Spotlight :: 30 Hours in Victoria

[trip style = weekend getaway]

I love how a morning can go from serene to stressful in a matter of seconds. My morning started serene with morning yoga, but quickly progressed into stressful as I madly dashed to the Victoria-bound BC Ferry terminal with my family of 2.5 (my husband, my dog @nachoking and me). My early morning downward-dogging was the last bit of calm I'd encounter for the weekend, since we only had 30 hours to blitz BC's gorgeous capital city and our itinerary was already jam-packed with a wedding, an evening on the town with cousins, dinner with friends and a little sleep.

Arrive in Style
If I'd only known about this in advance, I could've sailed to Vancouver Island in style--and perhaps a little more 'put together'! BC Ferries is moving up in the world, launching a mani/pedi service on their Spirit ships (Spirit of BC & Spirit of Vancouver Island). The first-come, first-serve 'nail sculpting' is offered Thursday-Monday on the 7am, 9am, 11am and 1pm sailings from Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay. The cost? Not as bad as you'd think: manis $30, pedis $40 and combos $65. If someone touching your nails isn't your thing, then opt for a different type of 'touch' with a 15-minute chair massage for $20.

Victoria Bliss
Victoria is more than just twinkly parliament buildings, a tourist hub and retirement town; it's a thriving community of eco-minded people of all ages. Some of the nicest people I know live in or hail from Victoria--it must be the temperate climate, ocean breeze and island-living!  For just a hint of Victoria bliss, here are few suggestions for your next trip BC's capital.

Eat & Drink

• The Tapa Bar - A Victoria institution for the past 10 years. Eat a little or a lot of the globally-inspired tapas.
• Bard and Banker - If you're a Scottish beer-drinker, this pub's for you. You may also enjoy it if you're not Scottish, like jazz and appreciate 30 different types of beer.
• Bengal Lounge at the Empress - Grab a martini and gaze at the colonial-inspired decor--tigers and all.
• Thrifty Foods - I know this is a grocery store, but I love the quality and variety of the items offered on the shelf. Some of my faves are trail mix cookies, granola and moose tracks ice cream.

Stay
The Fairmont Empress - Location. Location. Location. I recommend this hotel for a multitude of reasons, including it being the recipient of the Condé Nast Gold List 2010. See my recent Trip Advisor review here.

Do

• Butchart Gardens - My mom and grandma would be upset if I didn't mention this family-owned floral Mecca. It's also rated #1 of 99 tourist attractions in Victoria.
• High Tea - The Fairmont Empress has been serving high tea for over a century, which is a big deal in young Canada! With a scone and spot of tea, indulge in the time-honored tradition in an idyllic, ocean-front setting.

Getting There

• By Boat: BC Ferries (if you're traveling during peak summer times, make a reservation)
• By Plane: Harbour Air

[photos by marbla123, The Tapa Bar, Jeremy Burgin]

Not-So-Obvious Vancouver Weekend Getaways

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With the incredible scenery surrounding Vancouver and Seattle, a great trip doesn't always mean escaping thousands of miles away.  Here are some not-so-obvious weekend getaway options for whatever trip style you're feelin' at the moment:

For the spontaneous Hotwire has a trip planning feature called go local search that finds travel options within 250 miles of home. Alternatively, why not take advantage of Bellingham's small airport and easy parking, and book a weekend in any of the sunny destinations where Allegiant flies. I recently booked an Allegiant SUPER SALE trip style = weekend getaway to California for $9.99 each way {$56 return with taxes}; you couldn't drive between Vancouver and Seattle for that little!

