The ABC Islands :: Curacao {Spotlight}

[trip style = sun + beach + urban]

{Editor’s Note: This is the fourth installment of Trip Styler's ABC Islands Spotlight after a short and sweet intro a few weeks ago. First stop, Aruba, second stop, Bonaire and today, Curacao.}

Curacao would be the worst place in the world to do an Easter egg hunt. Its pastel green, blue, pink and yellow buildings would mask the colour of the eggs and the bright Caribbean hues would distract from the task at hand. The chocolate would melt too {it's the Caribbean after all}.

Curacao is the ABC's boutique island. Sure, its capital, Willemstad, welcomes cruise ship passengers and a few mega hotel mavens, but most of the resorts are small and most of the visitors are seeking an edited experience---the kind where you dine under a thatched roof for dinner, where you snorkel with turtles and where you sunbathe between a coral cliff and clear water that refracts light like a Swarovski crystal.

As a tourist you feel like you blend in---whether this is true or not. The 38-mile island has 50+ ethnicities represented and everyone seems to do every job---regardless of background. This is as refreshing as sipping a Blue Curacao cocktail {like a blue lagoon} under the shade of an umbrella with misters and fans refreshing you from the intense heat. {Trip Styler Tip :: Blue Curacao is also an apropos souvenir to bring home.}

Eat Overlooking Willemstad and the rotating bridge {which allows freighters entry into Curacao's deep-water port, its main and thriving industry}, Governeur De Rouville offers open-air dining in a restored Dutch building. Excellent service and a fusion of local and globally-inspired cuisine make it consistently busy with both tourists and Curacaoans. If you make it outside the city, there’s a local garden joint in Westpunt that can’t be missed. Jaanchies is an 85-year-old restaurant with an owner who acts as the host and talking menu.

Do Kill two birds with one stone: shop hop and cool off in Willemstad's boutiques, visit Blue Beach and dive off the far reaches of the island.

Stay Kura Hulanda Hotel and Lodge Hotel: Hang out in history in a UNESCO World Heritage Site and restored Dutch village in the heart of Willemstad. Walk along cobblestone streets, dine in the main square or massage your shoulders under the cascading waterfall in the eco-pool. Lodge: For a breezy beach experience, stay at the Lodge on the island’s west side. A tranquil cove and coral cliffs front the cool, coastal retreat with amenities from home, thousands miles away from it all. We just featured Kura Hulanda in our weekly Roam+Board feature---see more details and photos here!

Getting There Get there from the US with direct flights from NYC, Miami and Charlotte, and it just got a little easier from Canada. Starting December 24th, Air Canada is doing a weekly service from Toronto on Saturdays. This means that Air Canada Vacations will be offering flight and hotel packages to nine resorts, two of which are mentioned above!

Related ABCs {An Intro} Spotlight :: Aruba Spotlight :: Bonaire Roam+Board :: Sorobon Beach Resort {Bonaire} Roam+Board :: Kura Hulanda {Curacao} Jetset Jingles :: The Caribbean

[photos by @tripstyler]

Fashion Friday :: November in New York

[trip style = urban + weekend getaway]

{Fashion Friday posts are published on the last Friday of every month and written by fashion blogger Heather.}

Black Friday in Manhattan. The sun is shining and I'm sitting in a beautiful room at the Ace Hotel. What am I doing ... I should be out looking for deals! {But first, coffee.} Here's some stylespiration for a weekend in New York and just a tiny handful of my favourite shops.

