One beauty item we never leave home without is our trusty SPF, but sometimes having a bit more protection from the sun doesn’t hurt either, especially if it’s a stylish topper. Whether you’re planning on lazying around poolside, rocking out at a summer concert or gallivanting through the cobblestone streets in Europe, we think a stylish summer hat is an accessory you shouldn’t leave home without. And to keep you wallet in check, we’ve found 8 options all under $100.

1. Club Monaco Contrast straw hat, $80, clubmonaco.ca
A wide-brimmed hat gives you full coverage from the sun. A beach must. We also love the sunny neon yellow trim for an added burst of colour.

2. Juicy Couture ombre straw fedora, $48, juicycouture.com
Who says a hat needs to be neutral? Wear this to an outdoor summer festival and your friends will be able to easily spot you in the crowd.

3. Topshop straw shorter brim fedora, $45, topshop.com
We love fedoras for sun protection while out-and-about. A great option for biking through Napa Valley or sightseeing in Europe.

4. San Diego Hat Company fine braid fedora, $42, piperlime.com
Go for a printed band on your fedora if you’re looking for something that stands out a little more than a neutral fabric. We love birds, so this option made our list.

5. Kate Spade Stripe sun hat, $78, katespade.com
Stripes have become a summer neutral, so going for a striped hat is a playful alternative. This floppy version has enough of a brim to cover your face, making it great for a tropical destination.

6. Oasis Lace Trip Triby hat, $26, asos.com
For a feminine take on the fedora, we suggest going for this pretty find with an open weave and white lace trim. Pair it with a band tee, ripped jean shorts and moto boots for a tough luxe look.

7. H&M straw hat, $15, available at select H&M locations.
It doesn’t get more classic than this for those of you in search of a wide-brimmed hat that will shield you from those reflective rays off the pool. Just be sure to pair with oversized shades to keep onlookers guessing.

8. J. Crew summer straw hat, $35, jcrew.com
Don’t worry about squishing this hat in your suitcase. Designed to be folded and flattened without losing its shape, the brim on this sunwashed pink hat is extra-wide, allowing you to hide away from those harmful rays.

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When it comes to travel multi-functional items are key. We’re always looking for pieces to do double-duty, so when we spotted Rebecca Minkoff’s Collin Camera Bag, $295, we were instantly smitten. Finding a stylish camera bag is not as easy task, so we’re giving Minkoff major kudos for being the first designer to actually come up with something that fits one of our biggest travel dilemmas.

This particular bag fits a DSLR, so we can snap away without having to grab in and out of a massive tote. Plus there are times when you want to keep your camera stored away, not hanging off your shoulder. There’s an outer flap pocket, perfect for holding a passport, hotel room key, your phone, plus some cash, so you don’t actually need to carry anything else. And did we mention this has a cross-body strap? Hands-free travelling at its best.

Where to Buy:
rebeccaminkoff.com
shopbop.com

Since April 2012 Air Transat has been updating their Airbus A330 fleet with comfortable additions ranging from wider seats, à la carte entertainment via individual touch screens to day-to-night LED-based mood lighting. These additions come just as the airline recently announced its summer lineup of European destinations, with direct flights to 28 destinations in 12 countries.

With many of these new destinations finding travellers crossing one or more time zones, the addition of day-to-night LED mood lighting comes as a welcomed extra, as it helps travellers fight the nasty effects of jetlag.

How it works is during overnight flights warm light is emitted to help stimulate melatonin production, allowing you to relax and reduce sleep disruption. In the morning a blue-rich cold light is emitted to help increase alertness, suppressing melatonin production and allowing you to be better productive upon arrival. Additionally at dawn and dusk, the colour in the cabin is slightly reddened, helping to simulate sunrise and sunset, and reducing overall fatigue during long-haul flights.

Air Transat's remodelled Club Class.