For the luxists Once you arrive at the sprawling beaches and gaze toward the pacific ocean on one side and the West Coast rainforest on the other, making the mini trek to Tofino is well worth it. Admiring it from your oceanview room at the Wickaninnish makes it even more magical. {Don't miss their $300 June special, valid for select dates! To Reserve: 1.800.333.4604}

For the 5-star spa seekers If the idea of being surrounded by millions of Swarovski crystals, bathing in a tub-for-two overlooking Lake Okanagan, or "refreshing yourself" in a -110 degree Celsius sauna appeals to you, then the new $122-million Sparkling Hill Resort in Vernon, BC is right up your alley. Drive or fly to Kelowna and a free shuttle will transport you to the crystal castle. {Don't miss their June Grand Opening Wellness packages from $840 -- includes 2 nights, breakfast for 2, 5-course dinner for 2 and 2 $150 spa vouchers}

For the outdoorsy who don't camp Something most people don't know is you can rent vacation homes from the Washington State Government. Whether you want a lakeside retreat or beachside bungalow, they've got you covered. Accommodations like the red-roofed Lighthouse Keeper's Residences at Cape Disappointment won't ... disappoint.

For the outdoorsy who kind of camp In addition to camping and vacation homes, the Washington State Government also offers cabins, yurts and teepees. Yes, you did just read teepees. For an incredible view, a night at Quartz Mountain's "fire lookout" in Spokane will result in weekend zen.

For the wine'ers & dine'ers Vines from three incredible wine regions thrive close to home. For those who like to "discover" the of-the-moment wine, or eat and drink their way through the Pacific Northwest, this weekend in wine country is for you:

• Vancouver - take a day trip and discover the amazing wineries in your own backyard.  Don't miss Domaine de Chaberton, Lotusland Vinyards, Township 7 and others.
• Okanagan - internationally recognized for its perfect mix of mountains, lakes, fresh air and intense sunlight, the Okanagan's wineries give Napa a run for its money.
• Washington - I just learned that Washington's wine region is situated along the same latitude as France's. Merveilleux! After Napa, Washington is the US's biggest wine-producing region with 650 wineries and vinyards to enjoy! {Don't miss Chateau St. Michelle's incredible concert series pairing their latest pour with Earth Wind & Fire, Blondie, the B-52's, or Harry Connick Jr.}

For the rail enthusiasts Try out Portland's street food scene or shop 'til you drop {no sales tax} in Oregon's biggest city. Amtrak Cascades rail service runs from Vancouver to Portland {return} and departs twice daily. Seattle to Portland has more frequent daily departures.  I hear Amtrak is rolling out wireless internet on most of their trains, but this roll-out has not yet reached the aforementioned trains. {Update: as of Feb 2011, there is wifi on the Amtrak Cascades}

[photo by @tripstyler]

Spotlight: Peru from Sea to Sky

[trip style = active & adventure + budget conscious + sightseeing]

Vancouver -> LA -> Lima. Thanks to my LAN airlines personal entertainment console, flying from LA to Lima I re-discovered a cherished and addictive pastime: tetris. The flight was 8 hours. I.played.tetris.for.8.hours. Peru was the kind of trip my husband and I didn't plan, but embraced. It came about in response to our desire to adopt a village abroad with international relief organization FH Canada. We spent the first week in Lima and surrounding areas with FH looking at field operations and visiting our sponsor kids. Our second week was spent trekking to Machu Picchu. Our sejour in Peru took us from sea to sky, or 0 to 3,400 meters.

Lima Lima's cool coastal vibe was not what I expected: it was 20 degrees Celsius yet freezing; the city centre was raw yet chic; local night owls ate and drank into the wee hours yet jogged at 6am; and the swarms of birds that happily chirped overhead discarded their waste on unsuspecting walkers. Wear a hat in Lima. The culinary scene was haute-cuisine and mix of modern and colonial-style architecture dazzled the eyes. I didn't expect something so cosmopolitan. Even the accessory dogs wore sweaters!

There was another side of Lima though. Real estate 'seemed' contra. While the congested city center is a place where mid-to-upper class people congregate and live, the hills---or view properties---are home to closet-like shacks inhabited by the city's poorest, hardworking and enterprising families. Although many travelers wouldn't want to experience both sides of the city, seeing Peru's true colors paints a more realistic picture---much more compelling than "seaside metropolis."

