Montreal :: Un Fête Accompli

[trip style = urban + active & adventure]

I've always heard Montreal is a party. Two weeks ago, this was confirmed over an alfresco feast of festivals and fireworks.

Dinner really heats up around 9pm. The cobblestone streets are well-heeled into the wee hours of the morn. Entire districts are converted to pedestrian walkways/outdoor fêtes---complete with thousands of pink party bobbles strung between buildings. Fireworks erupt.

Fuelled by an international brew Canadian joie de vivre and French passion, Montreal is always running on a full tank. Nothing is done half-way. For example, there aren't just few good restaurants. Beyond maple syrop-themed eateries, take your pick of 5600+, from haute Portuguese to Parisienne bistros to brunch with a DJ on the side {literally, a DJ spins tunes for brunch at L'avenue---after a Saturday night on the town, maybe that's what required to wake-up?}. Or, consider the surfing revolution; no ocean, no problem. A massive river with strong currents and consistently cresting waves will do. And while I'm on the topic, no beach, no problem. In front of yachts and sail boats moored in a quiet section Saint Lawrence river below Old Montreal, there's a newly constructed urban beach.

And the festivals, well, they make the city festive whether it's a blizzady 30 below zero or a blistering 30 above zero. In fact, there's an entire plaza in the centre ville devoted to hosting some of the 106 goings-on year-round. When I was there, the top 10 finalists of the French Canadian version of American Idol, aka Star Académie, were performing for a crowd of 120,000 multi-generational screaming fans. Mark my words, the next Celine Dion was in that group.

There isn't just one kind of party in Montreal. At any time, there are many happening on the street corner, on the beach, on the river and on a rooftop terrace, and guess what, you're invited.

Stay Le Petit Hotel - Past clippity-clopping horse-drawn carriages along a Montreal's oldest street, the 24-room Le Petit Hotel is true to its name---a small slice of French Canadian paradise. Housed in a Parisienne facade, stone walls support the modern environs defined by local furniture, bakery-fresh croissants and staff who check you in, make you a latte and offer dinner suggestions. PS - ladies, they have salon hair dryers in each room.

Eat Le LocaL - Amid Old Montreal's industrial district, an ivy-covered structure softens the landscape. It's an up-cycled, warehouse-chic hot-spot, off the beaten path. Sitting on a bench propped with gold and grey striped pillows, I sip a gin cocktail with ginger, cucumber and grapefruit, and savor the albacore tuna pissaladiere. The icing on the cake isn't icing at all, but rather a small pot of creme-iest caramel I've ever dipped a spoon into. We also love: the haute Portuguese fare at F Bar, the outdoor terrace at Boris Bistro, the artisan baking and neighborhood digs at Sweet Lee's.

Do Bike - There's over 600kms of bike lanes throughout the city. Use them like the locals do via the BIXI public bike share system, or take a guided bike tour to get your city bearings. We also love: Stand-up paddleboarding down the Saint Lawrence river with PP, a surfer and former Cirque Du Soleil roller-skating performer.

Spa Bota Bota - Anchored in Old Montreal's harbor, Bota Bota floats in a quite alcove, massaging clients with the lulling water beneath and strong hands of therapists above. Formerly a ferry, this bathing beauty has been transformed into a chic, unisex, nautical retreat. PS- try the water circuit and lay in the sun on the forward and aft decks as if it's your own yacht. We also love: Scandinave Les Bains Nordic Day Spa {steps from Le Petit Hotel}

[photos by @tripstyler, taken while a guest of Tourism Montreal]

Men's Travel Style :: Summer-To-Fall Packing Inspiration

[trip style = any]

Dare I say the uber-versatile, chambray shirt is to men what the LBD is to women? And since I'm making bold statements, here's another: both garments are above seasonal wear {read: fall is coming "weather" you like it or not}, and provide a neutral enough palette to be dressed-up or dress-down as a key transitional travel piece.

Recently I saw this bout of outfit advice from Indochino, a Vancouver-based custom tailor for men, focusing on the timeless chambray shirt and the many ways to wear it. The visual mix and match translates perfectly into packing inspiration for men.

My husband has mastered the art of packing fashionably and light with the chambray shirt. There isn't one trip style we've taken, from long beach days in Thailand to winters in Portland, he hasn't packed his trusty chambray shirt. I'm not saying every man should dress like my husband---though if that were the case, it would be a well-dressed world---but the point is, it goes beyond trip styles and seasons as a go-to travel wardrobe essential.

Trip Styler Tip :: In addition to planning your travel wardrobe around your trip style's itinerary, choose a double-duty do-all piece to set-up/ground your travel wardrobe. Men, in case this isn't redonculously obvious, may we suggest chambray shirt?

