Travel Etiquette :: Tipping

This month we're featuring a topic that's become more and more relaxed since the golden age of travel has disappeared: etiquette. During a time where the Juicy tracksuit is considered appropriate travel wear and loud-talking cell phone users are commonplace, to borrow a line from Anchorman's Ron Burgundy, let's "stay classy" and bring some Pucci-inspired yesteryear back into travel. The first travel etiquette subject we'll tackle is North American tipping.

Like it or not, tipping everyone from the housekeeper to the concierge is a highly suggested travel practice in North America and other select destinations worldwide. Although tipping is not required, and should be based on excellence, it's generally uncouth if you don't. In fact, it has become such a significant part of traveling, it's worth adding a line-item in your travel budget so you don't wonder where all your USD $1s or Canadian Twoonies went at the end of your trip!

Not including restaurant or cab tipping, one could easily spend $20+/day tipping at their hotel alone. With this in mind, it's important that you load up on small bills pre-trip, or exchange money during your trip, so you have appropriate amounts to give those who help you on-demand.

Whether traveling for business or pleasure, here are some estimates of whom you should tip and by how much. The below amounts are based on 4- to 5-star travel experiences.

Hotels Valets - each time you call your vehicle - $2-10 {ie - if you drive a lambo, don't tip $2} Bellhops - when they help with luggage - $3-10 Door Men/Ladies - $1-2 for calling a cab Housekeeper - $2-5/day Concierge - $5-20 depending on how much advice you ask Pool/Beach Attendants - $2-5/day Restaurants - 15-20% of your bill pre-tax When you ask for something to be brought to your room that's extra - $2-5

Transportation Taxi or Limo Driver - fare + 15-20% Airport transfer - fare + 15% {for an all-inclusive shuttle, $2-5/person depending on length} Courtesy Shuttles - $1-2 per person, or $4-5 per small group

Tours Tour Guides - 10-15% of total price Tour Driver - $1/hour

{Trip Styler Tip: Pay close attention to the tipping practices in the countries you visit outside of North America. It's a faux pas to assume everyone has the same systems in place. For example, you don't tip much in Australia and you only round-up the restaurant bill in Italy. Do your research before leaving!}

Upcoming Tuesday, March 8th - Travel Etiquette App Friday, March 11th - Hotel Guest Etiquette Friday, March 18th - Plane Etiquette Monday, March 21st - The importance of USD $1s & Canadian Twoonies

[photo credit]

Healthy on the Road :: Active, Relax, Repeat

[trip style = active]

{Editor's Note: Below is Leah's (our healthy on the road contributor) account of a recent active weekend away. What I love about her winter wonderland escape is the mixture of activity and relaxation, and as you'll read, this was the perfect refresher.}

A Call to Play With a frozen lake right outside our front door and a gorgeous mountain minutes away, the call to play was clear. I just returned home from a long weekend away with aching muscles and a deep sense of satisfaction. My short getaway to Smithers, a small town in northern BC, had it all: great friends, delicious meals, late nights and lazy mornings. However, there was one thing we did every day which made these luxuries all the more enjoyable, we were physically active. Looking at the light, fluffy snow I simply could not wait to get out there!

New Recruit to Trip Style = Active I would like to point out that our friend, who only recently moved to Smithers on account of her husband’s job, was somewhat new to physical activity, and therefore unsure of how much fun {and rewarding} it would be. Personal reservations aside, our gracious hostess had everything set-up and planned so that we could make the most of our short time together. We drove from the airport directly to the sports shop to rent our cross-country gear. Before the first day was over we had already enjoyed a ski around the lake and a lazy afternoon catching up over coffee!

Pro{Active} Decisions It can be hard to make pro{active} decisions when lounging on vacation is so darn appealing, but the fact that we planned in advance to cross-country ski twice and downhill once, provided us with just enough of a schedule to make things happen. It was the perfect mix of winter-inspired activity followed by an exercised-induced relaxation.

A Good Dose of Balance I can honestly say that I have never returned home from a short getaway feeling so refreshed. My muscles were worked, my mind was rested, and my spirit was lifted. What’s even cooler is the fact that our newly active friend loved every moment of it too---even the tougher aerobic challenges left her beaming with satisfaction at the end of the day. That’s what a good dose of balance will do!

{When she’s not training clients or being trained by her dog Zuzu, Leah writes Healthy on the Road, published the first Thursday of every month.}

[photo by @tripstyler]

Jetset Jingles :: Turbulence Playlist

We're trying out something new this month, and want your feedback. Would you be interested in a once monthly music post featuring perfect playlists for all things travel? Jetset Jingles would feature music to get you in the Aloha spirit, to calm airport chaos, to transport you to beachy vistas, to complement a sunny afternoon spent dockside, and so on. The first Jetset Jangles is debuting with a turbulence playlist.

I hate turbulence, but unfortunately it's a mainstay of air travel. Some of the worst turbulence I ever experienced was on a flight from Toronto to Nassau. The entire {not exaggerating} 2.5 hour flight was fraught with big bumps and deep dips. Physically, I had the constant feeling of...let's just say my barf bag was on high alert. Mentally, I was in a anxiety-ridden tizzy.

Aside from the Tums and Gravol to counter in my physical angst, what I needed was a soothing, spa-like playlist that would calm the not always friendly skies. And don't worry, Tom Petty's "free falling" won't be making an appearance below.

Turbulence Playlist {turning storms into sunsets} 1/ Breathe In - Frou Frou 2/ Hide and Seek - Imogen Heap 3/ Watermark - Enya 4/ Try a Little Tenderness - Michael Bublé 5/ You Are the One - Elliott Yamin 6/ Everything - Lifehouse 7/ Lullaby - Creed 8/ Come Away With Me (Deluxe Version) - Norah Jones 9/ Gravity - John Mayer 10/ The Dress Looks Nice On You - Sufjan Stevens

Listen to the Turbulence Playlist here.

[photo by kevin dooley]