Romantic Caribbean :: Wallet Friendly {2/2}

[trip style = budget conscious + beach + sun + cruise]

Yesterday we talked about our high-end hotel picks for romance in the Caribbean; think of these as a pair of red-soled Louboutins. Today we're taking it down a notch in price point, but not quality, with wallet-friendly escapes. Think of these as a comfortable, yet stylish pair of Cole Haans. Catch my stride?

{Trip Styler Tip: $1,000+/night rates don't necessarily indicate a hotel is that much nicer than a $250/night hotel. The lower price point could just mean the property is in an area with less cache or acclaim, a smaller marketing or PR budget, or a lack of direct airline routes.}

1} St. Lucia Ladera: Crowned by the Conde Nast Traveler Gold List 2010 + 2011, plus a ton of other major designations, this resort prides itself on three walls with an open air space to gaze at the view. Nine villas and 23 suites {many with their own plunge pools} are dotted throughout this rainforest retreat. Cost: from $480/night

2} Jamaica RockHouse: With facilities and villas connected by bridges and boardwalks, this boutique hotel and spa sits on the rocky cliffs of Negril. It's one of the Travel+Leisure editor’s fave hotels in the world, plus it has an award-winning restaurant. With thatched-roof villas and private sunbathing decks, privacy abounds. Has consistently won best boutique resort in the Caribbean for many years running. Cost: From $160/night

3} Virgin Gorda, BVI Bitter End Yacht Club: We featured this property in last week's Roam+Board, and wanted to mention it again for the romance factor. Yes, it allows kids, but if you go in the fall or late spring, you won't encounter the Spring Break rush, and can take advantage of off-peak prices. A garden room starts at $500, but that includes three meals per day for two. Cost: from $500/night

4} Turks and Caicos Parrot Cay: With a mile-long white powdery beach, this private island retreat draws those who really want to slip away in style. Case in point, Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck got married here. Cost: from $450/night

5} Caribbean Cruise Mega ships that weave their way throughout the Caribbean Islands don't exactly create a secluded, romance-filled experience, but book a Caribbean itinerary with a smaller cruise line and you may find that romance you're seeking---and be able to visit multiple islands in one trip! Smaller cruise lines have the price tags to go with them, but if you search via VacationsToGo.com {click on the "90-day ticker" link for best deals} you can find reasonable rates on exceptional boutique lines like Silversea, Seabourn, Crystal, Windstar, Regent and Oceania.

Related Romantic Caribbean :: Luxury Tips For Planning A Caribbean Vacation Hidden Hideaways

[photos of mentioned resorts]

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!

— Get more travel tips and updates like this by subscribing to RSS or email. —

[photo by Jamez Flickr]

Roam+Board :: On The Water

[trip style = "boutique" cruising]

{I've seen this chic canal cruiser mentioned in a few design blogs and fashion magazines over the past few months, and with Monday's Getting On Board With Fall Travel ideas, I thought it would be the perfect launch pad for an early-fall, trip style = luxury stay in London!}

What There are mega ships, sailing catamarans and river cruises, but On The Water is as boutique as cruising comes. It's so boutique, this double-wide, custom-developed, whitewashed, highfalutin canal barge is a one-room operation. As in, while you stargaze on the deck at night drinking bubbly or awake to an artisan bakery's morning delivery, you are the only guests on this floating phenom.

Where London, England in the middle of Regent's Park, just a 20 minute walk from Oxford and Bond Street.

When Since you are surrounded by lush greenery, early fall promises a kaleidoscope of autumn colours and evenings warm enough to lounge about on the boat's deck!

Who/Why For people who like to zig when others zag, and do so in style. Kids and pets now allowed.

Cost Starts at £250 per night {$392 CDN} with a two-night minimum and covers all the amenities of a hotel, plus a lounge, galley kitchen, ensuite bathroom and television with DVDs. Wifi and morning continental breakfast delivery included, as is the secret path through Regent's Park to access it!

{Check out last week's inaugural Roam+Board woodsy hideaway in Big Sur, California.}

[images via On The Water]

Fashion Friday :: Buoy Oh Buoy

[trip style = cruising/sailing]

"The mate was a mighty sailing man, the skipper brave and sure. Five passengers set sail that day for a three-hour tour, a three-hour tour." - The Ballad of Gilligan's Isle

I believe in strategic friendships. Ideally, we should all build a repertoire of the following friends: mechanic, lawyer, cabin owner, nurse, accountant and boat owner. Any seafaring vessel will do, but there's a sense of romance and adventure to a sailboat. If you're lucky enough to have a friend with a sailboat, or if you're taking a vacation on the high seas {like Trish just did in Australia}, I have a few nautical fashion suggestions that will serve you well from Cape Cod to Catalina.

