Pool Party

[trip style = staycation]

{Don't forget to sign-up for our email or RSS feed; doing so enters you into our Travel Beauty Month give-away. Contest ends Wednesday, Aug 11.}

You know those weekends when you can't seem to peel yourself away from in-town responsibilities, but you still want an escape-like experience? If you've only got a half day, but want some extreme, vacation-like relaxation, check out your favourite local hotel's pool---it may just offer day-rates for use!

The Staycation Pool Experience Taking a cue from destinations like LA and Palm Springs,  there's a growing 'staycation' trend where hotels are offering use of their pools to non-guests for a fee. Understanding that it's easier for people to spare a few hours than an entire weekend, hotels are embracing the 'poolcation'.

Vancouver Hotel Poolcations Last May I heard the Fairmont Pacific Rim might allow day use of their pool to paying non-guests, but alas, it never happened. Shame--it's a gorgeous location with cabanas, views, a bar and more. (Just suggest your out-of-town friends stay there and get pool access through them!)

Fairmont Waterfront Located right across from the cruise ship terminal, the Fairmont Waterfront offers a $15 daily rate for non-hotel guests looking for an outdoor poolcation.

The Westin Grand Vancouver Each Sunday afternoon, the Westin Grand hosts free pool parties for non-hotel guests.  The price is right... The hotel just emailed me and has updated the price to $10/person due to high demand. Pan Pacific & Westin Bayshore (spa required) Although pool-entry for non-hotel guests requires a treatment in each hotel's spa, a massage + day lounging in the sun may be just what the doctor ordered.

ps - If the hotel poolcation isn't up your alley, try one of Vancouver's 5 outdoor pools for a cheaper price.  My hands-down fave is the Second Beach Pool in Stanley Park. Located on the outer western edge of the park, this beachside, gradual entry pool overlooks Burrard Inlet and UBC. Open until Sept 6th, 10am-8.30pm daily. Trip Styler Tip: for a more relaxed pool-time experience, go from 10-noon or 6.30-8.30pm, when there are fewer people and the weather is still warm!

[photo credit: westin bayshore]

Travel Beauty :: Dry Shampoo

[You could win an Alterna Dry Shampoo + extra travel-size goodies by entering our first contest during Travel Beauty Month. Enter now, you and your hair won't regret it!]

Between running through terminals to enduring long-haul flights, travel can do a number on your hair. And who wants to wash and do their tresses everyday? Not me; I'd rather relax on the beach or see the sights rather than spend time coiffing my doo---or lack thereof sometimes.

Enter my best travel friend; dry shampoo, it's the most incredible and indispensable tool that hangs out in my travel toiletries case. I never leave home without it. Just a quick dusting or spray and your hair looks as good as new---and lasts another day!

My Fave Dry Shampoos HIGH Alterna Anti-Aging Dry Shampoo Why I like it: it smells like lemons, the powder-like consistency blends well into second-day hair, it doesn't leave any residue at the roots and the precision tip is genius. It's also perfect for carry-on travel. Find it in Canada and the US for $20. *It also happens to be the fab product for this week's beauty give-away.

Cake Beauty Satin Sugar Hair & Body Refreshing Powder Why I like it: it's Canadian, small enough to bring in a carry-on and tinted in two shades for different hair types. Also, anything that doubles in the program (ie - hair and body powder) when you travel is a bonus. Find it in Canada and the US for $16.

Ojon Rub-Out Dry Cleanser To Go Why I like it: it has a travel-friendly size, gets the oiliness out, adds texture and has a fresh not-too-overwhelming scent! Find it in Canada and the US for $24.

LOW Batiste Dry Shampoo Why I like it: The spray formula smells like coconut, provides an extra burst of volume and leaves hair with a natural-looking finish. Find it in Canada and the US for $9.

Klorane Oil-Controlling Dry Shampoo with Nettle Extract Why I like it: this spray is light and doesn't leave a powdery finish. Bonus, it comes in a travel size! Find it in Canada and the US for $13.

Baby powder (yep, plain old baby powder) Why i like it: talc-free baby powder is THE wonder product when away from home. In a pinch it can be used to quickly freshen hair, deodorize shoes and refresh the bod. Works best for people with blond or light brown hair. Buy at the drugstore for under $4.