In addition to the mood lighting, some of the other features in the new cabins include:

• A remodelled club class with added seat width; 6-way moveable head rests; 12″ touch screens with à la carte entertainment; extra storage for personal items; individual power source; 12 seats (vs. 21 in standard A330)
• An all-new economy class with new ergonomic seats that are wider and have more legroom; 4-way moveable head rests; 9″ touch screens with à la carte entertainment
• Entertainment system with wide selection of movies, TV programs and music; touch screen easily replaceable during flight in case of damage or defect; route map and updates throughout flight; built-in USB for charing
• Updated lavatories with full-length mirrors and LED-lighting

Air Transat will continue to roll-out their new cabins until the end of 2014.

Do you get jetlag when you fly? Would you consider flying Air Transat for a long-haul flight knowing they have these new features?

Talk about a classic. Stripes and summer go hand-in-hand. They never go out of style, are timeless and each an every summer we add in some new striped and nautical-inspired pieces without fail. They’re also the perfect item to travel with. In colder months when you’re jetting off to hot tropical destinations packing a light-weight striped tee, a thin nautical sweater or even shorts with a classic stripe is essential to build casual and evening outfits. And all summer long stripes we mix stripes into our wardrobes for both staying in our own city or travelling. Here are our favourite stripes of the season — from bags to shoes to tees to dresses.

1. Stripe jersey maxi dress, $115, theoutnet.com

2. Stripe ponte blazer, £45.00, topshop.com

3. Denim cutoff shorts in twin stripe, $40, madewell.com

4. Colour block cashmere sweater, $278, jcrew.com

5. Stripe Soludos sandal, $45, piperlime.com

6. Stripe denim panel skirt, $250, tibi.com

7. Stripe jersey tank, $54, theoutnet.com

8. Stripe beach tote, $99, clubmonaco.ca

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When you’re in a city as architecturally beautiful as Vienna, it’s easy to marvel at just about every building, nook and cranny you see walking the city streets. We narrow down the top sites to see and snap pictures of in the chic European city (plus you’ll get a few chances to hear some of that amazing classical music and nibble on some delicious eats Vienna is known for).

St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom)
Nearly every European city has a stunning cathedral located in the heart of the city and Vienna is no exception, except that their cathedral might just trump all others. The Romanesque, Gothic style of this Catholic church stands in Stephansplatz, a bustling and busy square in the city. Known for it’s amazing stone work draping down the sides of the building and for it’s unmistakable multi-coloured tiled roof (that depicts a double-headed eagle) the church has been a symbol in Vienna since it’s construction began in 1137. Find yourself on a corner of Stephansplatz to get the best angled photo opt, and don’t forget to swing around to the back side (with it’s impressive doors) for another shot. Even better, if you can get access inside (we were there for a Christmas concert performed by classical musicians), you’ll be able to marvel at the detail of the 18 altars inside.

Spanish Riding School
Vienna’s famed riding school and troop of Spanish horses draws a big tourist crowd all year long. The only riding school only in the world which has practiced for over 440 years when it comes to classical equitation in haute école. Visiting the all-white horses is a special treat – seeing a show is even better. Booking your ticket online at srs.at before hand will ensure you get to see a practice or a show.

The interior of Cafe Central

Café Central
Sipping on rich hot chocolates, decadent and creamy lattes and more sound good? Then you’ll need to take a break at one of Vienna’s world famous and casually chill cafes. The most centrally located is Café Central (set in an old financial building with impressively high ceilings) and is the perfect spot to take some foodie pictures (order a slice of chocolate cake or a plum torte).

Visit Mozart’s House
Vienna thrives on classical music and was also home to Mozart for many years as he composed some of his best and most recognizable pieces. Walking through the city centre you’ll find many thing and spot that Mozart frequented or loved, but the most popular tourist stop is to the composer’s old home (where he lived for two years). Mozarthaus Vienna is now a museum where you can delve into Mozart’s musical life and also his more turbulent social life.

Museums Quartier
For any museum buff this is your one-stop shop in Vienna. With 60,000 square metres of exhibition space the quarter is home to fine art, history and cultural works, and is also home to a handful of cafes and restaurants to feed your body after filling you mind with the art.

