Just Go With It....in Scottsdale

[trip style = "sun" + spa]

I recently saw the hilarious movie Just Go With Itwith Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler {mostly filmed in Wailea---a destination I adore}. The movie was a timely reminder about the importance of having a just go with it attitude when traveling, and incidentally, became the motto for my trip to Scottsdale, AZ last weekend.

Altered Expectations Leading up to the weekend away, the usually sunny Arizonian skies were looking like they'd commit a grey and wet faux pas. I have a love/hate relationship with previewing forecasts, and unfortunately the weather report was right. On top of this, the temperature seemed a lot like Vancouver's. The irony is, Scottdale's weather was nice every day before we arrived and every day after we left. Plans to escape Vancouver's winter and sit poolside in the desert had to be altered.

Just Going with It Being a big believer in just going with it {in life and in travel} and making the best of a situation....

• Mid-morning hot tubbing turned into a fabulous shopping day {Scottsdale has great malls like Kierland Commons and outlets like Neiman Marcus Last Call}.
• Lunching by the pool turned into lunching at True Foods, a natural-meets-industrial bunch of restaurants centered on the principals of Dr. Andrew Weil’s Anti-Inflammatory Diet & Food Pyramid, then sipping coffee at beautifully designed coffee shop at the Elizabeth Arden Spa.
• Post-lunch bevvies turned into checking out the famed art deco, 1929-built Biltmore Hotel, rumored to be where White Christmas was written in 1938 or 1939.
• Late afternoon dozing turned into happy hour at La Hacienda {where we ate the best made-in-front-of-you guacamole in the world} and Bourbon Steak.
• Morning walks or runs turned into reading magazines and sipping Nespressos.
• A hike up Camelback turned into indoor yoga {best/hardest class ever, taught by a 75-year-old!}.

The best part of the weather's hiccup? We made impromptu appointments at the spa, spending the afternoon having massages, sipping prickly pear lemonade and recharging in the hot tub with a cascading theapudic waterfall.

All in all, though I missed my long lost friend the sun, we had a great time and didn't let the situation get us down. Next time you travel and your trip throws you a curve ball, just go with it---you might uncover a new trip style or experience a different type of break from the ordinary!

{Trip Styler Tip: Scottsdale {and its surrounding areas} is an excellent destination for solo, couple, group or family travel. It has something for everyone. Next time you travel, remember it as a less expensive alternative to Hawaii.}

Related Spotlight :: Scottsdale Scottsdale :: High/Low Rainy Day Vacay Ideas

[photos by @tripstyler, except bottom row by Scottsdale Princess]

From the Archives :: All-Inclusive Tricks of the Trade

[trip style = all-inclusive] {Note, this was originally published February 3rd, 2010 and has been reposted with enhancements as part of All-Inclusive Month.}

Here's some insider knowledge for next time you entertain the thought of an all-inclusive trip style...

Booking your Trip Booking Options

• Resort direct.  If you have a preferred all-inclusive, get on their newsletter list, friend them on facebook and follow them on twitter. This way, you’ll be the first to know about insider-only deals.
• Resellers.  Here are a few of my faves:
  • Canada – itravel2000.com, aircanadavacations.com
  • USA – applevacations.com, resortvacationstogo.com

While There

• Most all-inclusives have tiled floors. If you're on a low floor it can be loud above. As such, I always ask for a room away from the elevator on the top floor.
• Most resorts outsource the airport transfer, therefore, even if you're staying at a super all-inclusive that doesn't allow tipping, make sure you have a few extra dollars for tipping the driver to and from the airport.
• If there's a Teppanyaki restaurant, go there the first night. It's a great way to meet people so there's a few familiar faces at the resort for your week.
• Once you get to the resort, I know your first priority will be to hit the beach, but after the sun goes down {or the next morning} do a self-guided tour of the resort to get a lay of the land. It's the worst when you discover a great beach area or restaurant on the last day!
• If you're there with your family or a group and want to stay in touch, bring walkie-talkies.
• Unlimited bevs + baking in the Caribbean sun can be a lethal combination. Pace yourself.
• If you go in high season and want a premium spot on the beach or at the pool, you may have to get up early to reserve your preferred spot. This is not true for every resort, and depending on your room category, a butler may do this for you. Last year, I stayed at the Sandals Whitehouse and always got an excellent spot on the beach between 10 – 11am. This depends on occupancy, time of year and beach chair to guest ratio.
• Bring an insulated travel mug to minimize trips to the nearest watering hole and to keep your drink cool.
• Pack a collapsable beach bag. When you’re catchin’ rays away from your room for the better part of the day, you’ll want a place to put items like sunscreen, camera, room key, water bottle, books, mags, iPod, beach cover-up, etc…
• Don’t come back with bites all over your legs {don’t laugh, I see it happen to guests every time I visit all-inclusives in the Caribbean}. Bring insect repellant just in case. The Caribbean is lush and sandy, hence noseeums, sand flies, etc…
• Finally, this is important on any trip, but remember to wash/sanitize hands regularly. A lot of people in one place means flus can spread quickly.

