Poolside posers may pull off cutouts and navel-grazing necklines, but we prefer a swimsuit that’s as sturdy as it is stylish.

What we love about Toronto-made swimwear line Destineau  is that suits (from $220) can be ordered in split sizes so you're sure to find the perfect one for your shape. And if that’s not enough to make you book a last-minute package deal, then wait till you see the gorgeous fabrics.

The prints are inspired by popular holiday destinations such as Capri and Los Cabos. Miami definitely makes the most of curves while flashy, bold Rio guarantees an audience.

At Vocado, 171 East Liberty St., Unit 121, Toronto, 647-347-7153, www.vocado.ca

The Swiss Alps are magical in the winter, but summer is glorious too. We swapped our skis for a pair of old hiking boots and hit the hills.

stay
This chalet-style hotel is ideal for families with small children. There’s even a kid’s spa with an adventure cave and tree-house sauna. From 195 SFr, www.steigenberger.com/en/Gstaad_Saanen

do
From river rafting on the Saane to paragliding high above the mountains there is no shortage of alpine adventure. It’s hard not to belt out "The Sound of Music" as you walk across endless lush green meadows. www.gstaad.ch/en

eat
If you’re trekking from Rougemont to Saanen, treat yourself to a fondue at the Sonnenhof. In Gstaad, the restaurant at the Post Hotel serves the best rösti schnitzel dinner you’ll ever eat.

shop
With its charming selection of handicrafts, antiques and contemporary décor, the village of Saanen is always worth a visit. For vintage wooden skis, cowbells, furs and antique linens we suggest timing your visit around the annual summer brocante.

Of all the Greek islands, no other achieves simple sophistication quite like Folegandros. Home to endless goat trails, exquisite beaches, a stunning Chora and the warmest people on earth, this Cycladic jewel is worth every step of the journey.

stay
Try to find a view more breathtaking than the one from Anemomilos Hotel. Perched on a cliff-edge, this family-run gem is truly unique. Rooms are typically Cycladic with vintage accents. Don’t miss cocktail hour at sunset. From €120. 00 30 22860 41309, www.anemomilosapartments.com

eat
Don’t expect souvlaki and chips. The food on Folegandros is really aunthentic—think homemade gigandes (giant beans), bourekia (cheese-filled pies) and freshly caught octopus grilled to perfection. Kritikos (00 30 22860 41219) in the main square serves fantastic pies and meats and Mimi’s in Ano Meria (00 30 22860 41377) is a local institution. Wash everything down with well-iced ouzo.

do
Rent an ATV/car and explore the island’s far flung beaches. The more intrepid traveller will come across beaches that will blow you away. Don’t miss Katergo, Ambeli and Aghios Nikolaos. If you’re more of a trekker, there are some extraordinary trails on the island.

drink
The town really comes alive after dark when the music and dance begin. Sit on an old stone wall, sip Rakomello (a local drink of Raki and honey) and watch the world go by.

“You can take the girl out of Chelsea, but you can’t take Chelsea out of the girl.”

It’s been a while since our Toronto editor, Athena Tsavliris, ventured home. Here, she shares some favourite haunts from her old London neighbourhood.

The Shop at Bluebird
This fashion/lifestyle store keeps getting better and better. You’ll find big labels like Moschino and Marni, as well as lesser-known gems like Peter Jensen and Osman. John Derian plates, Isabel Marant shoes, Cire Trudon candles and Vanessa Bruno bags all hang out in this super cool space. 350 King’s Rd., London, www.theshopatbluebird.com

French Sole
This is the only ballet flat we wear. (They’re quite spendy, but worth every penny.) The newest store is packed with every colour, finish and print imaginable. Look for the Harriet in cherry red leather or metallic sparkles. 323 King's Rd., London, 0207-351-1634, www.frenchsole.com

The Chelsea Physic Garden
One of Chelsea’s best kept secrets, this beautiful garden is lovely for lazy lunches and sweet scented strolls. Lunch is served in what feels like a school hall and is quintessentially English. Think bangers followed by treacle tart and cream. 66 Royal Hospital Rd., London, 0207-352-5646, www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk

Ad Hoc
We raided this place as teenagers, and it’s still a go-to if we're ever in need of a tutu, lace stockings, a neon wig or some fun faux baubles. 153 King's Rd., London, 0207-376-8829, www.adhoclondon.co.uk

Picasso
This Chelsea mainstay is our secret hangover spot. Bob Geldof and Eric Clapton were regulars, and even though the waitresses are moody and the food mediocre, there’s something about Picasso that has lasting appeal. 127 King's Rd., London, 0207-352-4921.