Schönbrunn Palace
Vienna’s prettiest palace and one-time home to royals is now open to the public and is the perfect way to spend an afternoon. Just outside the city centre (you’ll need to make your way there on the tram and subway system) you can stroll through the rooms and galleries and get a peek inside royal life in Vienna. If you happen to be in Vienna during the Christmas holidays, it’s also home to one of the most beautiful markets in Europe.

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All images courtesy of the Hotel Adlon

The vibe: Uber Euro-luxe and cool

The facts: Built in 1907, the Adlon was largely destroyed by fire in 1945 during World War II. It wasn’t until 1997 that it was reopened with 382 rooms and suites, most of which face the famed Brandenberg Gate.

The details: Berlin is one of those cities that what you see is what you get. There’s no bashfulness in the stark streets, buildings, arty corners and the city’s rich history. You could find yourself in just about any type of hotel here, from Berlin’s well-known and adored hostels, to crafty artsy boutique hotels all the way up to luxury five-star stays. One of Berlin’s best known and most loved hotels happens to be on the luxury end and they get luxury right in all ways possible.

Set in a historic building on the east side of Brandenberg Gate, the Adlon is steeped in German and Berlin history (having been through world wars, the separation of East and West Berlin and the reunification). It stands beside the old Berlin Wall line in what used to be known as no man’s land (the section between east and west Berlin heavily guarded until the wall fell in 1989). Despite the darker side of history that has surrounded the walls, the hotel’s incredibly affluent vibe makes it feel rich and full of life. The lobby is luxe and sophisticated, the rooms are elegant and trimmed in dark woods and creamy linens and walls and the service isn’t hard to find (the hotel staff dress in red and are always asking if they can help in any way).

It’s also in a prime location. Berlin’s Museum Island (5 museums in one central location) is within walking distance, Postdamer Platz (Berlin’s large shopping district) is also close by, as is the trendy neighbourhood Mitte. Not to mention countless sights for history buffs to check out (Check Point Charlie, The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe is behind the hotel, and many of Adolf Hitler’s bunkers were nearby).

The spa: Who doesn’t love a hotel with an amazing spa? The Adlon Spa by Resense has your standard massages, customized facials and body treatments – but they also offer yoga classes that can be booked for one-on-one sessions. You can’t go wrong with the Ultimate Skin Nourishment facial to boost your complexion.

The restaurant: The Adlon has four restaurants to choose from, but if you’re looking to continue the luxe feeling, head to Lorenz Adlon Esszimmer the hotel’s 2-Michelin-Starred restaurant where you’ll dine on classic German and Berlin dishes with a modern twist (the goulash is to-die-for).

Tip: A room with a view of the Brandenberg Gate and the park along the otherside may be a bit more pricey, but it’s worth it for the added photo opts and to see the gate by night.

Where to Find:
Hotel Adlon
Unter den Linden 77, 10117
Berlin
+49 30 2261 0
kempinski.com

Looking into the boutique. Image courtesy Porter Airlines.

Shopping (or at the very least window shopping) is a pastime we enjoy doing at any airport. One airport we never mind ending up at is Toronto’s Billy Bishop Island Airport — thanks to Porter. Porter is not only the most convenient way to fly out of the city, but they also have the best pre-flight and on-board experience. Before we even get onto the plane, there are complimentary snacks, drinks, Wi-Fi and cozy lounge chairs to relax in. Thinking our pre-flight experience couldn’t really get any better enter the WANT Passport boutique.

Not in the most obvious location, you’ll find the main shop pre-security, down one floor from where you check-in. The benefit of this is that you don’t actually have to be on a flight to shop here! For passengers hoping to do a bit of browsing pre-flight, they also have two kiosks in the departure lounge.

The interior is sleek and modern. Image courtesy Porter Airlines.

