Travel Treats :: December

With the official start of December under way, parties and preparing for the season usually trump travel, unless you've planned ahead and are taking advantage of the November and mid-December Travel Sweet Spot. If you're looking for a quick break or dreaming of a sand-between-your-toes getaway in the New Year, here are some options: December Travel Treats Vancouver - Fairmont Hotel Vancouver [trip style = urban] There's something about grand, historical, city hotels that's so inviting and cozy in winter. This holiday season why not sneak away for a night, right in the centre of town? Park your car and walk to the city's best shopping and swanky restaurants. Rates from $129.

Antigua - Sugar Ridge Resort [trip style = sun + beach] If melting away holiday stress in the warmth of the Caribbean sun is something that appeals to you, check out this new and stunning resort. Nestled into a hill overlooking the crystal ocean, a deluxe room with a plunge pool starts at $160. Wow! See you there! To access this offer, you must [become a member] of Jetsetter (one of my fave private travel sale websites).

PS - I've talked about this deal more times than I can count, but if you need to do any Christmas shopping in Seattle/Bellevue and want to make it an overnighter, check out this Westin Deal. Not only have I done it, but a few people I know have indulged too.

Related Content November Travel Treats

[photos: JamesZ_Flickr & Sugar Ridge Resort]

Oh Canada!

We already know living above North America's 49th parallel is fantastic, but it appears others agree.

According to the global brand consulting firm, Future Brand's Country Brand Index (released November 5th, full release Nov. 15th), Canada ranks number 1, up from number 2 last year. Winning the enviable spot as the world’s top country brand is no small feat competing against the dollars and power of 100 other tourism-focused countries.

This ranking, thanks in part to the success of the 2010 Olympic Games as well as Canada's tourism, quality of life and strong value system, was generated by querying just under 3500 business and leisure travelers on five continents, and 'expert' focus groups on their image associations of various countries. The list's 2010 top 10 are: 1. Canada, 2. Australia, 3. New Zealand, 4. United States, 5. Switzerland, 6. Japan, 7. France, 8. Finland, 9. United Kingdom and 10. Sweden.

PS - Forget the mile high club, please tell me you've seen this crazy transformation occurring in the potty of an Air Canada flight from Hong Kong to Vancouver, where an "85'ish' year old man" went in and a 20-something guy came out. Maybe he wants 'in' to Hollywood North's make-up scene?

[photo: my own]

Travel Treats :: November

Everyone loves a travel treat! Sounds fabulous, but what it is? A travel treat is a great buy you can't pass up, and over the next few months we'll be introducing more travel treats, published on the first Wednesday of every month. Yours is waiting! Whistler, BC [trip style = active & adventure] Take advantage of Whistler's La Nina (ie - a ton of snow) weather to ski by day and apres by night. One of my fave destinations at Whistler, the Chateau, caters to all ages in style. Details/Cost: Book by November 15th to save 40% on 4-night /3-day package and 3-day lift ticket. Starting from $499 per person per stay. Available on arrivals from November 26 - December 21, 2010. Book online or via phone 1.800.WHISTLER (1.800.944.7853). Alternatively, join the Fairmont President's Club (free) to access the once-monthly Fairmont deals that happen to feature rates at the Chateau from $109/night for stays during November and December. See you on the slopes! *See my review of the Fairmont Chateau Whistler here.

Sunshine Coast, BC [trip style = glamping] One of the closest and most luxurious glamping options near Vancouver, BC is just a ferry away! From now until March 31st 2011, The Rock Water is offering a great weekend storm-watching package for their tenthouses. Hit the spa apres the inclement weather to soothe your senses. Cost: $649 plus taxes includes breakfast, spa credits and other goodies. *Plus, check out this fall travel treat: from now until Dec. 22, pay $109/night for an ocean view room or one bedroom cabin. Includes Breakfast. Once you get there, if you absolutely 'must' stay in a tenthouse, you can upgrade for about $100/night.

