The Savvy Traveler :: Rachel

[trip style = sun + weekend getaway + luxury]

Rachel is passionate about packing right and bringing the most stylish and apropos ensembles for every trip style. As a freelance fashion writer who has graced the pages of publications like Seventeen.com and Thehuffingtonpost.com, she comes by this obsession naturally. We knew she was The Savvy Traveler's go-to gal for jetsetting in style when we read this: "all the packing advice I came across online was generic and formulaic – not at all the whimsical glimpse into stylish global attire I was hoping for." So she fixed the problem when she started her blog, Suitcase Secrets, where she documents her packing techniques and lists each time she jetsets near and far.

1/ What are your top 3 trip styles and why? 
[trip style = sun + weekend getaway + luxury] I love my home in NYC and think it’s one of the greatest cities in the world, but I get antsy if I don’t head out of town every couple of weeks. Even if it’s just for a couple of days, I love exploring new places and stepping away from my daily routine. Whether it’s trip style = wine touring in Napa to quench my food and wine cravings, trip style = weekending at the W Hotel in Miami for some fun in the sun, or a romantic trip style = luxury getaway to Paris, where my boyfriend and I can stroll through the streets all day and night, traveling is a true treat for me. And when I get to plan an extended trip, it’s even better! I’m off to Italy in a few weeks, and we’re pulling out all the stops to make it a dream trip—first class flights, five star hotels, food and wine tours galore. It’s going to be unreal.

2/ What items are always on your packing list?
I obviously put a lot of thought into each and every suitcase I pack, but some items are so versatile, I never leave home without them. These include:

• Oversized Jee Vice sunglasses
• A pair of skinny jeans from James
• A Tolani scarf
• Intelligent Nutrients bug repelling perfume
• Evian spray
• My laptop and camera
• Goody hair ties and clips
• A pair of Havaiana flip flops

3/ Essential travel gadget or app? 
It’s a toss-up between my computer and camera. As a blogger, I love to document my journeys, and I enjoy looking back on photos from past trips to keep the memories fresh. I also try to stay very connected—the last time I was without my laptop was in South Africa. It was liberating, but also took a lot of adjusting!

4/ Hotel or destination that’s on your radar and why?
I’m normally dying to get to Europe, and have been desperate to go to the south of France for ages, except the timing never seems to work out. Right now I’m really fascinated with staying at the Sofitel Cartagena in Columbia. Between the festive culture, restored colonial mansions and exotic cuisine, I’m pretty excited to check it out. On the other hand, my boyfriend really wants to go to Papua New Guinea. We’ll see which one happens first...

5/ Best trip you've ever taken?
The best trip I’ve ever taken was to St. Lucia and Anguilla back in February. We stayed at Cap Juluca in Anguilla for four nights, and felt so lucky to be able to step out of our suite and straight onto the beautiful white beach. And St. Lucia was seriously magical—we had a breathtaking “sanctuary” with our own private plunge pool at Jade Mountain. There’s no fourth wall in your room, and the views are like nothing you’ve ever seen in your life. Plus, the service was truly extraordinary. I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming!

6/ What are your best practices for packing quickly?
While sometimes packing quickly can be necessary, I actually prefer to spend a bit more time prepping, so I don’t have to stress about what to wear once the trip is underway. Sometimes I try on outfit possibilities and photograph things I like, so I can slip them on exactly as-is once I get to my destination. I also suggest packing wardrobe pieces you wear often and love. It’s great to add in new items or extra special garments as well, and if you bring a bunch of go-to basics, you’ll end up with a ton of options during your trip.

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

More Savvy Travelers
Tiffany, The Luxury Travel Inspector
Lora, The BC & OR Family Travel Expert
Bryce, The Pilot

[photo via rachel]

A Spot Of Tea

[trip style = staycation + sightseeing + weekend getaway]

"There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea." - Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady

With a white napkin draped over my lap, and my thumb and index finger gingerly locked around the tea cup's handle, I rest and indulge in a famous tradition. As a matter of function, not fashion, my pinky extends outward as I sip a spot of tea at the West Coast spot for tea.

