December Gift Guide :: An Experience {& Giveaway!}

[trip style = staycation + active & adventure, etc...]

{Editor's Note: Each December our editors round up the year's must-haves for Trip Styler's traveler gift guides. In the next few weeks leading up to Christmas we'll feature a variety of gift ideas for travelers of all stripes and styles. This year we're kicking things off with an experience---and giveaway!---versus a giant box under the tree.}

'Tis better to give than to receive; but store line-ups, out-of-stock signs and crowds can zap the joy out of Christmas gift-giving. What about an experience gift instead? It's just as thoughtful and there'll still be a present under the tree---perhaps just in envelope form!

I came across zozi earlier this year and l-o-v-e-d the concept: a website dedicated to local experiences in 63 cities throughout Canada and the US. From Vancouver to Virginia Beach browse activities like a full-day guided Mt. Baker backcountry skiing trip, a sailing cruise for two with cooking lesson and cocktails in San Francisco or sipping boutique tequilas and whiskeys in NYC to name a few.

The Giveaway :: $200 to use toward a travel experience for two people with zozi. See entry details below.

Started by a guy who saw a spitting image of his corporate self 30 years into the future, he quit his job, sold everything and went traveling. Like those HSBC ads lining most airport jetways, some would call this pursuit heroic and others would call it irresponsible. Fast forward a few months and continents, and then while diving in Australia he came face to face with a school of bull sharks and had two more epiphanies: a} his fear of sharks was largely irrational, and b} most other peoples' fears are irrational too. So under a banana tree in Byron Bay he wrote the business plan for what's now an city-based, experience hub for amateur and seasoned adventurers.

Peruse the site for gift-giving purposes, inspiration or to take on a personal challenge as a trip style = staycation or active & adventure trek out yonder.

PS - this weekend I'm going to Dallas, Texas, so I just browsed the local offers which include a concealed handgun license and shooting range course or a high-flying powered parachute ride. Now if those experiences don't get you up close and personal with a bang-up, big and bold Texan encounter, I'm not sure what does.

How to win {You can enter up to 3 ways, but you MUST start with STEP 1 to be qualified to enter.}

• Step 1: Comment on this post {below} and tell us tell us what travel or staycation experience gift you'd love to receive.
• Bonus entry: Like the Trip Styler PAGE {not an individual post} on Facebook. If you're already a fan, share any of Trip Styler's status updates pertaining to the contest. In both cases, tell us you've done so by commenting below.
• Bonus entry: RT the following on twitter...   I entered to win 2 travel experience #Christmas gifts from @zozi {Via @tripstyler} Enter: http://goo.gl/wvv9A

Details Open to residents of Canada and the USA 21 years or older. Entries will be accepted Dec. 7 – 15 {end of day}, 2011. Winner will be chosen via random.org and announced on Dec. 16. After prizing notification, winner has two days to make contact.

[photos by zozi]

The Savvy Traveler :: Christina

[trip style = sun + beach + weekend getaway + urban]

Christina has more frequent flyer miles than anyone I know. To put this in perspective, she could give George Clooney's character in the movie Up In The Air a run for his money. In a job that requires a lot of travel, she uses her book and street smarts to make the most of her conferences and office time abroad---professionally and personally---flying with ONE airline alliance and staying with ONE hotel group. When she's not in an upgraded hotel suite, airline lounge or business class at 37,000ft she can be found playing tennis, hosting parties and making the best seven-layer dip known to humankind. Introducing my very dear friend and December's Savvy Traveler, Christina!

1/ Pick your top three trip styles and why?
[trip style = sun + beach] There is nothing more relaxing to me than laying poolside/beachfront with a good book, a cold beverage, the warm sun and a light breeze.

[trip style = weekend getaway] Living in Vancouver means I have an endless supply of weekend destinations within a one to five-hour drive which I take advantage of most weekends in the summer.

[trip style = urban] I love exploring new cities and checking out the restaurants, shopping and nightlife---fave urban spots are NYC, Boston and San Francisco.

2/ What items are always on your packing list?

• lug Nap Sac Travel Blanket + Pillow set – keeps me warm on the plane and provides head or low back support depending on how the pillow is used.
• Skoah travel-sized skin care products – small enough for carry-on luggage and ensures my skin stays healthy and balanced even when the rest of my body isn’t.
• A good book is essential for both business and pleasure travel – there is always time to read when on the road.
• Earbud-style headphones – these can be worn during takeoff and landing {more time to watch movies} and also save you from purchasing airline headphones or wearing free headphones [avec germs].