Seattle, WA [trip style = urban] I experienced the Westin Bellevue last month with my husband and dog @nachoking. We booked our weekend getaway using the Westin's shopping package. This package is the essence of a travel treat, here's why: it's a nice hotel, beside amazing shopping and your $199/night weekend rate + free parking is really only $100/night because you get a $100 gift certificate (per night) to any of the shopping or restaurants in the area. If you just want the gift certificate as cash, buy an appetizer or coffe at one of the restaurants or coffee shops and get the difference back! *See my review of the Westin Bellevue here.

PS - don't forget about last week's launch of the groupon-like travel site Trip Alertz. If you want some tropical therapy this winter, check out the Bahamas' free companion airfare (book by Dec 1, travel by June 30th).

{Stay tuned for more travel treats the first Wednesday of Every Month.}

[photos by rock water, fairmont chateau whistler, westin bellevue]

Rockin' the All-Inclusive

[trip style = all-inclusive]

Pretty soon you'll be able to literally rock the all-inclusive, with the opening of the 1,700+ room Hard Rock Hotel All-inclusive in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Just when you thought there wasn't any more room for another all-inclusive on the white sand and azul shores of the Dominican Republic, Hard Rock Hotels undertakes a MASSIVE project. Set to soft-open November 1st---maybe my invite's still in the mail?---this swimming pool-jammed monolith will rock 121 acres of the existing Palace Resort with the complete transition expected by spring 2011.

And if you think this excuse to party like a rock star is only for adults (that was my assumption at first), think again; kids are not only allowed, they are catered to with water slides and mini golf. For adults, in case rocking out to tunes all day long and gazing at rock star memorabilia isn't your thing, there's a Rock Spa or Jack Nicklaus golf couse. Then again, if you're entertaining the thought of going to the Hard Rock's first all-inclusive, then features like theme clubs and lounges, photobooths, live performances and the Caribbean's largest Vegas-style casino will probably suit your fancy.

Rock on!

Trip Styler Tip: It's basically implied that the non-intrusive renovations will be taking place from Nov 1, 2010 to spring 2011, so if you're looking for a 5-star, reduced-rate all-inclusive, this transitioning property might be a good bet.

Related Content Don't Judge an All-Inclusive Until Day 3 :: Why waiting a few days to evaluate your experience is a best bet All-Inclusive Tricks of the Trade :: Tips on booking for the best experience 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

[via hotelchatter.com] [photo by palace resorts]

Grande Beer with a Shot of Chardonnay

There's a new pub in Seattle: it's green and in a latte shop. Your eyes aren't tricking you, I did string latte, green and pub together in the same sentence. The concept for this morning latte/evening wine experiment comes from a company known for their special beverages, but not those kind of beverages. On Monday, Starbucks, the creator of budget-draining caffeine addiction $4 coffee opened a concept store offering wine + beer after 4pm, fittingly in a LEED-certified building to boot.

Not Such a New Concept Ever since Starbucks gave the world a healthy appetite for specialty coffee and daily visits to the coffee shop, they've associated themselves with firsts, but people were drinking multiple coffees a day long before the grande, decaf, extra sweet, skinny mocha. Similarly, in cities all around the world, morning coffee shops/afternoon wine bars (like UVA in Vancouver) have been successfully transitioning customers from day to night.

Have Curiosity, Will Try Regardless of whether this is a new concept or not, I'm heading down to Seattle this weekend to pick up some amazing gilt group shoes for my husband enjoy the city, and curiosity has killed the cat: I have to try out this concept. Coming from a place of bottom line-driven innovation, a CBS News feature reported that 70% of Starbucks business happens before 2pm, so in an effort to gain some after-work revenue, kudos to them for trying out this concept, complete with $7-8 local wine, craft beer and artisan meats and cheese.

Thank goodness the store has been renovated to better reflect the nouveau atmosphere they are trying to create. Good thing, because I don't think I could stomach drinking a pinot gris in the traditional coffee-scented, muted autumn-coloured, steamy Starbucks store.

Find it The grande beer with an extra shot of chardonnay store can be found on Olive Way in the Capitol Hill district of Seattle.

[via Huffington Post] [photo by CBS morning news]