Trendy Travelista

flying qatar airways

trendytravelista — Sun, 27 May 2012 14:55:23 +0000

I hear so many people complain about the hassle of air travel but no matter how often I fly, I’m still amazed by the fact that in mere hours, we can travel from one side of our glorious planet to the other. It doesn’t matter how many times I do it, air travel will always remain a modern miracle to me. I mean honestly … the fact that airplanes, so huge and heavy, can transport hundreds of passengers, their luggage and additional cargo, through the skies is really pretty mind-blowing.

{Seats 1A and 1B on Qatar Airways; photo via Johnny Jet}

For me, flying is as much a part of the adventure as my final destination. I recently had the privilege of flying Qatar Airways from New York’s JFK to Doha, Qatar and then on to Mumbai. I was excited to check out Qatar Airways. I’d never flown with them before and I’d heard all about their great product and service.

My fiance Johnny Jet and I departed from JFK close to midnight and I was excited to settle into the 12-hour flight. We were fortunate enough to be flying business class, which obviously makes a long-haul flight easier and since I don’t typically fly business, this was a real treat! John and I sat in seats 1A and 1B so we had lots of room to stretch out and get comfy. Business class passengers are given pajamas to change into, which made things even more comfortable. You can keep your pajamas after the flight but John and I packed ours up and gave them to a family in the slums once we arrived in Mumbai. I also swiped some of the fancy amenities in the bathroom (like lotions, toothbrushes and toothpaste) and gave them to the poor as well. (Sorry, Qatar Airways – I hope that’s ok!)

{Ready to change into my pajamas and settle in to a 12-hour flight from New York to Doha}

Business class passengers have their own personal entertainment systems (with over 1,000 entertainment options including movies, music and video games) and I was looking forward to settling in to watch a few flicks but unfortunately, my unit wasn’t working. Definitely a bummer but since we departed so late, I was just as happy to recline my lie-flat seat and get some shut eye.

{Premium class lounge at Doha International Airport; photo via Johnny Jet}

The flight was a breeze (I know – of course it was in business class!) and I felt relaxed and refreshed by the time we landed at Doha International Airport. The airport is currently undergoing construction so passengers are shuttled from the plane to their gate. But once we got into the airport, I was struck by how large, bright and welcoming it was. The premium class lounge is huge, with a large buffet filled with local and international foods and free WiFi – very important for an Internet junkie like me. How else would I update my Facebook status to let friends and family know I’d landed in Doha?

Overall, I give Qatar Airways top marks for a clean and comfortable plane, impeccable on-board service and all the special touches (pajamas, Godiva chocolates, a menu with gourmet food options) that make flying business class worth the price of a ticket.

Have you flown Qatar Airways before? What was your experience like?

how much can you really fit in a carry-on suitcase?

trendytravelista — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 07:12:55 +0000

During a recent conversation at work, I told my colleagues that I only travel with carry-on luggage. There’s the odd exception but as a rule, it’s carry-on only. I admit – it’s not easy … it’s taken some time for me to get it just right but with careful planning, I’m able to fit everything I need into a small and manageable suitcase.

As I explained this to the girls I work with, a girl from another department joined in on the conversation. As I spoke, she looked at me with an expression that can only be described as equal parts disbelief and disgust. “It’s actually really easy,” I said coaxingly, trying to convince her. I’m not sure why. “And there are so many advantages to having just a carry-on suitcase,” I continued.

“But … what do you WEAR?” she asked, her face unable to hide the distaste she felt at the idea of leaving favourite shoes, clothes and accessories behind. Ah. The vision in my mind started to crystallize. Most days of the week, she’s wobbling around the office on too-high-heels, looking like a deer that’s just learning to walk. I could see what type of traveler she was now, tottering along cobblestone sidewalks in a pair of four-inch stilettos. “You’d be surprised how much you can fit into a carry-on suitcase,” I said. (Why am I trying to convince this girl??)