Now what to wear? Women (clockwise from top left) APC  crew neck pullover, Anthropologie pilcro stet slim straight denim, Heidi Merrick raleigh denim shirt, Zara straight coat, Rag & Bone floppy brim fedora, Steven Alan infinity scarf, Rag & Bone scarborough headband, Clare Vivier messenger bag, Rag & Bone harrow boot

Men (clockwise from top centre) Paul Smith contrast trim stripe scarf, Filson shelter cloth foothills parka, Steven Alan new shawl cardigan, Acne max soft raw slim jeans, Two Feet Ahead ragg wool socks, Columbiaknit for Woodlands chunky knit cap, Rag & Bone 7" lace up boot, Rag & Bone basic tee

New York mini shopping guide {for women & men} - Steven Alan - Opening Ceremony - Rag & Bone - Barney's Co-op - Bird - Oak NYC

More Fashion Friday Global Style Romantic Caribbean Shoulder Season Cabin Fever Buoy Oh Buoy

[img by @heatherlovesit]

Roam+Board :: Kura Hulanda

[trip style = urban + sightseeing // beach + sun]

{Editor's Note: This property is Trip Styler approved. I just spent four days at Kura Hulanda, and did so on my own dime. Per our editorial policy, complimentary stays are always disclosed.}

What Two unique boutique properties; a city hotel and spa, and oceanfront lodge and beach club. Both members of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the Kura Hulanda properties offer the most ideal Curacao experience; city culture and country calm. Hotel Stay in a completely restored Dutch village, now a UNESCO world heritage site and hotel in the centre of Curacao's main city, Willemstad. Winding cobblestone streets connect each room with sturdy hardwood floors, antique furniture and marble bathrooms. Cool down after sightseeing under a waterfall splashing into a palm-covered eco pool, or on a cushioned lounger. Lodge At Kura Hulanda Lodge you don't stray far from overhanging trees and the coral cliff coastline. Offering a refined, tranquil beachside atmosphere versus hoity toity mega resort, the location, facilities and staff allow you to fully unpack your bags, body and soul. Leave your big jewels and fancy clothes behind, you won't need them when you're dining alfresco under a palm-roofed restaurant or snorkeling in the aquamarine waters below.

Where Curacao. The hotel is in Willemstad, the country's oceanside capital. The lodge is 45 mins from the hotel {30 mins from the airport} in the small town of Westpunt. A shuttle service {with two arrivals and departures daily} connects the two properties. Via taxi, to/from the airport to the hotel is $25, and the lodge is $60USD.

When Year round. How can you dispute an annual temperature of 27 degrees Celsius? With the humidex, 27 feels like 40! Sweaters aren't even required at night. The Caribbean's traditional hurricane season {june 15 - Nov 15} brings some rain, but because Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire are below the main hurricane belt, the storms are normally short-lived---to the tune of 10 minutes or three hours. Note that November is typically the rainy season, though I was just there and the skies were blue. To secure the best prices, visit at the tail end of hurricane season and before Christmas {Oct 1 - Dec 15}, or after March. Case in point, the hotel was just offered on Jetsetter {my fave travel flash sale website, featured in TS Recommends} for $70/night---one of the best values in the Caribbean.

Who/Why You're part culture-buff and part sun-seeker who loathes standard-issue hotel stays.

Cost Rooms start at $137 in the hotel and $115 in the lodge with a low season discount. Includes free + {fast!} wifi {everywhere in the lodge & main square at hotel}, plus a daily transfer between the hotel and lodge. {Trip Styler Tip :: Stay at both the hotel and the lodge for the full Curacao experience. If you have a week, do a 2/5-night split.} 

More Roam+Board Hotel Kakslauttanen - Finland The Met – Vancouver Custom Hotel – LAX Bitter End Yacht Club – BVI Sleep On The Water – London A Woodsy Hideaway – Big Sur, CA

[photos by Kura Hulanda & @tripstyler]

The Savvy Traveler :: Charles

[trip style = urban + weekend getaways + staycation]

Charles Yap is an influencer, traveler and tea drinker. He talks the talk, walks the walk and lives up to his snazzy title as the Director of Global Brand Communications for InterContinental Hotels Group. His position is a tall order, heading up the social media strategy for each of the group’s seven hotel brands, including InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza and Hotel Indigo. It's no wonder he's a top-ranked online travel influencer who's built his loyal following with dedication and smarts---and as a nice guy. For all of these reasons {plus his awesome street style}, we're ecstatic to feature him as this month's Savvy Traveler! Charles tweets at @HotelPRGuy.

