What better way to ring in the New Year than with sun, sand, and sake in party-centric Miami! Quite a few New Yorkers fled the dropping mercury for the summer temperatures down south this year. Daily flights, cheap tickets and a short ride make Miami a fabulous destination for any winter weekend as well.

What to Pack: Miami’s laid-back atmosphere is perfect for bringing out your ‘fun’ pieces; things you wouldn’t think to wear to dinner at the Waverly or a night out on the Lower East Side. Floridians are never afraid of color so ditch your basic black and compliment your bright hues with crisp white. Beaches and boats area a Miami must (those in Key Biscayne are especially beautiful and exclusive) so bring plenty of bathing suits, cover-ups and sandals. Dinner and drinks at Casa Tua calls for cocktail dresses for women and dress shirts and linens pants for men.

Where to Shop: There a lot of small vintage stores tucked away in South Beach, such as Sasparilla. Just off Lincoln Road this small boutique carries vintage Dior, Gucci and Pucci and amazing prices. Bal Harbor boasts all the big names (Oscar de la Renta, Chloe, Graff, Loro Piana, Tod’s, Saks, Neiman Marcus) in an open-air shopping center filled with tropical gardens and great restaurants – a perfect escape during a short afternoon storm.  Thomas Maier (creative director of Bottega Veneta, of course) is also a must see, a little piece of simplicity and luxury in a sometimes over-the-top city.

Sasparilla Vintage: 1630 Pennsylvania Ave., (South Beach) Miami Beach, FL, 305-532-6611.

Bal Harbor: 9700 Collins Ave., Bal Harbor, Fl, 305-866-0311. http://www.balharborshops.com/

Thomas Maier: 170 N.E. 40th St. (Design District), Miami, FL, 888-373-0707. www.thomasmaier.com

- Lucia Marcelle Tait

Aspen is one of the country’s top ski resort towns, thus a magnet for both ski fanatics and the general jet-set. The season has just begun, so reserve your ticket and pack your bag!

What to Pack: Fur coats, vests and accessories are a must (or faux-fur if you like) for days of shopping and dinners, as are chic yet weather-proof leather or suede boots. For apres-ski (at The Sky Hotel’s 39 Degrees lounge, of course (pictured above)), just switch your ski boots for cute sneakers and your coat and layers for a fun t-shirt or cashmere sweater.

Where to Shop: Aside from the big luxury names (Louis Vuitton, Fendi and cold weather kings Montcler and Dennis Basso), Aspen is home to quite a few small boutiques. My favorite is The Little Bird, a vintage and consignment store that stocked everything from a J. Mendel astrakhan coat to a selection of exotic skin clutches on my visit. Another favorite is the new J. Crew concept store: J. Crew-at-the-mountain. This unique location is stocked with tons of exclusive pieces and classics – you won’t leave empty handed.

- Lucia Marcelle Tait

The Greek Islands are a constant favorite for those seeking some summer fun. While Mykonos is known for its gorgeous beaches and thriving night life, Santorini is known for its picturesque sunsets and romantic views. I couldn’t get enough of Greece this summer!

What to Pack: While the islands are not too formal, Greeks do like to dress up, especially for a dinner. Dresses and heels always work (beware of the cobblestones, you’ve been warned!) and white jeans are great for summer. The meltemi (winds that sweep the Aegean in July and August) can be strong and make evenings chilly, so bring a sweater for nights out, particularly if you are on a boat. For the day time, beachwear can be fun and flirty as most beaches have a little bit of a party scene or at least a few tavernas for lunches and drinks. Guys can wear button front shirt or polos with jeans and loafers. Dressing for the beach can be as simple as a suit and a t-shirt with sandals.

Where to Shop: Luisa is the place to get designer lines in Athens and Athenians go here to glam it up. Think fall’s Lanvin collection (complete with accessories, of course) mixed with DVF and Stella McCartney. There are 4 locations in Athens, I suggest visiting the one in Kolonaki, a fashionable neighborhood filled with boutiques and cafes to continue a day of shopping. In Mykonos, you can find Luisa Beach at Psarou, which has the same glamorous vibe but with a bohemian flair (SYLA, K. Jacques, Anya Hindmarch). In Santorini, Fira is known for its high-end fine jewelry shops but I prefer Oia, a small ‘traditional’ town that is filled with local arts and crafts, high-quality souvenirs and typical jewelry.

- Lucia Marcelle Tait

My last trip was split in to two: half in St. Barth’s, French West Indies; half in Cat Island, The Bahamas. So, I decided to split the traditional ‘Travel Style’ format in to two as well;  Where to Shop in St. Barth’s and What to Pack for Cat Island. These two islands couldn’t be more different from each other – it really was the best of both worlds!