Taking tea in Victoria's Fairmont Empress tea lobby feels like a right of passage. Being invited to what some would call a ceremony is like I'm trip style = sightseeing, peering into the rituals of another time. But instead of standing for hours with a recorded history lesson on an audio set, I'm comfortably seated in the same chintz-covered seat as the ones who came before me when the tradition first started with the hotel's opening in 1908. Even the gold-rimmed china's design is the same today as when it was first introduced for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth's visit in 1939, and the tables sitting between every vintage wing back chair are crafted with floorboards from an early 1900s refurbishment.

Tea service begins with a glass goblet of blueberries, not a cup of tea. We must wait for the piece de resistance, no? Feeling tropical---maybe it was the sun streaming through the windowpanes---I choose the Kea Lani Orange Pineapple blend. Its Hawaiian flavours make it seem as though the pianist is strumming on a ukulele with a plumeria behind her ear. When the three-tiered feast is placed on our small table, I am brought back to the present and the piano keys continue their dance.

Admiring my mid-day meal, it's clear you are supposed to work your way up, starting at the bottom. The healthiest tier happens to be the most savoury, with finger sandwiches filled with egg, cucumber and mango and curried chicken---crustless of course! The middle tier acts as the breather, counterbalancing the beginning and end with a pot of clotted cream, raspberry jam and a firm raisin scone. Staring at the stacked plates of treats, I could not help myself, I had to sample the top tier's pink fondant-wrapped checkered cake, and chocolate tulip first. Once the tempting taster was out of the way, I could resume normal behaviour and work my way up.

After four cups of tea and three tiers of food, I'm done. I didn't know afternoon tea could be so filling. Now I understand why the 7th Duchess of Bedford, credited with popularizing the afternoon tea trend in London, sent out invitations requesting "tea and a walking of fields." Good thing Beacon Hill Park is just around the corner!

Tea Etiquette*

• There are three types of tea: afternoon tea is taken with finger sandwiches and pastries, high tea at 4pm with hot food, and royal tea is served with a glass of Champagne.
• Do not take tea lightly, dress up for the occasion.
• The raising or extension of the pinky is not just for show, but to counterbalance the tea cup.
• Never loop your fingers through the handle, nor grasp the base with the palm of your hand.
• Fold in milk and sugar, do not stir.
• Do not leave your spoon in the cup.
• When not in use, place the tea cup back in the saucer.
• Milk is served with tea, not cream.
• When serving lemon with tea, slices are preferable, not wedges.

Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont Empress can be enjoyed year-round and starts at $47 per person. Special menus and prices are available for kids.

PS - Experience tea's treats from another side. The Fairmont Empress offers kids under 16 the opportunity to apprentice with their award-winning pastry chef, and leave with just-made goodies, a chef hat, personalized apron and certificate to take home!

Related Content Weekending in Victoria

*Source {photos by @tripstyler}

Fashion Friday :: Shoulder Season

[trip style = sun + urban + weekend getaway + sightseeing + wine tasting]

{Editor's Note: Enter to win one of FIVE DuWop Flight Sticks. With light, hydrating coverage, these mini skin-enhancers are packed with antioxidants and a touch of caffeine to spruce up tired skin. Up, up and away!}

What do brunch and Brangelina have in common? They're not just fun to say, they're two awesome things paired together. Which is kind of like the season we're in now, where summer meets fall. But what should we call it? Sall? Fummer? Sautumn? As we head into back-to-school time---or as I like to say, perfect European travel time---it can be hard to choose what to wear for the hot, humid days and cool, breezy nights. Especially when you're travelling and you can only bring a few key items.

A shirt dress is the perfect garment for sautumn. Warm day? Roll up the sleeves and pair it with heeled wooden sandals. Cool day? Roll down the sleeves and add a pair of colourful knee-high socks with the same pair of wooden sandals, plus a scarf or boyfriend cardy. You could also stash booties and a pair of leggings or Kate Middleton-chic sheer nylons in your bag for the evening chill. Need a little more coverage? Go for a midi-length shirt dress.

