As much as we love room service, crisp linens and a fully loaded mini bar, we’ll forfeit a hotel room for a home away from home.

Renting an apartment always makes us feel like a local, and the pads on offer over at Haven in Paris are a fantasy realized. This little gem in Montmartre is so charming with its herringbone floors, Louis XVI style chairs and rooftop views. And look at this lovely place in Provence. I could happily spend a few weeks playing house here.

All properties include a private driver, baby sitter and concierge and a member of the Haven in Paris team will be there to greet you on arrival. Sounds fabulous, doesn’t it? We may never leave. —Athena Tsavliris

www.haveninparis.com

Where in the world can you spot Valentino walking his pugs on the high street, Julie Andrews shopping for milk at the Co-op and Polanski sipping tea at the Palace? Only in Gtstaad, my love.

Toronto editor and perennial Gtsaad-goer, Athena Tsavliris shares her Gstaad loves.

Tea at Charley’s is such a treat. The mille-feuilles, madeleines and macarons are delicious. It’s a local institution steps away from the ice skating rink.

Beyond the Hermes bags, baubles and watches, there is a kitchen shop par excellence, that stocks everything from Japanese ceramic knives, Le Creuset pots, Villeroy & Boch china and more fondue sets than you’ve ever seen.

Forget skiing, people watching at the Palace hotel is the local sport. Harvey Weinstein, Michael Winner, Roman Polanksi and Valentino, were among this year’s sightings. And yes, the King of Couture really is a frightening shade of terracotta.

Lunch on top of the Eggli is a decadent feast of Croûtes au fromage, Schnitzel and gravy smothered bratwurst. The mountain air makes everyone ravenous.

The philosopher’s walk between Gstaad and Saanen runs along a river and is a beautiful, peaceful escape from the glitz and buzz of town. On a sunny day, it’s just heavenly.

—Athena Tsavliris

There was a time when lounges were exclusive to first class flyers and their monogrammed valises. These days, anyone with $50 to spare, can sink into a designer swivel chair with a copy of Monocle while waiting to board.

The Maple Leaf lounge is an easy place to pass the hours. Here’s why:

The selection of magazines is as good as it is broad. From fashion to sports and cooking, there’s a title for every traveller.

With a gazillion miles behind you and a fair few more to come, a refreshing shower feels like heaven.

Bypass rubbery chicken on board and load up here instead. A selection of agnolotti, crudités, cheeses and artisan breads hit the spot.

Comfy leather armchairs are kinder on the bottom than those aluminum upright chairs littering the terminal and the hidden nooks are perfect for napping.

Bon Voyage.

—Athena Tsavliris

www.aircanada.com

Sometimes your designer clad derriere feels too posh for a grubby Toronto cab.

With its fleet of 20 shiny, new Lincoln town cars, Winston, a freshly launched local taxi/limo service, ($20 minimum charge)  aims to bring style and ease to your travel experience.

Once you’ve downloaded the iPhone app you can call a cab from wherever you are at the press of a button. A Winston car is sent to your location via GPS, so no having to fuss with directions. You can track your ride while you wait via GPS and your credit card is automatically billed on arrival. How civilized.

The service does work out to be more expensive than a regular taxi. But when you’re time poor with a flight to catch, Winston might just be your man. —Athena Tsavliris

www.hirewinston.com

No self-respecting tourist would be seen pulling out a map under the Arc de Triomphe. Palomar’s crushable maps ($20) are an inconspicuous solution.

They are soft, light and waterproof, and so cool that fellow travellers will flock to you like pigeons in San Marco. Stuff it in a pocket or pouch when not in use. Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, Oslo and Toronto are among the cities on offer, with no doubt more to come.

And for those of us who can’t read maps anyway, at least we’ll get lost in style. —Athena Tsavliris

At Type Books, 863 Queen St. W., Toronto, 416-366-8973, www.typebooks.ca

When it comes to hosting houseguests we keep it simple: a stack of fresh towels at the end of the bed, some posh hotel slippers and a secret stash of shortbread for late-night munchies.

On the bedside table is the quintessential "little black book", (although it’s lavender) that beelines our stylish Toronto guests to the city’s gems. As with all Hg2 travel books, the Toronto edition is packed full of flashy pics, insider tips and suggestions on where to eat, drink and play.

All the usual suspects made the cut—Drake, Splendido, Courage My Love—with a few off radar picks like Swan’s End Guest House and Camp 4.