The Pig’s Ear
This pub has a great atmosphere and the food is pretty good too. In warmer months, punters spill out on to the street, it’s so popular. Try the steak tartare or one of the lovely seasonal risottos. 35 Old Church St., London, 0207-352 2908, http://www.thepigsear.info

Manolo Blahnik
The store is like a little shoe museum, with some of the most daring styles Blahnik designs. Many amazing pairs have been scored at its annual mega sale. Manolo Blahnik, 49-51 Old Church St., London, 0207-352-3863, www.manoloblahnik.com

We always thought “no swinging” was the number one rule of weight training. Then we tried Kettlebell.

Founded in Russia and centuries old, Kettlebell is all about the swing. The instructor makes it look easy as she guides you through familiar moves (lunges and presses) and brand new ones like the “snatch” and “clean” (no joke) with small cannonball-esque weights in 10, 15 or 17.5lb denominations. At first, we felt awkward, a bit like Jennifer Coolidge trying to “bend and snap” in Legally Blonde, but gradually we got into the flow. Kettlebell worked our glutes, quads, hamstrings, and core. The key is balance and control so don’t fret about keeping up with the regulars and do plant yourself in the first row by the instructor. 

Classes at Energia Athletics are 45 sweaty minutes long and get booked quickly in advance ($18/class).

Energia Athletics, 
164 Danforth Ave., Toronto, 
416-406-6664
, www.energiaathletics.com

Known for its traditional trulli homes, pristine beaches and olive groves, Ostini, in Italy's Puglia province, is a maze of pretty white streets and fortified with ancient walls.

getting there
Fly into Brindisi or Bari with BA, Alitalia or good old Ryanair. Or take the train into Ostuni station, minutes from the heart of the city.

sleep
Nestled in a hillside, the Villa Lalapanzi is about a 20-minute drive from Ostuni (toward Cisternino). Ultra-private, the luxurious villa sleeps 8 people comfortably, boasts fantastic views, traditional trulli construction, and a pristine swimming pool. Not to mention a modern kitchen, a barbecue and the loveliest outdoor table you will ever dine around. From €1,130/ week.

eat
Drive 25 minutes (or 10km) out of town to the agriturismo Masseria Lamiola Piccola for an unforgettable lunch in a breathtaking setting. Take a tour of the grounds where some rural architecture dates back to the 17th Century. Feast on food harvested from the hotel-restaurant’s farm, including extra virgin olive oil, and sample orecchiette, the local pasta, and burrata, a soft, milky and delicious alternative to mozzarella. Email lamiolapiccola@libero.it for reservations.

drink
Caffé Centrale by Ostuni’s town hall in the Piazza della Liberta works double overtime as a favourite spot for a morning coffee and a drink in the evening. From €3 glasses of Prosecco to Sidecar and Mimosa cocktails, its prime location is the best for people-watching and within a stone’s throw of lively pizzerias and artisanal gelaterias.

visit
Pack a picnic and hop a cab to Pilone Beach, a white sand oasis less than 20 minutes from Ostuni Centre. Be warned, the waves are rougher than they look. 

Ciao Bellas!

See photos from our Italian holiday, today on our Editors' Diary.

Grab the girls and head to the mountains for a weekend of spas, steaks and sun. 

dine
The brand new Sidecut steakhouse at the Four Seasons Hotel boasts an infrared grill that creates the perfect crispy char. Customize your steak with a choice of dipping sauces and rubs, like the spicy and smoky Edison’s Medicine. Sit on the pretty patio and marvel at the serene views. Is that a bear up there? www.fourseasons.com/whistler

drink
The Bearfoot Bistro’s new Miami-style poolside patio opened officially on July 1. If you can’t take the heat, duck into the restaurant’s new Belvedere Ice Room, don a Canada Goose-down parka, and taste specialty vodkas stored in a wall of ice. Now that’s cool. www.bearfootbistro.com

recover
The new Scandinave Spa off the Lost Lake Trail is a self-contained hydrotherapy haven. Detox in the Finnish sauna and steam room then refresh in the hot and cold plunge pools. Relaxation rooms stocked with contemporary magazines and a policy of silence will help with your head, as will a restorative bowl of lemongrass-miso soup in the bistro. From $55, www.scandinave.com

relax
Consider taking the Rocky Mountaineer train to Whistler and arrive already relaxed after a spectacular 3-hour journey through valleys, rivers and waterfalls not seen from the highway. A complimentary drinks cart (remember those?) is a welcome retro touch. Now that’s our idea of “personal training.” From $129, www.whistlermountaineer.com

More than just two-steppin’ and trailers, in Austin, Texas you’ll find slow food cuisine, effortless cool and lots and lots of tequila. Yee ha!