{Trip Styler Tip: Most shirt dresses come with their own belts, but play around with your own belt collection to change up the look. Perfect for going away when you want to get more mileage out of the pieces in your duffle.}

Guys, stay summery by wearing less rigid denim in a lighter wash; save the dark raw Japanese denim for the cooler months. Choose a button-up shirt in a length that's meant to be left untucked {read: no long tails} for a little summer styling, and top with a lightweight sweater that will breathe but keep you warm.

Don't you just love fummertime?

Now what to wear? Women (from top left) Tucker shirtdress, Forever 21 midi shirt dress, J.Crew trouser slouch socks, ASOS slinky over the knee socks, Rachel Comey interlaken clog, J.Crew eden cardigan, Thierry Lasry celebratory shades, Rag & Bone tomkin scarf, Cheap Monday militaria dress, LP Collection sliced skinny leather belt, ASOS floral maxi Men (clockwise from top centre) The Hill-side organic cotton scarf, Marc by Marc Jacobs danny dot shirt, Gap new deep v-neck, All Saints span open cardigan, All Saints crawford low top sneaker, Marc by Marc Jacobs tyler uniform fit denim

More Fashion Friday Cabin Fever Buoy Oh Buoy Festival Style Tribal Inspiration

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

Spotlight :: Osoyoos :: The High Life

[trip style = wine tasting + weekend getaway + sun + luxury]

{Editor’s note: This month we’re doing a four-part feature on the Pacific Northwest’s off-the-beaten-track destinations. See below for this month’s earlier selections that sit in the shadow of bigger, fancier or legacy locales. This week we're going to a summer town that works hard year-round.}

Last week I found a place that layers trip styles with the same attention to detail a winemaker uses when creating a 90-point blended white. You just don't expect to see, taste and feel such depth in a town of 5,000, but Osoyoos' roots dig deep to produce a time-tested getaway and wine region with international acclaim.

Maybe it's Osoyoos' depth that enhances its height. Ten years ago, it wasn't easy to find the high life in the Okanagan. With lakefront RV parks, motels and condos flooding the vacation market, if you wanted a luxurious summer vacation or tasting trip, you needed to fly south to California.

Then a few trailblazers, one of whom has roots that stretch back to BC's beginnings, had a vision to draw vacationers back from below the 49th with the promise of award-winning wines, sunset vistas and rolling hills painted with vines. The aboriginal-owned Nk'Mip resort area and Cellars occupies a large plot of land overlooking lake Osoyoos and the town below. This trailblazer was my home base.

The resort area's signature property, aside from the Cellars, is aptly named Spirit Ridge. True to its name, it sits higher than most properties in the area providing a retreat from the summer frenzy below. I arrive in the late afternoon and open my door to a waft of lavender-infused heat flooding my air-conditioned vehicle. This scent did not come from the spa; the purple bushes are planted throughout the resort.

After sitting in a car for four hours, I have one goal in mind: get to the pool! En route I'm distracted, again by my nose. This time, the scent is more savory---like fresh-baked, herb-dusted focaccia. Dry and pale green sage and rosemary bushes are everywhere, not just planted strategically, but scattered throughout the surrounding desert ridge. Vegas' resorts spritz signature scents into their properties, but in Osoyoos this is a naturally occurring phenomenon.

If you want to get back to civilization, walking down to Osoyoos Lake or the main road below only takes 10 minutes with your choice of route: stroll through vineyards and along an orchard-lined street or along a dry, crunchy, well-maintained desert path with signs that warm against rattlesnakes. What? Don't worry, there are few sightings and protective fences keep most of these heat-loving, tail-rattling desert dwellers out. I walked the trails multiples times without a hint of rattle.

After a morning walk and sun-therapy beside the pool, I'm ready for more of the high life sipping fine wines in an area known as "Napa of the North." But forget California, hundreds of award-winning wineries await your palate. Just don't forget the baguette and brie picnic, which is an essential in wine country fashion and function.

