat, personal escape or family getaway.

Cost From $135/night including access to sports facilities and fitness classes {incl. yoga and pilates}, wifi and Mercedes S63 AMG towncar service. Valet is $12/night. Dogs are $25/stay.

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More Roam+Board Rolling Huts - Methow Valley {WA} Golden Rock Inn - Nevis The Ace NYC – New York The Viceroy – Palm Springs Sorobon Beach Resort – Bonaire From ice hotels to Anna Wintour's steal-of-a-deal holiday escape, find all featured R+B properties here.

[photos via Hotel Bellevue]