Travel Beauty Month :: Alterna Giveaway

August is Travel Beauty Month at Trip Styler. Since we already know you're beautiful on the inside, we'll feature posts devoted to helping you maintain and enhance your outer allure---which can *sometimes* show hints of travel's time-zone hopping and lack of H2O. All month we'll be doing travel beauty-themed giveaways for products we love that take the edge off of jet-setting.

Our first beauty post will focus on hair and how to add mileage to your coif while away!

Friday August 6th Contest Details 1) One lucky winner will score an Alterna Dry Shampoo, plus a travel-sized shampoo, conditioner and hairspray all from their super lux Caviar Anti-Aging line! 2) How to win: subscibe to Trip Styler by email or RSS and we'll choose a winner at random Wednesday, Aug. 11th. *If you subscribe by RSS, indicate you've done so by commenting on this post, so I know how to contact you. Existing email subscribers will be automatically entered and existing RSS subscribers kindly comment below to ensure entry. 3) Contest is open to residents of Canada and the US. 4) The contest closes Wednesday, Aug 11 at 4pm Pacific Time.  The winner will be announced and contacted at that time.

Good luck! I'm already jealous of the winner. Don't forget to tell your friends.

Winner Many thanks to everyone who participated. Using random.org, "nomadic" was selected as the winner!

Healthy on the Road :: Nordic Walking

[trip style = active]

Have Poles Will Travel Nope, we're not talking about traveling to the Sweden or Norway to walk 'till you drop, but rather packing collapsible poles in your suitcase for an efficient and effective travel workout! The term “Urban Poling” has caught on as the practice of Nordic Walking in urban centres. But walking poles aren’t confined to urban use---whether your travels take you on city streets, seawalls, or a hike through the Himalayas, a pair of poles can go with you.

The Reputation is on the Rise Nordic Walking is an activity that has been practiced in Scandinavia for years and is true to the Scandinavian reputation for commonsense and healthy living. The good news is that the trend is quickly catching on in North America and participation is on the rise. Without walking any harder or faster, people report feeling more energetic when walking with poles---not too shabby for a full-body workout that doesn’t leave you sweating profusely or short of breath.

Benefits of Urban Poling

• Easy to pack: Collapsible, telescoping poles can conveniently be tossed into your suitcase.
• Convenient: You need to walk every day, so why not pack your poles and add the additional benefits of upper body strengthening.
• Easy to learn: Urban Poling is simple and suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels.
• Efficient: Nordic walking increases caloric energy expenditure by approx. 20%.
• Core strengthening:  The selling feature for many! Poling engages your core and improves strength and posture.
• Easier on your joints: Urban Poling reduces stress on your joints, especially your knees.
• Readiness: Hit-up the cross-country ski season already in shape---now you're fully channelling the Scandinavian ideal!

Note: For those with mobility challenges, recovering from an injury, or dealing with a chronic condition such as arthritis, Urban Poles can provide you with the additional stability and support you need. If you fit into any of these categories it is recommended you consult with a physical or occupational therapist before commencing a poling program.

If you would like more info, assistance in ordering and purchasing, or a 1:1 consult before travelling, please contact Leah Munday at OTfit. Learn more about Nordic Walking and purchasing a pair of poles at Urban Poling.

[Healthy on the Road posts are published on the first Thursday of every month.]

Alaska Air to Fly from BLI to HNL

[trip style = sun + beach]

Not that I need convincing to go to Hawaii, but........

Normally I don't do two posts in one day, but this news is way too exciting to wait and share!  It was just announced that Alaska Airlines will fly out of Bellingham Airport to Honolulu with service starting January 7th.

What about Allegiant? Originally I suspected that Allegiant would make this annoucement first, but Alaska's seen the light and knows that people from both Vancouver and Seattle will travel to my fave border town in search of lower fares and sunnier horizons!  I was almost certain the Bellingham airport was undertaking MAJOR renovations to the terminal and runway for Allegiant's planned service to Honolulu, but we'll have to wait and see if this low-cost carrier decides to launch their service out of Bellingham or elsewhere.

Tickets Ticket prices will be announced tomorrow. According to a Vancouver Sun article, Alaska's VP Marketing notes "I can tell you the fares will be very, very attractive. It will be among the lowest fares you can find to get from the West Coast to Hawaii. We'll have some terrific prices."