Cusco Three thousand, three hundred meters from sea level, we landed in Cusco: unofficially called the gateway to Machu Picchu. Most people fly into this historic town to acclimatize to the elevation before making their way by train or trek to the famous Incan mountaintop ruins. All the guidebooks tell you to lay low the day you arrive to combat the potential effects of altitude sickness (tiredness, dizziness, upset stomach, headache, etc...), and this could not be more true. My travel medical clinic gave me just-in-case altitude sickness pills, but I didn't use them. Instead, I opted for a more natural remedy: coca tea (yes, the same plant used to make cocaine) poured for me when I got to the nicest hostel I've ever stayed at: Hospedaje Familiar LLipimpac. See my trip advisor review here.

Cusco is more than just a stop-over. It's a historic, vibrant destination with Peruvian culture bursting out of every wooden door frame. I'm glad our travel schedule allowed for four nights to appreciate the ancient capital of the Inca Empire---a the UNESCO heritage site, Sacsayhuaman (pronounced sort of like 'sexy woman') fortress built around 1,100 AD, the hustle and bustle of the Plaza des Armas central square, and our prime restaurant balcony seating overlooking one of the most colourful festivals all year: Corpus Christi.

Machu Picchu When you travel from Cusco to Machu Picchu, the mountaintop ruins' height seems like a breeze---it's actually about 1000 meters lower than Cusco. No coca tea required, but plenty of water is recommended given the expansive terrain. Thanks to Encyclopedia Britannica proudly sitting on the shelves of my elementary school library, I remember being mesmerized by the pictures and history of the Inca's lost city. Seeing it in person is another story.

Inca Jungle Trek

• Booked the 4-day Inca Jungle Trek based on small write-up in Lonely Planet Peru and a hotmail address. We wondered if we were crazy. Turns out, a dentist, geologist, architect, biologist and engineer also booked the trek via this same hotmail address. Apparently we were not that crazy.
• Thankfully, our 16-year old guide was more than capable due to the training from his father, the company's owner, whose gold teeth glistened in the sun.
• On the trek, we biked down gravel highways tightly clenching our bikes' shoddy breaks with large trucks passing us at 70km/h, slept in 'rooms' that hadn't been cleaned in what seemed like decades, ate carbs at every meal (we were all looking forward to vegetables after 4 days), walked along one of many original Inca trails carved into a rock face 800m high (with less than 30cm of walking space), pulled ourselves across the Urubamba river while sitting in a little box attached to a metal cable 200m high, and finally, climbed a 61m ladder with no fall-protection.
• As challenging as it was, I LOVED every minute of it and had one of the best travel experiences of my life!

The aforementioned Inca Jungle Trek started in Cusco and ended at Machu Picchu. After four days of harrowing experiences, we arrived in Aguas Caliente, the town at the base of the most familiar icon of the Inca world. We got up the next morning at 4am to do an hour hike (most sane people take the 20-min bus ride) to Machu's gate. Even though we arrived sweaty and tired, watching the sun beam over the dark and glistening mountainside made the early wake-up seem worth it.

Machu Picchu's scale, location and history are mind-boggling. The trees and grass were greener than green, the llamas whiter than white and orchids pinker than pink. Everything seemed extraordinary. And it was. It's not everyday you have the opportunity to explore a Wonder of the World and savour a country from its depths to heights.

Stay

• Lima: Peru Star Apartments Hotel (from $76 ), Casa Andina Private Collection - Miraflores (from $227), El Ducado Hotel - Miraflores (from $60) - See my trip advisor review here. Ask about free airport transfer.
• Cusco: Hospedaje Familiar LLipimpac, beds from $15. Ask for a room with a bathroom. Breakfast + wifi included.