She’s clearly had enough of the conversation and starts to walk (wobble) away. “Anyway, when I travel, I’m more interested in the experiences I’m having rather than what I’m wearing,” I can’t help saying as she walks by me.

All of this is to say, that it really can be done and it doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your sense of style. I’m a girly-girl. I like my nice shoes and bags and while I can’t bring everything I’d like to, I thought I’d itemize everything that fit into this suitcase, for my two-week trip to India:

13 dresses
12 tops
2 pairs of shorts
4 skirts
2 pairs of jeans
3 belts
1 sweater
3 bikinis
1 pair of running shoes
1 pair of heels
2 pairs of flip flops
1 pair of ballet flats
1 evening bag
1 cross-body bag
1 shoulder bag

In addition to all of this, I’ve got an assortment of other odds and ends stuffed in there – India plug adapters, chargers for all of my tech toys, toiletries, hair accessories, a flat iron and two hair brushes.

Everyone keeps telling me I need to create a video to show you exactly how you can fit everything you need into a carry-on suitcase. Stay tuned – I’ll try to do something soon!

toronto to los angeles

trendytravelista — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 02:30:57 +0000

So many people complain about the hassle of travel. Dealing with airports and sitting for hours on an airplane can take the thrill out of travel … if you let it. But I love being on an airplane. I love the anticipation of takeoff and I always get a window seat because I love to gaze out the window at the topography of the land below. My last trip took me from Toronto to Los Angeles and in mere hours, I was transported from the snowy, wintry landscape of my hometown to the beautiful, beach shores of California. Here’s a photo log of my travels:

One of the first snowfalls of the winter in Toronto on the day I’m leaving. There’s been so little so snow this year and it really is pretty. I’m almost sad to be leaving. Almost.

Amazing views below as we approach Los Angeles. Look at those mountains. Incredible!

Does it get any better than dusk at the beach? No. No, I don’t think it does.

What’s a trip to LA without a stop at In N Out Burger? The LAX location is amazing for planespotting. And no, I didn’t eat both those burgers. I had help.

I don’t play but it’s so nice to sink your toes into the sand and watch a game of beach volleyball.

One of my favourite spots: Under the pier in Manhattan Beach.

nomad traveller iphone case: perfect for the girl on the go

trendytravelista — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 01:57:56 +0000

I love my iPhone 4. I used to be a loyal Blackberry user but once I made the switch, I knew I’d never go back. I love all the amazing apps, especially the photography apps. My favourites are PictureShow and Instagram. Both allow you to add filters to your pictures, taking them from good to great! I especially love using them on my travel photos to give them a bit of a boost.

Speaking of travel, my iPhone is my constant companion when I’m on the go – it ensures I can stay in touch with friends and family, provides endless amounts of entertainment and then there’s those great photography apps. So protecting it from all the potential perils of travel is essential. I’ve tried a few different cases and have settled on a new favourite.

The Nomad Traveller Case from Cygnett is perfect for a travel junkie like me. Not only does it protect my phone but I just love the design. It reminds me of a departure board at an airport. (I’ve been to six of the 11 destinations listed – so it also reminds me of places yet to visit!) And at just $18.99, you can’t beat the price. I also love how slim it is. It snaps easily into place and doesn’t add too much bulk to the iPhone’s sleek design.

Prior to discovering this case, I was using the Kate Spade New York Agenda case.

I love the whimsical design but the case adds a lot of bulk and weight to the iPhone. It’s also twice the price of the Nomad case, at $39.95.

Now that I’ve tried the Nomad case, it wins hands down for its original design and slim fit. It’s the perfect case for the girl (or guy!) on the go!

What iPhone case do you use?

neil george hair products at viceroy miami

trendytravelista — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 13:50:11 +0000

Ask my fiance and he’ll tell you that he often hears murmurs of discontent coming from me after I’ve washed my hair at a new hotel. The problem? The conditioner. So many hotels offer guests awful, harsh hair and body products and it never fails to frustrate me. I’d happily pack my own shampoo, conditioner and body lotion were it not for airline restrictions on liquids. But I can’t. And so, I’ve often moaned about the terrible hair conditioner at hotels. And if you’re in Europe, the problem isn’t even bad conditioner. It’s no conditioner. Why don’t so many European hotels have conditioner for guests?