St. Barthelemy
St. Barthelemy is the most sought-after vacation destination in the Caribbean for good reason: gorgeous beaches, fabulous cuisine and top rate shopping. Here is my list of the must visit shops on the island….

Where to Shop: Top Shops Women
1. Calypso – Before there was Calypso the empire, there was Calypso the tiny island boutique. Today you can find all your favorite lines: Lucien Pellet-Finet, Alexander Wang, Chloe and Missoni among others. – Le Carre d’Or, Gustavia
2. La Plage - La Plage serves excellent high energy lunches beachside at St. Jean. Go at 1:30pm and catch the afternoon fashion show to chose your next purchase while you dine! – St. Jean
3. Lolita Jaca – Pick up flirty and feminine printed pieces here, arranged by color palette. Eyelet, silk and gauzy cotton are the favored materials. Le Carre d’Or, Gustavia
4. Kiwi – This outlet of the St. Tropez-based resort line is the perfect stop for beach essentials for the whole family. Women’s bikinis and one pieces, men’s trunks and children’s suits all live in matching harmony. I also love the simple yet sophisticated women’s leather flip-flops which come in a variety of colors and textures including classic gold and red. – Villa Creole
5. Human Steps Women – Human Steps has 4 locations on the island (note the men’s locale below) all featuring designer pieces and the best selection of shoes (most notably Christian Louboutin tie-dye print mules!) on the island. RTW lines include Jil Sander, Yves Saint Laurent and Miu Miu. – Rue de la Republic, Gustavia 

Where to Shop: Top Shops Men
1. Laurent Effel – The highlight of this boutique is their stock of oh-so-beachy linen shirts in every imaginable color. - Rue Lafayette, Gustavia
2. Chris Shop – Choose from a selection of embellished T’s, trendy jackets and Chrome Hearts accessories while chatting with owner Christophe (pictured above). - Villa Creole
3. Human Steps (Man and Beach) – With an edited selection of designer men’s clothing and shoes, even the most timid shopper is sure to find something here. - Rue de France, Gustavia
4. Le Comptoir du Cigare – Stock up on the Cubans and enjoy them while you are here! Straw fedors round out variety and also make a great gift you can take home. - 6 Rue de General-de-Gaulle, Gustavia
5. 100% Capri - Jackets, shorts and shirts in linen for the purist. – Gustavia

Cat Island, The Bahamas
After the sticker shock of St. Barth’s, give your wallet a break on simple and unspoiled Cat Island. A 40 minute flight from Nassau, this is the quintessential postcard perfect vista: prsitine beaches, clear waters and blue skies (pictured below). Cat Island is best enjoyed with a signifigant other or by renting out one of the small resorts like Sammy T’s for a group weekend.

What to Pack:
The emphasis here is on relaxation and enjoying the island before it is developed. The activities are on the beach – all day, every day. A few swim suits, kaftans, breezy dresses and your favorite flats are all a woman will need here. Accessorize with a straw beach tote, a printed pareo and a golden tan! Men should include their beach standards as well: trunks (we love a guy in Vilebrequin), t-shirts or polos and sandals. Linen shirts and light pants for dinners on warm nights will work. Be sure to pack everything you may need (beauty, toiletries, reading materials, etc.) as the island selction is limited at best. The beauty is in the simplicty…

- Lucia Marcelle Tait

You can’t go wrong in Rome: every via is more charming than the last, every piazza more beautiful, every palazzo more grand. A fashionable city since antiquity, Rome is home to an endless supply of boutiques, including the designer flagships which dot Via Condotti.   

Where to Shop: We suggest TAD, a concept store and kind of one-stop-shop for all things stylish. Like its international counterparts, TAD offers a kalidoscope of treasures; beautiful flora and fauna like Manhattan’s Takashimaya, cool music a la Colette in Paris and a highly edited collection of the latest clothing and accessories like Jeffrey in New York (think Chloe, Derek Lam and L’autre Chose). Decor is highlighted with Kartell and Bang and Olufsen; beauty with Bond No. 9 and Le Sens de Marrakech. With the addition of a salon, cafe and made-to-order bedding atelier, TAD offers the complete package.
155A Via del Babuino, Piazza del Popolo, +39 06 3269 5131, www.taditaly.com

Where to Stay: For fashionable lodging, look no further than the chic, affordable and understated Villa Laetitia, enterprise of Anna Fendi (yes, that Fendi) Venturini. This residenze has about 15 rooms uniquely decorated with themes such as gold, crystal and garden. Notes, sketches and photos from Kaiser Karl himself (obviously friendly with the Fendis!) line the halls and staircases. A quick 10 minute walk through the pleasant neighborhood and a hop across the Tiber brings you to heart of the eternal city.
Villa Laetitia Roma, Lungotevere Delle Armi 22/31, +39 06.3226776, info@villalaetitia.com, www.villalaetitia.com

- Lucia Marcelle Tait