Getting There Plane: LAN has direct flights from LA to Lima, as well as from Lima to Cusco. Alternatively, find a cheap flight with an online travel discounter like CheapOair.com or Kayak.com Train: Peru Rail goes to and from Cusco to Aguas Caliente Other: Bus or Hike from Aguas Caliente to Machu Picchu

Drink Pisco Sour Inca Cola (tastes like cream soda, looks like Mountain Dew)

Eat One of the 3000 national varieties of potatoes Ceviche [citrus-marinated seafood]

[photos by @tripstyler]

Spotlight :: LA Shop & Stay

[trip style = urban + sun]

LA’s most famous example of shop & stay has got to be Pretty Woman. Shopping on Rodeo Drive and staying at the “Reg Bev Wil” has got to be every woman’s dream, except for, of course, the premise of the film… No but seriously, whether you’re budget conscious or prefer the finer things, LA’s got you covered. Continuing our LA Food & Fun coverage, here are just a few shop & stay suggestions.

Shop

Venice Abbot Kinney Blvd is one of my favourite streets in all of LA. This strip is all about the local boutiques. Grab a latte from Intelligentsia and don’t miss Firefly for books, stationary, knickknacks, accessories, clothing, etc.; Milkmade and Steven Alan Annex for men’s and women’s clothing; Madley for baubles and vintage frocks; and Surfing Cowboys for mid-century modern furniture and surf memorabilia.

Santa Monica Third Street Promenade This pedestrian-only street is like the top 40 to Abbot Kinney’s indie rock. Home to major chain stores, street performers, movie theatres and large crowds, the Promenade is basically an open-air mall. Shops include: Anthropologie, Banana Republic, Barnes & Noble, Forever 21, Gap, H&M, J.Crew, Quiksilver, Urban Outfitters and Zara. I find this street a little overwhelming, so be sure to head down to the pier and stroll along Ocean Avenue.

Near LAX I hate rushing to the airport. You have to worry about traffic, returning the rental car, finding food since they don’t feed you on flights anymore … these just add to the inherent stress of travel. If you have some room left in your suitcase – and on your credit card – and want to head out towards the airport a little early, pop into the Promenade at Howard Hughes Center for Nordstrom Rack or Westfield at Culver City for Target. And it doesn’t hurt that there’s a Trader Joe’s on Sepulveda, a couple blocks from LAX – peanut butter-filled pretzels anyone?!

West LA – Malls Two big malls dominate these areas – the Beverly Center and the Grove. I’m partial to the latter, which has a certain manufactured je-ne-sais-quoi in the form of a dancing fountain, a train, celebrity sightings and valet parking. This is LA after all. But if you choose to self park with the common folk, don’t forget to get your parking validated and pay close attention to where you parked to avoid a Seinfeld moment. Top shops include: Nordstrom, Anthropologie, Barnes & Noble, Forever 21, Crate & Barrel, Barneys Co-op and the adjacent Farmers Market.

West LA – Boutiques If your budget and tastes stretch a little beyond the Gap, check out TenOverSix for a well thought-out collection of accessories for women, men and home. Another great shop is Opening Ceremony, where by just walking through the doors you feel like you’ve enrolled in “how to be cool without trying – or at least look the part 101”. Look for labels like Band of Outsiders, Alexander Wang and OC’s eponymous brand. Other faves include: Tarina Tarantino and Marc by Marc Jacobs.

Bonus #1: try your luck at the Rose Bowl Flea Market or the Long Beach Flea Market. #2: the best LA-area Urban Outfitters is in Studio City. Don’t pretend you don’t shop there…

Stay

I usually book LA through Priceline or Hotwire and choose 3.5-4-star hotels. Since there are an overwhelming number of hotels in LA, there’s no point giving an exhaustive list, but…

A few of the more affordable options: Farmer’s Daughter Hotel, Hollywood Heights Hotel, Best Western Sunset Plaza, Inn at Venice Beach, The Standard Downtown

A few fancier options: Hyatt Century Plaza Beverly Hills, Hotel Viceroy Santa Monica, Chateau Marmont, Oceana Santa Monica

The best bet is to choose your area first. Besides, you can always stop by the iconic hotels for a $20 cocktail and a George Hamilton sighting – if you’re lucky. The most affordable hotels tend to be around LAX and downtown, and the most popular areas are Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and Santa Monica. Besides the area, how much time are you going to spend in the hotel? Some are great for lounging at the pool and dining, while others are just a place to catch some sleep. Keep this in mind especially in LA and you’ll be set. I’m jealous already!