Related Content Fashion Friday :: Shoulder Season Crush :: Clare Vivier Carryalls Celeb Travel Must-Haves Airport Style Seven Ways To Beach Chic Summer Style With Heidi Merrick Oh Mr. Sun

[photos via indochino]

KinderHop :: How To Keep Kids Occupied On A Plane

[trip style = any]

{KinderHop is published once monthly and written by Trip Styler’s Seattle-based kid 'n family writer, Keryn.}

Traveling with kids on the plane doesn’t have to be the nightmare you imagine it will be. The key is to be an active parent. If you try to wish away any squirming or tears, they certainly won’t disappear on their own. It's true, your days of popping a sleeping pill might be behind you for a little while, but you can still enjoy a long flight with your kids. If I can make it 15 hours to Hong Kong with a 20-month-old by myself, I can do just about anything. With a little creativity you can turn any flight into a fun adventure with your kid{s}.

Keeping Kids Occupied On A Plane // Survival Tactics

• Grab some flash cards and books to distract young minds during takeoff and landing.
• Keep a small model airplane handy to get young travelers excited about the flight. Help them pretend to liftoff and land. Do a few loop de loops. Have the plane land on his or her tummy for a quick tickle and distraction from any turbulence along the way.
• Hand over your iPad, iPhone or laptop. There are several engaging toddler game apps and movies available to keep your child entertained for hours. If you normally limit electronic use for your child, think of this as the ultimate treat and something that only happens when you travel.
• Get up and walk. Never underestimate the power of a stroll down the aisles. Kids, just like adults, need to stretch their legs from time to time. If your kid can’t sit still at home, why would they on a plane?
• Don’t forget snacks! Young mouths need to be fed more often than adults. An added bonus is snack time will eat up a chunk {pun intended} of your flight and keep your kids occupied for at least a few minutes.
• Take a deep breath. Some babies and kids will cry. This is just part of life as a parent. Your fellow passengers will be more forgiving if they see you at least making an effort. Some may even try to give you a hand.

[photos by keryn]

Canadian West Coast Adventures

[trip style = active + adventure]

Today is a holiday across Canada. It's really the holiday of all summer holidays because the weather is almost always hot and days are long: summer at its best, you might say.

In celebration of the last month of melting ice cream and s'mores roasting over the campfire, I present to you an article I recently wrote for Fodor's: Five Summer Adventures on Canada's West Coast, involving: - kayaking in Vancouver - whale watching in Victoria - surfing in Tofino - mountain biking in Whistler - river rafting in the Fraser Canyon

Here's a little taste of the intro: "Steeped in nature's grandest delights–majestic mountains, vast rainforests and raging rivers—Canada's West Coast is the ultimate summer playground. With a cool breeze off the Pacific Ocean, temperatures hover in the mid-70s, making British Columbia's part-wild, part-cosmopolitan seaside locale easy to explore for both soft- and hard-core adventurers. And it's not just tourists who whale watch and mountain bike; locals make the most of the latitude and longitude that allows for morning hikes and afternoon dips in the ocean! Here are five of the Canadian West Coast's wildest adventures."

In case you're interested, a list of all my Fodor's articles.

[photo: ryan b robinson - Downtime Photo]

Summer Travel :: Take Time For Lunch

[trip style = any]

"On the coasts of France and Italy, a midday meal isn't some grab-and-go affair. It's the centerpiece of your day--every day." - Adam Rapoport, EIC Bon Appetit Magazine

When's the last time you had a lengthy lunch? The kind where you sit under the shade of an umbrella or low-hanging tree without a care in the world?

I recently read an article in Bon Appetit Mag {my new magazine obsession} extolling the lost art of the long lunch. Inspired by a summer vacation to Tuscany and the daily afternoon ritual of gathering with friends and family to eat fresh food and cheap wine, the mag's editor, Adam Rapoport, examined the leisurely European midday meal.

It made me think. In the past few years, I can only recall two instances of an nhurried afternoon nosh. The first was in Europe three years ago. I was with friends in the Cinque Terre. There were long pasta lunches AND long pizza dinners {it's Italy ok, you eat a lot} atop the stone cliffs of the Italian Riviera. The second was on Wilson Island, Australia last year. Sitting at a long table in a bathing suit cover-up {hair messy from a morning snorkel in the great barrier reef}, an Italian chef prepared a four-course meal every day at noon. Not surprisingly, along with the free-flowing fine wines, the gourmet lunch lasted for hours. I haven't had a long lunch since.

It's true; we're just past summer's midpoint but that's not to say we can't adopt the not-so-lofty luncheon for an upcoming weekend or late-summer trip. In fact, I'm going to attempt to channel a smidgen of the Europeans' August holiday tradition this week on vacation in Washington's backcountry. There will be market-fresh food, there will be laughter and there will be cheap rosé, and aside from my book and a morning bike ride, I'm banking on lunch acting as the centerpiece of our three-day getaway.

Cin cin, I hope you find time to clear your schedule and fill it to the brim with family, friends and food to reclaim lunch.

[photos by @tripstyler]