Travel Trends :: Checkpoint-Friendly Carry-Ons

checkpoint-friendly carry-onsRecently I've seen a lot of hoopla about checkpoint-friendly carry-ons {think dual-compartment lap top bag or briefcase, just a little bigger}. What's ironic about the trend is that people have been leaping across latitudes with laptops for years. Furthermore, people have had to separately scan their computers from the rest of their luggage for awhile too, so your guess is as good as mine why there's been a resurgence in a carry-ons with an external lap top pocket as a travel must---aside from most airlines now charging for checked baggage, unless you're travelling Air Canada, West Jet or Jet Blue.

Security-Friendly Carry-Ons Briggs and Riley If you want a well-made, timeless piece of luggage with a lifetime guarantee, turn to Briggs and Riley. Their luggage is on the top end of the luggage price spectrum, but there's something to be said for quality over quantity. Case in point, their 20" upright includes a SpeedThru™ removable laptop case, as well as storage areas for files, clothing and toiletries. Cost: $449

International Traveller International Traveller makes a lot of different suitcases, but their most ingenius line is the lightweight IT-Ø-2. With their ultra-light carry-on suitcase weighing less than 6 lbs {which gives you an extra 20lbs of packing weight by most airlines' carry-on standards), this spacious and lightweight bag has two external pockets for items like travel docs and a laptop. Cost: $339.99 {4-piece set}.

Longchamp If you're looking for style, try Longchamp's Veau Foulonne brown leather, 2-wheel upright. With a big front pocket for a lap top and toiletries storage, this bag is also functional. I'm a fan. Cost: Approx. $600 - $800

Here's to your items flying quickly and seamlessly through security!

5 Travel-Friendly Treats

travel-friendly treatsWhether it's turbulence, a harrowing landing, a delayed flight or lost bags, sometimes you need a little treat when you're traveling. When the going gets tough in the air or on the ground (believe it or not I don't love flying), I usually listen to my songs of the islands playlist and grab a petite treat to keep me from getting too stressed!

Petite & Packable Travel Treats Space Ice Cream Ice cream that never melts? You better believe it. Perfect as a treat for you or your kiddles on a short or long flight. Freeze-dried ice cream was developed for astronauts to enjoy a bit of the good life while in space. Back in the old days, I used to eat this stuff on hiking trips with my dad. I thought it was an '80s fad, apparently the fad is back.

All-Natural Licorice Even though this all-natural licorice isn't super healthy, as in banana or apple healthy, it's better than most candies made out of crazy refined sugars and chemicals. Chew on this when you want a little pick-me-up.

Cupcakes in a Jar This dessert is the epitome of a decadent travel treat. Developed by a UK mom who was experimenting with portion control, gDesserts' cupcakes travel well, are the ultimate in-flight treat and are the perfect gift for your friend in _____. If you're not going to be in the UK anytime soon, why not try a DIY batch for your next vacay?

Tic Tacs The taste of orange tic tacs cannot be rivaled. Who's with me on this? Aside from the orange smoothie-like taste, the size is oh so travel friendly and the amount is perfect for a full day of travel---or if you're like me, an hour on the plane.

Gum Discreetly chewing gum tends to help me calm down a little in the air, and unblock my ears. Also, gum gives you a {faux} sugar boost without the calories of candy or cakes! Most importantly, it helps keep your breath fresh when you haven't been able to brush your teeth. I never travel without gum.

Travel Apps :: Flightcaster

flightcaster travel appPredict your next US flight delay before it is even delayed! With the flightcaster app you can look into your flight's future and figure out the likelihood of a delay so you can enjoy more time in ______. This app's claim to fame is that it can anticipate if a flight will be delayed before the airline is even aware due to "an advanced algorithm that scours data on every domestic flight for the past 10 years and matches it to real-time conditions."

Punch in your upcoming (today or tomorrow) US domestic flight into the app to find out reasons for a delay or on-time prediction as well as the estimated departure and arrival time. {Trip Styler Tip: If you don't want to pay $1.99 usd for the app, just use your smartphone's browser and navigate to flightcaster.com to perform the same functions for free.}

Details

  • $1.99 usd
  • works with iPhone, iTouch, iPad, Blackberry
  • only works with US domestic flights

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Overnighting at Versailles

versaille + hotel[trip style = luxury]

If you've ever visited the former home palace of France's many Louis the... Kings, you know it's lavish, lovely and lush.There's no shabby in Versailles' version of chic.