Created by Dexter and Byron Peart, purveyors of WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie and WANT Apothecary, this ultra-luxe concept store has tons of gorgeous accessories, gifts and beauty essentials for the sophisticated traveller.

We spotted Aesop on the shelves.

Thoughtfully curated, some of the goodies we spotted included Aesop bath and beauty products, Persol sunglasses, Leica cameras, and leather luggage from WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie.

Luxe leather luggage from WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie.

We had our eyes on the Narita iPad Zip Folio in blue granite/tan (pictured above), and the ORLY leather shopper tote, which would be a perfect carry-on bag. Prices for the leather pieces range from $75 to $1,795, with their DOPP Kit bag for toiletries coming in at $325. No bargains here, but considering the leather bags are sourced from sustainable French and Italian calf leather, it’s an investment you’ll love for years to come.

Books, leather goods and other trinkets.

For those travellers who have just landed and realize they are empty-handed will find chic options here. Aside from the luggage, you could pick up some French-made Astier de Villatte candles, Marc Vidal crayons and toys, or even a coffee table book. Next time you’re travelling with Porter, we suggest you pop in, even if it’s just to window shop.

Hours of Operation
Mon – Fri: 10 am – 7 pm
Sat: 11 am – 4 pm
Sun: 10 am – 7 pm

Phone: (416) 306-0505

As a full-time blogger and freelance writer, Lisa Ng is always on the go. In 2010, Lisa co-founded the lifestyle blog, The Hip + Urban Girl’s Guide with partner Wendy Kam Marcy, which covers everything from food to travel. HUG (as its affectionately referred to) has taken Lisa everywhere from Madrid to Aspen and most recently NYC and Calgary.

Never one to sit still, Lisa is embarking on a new chapter in her career, launching a lifestyle blog this June called This Beautiful Day, which will encompass all of the good things in life like travel, food, beauty, and style.

In between travels we had the chance to catch up with this self-proclaimed vagabond, who shared with us her travel musts, including a gate-side RMT massage service that has us hoping we have a layover in that airport!

Where was your last trip and what was it for?

My last trip was to NYC for a month in March! I was apartment sitting for my husband’s aunt who spends her winters in Florida. Luckily for us, she is generous enough to let us stay in her Upper West Side digs while we take our time exploring this crazy city.

What’s your carry-on bag?

My large Marc Jacobs Fran bag. It’s just big enough to hold my 13″ Macbook and has a cross-strap option as well. I like to keep things simple and sleek — I always check my luggage.

What are the top 3 things you put in your carry-on?

Pepto Bismol and Gravol. I’m a very nervous flyer. The Pepto is for tummy aches and the Gravol is to knock me the hell out! Luckily, I have been flying round-trip to a different destination about twice a month now and with that practice I’m a lot calmer than I used to be. Other vital items: my ClarityOne earphones with a mini carrying case that clips onto my purse and lots of magazines!

Travel accessory you can’t leave home without?

My laptop. I physically cannot travel without it. I am usually working when I travel and I can’t be as efficient working off my iPhone.

Favourite hotel?

First Tracks Lodge in Whistler, B.C. We were given a two level one-bedroom suite, with heated floors, a fireplace, full kitchen and it is still to this day, the BEST hotel room I have ever stayed in.

Favourite travel-friendly beauty product?

My Dermalogica Overnight Repair Serum. It’s oil-based and very hydrating when you are traveling to high altitudes or spend the day sitting on a plane. I usually wash my face as soon as I get to my hotel and slather this on. This serum saved me on my recent ski vacation from the cold, dry air at 10,000+ feet elevation.

How do you kill time waiting for your flight?

I like to browse all the airport shops, buy a few new magazines & snacks for the airplane and surf on the free WiFi or catch-up on work.

My most FAVOURITE thing though? The gate-side RMT massage services at Montreal’s YUL airport. I’m literally melted into a pile of jello after a chair massage and half asleep by the time I get on the plane. The gate-side spa services at Vancouver’s YVR are also a fave. I once boarded a plane in paper slippers with a fresh new pedicure. Not totally classy — I know, but it felt oh-so-efficient to get that done at the airport that I didn’t care! Plus, I was going to Hawaii at that point — so I was already on cloud 9!

