Steven Tan
president, SM Supermalls
Where did you go? Who did you go with?
Traveled with Dos Quong to Mexico (Oaxaca, Campeche, Merida and Tulum), then headed to Quebec City and also stayed in Ojai Valley in Los Angeles.
What did you love about this summer adventure?
Mexico is having its moment now, and it’s a destination that shouldn’t be missed. Throw away those preconceived notions of the country being unsafe. We’ve been victims in Paris and all over Italy, but zero in Mexico. But please avoid all-inclusive hotels and resorts as you won’t get the full experience. There’s a lot of boutique hotels, and my favorite would be Hotel Oaxaca Pug Seal and Hotel Panamera in Tulum. The former summer residence of drug lord Pablo Escobar is now a resort hotel and the spa is a must-experience.
Mexico has leveled up so much in terms of their cuisine. Hartwood in Tulum was fantastic, as they used commonly available ingredients, and flipped and redid it with a fresh approach.
What were the highlights for you?
In terms of experience, Chichén Itzá (one of the Seven Wonders of the modern world) in the Yucatan Region ranks high on the ancient civilizations ruins list; just make sure you are there right before the opening, before the busloads of tourists start coming in.
Québec is the most beautiful city in Canada and most probably in Northern America. It is for me more French than Canadian. The city is inundated with excellent restaurants. The maple-glazed thick bacon at Restaurant La Buche is not to be missed, and I am dead serious about it.
Québec’s Notre-Dame is a must-visit. Aside for the beautiful architecture, it has the Holy Door. Walking through the only Holy Door outside Europe is a special moment, as the doors are open only every 25 years. Plenary indulgences are granted to those who pass through the door, and this alone makes it worth the trip for fervent Catholics.
Lawrence Cua
cofounder, Bun Appetit
Where did you go?
Seoul and Jeonju, South Korea
Who did you go with?
I went with my wife, Iya, and son, Benjie.
What did you love about this summer adventure?
I loved spending every minute with my little family. Our son is just 1 so he won’t remember this trip, but we will. I enjoyed visiting the filming locations of some of our favorite K-drama shows, discovering new places to eat and escaping the Manila heat!
What were the highlights for you?
The highlights were the old Samsan Tech office in “Start-Up” which is actually the rooftop of a shoe market in Dongdaemun; Hanbyeokgul Tunnel in Jeonju which was featured in “Twenty Five, Twenty One”; and Mong Tan, where we had some of the best beef barbecue on this trip. What’s most memorable for me is that my son got to enjoy some, too!
What tip would you give to someone who wants to do the same thing? We planned our itinerary based on the filming locations of our favorite shows, then we mapped out interesting food and coffee places to check out nearby, just to add some structure to our days. But still, leave some free time to explore. Who knows, you might be pleasantly surprised. Also, download the Naver app!
Amado Forés
restaurateur, A Mano, Steak & Frice, Ramen Ron
Where did you go?
Tokyo, Japan
Who did you go with?
My girlfriend, mom and team members from A Mano.
What did you love about this summer adventure?
It was a combination of rest, receiving our 50 Top Pizza award, and pleasure in one of my favorite cities in the world.
What were the highlights for you?
Receiving an award for my restaurant A Mano, listed 12th place by 50 Top Pizza Asia-Pacific 2024, and going back to my favorite yakitori restaurant Torishiki, this time with my girlfriend. Discovering a new pizza spot named Pizza Marumo in Ebisu, which serves unique and inventive pizzas. And lastly, enjoying a meal served by the legendary 99-year-old sushi master Jiro Ono at Sukiyabashi Jiro, famously featured in my favorite food documentary “Jiro Dreams of Sushi.”
What tip would you give to someone who wants to do the same thing?
Plan early to make reservations in restaurants that need to be reserved ahead of time. But also keep time open to discover new things while strolling around.
Jacqe Yuengtian-Gutierrez
CEO and co-founder, Happy Skin, Blk Cosmetics and Seoul White
Where did you go?
We went on a Disney Wish cruise to the Bahamas.
Who did you go with?
My family—Vic, Raf and Anton.
What did you love about this summer adventure?
It was our first time to go on a cruise as a family, and it’s probably the most relaxing vacation we’ve taken! They had so many activities for both adults and kids onboard—theater plays, movie nights, trivia nights, special dinners, water slides and all the Disney characters have schedules where you can take a photo with them!
What were the highlights for you?
I loved the food! There was a good and wide selection of fine dining and casual food, both of which were order-all-you-want! We also loved Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island in the Bahamas. They have a lot of water sports there, and we even managed to feed some stingrays!
What tip would you give to someone who wants to do the same thing?
Book ahead! I booked our flight for the US eight months ago to get the best deals! We did Walt Disney World first in Florida for a couple of days before we boarded the cruise (also in Florida). Cruise tickets also run out fast, especially during the holidays, so plan in advance
Marlyn Ocampo
imakeup artist and drag artist
Where did you go?
Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto
Who did you go with?
My sister Violet and other family members
What did you love about this summer adventure?
I love that we went to Japan and did cool activities that I would only get to do in Japan.
What were the highlights for you?
One of the highlights is having my dream oiran photo shoot in Kyoto and meeting up with friends to know more about J-fashion subcultures from the locals.
What tip would you give to someone who wants to do the same thing?
Make sure to have savings in order to go to your dream place and be one with the locals. Explore the place and be adventurous.
Kaye Tinga
philanthropist and entrepreneur
Where did you go?
Central Europe, primarily Budapest, Vienna and Prague.
Who did you go with?
I went with my family—we flew together and met our son in Vienna, as he is doing a term abroad in Rome.
What did you love about this summer adventure?
I love going to new places, and it was my first time in all three cities so it was such a treat going to what are some of the most beautiful buildings I’ve ever visited. And visiting the Leopold Museum, which houses the biggest collection of one of my most favorite artists, Egon Schiele.
What were the highlights for you?
The highlight would have been visiting at least eight different churches, including the Church of Our Lady Victorious–Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague, and receiving a special blessing from the parish priest during Easter. We were also able to watch “Der rosenkavalier” in the Vienna Opera House, and “Nabucco” in the Prague State Opera, which is as relevant today as it was when Verdi wrote it in the 1800s.
What tip would you give to someone who wants to do the same thing?
Plan ahead, as some of the sites such as the parliament in Budapest accept only limited visitors a day, and it’s not easy to get tickets.
(To be continued)