Ashten Waks

Have you heard of “bleisure” yet? One of 2024’s most popular trends, “bleisure” refers to the combination of travel for business and leisure. As an advisor, I’m constantly getting ideas for clients when I travel, but I hadn’t yet had the opportunity to combine travel for my 9-to-5 job with travel for pleasure. Enter an invitation to present at a conference in Vancouver’s Canada Place convention center…i.e. an incredible opportunity to try out “bleisure” for myself (and to explore British Columbia, of course!).

So, what makes this city in southwestern British Columbia perfect for any type of travel — particularly “bleisure”? Vancouver is a major North American seaport and the largest and most diverse city in this Canadian province. This means that it offers ease of travel into a major international airport (Vancouver International Airport), reliable public transit, numerous downtown hotel options along the sparkling waterfront and more dining options than one could even imagine. Moreover, with its stunning vistas, access to numerous regional parks and outdoor activities, mild climate and friendly locales, Vancouver truly offers something for every visitor. If your interest is piqued, read on to learn more about how to make the most of your time in British Columbia!

With Table Mountain and the famous Camps Bay to the North, the Cape of Good Hope to the South, and the Cape Winelands to the East, Cape Town will delight the most varied of vacationers. Outdoor enthusiasts will relish in the world-class hiking up the sandstone cliffs of Table Mountain and Lion's Head. Naturalists will lose themselves in the over 1,100 species of indigenous plants covering the hillsides of the Cape Point Nature Reserve. History buffs will walk in awe along the same hallways and cells that Nelson Mandela occupied at Robben Island. Sun-worshipers will bask in the warmth of the bays, while surfers catch the most epic of waves. Gourmands will never exhaust of the countless dining options, featuring Afrikaans, Malay, British, and Dutch influences.

Are you feeling convinced yet!?

Many think of this waterfront locale as a summertime destination. But one of my FAVORITE things about Cape Town is how incredible it is year-round. With its typically sunny, Mediterranean climate, the Mother City should be on your travel itinerary 365 days a year! Though if you're intimidated about planning a winter-time trip to this otherwise seaside, South African city, this itinerary is for you. Just remember, Cape Town is in the southern hemisphere, so their winter falls between June - September -- just in the nick of time for our American summer breaks!

Thailand is a perennial favorite in Southeast Asian tourism and for good reason! With lush cloud forests to the north, bustling Bangkok centrally, the sparkling Andaman Sea to the south and gilded temples in all directions, Thailand provides the ideal combination of natural beauty, relaxation and cultural exploration. Add in tropical weather year-round, delicious Thai food vendors lining the streets and Thai massage parlors on nearly every corner, and it should be clear that Thailand offers an indulgence for all of your senses. Beyond this, the hospitality in Thailand is unmatched and many in the hospitality industry speak English, making this destination an excellent choice for experienced and new travelers alike. With this 10-day itinerary in your suitcase, you'll be prepared to uncover all of the wonders of the Land of a Thousand Smiles.

Just an hour drive from the major metropolises of San Francisco and Oakland sits Napa, the perfect indulgence for your gastronomical and viticultural senses. The oldest and arguably best known wine region in the United States, Napa winds along 30 miles of picturesque valley floor. Although small in size, Napa packs a big punch, housing more than 400 wineries and 90 tasting rooms. Don't let these numbers intimidate you, though; this guide will help those in search of a bold cabernet, gourmet culinary experience or deeply relaxing wellness journey navigate the beauty of California wine country with ease. As someone who planned her own destination wedding in the Napa Valley, let me help you fall in love with this magical locale.

If you’re anything like me, the following facts might be true…First, you’ve only tent camped once in your life (at the age of four), and that was enough camping to know that you far prefer the comforts of a plush hotel bed to the comforts of nature. Second, you’ve found yourself in the Yellowstone fandom and have been dreaming of the jaw-dropping panoramas of Montana’s Paradise Valley ever since. So, when I learned that Under Canvas, the leaders in the United States “glamping” scene, opened a new property in the heart of Paradise Valley earlier this year, my interest was piqued. And, when I learned that my sweet spaniels could tag along for the adventure, I was sold.

Now, what exactly is Paradise Valley? This area refers to the roughly 50 miles of untouched river valley located between the town of Livingston, Montana to the north and the original Yellowstone National Park entrance to the south. Only 45 minutes from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, it’s bordered by the peaks of the Gallatin Mountains to the west and the Absaroka Mountain Range to the east. Along the valley floor, snakes the largest un-dammed portion of the rushing Yellowstone River. In short, it is the ideal place to indulge in the outdoors while partaking in world class hiking, fly fishing, horseback riding, rafting, animal watching and more.

