Video: Italy's Morning Ritual

[trip style = food]

When I was in Italy this summer I discovered the creamy goodness of espresso con panna. Turns out, the elixir is easy to make. All you need is five minutes, a Bialetti Moka Express, espresso, water, cream, and a willingness to transport yourself to a bar in Rome. 

High on caffeine and the simplicity of the morning ritual, I purchased the iconic, 1933-developed espresso maker while there so I could re-live la dolce vita at home. 

A good caffé is just a gurgle away. Here's how:

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Video: Roaming Rome VIP-Style
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[photo and video by @tripstyler]

Jetset Style :: Crop It Like It's Hot

We know fall is around the corner when daylight hours dim, leaves crunch underfoot and sweaters come out of hiding. But when the temperature is too warm for wool and too cool for sandals, how should we dress? This year’s answer may shock you: Culottes.

No, this isn’t an 80s #tbt post—this cropped style is the trend of the year. Not quite pants and not quite shorts, culottes are often described by what they’re not. They also have several ridiculous names like gaucho, flood and palazzo pants. No matter what you call them, they’re comfortable and versatile, and they’ll be the perfect packing item for any fall escape.

Guys: While culottes are a major player in avant-garde men's fashion, they haven't hit the high street. GQ writes that men should wear trousers, jeans and chinos that fit slim through the leg and stop before hitting the top of their shoes. Ease into this shorter style with no-break pants or roll/cuff your longer pants. Feeling adventurous? Try jogger-cuff pants or culotte-style trousers.

Styling tips

• To lengthen the leg, pair with heels. A pointed or exposed toe will even further elongate your silhouette.
• This style also works well with sneakers, loafers and sandals for a more casual look.
• Seek out a high waistline to give the impression of even longer legs.
• Wear one color head to toe or try a jumpsuit paired with a leather or denim jacket for a sleek culottes-in-disguise look.
• Layer a sweater or graphic sweatshirt over a tank or tuck in a denim shirt or turtleneck in cooler climates.
• Throw a boyfriend-style or double-breasted blazer over a cropped shirt or tank.

Did you know? During the Victorian Era, women wore wide, skirt-like trousers for activities like horseback riding, cycling and tennis.

Clockwise from top left: Zara cropped flowing trousers, Topshop moto straight indigo culottes, Topshop halterneck culotte jumpsuit, Jesse Kamm sailor pant, Everlane , Aritzia eckhardt pant

This post is written by Trip Styler's Assistant Wayfarer/Editor Heather.

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[collages by @heatherlovesit, images via the cut, instagram @c.phraph, clay austin photography, gq, jesse kamm, a portable package, the fashion eaters]

First Look: Cruising with Disney

[trip style = sun + beach + spa + luxury]

Baby Styler's legs started pumping the minute we boarded the motorcoach en-route to Port Canaveral, Orlando for our Bahamas-bound cruise on the Disney Dream. In his 11 months on Earth, with experiences such as his first bite of pizza in Rome and his first-ever swim off the island of Lanai—I know, I know, he's a lucky little guy—nothing dazzled him like the Disney bus. I shouldn't have been surprised. Disney has a way of sprinkling fairy dust on everything it touches.  

Seeing his eyes open to the size of cantaloupes based on the bus' videos and character-painted windows alone, Mr. Trip Styler and I turned to each other and smiled, knowing he would go berserk when we actually boarded the boat. 

At the end of the gangway a corridor of white-suited staff lined up, announced our arrival by name and greeted us like long-lost friends as we stepped onto the 1,115-foot ship. Wondering if this VIP treatment was only reserved for Trip Stylers, seconds later I heard a string of other names exclaimed as more broods walked aboard. 

While I have clips and clips of video to showcase everything from our stateroom to the adult-only spa, I wanted to start my coverage with photos from the four-day cruise to give you a sense of how Disney navigates the high seas. 

Hint Hint: They do so with the throwback class of cruising and the wonder of Walt. Trip Styler approved.

[photos by @tripstyler, taken as a guest of disney cruise lines, a voyage i selected due to its blend of baby- and adult-centric entertainment] 

Video: Roaming Rome VIP-Style

[trip style = urban]

When more than 30 million people visit Rome per year—aka, the entire population of Canada—you don't mess around with tourist attractions in the Eternal City. 

Knowing this, for math and sanity reasons, I focused on two travel- and time-saving tricks when I worked in partnership with Expedia Local Expert to tour Italy's capital this summer. The result rendered a VIP experience ranging from trip style = luxe line-skipping to a trip style = foodie pasta soirée {all for the price of a few pints of gelato}.

Beyond the two essential tips I gleaned from sightseeing in the heat of high season {con't below}, don't miss this VIDEO Mr. Trip Styler shot of me roaming Rome!