sleep
With its rock ’n’ roll décor and laid-back vibe, the Hotel Saint Cecilia is like having your own SoCo bolthole. Our poolside bungalow was fitted with a shower for two (or three), vintage turntable and mini-bar filled with flatbread and brie. We sat on our private terrace, sipping spicy margaritas and listening to Al Green records from the hotel library. Rooms from $350, 112 Academy Dr., Austin, TX, 512-852-2400, www.hotelsaintcecilia.com

eat
The burgeoning 2nd Street District is home to La Condesa serving up Mexican City street food with a modern edge. Give them three days notice and they’ll roast a whole suckling pig just for you! We tried mini tostados with squid, tuna and chipotle mayo ($12) followed by Carne Aasada ($32). With over 80 varieties on offer, do indulge in tasting flights of Mezcal and Blanco tequilas (from $15) while the ‘sommelier’ explains smoky vs. smooth.  Muy caliente! 400a West 2nd St., Austin, TX, 512-499-0300, www.lacondesaaustin.com

eat more
Austin’s hippest new 'hood lies east of the I-35 where we discovered East Side Show Room, a former 1920s grocery store revamped with a breezy back patio, local art and farm-raised food (all suppliers are listed on the menu) like antelope tartar ($14) and snapper baked in parchment paper ($22). 1100 East 6th St., Austin, TX, 512-467-4280, www.eastsideshowroom.com

do
Take yourself to the roller derby show for live bands and babes on skates. Every weekend the Lonestar Rollergirls compete on a banked-track, knocking down teams like the Tonya Hardings and Rhinestone Cowgirls. We wouldn’t want to meet these gals in a dark alley but after a couple of Shiner beers we found ourselves cheering wildly for the Cherry Bombs. Tickets from $13 at www.txrd.com

see
For something tamer, the LBJ Library and Museum celebrates the former president and his flower-loving wife, Lady Bird. Her hosting prowess, elegant gowns and pink-toned office reminded us that Jackie wasn’t the only glam first lady of the 1960s. 2313 Red River St., Austin, TX, 512-721-0200, www.lbjlibrary.org

shop
At modish boutique by george (524 North Lamar Blvd., 512-472-5951, Austin, TX) you’ll fawn over Balenciaga purses, silk Dries Van Noten dresses and sassy platforms from Fiorentini & Baker. Can’t break the bank? We took the staff’s advice and drove 30-minutes south to San Marcos Premium Outlets (the third largest in the world) for jaw-dropping deals on Fendi frocks, La Perla panties and Ferragamo flats. Premium Outlets, 3939 South IH-35, San Marcos, TX, 512-396-2200.

For more on Montreal editor Marianne Wisenthal’s Austin adventure, visit today’s Editors’ Diary.

If it’s good enough for Jennifer Aniston, it’s good enough for us. Mexico’s pristine and serene San Jose Del Cabo on the Sea of Cortes (think Cabo’s sophisticated sister) had us at “Ola.”    

stay
At the Mexican-owned Marquis Los Cabos resort, they’re so serious about relaxation, they’ll bury your BlackBerry for you. While pondering the hotel’s impressive collection of art and sculpture, enjoying spacious private casitas and eavesdropping on the international clientele, you won’t miss it a bit.

swim
The resort’s pool is a good metaphor for the pleasures you’ll have: absolutely infinite. If the soft, sandy beaches, crashing surf and grey whale sightings don’t get you, how about baby sea turtles?

spa
Sunrise yoga on the breezy spa deck will get those limbs limber for beach walks. Follow with an all-organic Holistic Breakfast of egg white omelets and celery smoothies and you’ve now earned those margaritas.

do
Take a trip onto the charming village of San Jose, where the boutique hotel Casa Natalia tucked off the main square offers sublime cocktails in a romantic courtyard, perfect for a marriage proposal. www.casanatalia.com

I Do
The stunning arch of the open-air lobby of Marquis Los Cabos mimics the shape of the Baja Peninsula. Could there be a more memorable setting for a sunset wedding?

To view rates and packages, visit www.marquisloscabos.com

In honour of its first international outpost, here's our Top Ten list of what we love about the Thompson Toronto.

1. The Counter, a boxcar-inspired diner open 24-hours a day.

2. The gym and yoga studio, where we can work off the milkshake we had at The Counter.


3. The Javier Mariscal mural of Toronto’s skyline that rules the lobby.


4. The toiletries from CE Bigelow, the oldest apothecary in America.


5. The luxurious feel of every inch of the place.


6. The 40-seater, state-of-the-art private cinema, available for private bookings (Pretty Woman, anyone?).


7. One mouthwatering word: Scarpetta.


8. The infinity pool on the 16th floor with a breathtaking view of the city.


9. The very Sanderson-esque lobby bar. It’s the perfect place to meet your next date.


10. That on our next staycation, we needn't bother stepping foot out of the hotel.

Rooms from $300/night, 550 Wellington St. W., Toronto, 416-640-7778, www.thompsonhotels.com