Favourite/least favourite thing about air travel?

I find it claustrophobic. But I practice deep breathing and try to get right into a movie — Air Canada is the best for on-demand as soon as you board. My other trick is to get engrossed in a long magazine feature article right away to distract me.

What’s your airplane style?

I swear by anything made by Alternative Apparel. Their clothing is soft and comfortable that they feel like pyjamas. I wear their soft cotton leggings whenever I fly with a loose bohemian-style top and a pair of black booties (I usually take these off when on board). I usually bring a pair of fresh comfy socks to change into on the plane. In the winter I use my coat as a blanket most of the time. In the summer, I wear one of Alternative Apparel’s maxi dresses. They are comfortable and casual but still makes me look great and put together. I usually bring a cardi for when it gets cold. You can order from them online and they have a shop on Abott Kinney Blvd. in L.A.

Where was your last vacation and who did you travel with?

My last *true* vacation where I actually unplugged was a ski trip I took to Aspen and Vail, Colorado with my husband during our road trip across the USA.

What was the best thing you did on your last vacation?

I didn’t know how to ski and literally started on the magic carpet when we arrived in Aspen for Christmas. Luckily, the instructors there are amazing and I enrolled in 3-4 full days of lessons and built my skill and confidence up. By the time January rolled around, I was able to parallel ski! Never underestimate yourself and trust your teachers. It’s never too late to learn something new and I’m so proud that I did. I also loved this vacation because we spent our time being outdoors and active — I didn’t grow up skiing or on ski vacations, but I could definitely see this becoming a new tradition.

Best meal away from home.

I always seek comfort at Stash Cafe, a Polish restaurant in Old Montreal. I go to Montreal about 4-6 times a year for a client I work with. The restaurant is close to my hotel and they have the best borscht and homemade perogies. On most nights, they even have a live piano player. I was there three days before Christmas by myself for work and listened to him play Christmas carols while eating homemade perogies and staring at the twinkle lights outside. It was magical.

What was the best touristy thing you’ve done and would say is a must for anyone going to that city?

The City Museum in St. Louis, Missouri. We had no idea what to expect. I heard it was a children’s museum, but EVERY single person from St. Louis said I absolutely could not miss this place. I am SO glad that I went — it was one of my favourite stops on my entire trip. Give it a Google — it’s so hard to even explain what this place even is besides the fact that it’s wonderful and inspiring. I felt like a kid again.

What has been your most adventurous travel experience?

Driving my car from Toronto to L.A. on Route 66 and then back again over three months with my husband. It was insane of us, but such a fun adventure! I blogged about it here. It’s definitely a once-in-a-lifetime trip that I would recommend to anyone.

Dream destination?

Tahiti — always. But #1 on my to-visit list right now is Tokyo, Japan.

Ever been on vacation or a work trip and looked at your mani only to realized what you painted just days before now has an unsightly chip? I’ve been there many, many times. It’s extra annoying when you happen to be wearing your favourite cheery coral polish (so any chip will inevitably be noticeable). There’s not always time to go get a gel or shellac manicure before jetting off (and it can be a pricey expense) – so dealing with a regular manicure mishap is usually par for the course when it comes to travelling.

Back in the days when I would always have checked bag, I would stick in a bottle of nail polish remover (wrapped in a few plastic bags after a leaking incident one time). But now, I’m a carry-on only kind of girl (read our tips on how to pack only a carry-on here), so that means I don’t have any extra space for liquid remover. Enter these beauties. Crabtree & Evelyn’s Nail Polish Remover Wipes are not only super compact and easy to throw into your purse or carry-on (they are the size of a wet towelette), they are also actually good for your nails. Soy-based with no nail damaging hydrocarbon solvents, these wipes leave nails moisturized (not dry and brittle) and one swipes off polish on all 10 fingers. An added bonus? There’s virtually no scent, meaning if you nick your nail pre-boarding you can clean them up en route, ready for a new slick of polish once you land.