Related All-inclusive Month :: Introductions All-Inclusive Month :: Matchmaking All-Inclusive Month :: Packaged VS Unpackaged Don’t Judge an All-Inclusive until Day 3 :: 7 Reason to Wait to Evaluate A Redo trip :: What to do when an all-inclusive experience goes belly-up Update on my Redo Trip :: An overview of the highs and lows of the Sandals WhiteHouse

Packing 102

A little while ago I wrote about Mastering the Art of Packing, aka packing 101. In it, I talked about well- and lesser-known space-saving packing tips like "slip underwear, socks and electronic chargers into shoes" and "place belts around the perimeter or your bag." I religiously put these tips {and others} into practice when I travel, and along the way have reformed my egregious overpacking tendencies into carry-on bliss.

Feeling pretty proud of my ever-evolving packing techniques---affording me a small carry-on for a 6-day trip last month---I thought I might actually have packing semi-mastered. Not so much. Conde Nast Traveler's Wendy Perrin reminded me of this while reading her Perrin Report column under a grass-topped beach umbrella in Mexico. It was entitled Confessions of an Unfashionable Traveler, yet I firmly believe you can pack stylishly AND light. There's always room for improvement!

Packing 102 Here are a few things Wendy taught {and reminded} me:

1} "You can't be a slave to the fashionistas when you're a slave to the overhead storage bin." My translation: keep the size of your bag in mind while selecting garments and shoes. Bring a few key peices that work together and double in the program. For example, when I went to Mexico last month, I wore a vintage, waist-length sweater-jacket with my plane outfit, a) because it kept me toasty getting to the airport in a cold climate, and b) so I'd have a warm option for wearing over dresses on breezy evenings.

2} "Not only can I fit {everything}... into my {carry-on} wheelie, but I can find anything at a moment's notice and NOTHING gets wrinkled." Impressive. I haven't totally mastered the no wrinkles thing, but I've dabbled and now swear by dry cleaner bags. Why? I learned: wrinkles are caused when fabrics rub up against other fabrics. So, put your fancier, wrinkle-prone items in individual dry cleaner bags and gently fold flat at the top of your bag. You can also avoid wrinkles by folding items over each other, like in this 1-minute video. *If you still have trouble getting out wrinkles and hate using hotel irons like me, pick up some wrinkle releaser next time you're in the USA. I just found some and it works well.

3} "Go light on the items you plan to shop for during your trip." This one's a given, but we so often forget this rule while frantically picking the just-right items for our trip's limited wardrobe. Take Vegas for example, I can't speak for guys, but if a girls trip to Vegas happens, you know it's going to involve at least one trip to the mall, likely for a dress! Similarly, when you go to Peru, hold off on bringing toques if you know you want to buy a llama one there.

4} "I always pack a LeSportsac nylon duffel in case I accumulate so many purchases they can't all fit in my wheelie. In that case, for the flight home, the duffel becomes my carry-on and I check the sturdier wheelie." I've mentioned this tip before, but it's so important. Plus, Wendy agrees and she's a rockstar traveler.

5} "Carry two or three accessories that instantly dress you up and send a signal to airport and hotel employees that you're a professional." Words to live by when traveling---whether you're backpacking, weekending or traveling like Posh Spice. I always wear some nice, understated, non-metal-detector-beeping jewelry and scarves for this very reason. They can dress up any outfit. For men, a scarf works well too.

Related Content {Apparently I'm a little obsessed with this topic} Mastering the Art of Packing High Rolling :: To Roll or Lay Flat? A Summer Weekend Packing List Go-To Carry-On Toiletries Choosing the Best Type of Carry-On Travel iPhone Apps :: PackingPro The Art of Carry-On Travel Going Away? Packing and To Do List

[photo by ben husmann]

All-Inclusive Month :: Matchmaking

Last week, in the first installment of our all-inclusive month feature, we dispelled some stereotypes, namely that all packaged-vacation resorts are the same. This week, our rhetoric turns into action suggesting different all-inclusives based on popular vacation preferences. Find the right fit and you'll have the week of your life, find the wrong fit and you'll wish you were at the Copa, Copa Cabana, the hottest spot north of Havana... But first, some all-inclusive rules of engagement...

Rules of Engagement Here are some rules of engagement as you plan an all-inclusive vacay:

• Do you want to be completely cashless or dole out daily tips? Some resorts you aren't allowed to tip, others it's generally expected.
• Is premium vs well liquor important to you?
• Are multiple à la carte {vs buffet} restaurants important to you?
• Do you want exciting kids programs?
• Are you a scenester? Some resorts have more of a scene than others.
• Do you want motorized sports or is a water trike more your style?
• Don't forget about bugs {sand fleas, mosquitoes and noseeums}. Not a big deal, just something to be aware of in a tropical climate. Bug spray is always an asset.