Pre-book activities
From this point forward, I will always pre-book activities. In the past, I thought you could only get special access to sights in the "Wonders of the World" category if you booked a pre-packaged tour, or knew a guy who knows a gal, or spent the equivalent of a yacht on travel. I didn't think you could access a Rolodex of quality tours or jump-the-line activities for the cost of a few gelatos. Until Rome. Until I skipped three-hour lines. Until I figured out that my doctoral-candidate guide could paint a picture so vivid it was like I was a fly on the wall in Rome's gladiator days. Until I made pasta in an alfresco kitchen five storeys above the city. 

Trip Styler Tip: Whether you're traveling to Rome or another major coordinate, save the headache of standing in line and pre-book your sightseeing activities {including your airport transfer} before you travel.
 
Focus on Skip the line | VIP | Small group tours
If and when you pre-book tours—even from your hotel room the night before—focus on descriptors such as VIP, skip the line, or small group, which will separate you from the masses, save time and instantly upgrade your experience. 

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Links to the specific tours I reference in the video above. 

Open-air bus tour {$12 usd} 
Why: As a first-impression means of connecting the ancient city's historical dots.

Walks of Italy VIP Caesar’s Palace and Colosseum tour {$87 usd}
Why: Who wouldn't want a tour from a doctoral candidate whose main focus is Ancient Rome?

Walks of Italy Small-Group Pasta-Making Class {$71 usd}
Why: Learn the art of al dente from a rooftop overlooking Rome {with prosecco!}. This was such a highlight, expect more deets in the coming weeks. 

Skip-the-Line St. Peter’s Basilica tour with Hotel Pickup {$36 usd}
Why: Skip the three-hour line and learn about Italy's largest church from Vatican-approved guide.

PS - In case you want more specifics on each tour, see my latest article for the Expedia Viewfinder Travel Blog.

[photos via @tripstyler, video in partnership with Expedia Local Expert]

BC Wine Country Weekend

[trip style = food & wine + weekend getaway]

Editor's Note: For more Okanagan wine country inspiration—or should I say inSIPration?—check out the Expedia Viewfinder Travel Blog for my article, A stylish guide to western Canada wine country.

Reader advisory: The winery photos below contain graphic images of yours truly frolicking through vineyards and modern tasting rooms that may cause you to book a last-minute getaway to British Columbia's premier wine region.

Home to over 100 wineries, BC's Okanagan Valley is a popular destination for western Canadians. Similar to Swiss wine, BC wine is still a relatively well-kept secret by a province that drinks nearly everything it produces. Why? You could blame our old-fashioned liquor laws, but I'd like to think that we drink it all because it's just that good.

Recently, the region has attracted more international attention from wine lovers and investors who heard it through the gravevine. Painted Rock's Red Icon blend sells for $55 at the winery, but in Shanghai goes for up to $500 in wine shops and $950 in restaurants. On a recent visit, I may have considered buying a few bottles, booking a trip to China and selling them to pay for my travels to the world's leading market for red wine.

The business of wine aside, BC's Okanagan is worth the trip to sip your way from Oliver to Lake Country on Pinot Gris, Merlot, Chardonnay, Cab Sauv, or one of the other 80+ grape varietals produced in the region. Because many wineries close up for the winter, early fall is a great time to visit. Not only will you sample some delicious wine without the crowds, you'll be right in the action during harvest season.

Trip Styler Tip: Wine tasting is haaaaard work, so don't forget to eat! Stop by Therapy Vineyards for a bite of wood-fired pizza from Howard at Lil's Kitchen, visit Poplar Grove's popular Vanilla Pod Restaurant, or grab some gorgeous cheese at Lock & Worth and hang out on a picnic bench overlooking Okanagan Lake.

A few of my favorite wineries and wine picks...

Lock & Worth Winery, Naramata Bench
Wine pick: Merlot
This young, no-fuss winery is also home to Poplar Grove cheese, so your wine tasting comes paired with food. And really, what's better than wine & cheese? {Hint: Nothing}

Painted Rock Estate Winery, Penticton
Wine pick: Syrah
This stunning, modern tasting room provides a beautiful setting for beautiful wine. Trust me—you'll want to spend an afternoon on the patio with a bottle of wine making all your friends jealous via Instagram.

Poplar Grove Winery, Naramata Bench
Wine pick: Viognier
More than just a gorgeous wine label and tasting room, this winery is home to a lovely restaurant and excellent wines, including my picks, Viognier and Merlot.

50th Parallel Estate Winery, Lake Country
Wine pick: Chardonnay
This is also a relatively new winery with an impressive industrial tasting room-meets-production-facility tucked away in Lake Country. Don't leave without a bottle of Chardonnay, Riesling and Rosé!

This post is written by Trip Styler's Assistant Wayfarer/Editor Heather.

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[images by @heatherlovesit & wineries mentioned, top image by trudelphoto.com]