I recently stayed at the Viceroy Miami and found the best shampoo and conditioner combo I’ve ever used at any hotel.

These Neil George hair products (from LA celebrity hair salon Neil George) were amazing. Not only do they smell good enough to eat, they left my hair silky, shiny and without a tangle to be found. It was so nice not to have to tug my hairbrush through a mass of knots and break my hair in the process. Even better, the room had full-size bottles of all the products. This was great for me because those little hotel-sized bottles of conditioner are nowhere near enough product for my long hair. But don’t think you can stuff these freebies in your bag when you leave – the shampoo and conditioner will cost you $45 each.

Thanks, Viceroy for the great hair products!

travel essential: OKA b. ballet flats

trendytravelista — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:44:54 +0000

Finding the perfect shoe to travel in isn’t always easy. They need to be comfortable (natch!), stylish and versatile. And a shoe that slips on and off easily is also a prerequisite for me. Since removing your shoes is an imperative when you’re going through security, I hate holding up the line, fighting with laces, buckles and zippers.

I love these simple, stylish ballet flats from OKA b. I have the ‘Taylor’ model in camel (although they do have a model named ‘Natalie’; maybe I should have gotten those!) and they’re one of the best shoes I’ve found to travel in. These shoes are flexible and oh-so-comfortable, probably because they feature an ergonomic footbed enhanced with massage beads, which cushion your feet as you walk. They’re easy to slip in and out of easy to clean – you can easily wipe them clean when you’re in a hurry, but can you believe they’re machine washable as well?

Available in a variety of styles and colours like Licorice, Cranberry, Hot Chocolate, Jade, Popsicle Pink, Fuchsia, Camel and Cherry, and priced at just $45, they’re your perfect travel companion. And … they come packaged in a delightful gift box, making them that much sweeter! For more information, visit oka-b.com.

What’s your favourite shoe to travel in?

best travel bags

trendytravelista — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:00:56 +0000

Traveling smart and traveling stylishly can sometimes feel like conflicting notions. Now that I’m fully sold on the idea of traveling with carry-on only (a recurring theme on this blog, I know!), it seems I’m forever looking for ways to condense what I carry without leaving all of my favourite things at home. Shoes are always a problem but somehow I manage. Bags are the other challenge. I know the saying goes, “When in doubt, leave it out”, but I’m a bigger fan of finding a way to stuff it in! If you’re faced with the same dilemma when it comes to bags, here’s what I travel with:

{1} Longhaul Scorpius Hard Rollercase
I bought this little guy at Marks & Spencer on a trip to London last year. I needed to replace the one I’d arrived with and found this in an unlikely shop. But it has become my favourite carry-on suitcase. I love its hard body. I thought it might be inflexible and difficult to really stuff, but that’s not the case. It’s far roomier than I had expected and the four wheels … why has it taken so long for us to figure out that suitcases need four wheel drive? It moves so easily and smoothly. I can push it through the airport with just one finger. And sometimes I do. Just because I can.

{2} Longchamp Le Pliage Bag
I recently wrote about Longchamp’s Le Pliage bag but it’s back on my list for its enduring form and function. It’s a great travel tote but its best quality is that it folds into an envelope shape making it enormously packable. I would never leave home without this.

{3} Louis Vuitton Neverfull in Damier
This recent (and I know, extravagant! I hope my fiance doesn’t read this blog) Merry-Christmas-to-me purchase became a fast favourite. Louis Vuitton’s Neverfull in Damier is a great carry-on bag not only because of its obvious style but because of its sheer size. It’s a tote-style bag so if you need compartments, this isn’t the bag for you. But so far, I haven’t found that to be a drawback. It’s roomy enough to fit my laptop, Kobo, makeup bag and wallet as well as all the other odds and ends that seem to end up in there. But the bag is built to hold up to 300 lbs (yikes!) so as long as you can lift it, fill ‘er up!