1/ What are your top 3 trip styles and why? 
[trip style = urban + weekend getaway + staycation] I am very much a city guy and I've been living in London for three years. During weekends, I try to take short trip style = weekend getaways to neighbouring European capitals. I also love trip style = staycation exploring London---you can live here for an entire lifetime and still find new things to discover. Whether traveling or at home, I'm a fan of photography, architecture, exploring museums, going to the markets and checking out new restaurants and bars.

2/ What items are always on your packing list?
I travel light and avoid checking my bags, so packing wisely is essential. I never leave home without:
- My jeans by 7 for all mankind
- Dunhill reversible belt
- Chinese travel tea set from Teanamu
- Elemis Men SOS Survival Cream
- An extra BlackBerry battery

3/ Hometown Saturday must-stops?
My two favorite markets in London are Broadway Market in East London and Borough Market near London Bridge. Both are foodie markets and great places to stop for lunch and coffee. I also like exploring the historic pubs of London; my top three are The Grenadier in Belgravia, Windsor Castle in Notting Hill and The Dove in Hammersmith.

4/ Favourite destination, hotel or resort in the world & why? 
My love of big cities and amazing architecture draws me towards destinations like Paris, Prague and Rome. I also love historic hotels and one of my favourites is InterContinental Paris Le Grand, opened in 1862 by Empress Eugenie. During the hotel's opening, the neighbouring Opera Garnier was still under construction. I recommend one of the 82 rooms or suites overlooking the Opera, and ordering the Fashion Pastry at Cafe de la Paix. This year, the focus is on fashion designers from Brazil, India, China and Russia, and the current pastry is by Indian fashion designer Manish Arora.

5/ Best trip you've ever taken? 
My visit to Hanoi in January 2008 is probably the best trip I've ever taken. It was extra special because it was a reunion with friends who had moved to other parts of the world. We spent our time exploring the old city, navigating the busy traffic, eating where the locals eat and watching the sun set over Westlake!

6/ Best way to secure a fabulous stay with an InterContinental or IHG Hotel online?
Follow @IHG_Deals on Twitter for special deals and fun giveaways. We also offer a best price guarantee on www.IHG.com, which means that if you can find a lower price elsewhere online, you get your first night free.

{If you know anyone who should be featured in our once-monthly Savvy Traveler series, drop us a line!}

More Savvy Travelers
Rachel, The Suitcase Siren
Tiffany, The Luxury Travel Inspector
Lora, The BC & OR Family Travel Expert

[photo of Charles by @jennkol]

Tech Tuesday :: Urban Dig

[trip style = urban + weekend getaway]

One of 2011's biggest travel buzzwords is curated: curated travel flash sales, curated restaurant picks, curated hotel lists. Every online travel site and guidebook have some sort of curated list. Buzzed about or not, the process of creating a niche product, then choosing a small number of hotels, restaurants or activities saves everyone time with immediate hot-spot detection---and I'm not talking wifi!

One urban city guide app that just launched is doing just that: curated lists in cool cities. UrbanDig is a Vancouver start-up with off-track lists---think truckspotting instead of Eat, or hidden art instead of To Do---aimed at the generation X and Y set {or super cool boomers!}.

How it Works When you first download the free app, you have to sign-up. With an almost mandatory social sharing component, it'll ask you to add a picture to your profile so you can follow and be followed. Two-minute sign-up process aside, it's the local picks for Vancouver, LA, NY, Portland and SF {with Austin, DC and Chicago coming soon} that are the app's version fall 2011 ladies booties and mens wingtips!

If you're an urban culture cat, this app's for you.

More Tech Tuesday Travelstormer {Group Travel Planning} Virtual Shopping Get A Callback Google Flight Search Hotel Tonight Getting There Direct

[image via urbandig]