Post by heather (@heatherlovesit), pop-culture-ista and writer of heatherlovesit.blogspot.com

Spotlight :: Springtime in the Emerald City

[trip style = urban + weekend getaway + sightseeing]

Good weather; check. Great hotel; check. Weekend with no plans; check. Seeing old friends; check. Meeting new friends; check.

Although I've been to Seattle many times, this time was different. This time I wanted to be a tourist, yet avoid tourist traps. So I did my own kind of sightseeing. The kind that allows you to see a city for what it really is (with hands-on experiences), and who it really is (sharing it with locals).

Stay Stay at The Fairmont Olympic, the Pacific Northwest's only AAA, 5-Diamond Hotel. Although the Seattle area has other great hotels like The W or Ace, staying at the Olympic immerses you in Seattle's past. Open since 1924, the hotel icon's old-world charm is a stark contrast to the city's West Coast architecture and laid-back vibe. Don't miss having a drink in the hotel's lobby bar Friday or Saturday night. The pianist's sweet sounds make you wish you were crooning in a karaoke bar. [see my fairmont olympic + other hotel reviews here]

Do/Eat Coffee/Neighborhood Walk/Breakfast Not sure if it was the coffee culture or the crisp, spring morning, but I was raring to go at 7am. Talk about making the most of the day. First up, I grabbed a coffee at Verite and walked around Madrona, an adorable, yet sophisticated neighborhood 10 mins outside of the city. Enjoying the peace of the morning, the sunrise sparkling over the water, the scent of blooming flowers and the mix of modern and tudor-style homes made my morning picture-perfect, no joke, see pics below. Apres my jolt of caffeinedecaff, I made my way to my fave brunch spot, Hi-Spot Cafe. *Make sure you order something that can be paired with their amazing raspberry jam. It's so good that once I'd eaten my jam-infested english muffin, I hid myself from other restaurant patrons and savored the rest of the jam avec spoon.

Pier/Pike/Starbucks We all know Seattle is the birthplace of Starbucks, the little coffee shop turned worldwide, caffeinated sensation. But, did you know that the first-ever Starbucks is located near Pike Place Market? But first, the pier. Walking along the pier is not only a quintessential Seattle experience, but doing so, you'll also pass shops, restaurants, the Seattle Aquarium and the SAM Olympic Statue park.  Once you've had your fill of wind-in-your-hair, ocean-front walking, head up the hill to Pike Place Market.  The eclectic and thriving mix of vendors may wow you as much as the famed fish-tossing. Once you've watched the 'fish throwers' launch dead fish like Seattle Seahawks quarterbacks, head to the original Starbucks [1912 Pike Pl, Seattle, WA 98101] to grab a java. [fish tossing starts 17 secs in]

Lunching and Shopping One great way to see the downtown core is to lunch and shop. There are multiple restaurants in the shopping district, so stop into any of them to fuel-up. To get your shopping fill, visit the flagship Nordstrom or gaze at the Chihuli [instigator of Pacific Northwest glass movement] installation in Barney's.

Evening Dinner and Drinks Don't miss Black Bottle, a corner eatery and watering hole where the industrial design and downtown vibe makes the flatbread taste better than it already is. After dinner a dear friend of mine made a reservation for a few people (tourists and locals) at Zig Zag Cafe. When I told the Fairmont driver where I was going, he said "oh, Zig Zag has the best bartender in the city." Perfect! This out-of-the-way resto-lounge has grown by word of mouth and loyal clientele. At 8.30pm it's dead, by 11pm it's so busy I can't hear myself speak. Given my late lunch and early dinner, I didn't order much, but the appetizers and pastas are well known. Either way, I'm more than satisfied with our server's drink suggestion: the French 76---now in my cocktail hall of fame book---which I should really start.