3/ Last trip, next trip and destination{s} on your radar?
I just got back from Washington, DC for a business trip. The city was absolutely gorgeous in early November when all the leaves were in full color-changing mode and surprisingly still on the trees. I found myself spending long periods of time watching the rowing club practicing in the Potomac River with Georgetown University glistening in the background. Next up is Portland, OR---this time for pleasure! I'm taking the Amtrak Cascades from Bellingham, WA down to Portland, OR to spend five days and four nights enjoying the city, culture and tax-free shopping! I’m looking forward to checking out some of the hotspots featured in previous TS posts! Finally, my top 2 wish list destinations are: Ireland, to investigate my heritage and my incredible obsession with potatoes; and New Zealand, which I’ve been wanting to visit ever since their 100% Pure New Zealand ad campaign launched several years ago---now that’s what I call good advertising!

4/ You travel for business a lot, what are some of the strategies you use to make travel more comfortable and beneficial?
For me, travel comfort is key and the way to get there is status! Whenever possible I fly within the Star Alliance family of airlines to collect Aeroplan points. My Elite status gives me free upgrades, access to all Star Alliance lounges in airports worldwide, and points that can be redeemed for free flights and merchandise. I selected Marriott as my hotel partner because of the numerous perks. My platinum status gives me a check-in gift {typically a bottle of wine and snacks}, automatic room upgrade, access to the hotel concierge lounge complete with food and beverage, as well as points that can be redeemed for free nights {so far, I have stayed for free on vacations in New York, Maui, San Francisco and Portland next!}. I also swear by my Nexus card---skipping the customs line and getting priority security screening saves minutes to hours each trip. All of a sudden business travel doesn’t seem so bad!

5/ You spent time in Africa as a child. Looking back, did this shape any of your views on travel?
Living in Zimbabwe as a young girl gave me exposure to a wide range of cultures, lifestyles and environments. I’m sure this impacted my desire to continue traveling and exploring the world. Knowing that there is so much out there to learn gives you the motivation to get out there and see it.

6/ Do you have a ritual you follow after checking into a hotel?
The first thing I do is unpack my bag: clothes get hung in the closet, toiletries are displayed on the vanity, etc... This helps me feel at home when on the road, and also takes the wrinkles out of clothes that have been held hostage in my suitcase for hours on end.

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

More Savvy Travelers
Charles, The Global Travel Influencer
Rachel, The Suitcase Siren
Tiffany, The Luxury Travel Inspector

[photo via Christina]

Healthy Holiday Hopping

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

It's hard to stay healthy during the holidays with bonbons and baked goods assaulting us from every direction.

Everyone has different priorities and schedules during the Christmas break. For many, it's the one time of year when everyone has a few days or a week off at the same time. And when the vacation time stars align, so does the opportunity to holiday hop. So why not do the holidays a little different this year with a mind, body and/or soul detox and refresh for 2012?

Sometimes I write for other travel publications. Last month I was working on Healthy Holiday Getaway Ideas for the NY-Based foodie publication, The Daily Meal, and I just found out it published this week! Here are some of the getaway options I wrote about in the article. I hope some of the ideas inspire a one-night, weekend or week-long healthy holiday trip style for you. Bon voyage! Read the full article here!

Surf's Up - Learn to surf like pro rider Kelly Slater, kinda. Where/How - Safari Surf School, Costa Rica or Monty’s Beach Lodge, Nicaragua.

Let It Snow - Escape to a winter wonderland of activity. Where/How - Whistler, Canada and Portes du Soleil, a collection of 12 connected ski resorts in the French and Swiss Alps.

Digi-Fast - Go off the grid, where you can't be reached. Where/How - Wilson Island, Australia; Yelapa Casa, Mexico; Rolling Huts, Washington.

Voluntourism - Travel and do good. Where/How - Travelocity has a section devoted to voluntourism, otherwise, check with your preferred charity for local and international opportunities.

Spa - Ring in the New Year with bliss. Where/How - Scottsdale, Arizona at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Retreat and Spa, the Fairmont Scottsdale or the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale.

The 100-Mile Retreat - Go local and eat local within 100 miles {161km}. Where/How - Search airbnb, VRBO or HomeAway for a vacation rental with a kitchen to cook up a locally sourced feast.