Matchmaking [trip style =  if you like pina coladas, and getting caught in the rain...] If you want to bake in the sun, drink for a week and party like it's 1999---and don't really care where---something in Veradero or Mazatlan will probably return the lowest price and bang for your buck. All-Inclusive Budget Suggestions: - Do a search for "vacations" on itravel2000.com, entering your departure point, destination {all of south}, dates and star level. Don't forget to click advanced search in order to select "all-inclusive" + "beachfront." You'll be floored at how many reasonably-priced options are available. - To ensure you're getting the cheapest price, 'google' the resort to see if other travel suppliers are offering it for less.

[trip style =  modern family] You want to have fun and you want your kids/teens to have fun---without breaking the bank. Is it possible to combine all these features? Yes, if you avoid high season at resorts like Beaches Turks and Caicos. It has it all: 16 restaurants, a surf simulator, a lazy river, kids and teen programs, zero entry pool, spa, swim-up bars {for both kiddies and adults}, etc... All-Inclusive Family Suggestions: *Beaches, Turks and Caicos *Breezes, Curacao *Franklin D Resort, Jamaica {vacation nanny included}

[trip style =  splurge/save] If you splurge on shoes, handbags and jeans, paired with the occasional outlet-find top, you'll likely enjoy a high/low resort complete with a few fabulous features, yet manageable price tag. It's kinda like shopping at Off Saks... All-Inclusive High/Low Suggestions: *Riu, Los Cabos *Breezes Grand, Negril *Club Med, Florida *Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe, Punta Cana

[trip style =  posh spice] If you're into exclusive getaways, I'd suggest a private island-style, rustic-luxe all-inclusive like the first option below. Beyonce's been known to jet-set to Half Moon as well... All-Inclusive Exclusive Suggestions: *Fowl Cay Resort, Bahamas *Royal Plantation, Jamaica *Half Moon, Jamaica {ask for all-inclusive plan}

[trip style = a-list] If you make a habit of staying at Rosewoods, Ritz' and Four Seasons, and sipping mint-infused mineral water under spritzers in a spot at the pool where everyone can see you, then these resorts might peak your interest. Note the below properties are not small, so if you're looking for a posh hideaway, see above. All-Inclusive A-List Suggestions: *Grand Velas, Riviera Maya *Excellence, Punta Cana *Secrets, Riviera Cancun *Royal Hideaway, Playa Del Carmen

All-Inclusive Month :: Coming Up Friday, Feb 18th – All-Inclusive vs Non-Packaged Vacation Monday, Feb 21st – From the Archives :: All-Inclusive Tricks of the Trade Friday, Feb 25th – Fashion Friday :: Rockin’ the All-Inclusive

[photo by @tripstyler, taken at Sandals Whitehouse in Jamaica]

Rainy Day Vacay Ideas

[trip style = sun + beach + urban]

You're playing with your kiddies by the pool in Kauai...and it rains. You're weekending in Cali...and it rains. You're sightseeing in Paris...and it rains.

What do you do when it rains for a day or the whole week while on vacation?

A few days of rain are manageable. A tropical vacation marred by daily torrential downpours is disappointing when you hoped for sun and sand. Six years ago my husband and I booked a last-minute, all-inclusive getaway in the Dominican Republic during hurricane season. We were worried about the forecasted tormentas {translation: fairly significant rain storm}, however, we knew this was a risk given the season. When we got there, the weather reports continued to talk tormentas, but in reality that week it meant: sun until 3pm, storm from 3-5pm, early evening sunsets and clear, balmy nights. Not too shabby. I wasn't so luck in Paris, it rained chats and chiens nearly the entire time---good excuse to go back?

Vacation Rainy Day Ideas As I write this list, I'm sitting in my casita looking out at the pooling rain on my balcony {pictured above} at the Fairmont Mayakoba {my review here} hoping the rain will stop. It got worse.

• Read a book
• Flip through your magazines
• Surf the web
• Catch up on emails
• Write your friends and family with a vacation update
• Embrace the rain and just go for it outside: in the pool, in the ocean {lightning and wind permitting} or pounding the pavement
• Go see a movie, watch TV, or view something on your laptop or tablet {Hulu.com is a lifesaver if you are in the US!}
• Go shopping
• Book an impromptu service at the spa
• When in doubt, eat
• If you're in a Vacation Rental with a kitchen, go out and get ingredients for a fabulous gourmet meal and then spend all day making it
• Play a game
• Go to the gym
• Take a nap
• Go wine tasting, or create your own wine tasting experience at a restaurant if you aren't near a wine region
• Take an opportunity to leave a comment card complimenting a staff member who has made your stay memorable
• Catch up on your Trip Styler reading {just had to sneak that in}
• Use Skype or Google Talk's 'call phone' to catch up with someone

How to Avoid Being Snaked by Rain

• Check the weather forecast before you go to mentally prepare yourself
• Create a list before you go of things you could do *if* it rains
• Book a last-min vacation so you can check the weather outlook before you leave
• Maintain a good attitude {I know, this one is cheesy, but turning a negative into a positive is good for the soul}

Related Content Just Go With It In Scottsdale

[Photo by @tripstyler, taken on a very rainy day at the Fairmont Mayakoba]