{4} Radley London Pocket Bag
I found this crossbody bag at Radley London in, you guessed it, London. It’s the perfect day-bag for sightseeing days when you just need to carry a few essentials with you. But even more importantly, it’s so flat, it’s easy to throw into a carry-on suitcase without taking up much room.

{5} Mesh Fold Over Clutch
This mesh fold-over clutch continues with my theme of flat bags. My sister gave this to me for Christmas and it’s now my go-to evening bag when I travel. Chic and stylish, this is another bag that won’t hog all the room in my suitcase … room I need for other essentials!

What are your favourite bags to travel with?

what do you wear when you travel?

trendytravelista — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 09:24:09 +0000

When I’m preparing to travel, I always find myself debating between fashion and function. When I pack my suitcase, there’s always that pair of shoes I want to bring and the pair I know I should bring. I usually have to leave my favourite leather handbag at home and opt instead for one that will fold up and tolerate being stuffed in my suitcase more stoically. And when I get dressed before heading to the airport, I usually opt for a pair of jeans, a cotton top and ballet flats – stylish but comfortable. Until now:

{photo via Johnny Jet}

Heading to Hamburg earlier this week (with a three-hour layover at London Heathrow’s T5), I decided to wear a maxi dress, jean jacket and flip flops. I think I’ve found my new travel uniform. It was stylish but oh-so-comfortable and a breeze to get through security – no belt, no laced shoes. I honestly felt like I was wearing jammies. Jeans are only comfortable to a point but even the most worn-in pair starts to dig into your hips somewhere over the Atlantic. I don’t think there’s anything more comfortable than a maxi dress and it looked great, too. Throw on a jean jacket for warmth on the plane and you’re set. Simple.

What do you wear when you travel?

travel essentials

trendytravelista — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 18:59:57 +0000

I’ve been home for about a month and I don’t have any travel plans for another month, which leaves me sitting here on this rainy Saturday morning thinking about what I’ll pack on my next sunny escape! Here’s a round-up of essentials I never leave home without:

Moleskine messenger bag
For anyone who reads my blog regularly, you know that I travel with carry-on luggage only. I hate the hassle of checking luggage (never knowing if it’ll actually make it to your destination with you and hanging around baggage claim for far too long). This comes with its own challenges (packing light can be tricky but it’s totally doable), but the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. I’ve got a small hard-case suitcase that’s just perfect but finding the perfect second piece has always been a challenge for me.

Enter Moleskine’s messenger bag (conranusa.com, $129.95). This sizable tote is my new travel essential. The adjustable strap is comfortable on my shoulder and it’s roomy, providing space for all the things I like to keep close at hand: passport and tickets (natch!), Kobo (more on that later), magazines, snacks and most important of all, my laptop. The bag will fit a laptop up to 15” and has an ivory velour lining for added protection. It’s got an elastic closure so that you can secure the bag shut. But really, what I love most is the sleek look of this bag. Not only is it functional when I travel, but it’s stylish.

Kobo Touch
I really don’t know what I did before I had my Kobo (indigo,ca, $139). Actually, I’ll tell you what I did. I lugged heavy books around with me when I traveled and if I finished my book, I’d have to buy a new one and lug two heavy books around with me. My Kobo has simplified things and now I can carry a library of up to 1,000 books with me at all times! Lightweight and easy to read, the new Kobo Touch is a great update to the e-reader so many people love. It’s got a touch screen so flipping pages is fun, and with a quick tap of the finger, you can change the font size and zoom in on PDF files. It’s got WiFi capability too so you can download books on the go. If I forgot my Kobo before taking a trip, I swear I’d just go back home. It’s an essential.

Black and white stripes
I’m all about stripes this season. And this striped Raglan Sleeved Sweater (Jacob, $39.50) is a versatile option when you’re traveling. Throw it on with a pair of jeans and it’ll add a touch of French flair to your look. Or wear it with a pencil skirt and wide belt for a great evening look. The key to traveling with carry-on only is to pack pieces that are versatile and this is one of my faves.