For those of you who prefer a more luxurious trip style, this hotel-to-be is for you...

Fit for a King It was just announced last week that a private Belgian company will turn part of Versailles into a hotel as part of an initiative by France's Culture and Tourism Ministers for the economic and touristic development of French Heritage Sites. Slated to open at the end of 2011 {likely meaning 2012} the project will see a 23-room luxe hotel contructed in the existing Hotel du Grand Controle, the old site of the Chateau's treasurers.

Nitty-Gritty The renovation process is only estimated to cost 7.3 million. I say only, because by today's standards that's not much money when you're talking about a high-end hotel's {extensive} renovations. And while we're on the topic of finances, the future hotel's nightly rates have not yet been released, but it's likely they'll be akin to any removed boutique hotel near or part of an oft-visited monument. Expensive.

Either way, I wouldn't mind staying in a lesser version of the 17th-century French Monarchs' unrestrained excess at Versailles. Maybe the hotel will feature nightly galas with period costumes as the dress code? If so, I'm in.

[Via France24 & USA Today Travel]

[photo by buggolo]

LA Stories

LA Stories

[trip style = sun + sightseeing + weekending]

While galavanting through entertainment-ville this past weekend I read an article in Los Angeles Magazine called LA Stories. Fifty locals shared their views on the city. Jamie Lee Curtis' {whom I LOVED in True Lies} struck me most: "I am very protective of LA." Sure, the city of superhighways gets a bad rap, but it has SO MUCH to offer. No wonder an LA native is protective of her star-studded stomping grounds!

{Did you catch yesterday's post about eating, drinking and segwaying through LA's Downtown?}

From Tourist To Local To Tourist
I can't even count the number of times I've been. Thanks to its relative proximity to Vancouver, its forever So-Cal sun and a dear friend who has called it home, I've been fortunate enough to visit enough that everything now seems semi-familiar. Initially I went as a tourist, going to attractions and eating at front-and-centre touristy restaurants {remember Planet Hollywood? They had the best dessert burrito ever, sounds gross but soooo good}. Then with the help of my friend, I graduated to local tourism where I did things locals would do: hike Runyon Canyon, grab a coffee & cookie at Mani's, get my nails done at one of the many shops offering $25 mani/pedis, etc... My most recent trip was a local and tourist hybrid, fuelling up at incredible restaurants, expending energy on segways and museums, and conserving energy as I recharged at the pool.

Tavern LA, Bottega Louis, Getty, Grove

My LA Story

Aside from the day I spent exploring LA's re-envisioned downtown core, here are some highlights:

Must-Try Restaurants
Bottega Louie - Downtown *I just about lost my breath when I walked into this marble-floored, high-ceilinged, open-kitchen cafe, bar and high-end eatery. Every detail from the freshest, plumpest rasberries in the macaroons to the delicate brass detailing on every wooden counter base blew me away.

Tavern - Brentwood *I was equally swept away when I walked into Tavern for dinner. The farmhouse-chic decor meets cozy-corner-cafe fare was done with perfect execution. At dinner we sat under a tall indoor tree with clove-studded oranges hanging from every branch. Heaven.

Favorite All-In-One Night Out
The Grove - LA *Even though it's busy, busy, busy, what's not to love about shopping, dining, dancing fountain-watching and catching a flick all in one place?

Most Beautiful Vista + Museum
The Getty *The hilltop museum is not only a favorite with art and architecture buffs, but also with people who love a breezy, lazy afternoon of lounging on the grass overlooking multiple LA vistas. I was there for 3 hours, but could have come back everyday for a week in 3-hour increments to properly appreciate the art expositions, open-air cafes and stunning grounds.

Stay
$ - Find a hotel through Hotwire
$$ - Luxe Hotel Sunset Blvd {see my review here} or Sofitel
$$$ - Beverly Wilshire or Chateau Marmont

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LA Food & Fun

[photos by @tripstyler & @nate_fri, except for luxe + tavern]