[trip style = sun + beach + luxury]
{more pics below}
The Lure
Most Canadians and Americans with any penchant for travel have made it down to Mexico at least once. The shining sun, saucy spanish language, vibrant culture, beachfront homes and all-inclusives lure us away from dark and dreary winters. Except for a stop-over in Cozumel, I've always kept my Mexi visits to the Pacific Coastal side, visiting San Felipe (on development trips), Mazatlan and Acapulco. Since my husband and I were almost attacked in Acapulco 5 years ago {thank goodness for my leftover bag from dinner which turned into a weapon of mass no destruction to ward off our 20-something perpetrators}, I wasn't too keen on returning.
Another Chance But I had to give Mexico another chance, it's the Canadian way. We've all had bad travel experiences right? Hoping that a trip on the Caribbean side would redeem my relationship with Mexico, I booked 5 nights at the Fairmont Mayakoba thinking the property looked pretty nice and newish, but not having any clue what I was getting into. {See my review of the Fairmont Mayakoba here.}
The Journey Last Friday, our direct {and reasonably-priced; $522 return} WestJet flight from Vancouver arrived into Cancun about 5.30pm. {Trip Styler Tip = when booking short vacations, always try to secure a direct flight, it enhances your experience by giving you more time at your destination and less time in airports!}. Racing towards Playa Del Carmen by taxi, I was impressed with the condition of the road, number of police checkpoints and mammoth resort entrances on our Formula 1-like journey. I think our 24-year-old taxi driver cut the commute time in half given his Mario Andretti tendencies and 140km/h speed. Then his speed fittingly slowed to a meandering pace, and we came face-to-face with the Mayakoba's statuesque, backlit onyx front gate, surrounded by perfect and poquito palm trees. Based on its upscale and modern design, I knew it wasn't just any resort.
Mayakoba Mayakoba is a sprawling, lush, manicured and master-planned, Spanish-owned resort development 10-mins from Playa Del Carmen. Its front entrance looks different because it's unlike any other development in the area with a series of canals connecting 3 stand-out, luxurious hotels on the property: The Banyan Tree, The Fairmont and The Rosewood. Case in point, Tory Burch just tweeted from The Rosewood 8 days ago. Looks like I just missed her. Too bad really, we could have talked totes and tequila poolside.
Mexico, I'm sorry it took me so long to return. I hope to learn more about your culture, talk more with your locals, eat more of your guacamole, drink more of your cervezas and run more on your beaches sometime soon. Until next time, hasta la vista {see you later}.
I would recommend any of the resorts at Mayakoba, and it just so happens one of my favourite Private Sale travel sites {Jetsetter.com} is offering 3145sf, garden pool villas at the ultra-luxe Banyan Tree for $390/night. Although this price tag might seem expensive, the service is unreal and each suite comes with a private infinity pool and breakfast.
{Biking to the beach}
{Fairmont Mayakoba beachfront pool}
{Run or walk forever in either direction}
{One of Mayakoba's meandering rivers}
{Cenote - a well with exposed rocky edges containing groundwater typically found in the Yucatán Peninsula}
{Looking toward the Fairmont's adult pool and La Laguna Restaurant}
{Bouquet of roses given after dining at the Banyan Tree's Tamarind restaurant}
{Rosewood beachfront villas}
{Secluded beach 'beds' beside the Rosewood}
[photos taken by moi in the Playa Del Carmen area, Mayakoba, Mexico}
Time-intensive teeth whitening systems are old news, but recently I've noticed a movement towards simple, quick, touch-up style whitening---the perfect solution to maintaining your pearly whites while sipping pinot noir in Napa or cafe negro grande in Caracas.
Last year, when our friends told us tales of their balmy adventure getting to and staying at this tiki meets swiss family robinson meets woodsy chic abode, I just about died. Here is their account:
Yelapa, a sleepy little town of about 1000 people across the bay from Puerto Vallarta, is a place where life slows to a crawl. The town can only be reached by boat, most typically from Puerto Vallarta. Here there are no cars and accommodations come with neither TVs nor phones. The slow pace of life was hammered home as we spent the better part of a day watching the construction industry at work. We were lying in our hammocks sipping drinks on the beach while locals attempted to load rebar onto a burro (for the record that is not an easy task). Restaurants in Yelapa are a family affair which generally consists of a few tables in someone’s house or backyard. We stayed in a beautiful palapa {the hotel} built over the ocean that was open to the elements. This gorgeous little town offers days spent on the beach, beautiful walks to waterfalls, great food and little else. A perfect slice of paradise to get away from it all.
Cost: $95 - $295
When I see pictures of an architecturally stunning, idyllic retreat with infinity pools overlooking aqua waters and tropical peaks, let's just say my interest is peaked. Designed by a Canadian architect now living in St. Lucia, Jade Mountain is constantly being recognized by travel publications "best of" lists. One day in the future, I'd like to put it on my own "
Today I'm going to write about an unusual packing companion. It's a travel app you wouldn't think to download for its packing list prowess, yet is free and the usability fantastic. But first, the back story...
A few months ago my apps disappeared from my iTunes account. Long story (cue the violins). The saddest part was I lost some of my beloved paid-for apps like my $4.99 
[trip style = active + adventure + ski]
On weekends, I normally indulge in fast-paced Whistler: attempted first tracks, ski/board your brains off pre-crowds, hot tub, eat and repeat. But over New Years, I discovered a slower-paced Whistler full of sleep-ins, late-morning snowshoeing, naps, nice dinners out and cross-country skiing. Over the holidays, this Whistler provided the perfect balance of exercise, peaceful treks into the snowy hills and great times dining out with friends. Although I was kicking myself for not doing figure 8s with friends down the top of Blackcomb and basking in the above-the-trees bluebird-day sun, there's something to be said for a little R+R amid the activity.
For me, this came in the form of some incredible snowshoeing experiences (thanks to a tip from friends) and my first foray back into cross-country skiing in 17ish years. During one of the busiest holiday seasons at Whistler in a long time, the sheer breadth and depth of terrain made both these experiences peaceful versus the holiday and weekend congestion I'm used to on the downhill slopes.