Crabtree & Evelyn Nail Polish Remover Wipes, $4.95 for a box of 8, crabtree-evelyn.com.

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Where: Mehtaphor
130 Duane St, Tribeca (in the Duane Street Hotel)
New York, NY 10013
(212) 542-9440
mehtaphornyc.com

Vibe: Urban chic – upscale but not over the top. You’ll love the dessert-cocktail bar, a regular cocktail bar, and one of our favourite features if dining with a group of friends — an aged, thick wooden communal table, where sharing dishes and conversation is easy.

Who Goes: Groups of friends laugh and catch up over drinks and sharable dishes (ordering a bunch of apps for family style sharing), but it also perfect for a casual date night.

Known For: Asian-inspired dishes and vegetarian
Mehtaphor offers up many different ways to indulge … serve up dishes family-style and sample a bit of everything (what we opted to do), or dig into 5, 7 or 9 course meals (all ending with dessert and some dishes not on the menu prepared specially by the chef). And added bonus? A full vegetarian menu (although we’re not veggie only all the time, we love mixing in meat-free meals while travelling to get our vegetable quota in). Mumbai-born chef Jehangir Mehta (a runner up in the search for The Next Iron Chef in 2009) is known for his Asian-influenced dishes with a spicy kick and as soon as we saw a vegetarian menu we jumped at the chance to test out the meat-free dishes. Jehangir’s rich cultural background means he brings in inspiration for his dishes from Ayurveda, Asian ingredients and exotic spices — and the combination is exciting, adventurous and delicious. The best way to describe the food? Bold flavours (thanks to loads of spices and herbs with a flavour punch) with an Asian influence, served up in chic fashion.

Best Drink: The Lychee Martini
Their most popular cocktail by far is the icy cool lychee martini, served with crushed ice and topped with a splash of sparkling wine. We can’t say no to anything with champagne or sparkling wine, so it was our drink of choice to start with. It was cool and refreshing, and a great way to start dinner, but the wine list was calling our name and we opted for wine for the rest of the meal. One of the best things about Mehtaphor is the great service – we couldn’t choose between a white blend or a straight up Pinot Grigio, so our waitress let us sample both before deciding. The decision? We went with the blend which was just a touch sweeter and would pair well with our spicy menu choices.

What We Ate:
Start With: Avocado ceviche
Creamy avocado chunks with tomato, onions and lots of seasoning that we piled onto crispy chips. One word: Yum.

Start With: Vegetable dumpling chaat
These were one of the highlights of the meal – you would have never guessed that you were eating veggie-only dumplings (they tasted so much like regular Japanese pan-fried dumplings). Super filling, but not greasy or too heavy, they also came topped with a crispy chickpea flour crumble that made it extra special. FYI, you could easily order just this dish for one and make it a meal.

Entree With: Mirin chili bok choy and grilled asparagus
Spicy bok choy (cooked tender with still a bit of crispness) and smoky grilled asparagus were the perfect combo – and a great addition to the vegetable dumplings.

Entree With: Indian street burgers, garlic fries and chipotle mayonnaise
These burgers pack a hearty and spicy punch – filled with beans, potatoes and loads of herbs they were the perfect way to indulge in a burger minus the red meat and fat.

Finish With: Orange nutmeg mandeleines
Small enough to satisfy a sweet tooth without going over the top in indulgence, these little cakes were the perfect ending to our vegetarian meal (the soft nutmeg flavor also the perfect contrast the Indian spices in our main dishes as well).

Couldn’t Get Enough of: The grilled veggies and the dumplings
There was no way we missed the meat in this meal. After the vegetable dumplings and the grilled veggies we were both sold on coming back (even to just order those two dishes again).

Tip: It’s a busy spot. Book in advance by calling 212-542-9440, especially for a larger group to make sure you get the communal table.

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