Must-Visit Wineries

Nk'Mip
Nk'Mip is unique. As North America's first Aboriginal owned and operated winery, it employes a winemaker from Saskatchewan who is now training two young men from the Band to take over. In addition to shadowing winemaker Randy, they've studied the craft for 11 months in New Zealand and taken night school classes to help manage the vineyard's 32,000 acres and white, red and ice wine production. Don't miss the tour, focusing on the wine and impressive collection of Native art. Plus, the restaurant has some of the best food, wine {obviously} and views in the vine-saturated region.

Road 13
Part of the Golden Mile wine route, Road 13 is on ... Road 13. I visited on a Friday, and I think it must have been good luck because three deer, some of the region's most authentic tour guides, led us up to the winery for our tasting after spotting our car from the side of the road. We were then met by two dachshunds, one of which is depicted in the winery's recognizable logo. The highly-acclaimed, complex yet medium-bodied wines seemed like a metaphor for the castle tasting room and adjacent modern facility sitting side by side at the top of the vineyard.

Le Vieux Pin
Le Vieux Pin is named after the old pine tree that sits on the French farmhouse-inspired boutique property. The owners felt the old pine was a symbol of what they wanted to achieve: stand out and stand the test of time. I think they are well on their way to meeting that goal, given their highly selective approach to harvesting grapes---they produce approximately 3,000 cases per year, but could do 16,000. Severine, the head winemaker, must be doing a great job, because during my 20-minute tasting, flocks of spandex-clad cyclists and lakeside vacationers pulled in to purchase her Pinot Noir Rosé. I had to follow suit and leave with a bottle too.

Church & State
If Church & State's boxy, concrete tasting and production hub hasn't already been featured in a design magazine, I'd be shocked. Pair this with Merlot-coloured Turkish carpets and a Springsteen music video playing on two flat-screen monitors in the background and you've got a pretty unique tasting environment. It's as if Glee's Don't Stop Believing {or Journey - whichever version you prefer} was playing in the background, because we purchased more wines at Church & State than any other winery in the area.

Hester Creek
The moment you walk into to Hester Creek's Tuscan tasting room you are fittingly greeted with a glass of wine. The day I visited, a glass of Pinot Blanc was on the welcoming committee. A trip up to Hester is worthwhile for more than just the wine; there are six guest villas and a restaurant with a vine-covered terrace. I hope you get a chance to talk to the winemaker Rob---he's as much of a science guy as he is a people person.

Silver Sage
Silver Sage has made its mark with sweet wines and The Flame, a chili-infused dessert wine. It's a tasting experience you'll remember, especially for the laughs. I'm convinced the wine host is part comedian and must moonlight in comedy clubs when not running his wine operation.

Trip Styler Tip: If you want to experience the high life for less, visit just before or just after summer in May or October for highly discounted rates and a more personalized tasting experience.

Getting There
Four hours from Vancouver, five from Seattle. Once there, there are tour and shuttle options to visit wineries if you prefer not to drive: OK Wine Shuttle & Uncorked Okanagan Wine Tours.

More Off-the-Beaten-Track Features
A Magic Carpet Ride
Lodges and Cabins
Spotlight on Bellevue, WA
OK Wine Tasting
Beat the Heat in Sonoma

[photos by @tripstyler]

Vancouver ---> Seattle :: Towns With Taste

[trip style = weekend getaway + urban + wine tasting]

If you read Trip Styler on a regular basis {Thank You BTW}, you know we're fond of weekending in Bellevue, Seattle and Portland. Sadly, the cross-49th, 3-hour tour from Vancouver to Seattle is usually done as timed, precision journey between the two coastal cities. So focused on the destinations, there is no time left for the tasty towns along the way.

Last week I was asked to write an article for the travel section of The Daily Meal, a NY-based foodie publication, covering the culinary stops that would beckon drivers to abandon their B-line journey in lieu of a short break or lingering meal.

Nine stops at haute pastry shops, roadside coffee bars, hearty sandwich cafes and modern wineries make up just a few of the Towns With Taste {between Vancouver and Seattle}. Dig in!

Related Content Spotlight Seattle Spotlight Portland {part one} Spotlight Portland {part deux} An Ode To The Ace Portland Vancouver to Seattle Must-Stops