Juicy Couture Petal Flower Flip Flop
Traveling typically means lots of walking. You know those days when you’re touring around old European cities and you want to see anything and everything you can? Comfortable shoes are key. But who wants to wear their running shoes? Not me! These Juicy Couture flip flops (revolveclothing.com, $49) are unbelievably comfortable. I’ve never found a flip flop with a sole that’s as cushiony as these and I can walk for hours and hours in them. Plus, the flower detail on the side makes them super-cute and flexible for both daytime and nighttime wear.

Longchamp bag
My boyfriend gave me my first Longchamp bag and I was hooked! It folds up neatly, making it compact and flat so it’s perfect for shoving in your suitcase – it takes up next to no room at all! Unfold it and it’s a great bag for taking on your day travels. It’s light and roomy and the nylon exterior is easy to clean with a damp cloth. The Planete model pictured here (see longchamp.com for pricing) is an ideal tote for the stylish traveler.

Metallic embroidered scarf
Never leave home without a scarf or pashmina. It’s practical for chilly evenings, especially when you’re all decked out and don’t want to wear a sweater. But depending on where your travels take you, it’s also an essential. Some mosques, temples and churches require tourists to cover their shoulders before entering. So on hot days when you’re sporting a sundress or tank top, it’s handy to have one of these tucked in your bag just in case. This white embroidered scarf (Banana Republic, $62.99) is a good option.

What are your travel essentials?

iceland: land of fire and ice

trendytravelista — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 13:31:56 +0000

I recently visited Iceland, the land of fire and ice, and this spectacular destination has made its way into my heart and onto my list of favourite places in the world. Nature’s bounty abounds here: volcanoes, glaciers, mountains, geothermal waters and the Northern Lights make it one of the world’s most breathtaking countries. A short five-hour flight on Icelandair from Toronto to Keflavik and I was transported to a truly magical place. Here’s a glimpse at some of the highlights:

The Blue Lagoon is a must for all visitors to Iceland. The blue waters are fed into the lagoon from a nearby geothermal power plant. Stop here on your way to or from Keflavik Airport for a rejuvenating swim in this geothermal seawater that will revive your mind, body and spirit. The waters are known to have a positive effect on your skin. And it’s just so cool!

The 50-kilometre drive from Keflavik Airport into Reykjavik is breathtaking. The scenery is rugged and quaint structures like this one can be seen along the way.

These stone figures stand guard along the coast.

Making our way to the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, my boyfriend Johnny Jet and I got (temporarily) stranded on the glacier. The wheels of our massive jeep got stuck in the ice and snow, but as you can see from the photo, we weren’t too concerned. And besides, the sun didn’t set til around midnight so we weren’t concerned about it getting dark too quickly up there!

We made it! Snowmobiling atop Mýrdalsjökull glacier was an experience I’ll never forget. High in the mountains, it’s like being on top of the world and just a stone’s throw from Heaven. Tour company Arcanum gives you everything you’ll need to prepare for your extreme winter adventure: snowmobile, insulated coverall, helmet and facemask. And … we’re off!

Lamb is one of the most popular meat choices in Iceland but it’s hard to eat once you’ve made friends with one of these little guys! Along the side of the road, on our way to Eyjafjallajokull volcano (better known as E15 for its impossible-to-pronounce name), we met this furry friend. He ran straight towards me and, well, we bonded.

Horse meat can also be found in many Icelandic menus. This beautiful horse and many more stopped to say hello as we passed by.

Seen from the restaurant at the four-star Hotel Ranga, a secluded and exclusive hotel situated about 100 kilometres east of Reyjkavik, this Icelandic moon lit up the sky. While I was visiting, the sun didn’t set til close to midnight. It was a sight to behold.

If Iceland isn’t on your list of places to visit, I urge you to add it now. The scenery will take your breath away at every turn and you’ll never forget your experience here, in the land of fire and ice.

{photography via Johnny Jet}