Is it Christmas already? It's all lights at Regent Street!

If you're thinking of where to spend a few days in Europe, consider London this December.

I might be addressing the serious shopaholics... Regent Street is awashed with Christmas lights to get you in the mood - not only of the sentimental kind, but also of swinging that credit card left and right!!!

The string of shops are only the best of the best: the Apple store, Ted Baker, Hobbs, Lacoste, Virgin Megastore, Hawes and Curtis, Principles, Coast, Petit Bateau and Godiva. There are recent additions to this list - Belgian women’s casual bag and accessory brand, Kipling and Austrian jewellery brand Frey Wille. Ofcourse, established brands - Liberty, Aquascutum and Austin Reed - are still favorites.
Hamleys, everybody's favorite toy emporium, will be offering a personal shopping service this Christmas. Just supply the ages of these little angels (yes, they are angels - if only for a season) and a probable list of must-haves pops up before you.

From London, it's a short flight to other nearby European cities. Call us for more information.

French dressing, anyone?

Why is it that French women seem to have that certain flair and style that makes us envy them?

Is it their long, slim bodies? the toussled hair that fall sexily on their shoulders? their accent?

Filipino women may not have the sexy toussled hair. We try the look but then you hear comments like, "Hey Sisa, still looking for Basilio?" And oh the accent, it doesn't make us sound like Catherine Deneuve or Sophie Marceau... more like Inspector Closeau!

But then, it won't stop us from picking up a few pointers from them, n'est pas?

You could do a little research on what's in, even before you leave for Paris. Really, do women still wear berets? When you get to Paris, pick up some local magazines and observe women on the street. Choose a nice seat on an outdoor cafe along the Champs Elysees to see these gorgeous women gracefully pass by.

Can't afford designer goodies? Get a knock off! You only have a few days in Paris so save yourself the trouble by checking out the real stuff and the copies from Galleries Lafayette or Printemps! They even have women who will gladly assist you on looking totally French, if you're willing to go through a transformation.

Try it on your next visit to Paris!

Paris - Lourdes - Rome

This itinerary is ideal for those who have been to Paris and Rome a few times and now want a relaxed visit on their return. One can never get tired of Paris and Rome!

DAY 1 Arrive Paris
You are met on arrival in Paris by private limousine and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your disposal. Return to that favorite cafe along the Champs Elysees or shop for designer goodies once again at the Galleries Lafayette or Printemps.
Hotel Best Western Axel Opera

DAY 2 Paris (Breakfast)
Full day at disposal. My suggestion? Visit the Louvre early so that the line to the Mona Lisa is not that long. Hundreds fall in line everyday to see that smile! Tonight, you might want to see the spectacular Lido or equally famous Moulin Rouge. This is, after all, the City of Lights.

DAY 3 Paris (Breakfast)
Full day at disposal. My suggestion? You might want to visit the opulence of Versailles, just a short drive from Paris. In the afternoon, you still have time to shop. (Please coordinate with reception about keeping your baggage at the hotel while you go to Lourdes.)

DAY 4 Paris – Lourdes (Breakfast)
Transfer to the train station for your TGV* to Lourdes. On arrival in this pilgrim city, take a taxi to your hotel. Candlelight procession starts after dinner. Lourdes tends to be cold even during summer.
Hotel Saint Sauveur Hotel

DAY 5 Lourdes (Breakfast)
Full day at disposal. I suggest taking the Holy Bath. This is located to the right of the grotto, if you are facing it. This opens at 8am and you need to line up.

DAY 6 Lourdes - Paris (Breakfast)
Take a taxi to the train station to return to Paris (on TGV or flight). On arrival in paris, transfer to your hotel.
Hotel Best Western Axel Opera (standard room)

DAY 7 Paris - Rome (B)
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Rome. On arrival, transfer to your hotel in Rome. Rest of the day at leisure.
Hotel Modigliani

DAY 8 Rome (B)
Full day at disposal. Afternoon visit to Vatican. Please remember to dress appropriately.

DAY 9 Rome - Florence (B)
Take the train to Florence. Visit Florence on foot with local guide. Tour is for 3 hrs. Return by train to Rome.

DAY 10 Rome (B)
On arrival in Rome, take a taxi on your own back to the hotel. Rest of the day is free for last minute shopping :-)
Hotel Modigliani

DAY 11 Depart Rome (B)
Transfer to the airport for your flight back to Manila.

The above itinerary is a sample of what you can do in the cities of Paris, Lourdes and Rome. Rates depend on what you want to include in your own style. OUR PACKAGE RATE DOES NOT INCLUDED Airline Taxes/ Meals not specified/ Items of personal nature

*On certain times of the year, a flight to Lourdes may be cheaper. We arrange this for you.

Your vitamins are your travel companions

Going on vacation?

When making your packing list, remember to include (and tick) your vitamins! Most people who rush through their packing forget them! Yes, yes, it happened to me once and ofcourse, it taught me a lesson.

Personally, spirulina has helped me through my gazillion allergies and so I pack these wherever I go.

This also goes for your needed medication.I know it is tempting to bring a lot just in case... make sure you bring enough and include your prescriptions. We don't want to alert the airport police!

What's the tip on tipping?

Don't you ever worry about how much to leave as a tip at a restaurant or hotel for services rendered?

It can be awkward to leave too little -- if you decide to return the next day for dinner, you might just know how the Invisible Man feels when he enters a room. Giving too much? You better make sure you return the next day! You don't know how good the waiter's memory is. You're sure to get good service.

What to do so you don't need to calculate all the time? Leave 2 euros as a tip. For fancier restaurants, it is advised to leave more.

At the start of your trip, get acquainted with the coins and bills. So with this tipping advise, keep those coins in your pocket for easy access!


This waiter in a Parisian cafe really surprised us. Why? He was pleasant! Now he got a good tip for being pleasant! :-)

Fall at the Holy Roman Empire

Traveling in Europe during different seasons gives you a whole new experience everytime. Rome is fun in the summer but has a lot in store for you during the fall season!

Rich colors dominate the city. It can be slightly colder but still pleasantly cool to enjoy the outdoor life. Not that of athletes but that of Romans - sipping coffee or eating al fresco and enjoying life as it comes.

Stay at the elegant Hotel Savoy close to the Via Veneto where the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain are close by. Not to mention the different elegant shops along the via Veneto. Enjoy a mouth-watering hearty breakfast before going out to explore Rome.





See the Coliseum - once filled with voracious lions centuries ago, now welcomes another feline - the lovable pussycats of Rome... Although this picture has another set of cool cats :-)



Visit the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums (we can arrange a private tour for you. Giovanni is excellent!). Toss coins at the most sought after fountain in Rome (or the world!) - the Trevi Fountain.

Packages are available with other hotels - convents too, if you book early. Email or call us for more information.

Beautiful pictures are as important as your vacation!

Having the time of your life is one thing. Back home, you relive every moment... the unbelievable beauty of the sights... that gelato you savoured while walking down that cobblestone street... the interesting locals who shared a few minutes of their lives with you... the funny experience that had you and your companions rolling in laughter (and it still makes you chuckle)... the list goes on...

What better way to remember all these than with a digital camera! If it captures short videos, that is also a great way to save memories!

If you don't have one, buy one! Do it a few weeks before your vacation. Not grabbing one at the airport and fumbling through it throughout the entire trip! You need time to get to know your camera. Read the instructions then practice taking pictures!


By the time you're at the Eiffel Tower, shooting will be a cinch! Click...