I confess that I'm often guilty of a more is more approach to fashion, but less is more when it comes to maritime fashion---whether literal or referential. One stripe or anchor too many and you'll forever be known as the Captain {or worse yet Tennille}.

Referential nautical fashion musts: Breton stripes, rope and toggle details, boat shoes, rolled pants, sailcloth bags or classic Lands' End monogram bags and a colour palette of red, white, blue and gold.

Literal nautical fashion musts: non-slip footwear, windbreaker, aviators, a hat that won't fly away and extra layers for warmth.

Now what to pack? Men (clockwise from top left) Rogues Gallery baffin sweat, Paul Smith microcheck classic fit, J.Crew bowery cotton-linen in classic fit, Rogues Gallery sea worthy tee, Sperry Top-Sider authentic original leather boat shoe, Native Shoes miller shoe

Women (clockwise from top right) Red Flag Design aum_recycled sailcloth original tote, J.Crew toggle cardigan, Bensimon vintage lace-up sneakers, Rachelleceline twist knot earrings, Topshop coral stripe bandeau bralet, Marc by Marc Jacobs stripe and anemone scarf, Topshop tandem white deck trainers, Juicy Couture striped dress with shoulder zip, J.Crew 5" chino short, Lizzie Fortunato palace in pondicherry necklace, Chance classic tank

More Fashion Friday Festival Style Tribal Inspiration Spring Mini Break Resort Wear Cozy in the City

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

[photo by @heatherlovesit]

Summer Vacation Ideas :: Luxury

[trip style = luxury]

Sometimes we need a little inspiration to plan our summer getaway! Last week we talked about trip style = budget getaway ideas, and this week we're flipping the coin and going luxury. And while we're on the topic, don't miss next week's third summer vacation ideas installment about trip style = weekending to extend your business or personal/family-related trip.

Luxury Summer Vacation Ideas trip style = active & adventure I was recently at a Travel Alberta event where I learned about a series of adventures and lodges near Banff hosting heli-skiing in winter and heli-hiking in summer. Canadian much? I couldn't help but take notice when I saw imagery with glacier-fed lakes and snowy peaked vistas combined with woodsy luxe lodges and mountain climbing-worthy gourmet food. Aside from heli-hiking, Canadian Mountain Holidays also offer via ferrata trips {Italian for "road with irons" involving mountain routes with fixed cables, ladders and bridges}---the ultimate outdoor adventure scaling an 8,700 ft. summit by way of metal rung ladders, suspension bridges and narrow pathways... Cost: from $1,730 per person for 2 nights/1.5 days including guided hiking, accommodation, food, wine, gear and transfers.

trip style = spa Around this time last year I ventured into Vernon, BC {about a 5-hour drive from Vancouver} to stay at one of Canada's most unique spa retreats. Its uniqueness originates in Austria, where a member of the family behind Swarovski Crystals financed the $122-million contemporary, hill-top retreat, aptly named Sparkling Hill. The crystal-embellished building made my eyes open brightly with excitement, but the service was not yet up to snuff. When I wrote about it last year, I noted that I would return knowing the hotly-anticipated spa resort would iron out its kinks as time progressed. The beauty of Sparkling Hill is a must-see and the series of sauna and steam rooms a must-try, including the -110 degree Celsius cold sauna. Cost: from $495 for 2 people and 2 nights includes accommodations, parking, wifi, $100 spa credit per person, use of saunas and steam rooms and hot breakfast.

trip style = cruise Whether you cruise out of Vancouver or Seattle to Alaska, Miami or Ft. Lauderdale to the Caribbean or around the Mediterranean, sailing on a luxury liner is a great summer {and mostly all-inclusive sans alcohol} vacation option. I know the idea of being isolated on a boat is scary to some people, but finding a ship that matches your tastes is the key. For example, if you want to go sporty, do Royal Caribbean, if you want to go luxury, do Regent Seven Seas Cruises and if you want to combine yachting and sailing, do Windstar Cruises. And parents, if your kiddies are over 3---or younger in some cases---there is included child care on most ships! A great resource for finding cruises is Vacations ToGo; navigate to their 90-day ticker and browse cruising options all over the world. Cost: from $399 per person for 7 nights, departing Alaska and arriving in Seattle.

PS – Aside from our regularly scheduled content, don’t miss next month’s feature: Off The Beaten Path Escapes!

[images courtesy CMH, @tripstyler & Sparkling Hill]