And, what exactly is Under Canvas North Yellowstone. Since 2012, Under Canvas has been dedicated to connecting guests to the outdoors. They now have 11 Conde Nast award-winning locations near National Parks throughout the United States, the newest of which is the North Yellowstone property. This particular location is set directly on the banks of the Yellowstone River and has 50 safari-inspired tents, including stargazer tents (with windows directly over the bed) and river suites (large enough to sleep families of six). Each canvas tent is adorned with chic West Elm furnishings, at least a king-sized bed, a wood-burning stove, a (pull-chain) shower with adjustable water temperature, and a flushable toilet. On site, you’ll find a nature trail along the riverbed, comfortable Adirondack chairs and hammocks for lounging, fire pits for roasting property-provided s’mores kits nightly, and an agenda of daily activities like yoga and live music. You’ll also find Embers, the Under Canvas-run restaurant and bar that cooks up hot breakfasts and dinners daily.

If I haven’t convinced you to make this trip yet, this incentive might: If you book by the end of this year, Under Canvas is offering one free night on any four nights booked. Don’t sleep on this one!

And if I haven’t convinced you that Under Canvas North Yellowstone is worth at least 1 visit, check out other lodging recommendations later in this itinerary.

Some cities grab you and draw you in from the second you step off the plane, and for me, Singapore is one of those cities. Perhaps it’s the almost futuristic architecture throughout the central business district and Marina Bay. Perhaps it’s the picturesque shophouses that have been lovingly maintained since the city’s inception in the early 1800s. Perhaps it’s the meticulously-kept, tree-lined boulevards of swanky Orchard Row. Perhaps it’s the peaceful coexistence of Chinese, Indian, Indonesian and Malay cultures evident across the city. Or maybe, it’s the genuinely happy residents who are proud of all their city's state has accomplished in barely half a century. Whatever it is, Singapore is beyond compelling to me.

At only 30 x 17 miles in size, Singapore – with its highly efficient public transit - is a fairly easy destination to navigate in a short amount of time. Beyond this, a number of major airlines offer direct flights from various locations in the United States to Singapore’s Changi International Airport. For this reason, Singapore is the perfect stopover en route to or from other popular destinations in Southeast Asia. If you’re planning a trip to Bali, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam or any number of locations in this region, this guide will help you make the most of a long layover in Singapore. Prepare yourself for a whirlwind of beautiful sights, culinary delights and a dash of glitz that will have you feeling like the cast of Crazy Rich Asians.

If you're researching a trip to Greece, you're likely already familiar with the stunning sunsets of the Santorini caldera and the glamorous beachside bars of Mykonos. What you may not be aware of, though, is Naxos -- the charming neighbor of the buzzier Cycladic islands. While Naxos is the largest of all of the Cycladic islands, it is also one of the least touristed, making it the perfect addition to your Greek island itinerary. Naxos features the ideal combination of a quaint Hora (town), untouched golden beaches, authentic villages built into verdant hillsides, and locally produced culinary delights. Beyond this, Naxos is home to some of the warmest families in Greece, who will welcome you to their most magical of islands with open arms and help you discover your newest home away from home.

Only a 2-hour flight from the United States' southeastern borders, easily-accessible, Los Cabos is the undisputed gem of Mexico's Baja Peninsula. A desert paradise nestled against the Sea of Cortes, the juxtaposition of prickly cacti framed by white capped waves will surely take your breath away. Even better, with an average temperature of 79-82F in the months of December and January, Los Cabos shines bright as the ideal destination to ring in the winter holidays. What Los Cabos lacks in terms of snowflakes and yule logs, it more than makes up for with dozens of world-class resorts, delectable ocean-inspired dining and endless activities including water sports, golf, whale watching, cooking classes and more! It's not too late to pack your festive sweaters for a Cabo Christmas holiday you'll never forget.

Note: Throughout this itinerary, I'll use the term Los Cabos or Cabo more generically. When approaching a trip to Los Cabos, it's important to understand that there are two primary travel epicenters, Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. Cabo San Lucas is home to many of the region's all-inclusive resorts and has historically been considered the more popular, energetic destination of the two. Although San Jose del Cabo has long been viewed as the more authentic, bohemian destination, it has recently attracted some of the area's most luxurious properties and upscale restaurants. You can easily see both spots on a single itinerary, and both are 20 miles or less from San Jose del Cabo International Airport. Still uncertain about where to base yourself? I can help with that!