[images sourced online]

Fashion Friday :: November in New York

[trip style = urban + weekend getaway]

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

Black Friday in Manhattan. The sun is shining and I'm sitting in a beautiful room at the Ace Hotel. What am I doing ... I should be out looking for deals! {But first, coffee.} Here's some stylespiration for a weekend in New York and just a tiny handful of my favourite shops.

Now what to wear? Women (clockwise from top left) APC  crew neck pullover, Anthropologie pilcro stet slim straight denim, Heidi Merrick raleigh denim shirt, Zara straight coat, Rag & Bone floppy brim fedora, Steven Alan infinity scarf, Rag & Bone scarborough headband, Clare Vivier messenger bag, Rag & Bone harrow boot

Men (clockwise from top centre) Paul Smith contrast trim stripe scarf, Filson shelter cloth foothills parka, Steven Alan new shawl cardigan, Acne max soft raw slim jeans, Two Feet Ahead ragg wool socks, Columbiaknit for Woodlands chunky knit cap, Rag & Bone 7" lace up boot, Rag & Bone basic tee

New York mini shopping guide {for women & men} - Steven Alan - Opening Ceremony - Rag & Bone - Barney's Co-op - Bird - Oak NYC

More Fashion Friday Global Style Romantic Caribbean Shoulder Season Cabin Fever Buoy Oh Buoy

[img by @heatherlovesit]

The Savvy Traveler :: Charles

[trip style = urban + weekend getaways + staycation]

Charles Yap is an influencer, traveler and tea drinker. He talks the talk, walks the walk and lives up to his snazzy title as the Director of Global Brand Communications for InterContinental Hotels Group. His position is a tall order, heading up the social media strategy for each of the group’s seven hotel brands, including InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza and Hotel Indigo. It's no wonder he's a top-ranked online travel influencer who's built his loyal following with dedication and smarts---and as a nice guy. For all of these reasons {plus his awesome street style}, we're ecstatic to feature him as this month's Savvy Traveler! Charles tweets at @HotelPRGuy.

1/ What are your top 3 trip styles and why? 
[trip style = urban + weekend getaway + staycation] I am very much a city guy and I've been living in London for three years. During weekends, I try to take short trip style = weekend getaways to neighbouring European capitals. I also love trip style = staycation exploring London---you can live here for an entire lifetime and still find new things to discover. Whether traveling or at home, I'm a fan of photography, architecture, exploring museums, going to the markets and checking out new restaurants and bars.

2/ What items are always on your packing list?
I travel light and avoid checking my bags, so packing wisely is essential. I never leave home without:
- My jeans by 7 for all mankind
- Dunhill reversible belt
- Chinese travel tea set from Teanamu
- Elemis Men SOS Survival Cream
- An extra BlackBerry battery

3/ Hometown Saturday must-stops?
My two favorite markets in London are Broadway Market in East London and Borough Market near London Bridge. Both are foodie markets and great places to stop for lunch and coffee. I also like exploring the historic pubs of London; my top three are The Grenadier in Belgravia, Windsor Castle in Notting Hill and The Dove in Hammersmith.

4/ Favourite destination, hotel or resort in the world & why? 
My love of big cities and amazing architecture draws me towards destinations like Paris, Prague and Rome. I also love historic hotels and one of my favourites is InterContinental Paris Le Grand, opened in 1862 by Empress Eugenie. During the hotel's opening, the neighbouring Opera Garnier was still under construction. I recommend one of the 82 rooms or suites overlooking the Opera, and ordering the Fashion Pastry at Cafe de la Paix. This year, the focus is on fashion designers from Brazil, India, China and Russia, and the current pastry is by Indian fashion designer Manish Arora.

5/ Best trip you've ever taken? 
My visit to Hanoi in January 2008 is probably the best trip I've ever taken. It was extra special because it was a reunion with friends who had moved to other parts of the world. We spent our time exploring the old city, navigating the busy traffic, eating where the locals eat and watching the sun set over Westlake!

6/ Best way to secure a fabulous stay with an InterContinental or IHG Hotel online?
Follow @IHG_Deals on Twitter for special deals and fun giveaways. We also offer a best price guarantee on www.IHG.com, which means that if you can find a lower price elsewhere online, you get your first night free.

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

More Savvy Travelers
Rachel, The Suitcase Siren
Tiffany, The Luxury Travel Inspector
Lora, The BC & OR Family Travel Expert

[photo of Charles by @jennkol]