Your guests will be having so much fun that they won’t want to leave, at which point you confiscate the shortbread. —Athena Tsavliris

www.hg2.com

Everyone has a favourite city haunt, a little known gem they’d rather keep a secret. But we’re a friendly lot, so we’ll share a few. Just don’t tell anyone.

On weekends grab a coffee and Montreal bagel at the Grinder then head a few doors down for retro cartoon screenings at the revamped Projection Booth cinema. Tickets $8, 10 am Saturdays and Sundays, Projection Booth, 1025 Gerrard St. E., 416-466-3636, www.theprojectionbooth.ca
—Marianne Wisenthal

The leaves for the hand rolled cigars at Frank Correnti Cigars Ltd. are imported directly from Cuba (exclusively). The space is gorgeous, and clients can make custom blends. Simply the sexiest table gift for weddings. 
Frank Correnti Cigars Ltd., 606 King St. W., 416-504-4108, www.correnticigars.com —Katherine Holland

I love the random selection of sweet stationery and children's exercise books (think handwriting practice) at the Sun Wa Bookstore. Sun Wa Bookstore, 280 Spadina Ave. (at Dundas). —Julie Whelan

The Common is a cute coffee shop by day, and at night, the perfect dimly-lit spot to indulge in prosecco and share a charcuterie plate. Cash only. The Common, 1071 College St., 416-546-7789. —Julie Whelan

She’s quite expensive, and doesn’t always deliver on time, but the alterations Christine Hartmann does are superb. No task is too daunting for this trained couturier. Christine Hartmann Couturier, 221 Ave. Rd., 416-967-4538. —Athena Tsavliris

A little while ago, one of Toronto’s most beloved fashion bloggers/illustrators bid us adieu to set up in shop in Blighty. We asked Final Fashion’s Danielle Meder to share some insider tips and treasures from London town.

shop
There's a stretch on Kingsland Road in Dalston where there are about half a dozen charity shops, and although you're competing against some very savvy shoppers, a keen eye will uncover the odd treasure.

On Brick Lane you’ll pay a bit more for vintage but you won't have to look as hard. Rokit and Beyond Retro both have large selections, fast turnover and decent prices. There are tons of street stalls on the weekend that are worth a look. I've even had some luck bartering. Ask for a better price, you might get it.

For beauty stuff, this super-pharmacy Boots is pretty decent. The flagship on Oxford Street is massive. I buy my Clinique stuff there.

eat + drink
There’s nothing I love more than a fresh sausage or bacon and egg sandwich (or bap) – italian caffs all over the city serve these. I recently had one at Diana's Diner in Covent Garden which totally hit the spot. Foodie stuff galore at Borough Market is worth a whole weekday morning. Get the best coffee at Monmouth and nibble samples of everything. Weekends, hit up Broadway Market to see and be seen, it's like a fashion show with food.

do
Friday evenings at the V&A have lots of fun activities and are a great way to meet people. The National Portrait Gallery does something similar called the Late Shift. I always go for a live drawing class whenever I have the chance – they're available all over the city all the time, from serious art school sessions to drink & draw pub style. Every Thursday on Vynor Road, art galleries open their doors & serve cheap (or sometimes free) beers. The Book Club in Shoreditch offers tons of diversions & a lively atmosphere.
—Athena Tsavliris

When R&R is not an option, parents with small sprockets look for diversions on the weekend. Plot a season’s worth of activities for the whole family at Seasons Family Centre.

Spearheaded by Nikki Goldman Stroh and Kimberly Davies, classes at this lovely new centre range from pilates to puppetry to jewellery making and cater to all ages from freshly hatched to fully grown. Dad can groom his green thumb while his preschooler paints and teenager shimmies to De la Soul.

As for mom, she’ll be home eating bonbons and catching up on some R&R. —Athena Tsavliris

Seasons Family Centre, 655 Davenport Rd. Toronto, 416-488-6550
, www.seasonsfamilycentre.com

“A modern-day Eden,” is how James Lohan, publisher of the Mr & Mrs Smith hotel guide, describes Verana. We spent three nights at the magical Yelapa, Mexico beach resort and here’s what we loved:

The location – On the edge of the jungle overlooking the sea.


The rooms – Each one is unique and carefully thought out. Antique red ceiling fan in one, Mexican table football players on the wall of another.


The breakfast – Each morning a thermos of coffee and cakes are secretly delivered and left outside your door.

The spa – A massage to the sound of waves crashing against the rocks is pure heaven.

The cocktails – Sensationally lethal vodka, soda and fresh lime drinks before supper.



The turn down – Flowers and little cards cut out from Mexican lottery cards are left on your pillow.

—Athena Tsavliris

www.verana.com