Where are you headed when things go back to normal? We asked some of our favorite travelers about their post-pandemic trips, where they will eat and stay, and what will be on their itineraries.
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Salome Uy
Paris
“I have been wanting to go back to Paris and dine at L’ Avenue at Avenue Montaigne. L’Avenue is always part of my itinerary every time I visit the City of Lights. The food is extremely delicious. I always go for the shrimp risotto and apple pie for dessert.
I would like to just stroll around Paris, and enjoy its beautiful sights and visit gardens like Jardin de Luxembourg, go back to Musée d’Orsay with my daughter and go around Le Marais district. I would also visit Giverny, which is an hour-and-a-half drive from Paris. Then, have my best cup of hot chocolate at Les Deux Magots.
I will go back to Hotel Le Comtesse. During my last stay, we got a room with incredible views of the Eiffel Tower and we enjoyed every minute of our stay. The hotel staff is very friendly and professional. The cafe downstairs was wonderful and a few times we also opted for room service breakfast overlooking our beautiful view.”
Beng Dee
Hong Kong
“It’s a toss up between our second home, which is LA, or Tokyo or Hong kong for our gastronomic indulgence. In Hong Kong, the airport alone is a welcome feast.
We usually drop by the arrival resto called Ho Hung Kee for their best congee. After that will be a never ending stroll to all our favorite street food and checking out new must eat places. Will never get tired of it.
I miss the vibrancy of the city, from street food to the latest Michelin-awarded restaurants is our go-to. I would love to revisit Four Seasons Hotel or Mandarin Hotel while in the Hong Kong side, or the Peninsula Hong Kong, the new Rosewood Hotel, and the W when in the Kowloon side.
Arlene Cu
Tuscany
“We never tire traveling to Italy whatever season or month of the year. We love the food, wine, the people’s warm and friendly attitude, the beautiful scenery and historic sites. We love visiting the medieval towns and discovering new places to dine in or visit. Shopping, of course, is one of our favorite activities whether it’s outlet shopping or stumbling into a local market for fresh produce.
We stay in our fractional owned villa at Castello di Casole. It is the perfect location for us because it is between our two favorite towns Florence and Siena, nestled in this quiet town away from the touristy attractions I would just love to sit by the infinity pool of the villa and enjoy a cup of espresso or a glass of champagne admiring the beautiful and quiet scenery of the countryside. Weather permitting, I usually dip into the pool to help relax from the long journey.
It’s almost become a tradition that we like to go to this little restaurant up in the town of Casole d’ Elsa called Caffe Casolani. It is a no menu restaurant and the owner serves you a fixed four-course meal made from the freshest ingredients in season. We love the homey atmosphere of the restaurant, the friendly staff and the nice selection of Italian wines. Caffe Casolani is located in Via Alessandro Casolani, 41, 53031 Casole d’Elsa SI, Italy.”
Tokie Tantoco
Sotogrande
The first country we plan to visit will be Spain. We have a home in the South, at Sotogrande. It is a property developed originally by Mr. McMiking. We can spend about a week here and prepare for our next destination, San Sebastien for our third Camino.
The Camino was planned two years ago pre pandemic. We shall be a group of friends from Manila and no outsiders. We are hoping that by September all of us would have done our second vaccination. And obviously Spain’s tourism would be open at this time. The Camino is safe because most of our waking hours would be spent outdoors.
As we go thru the route to Santiago De Compostella there are always little Bistros, farm-to-table restaurants with excellent cuisine. San Sebastien is known for really good food. We shall be changing hotels almost every night and they will mostly be will be the Fincas, or small Bed and Breakfast places in Spain.
Joy Rustia
Capetown
“What I like most about South Africa is its amazing wildlife, stunning coastlines, and picturesque mountainscape. Capetown was equally as memorable and will go back to stay at the iconic Cape Grace Hotel. The Saxon Villa and Spa in Johannesburg, meanwhile, was not just a hotel but an impeccable private estate with rich history surrounded by lush greens and forest.
Plan the safari game drive, watch the sunrise and have the best breakfast with your private chef. When in Capetown, you shouldn’t miss La Colombe, rated as one of the best restaurants in the world! Don’t also forget the Delaire Graff restaurant at Stellenbosch with their best selection of fine wines, fronting beautiful mountainscape and vast estate.”
Patty Chilip
San Francisco
“We are headed to SF in June, and we probably will see family first. It’s like a second home because my husband’s aunts and uncles and grandma lives there and it’s like a family reunion every time we get together. I love the weather, which is sunny but cool throughout the year, and I love the tech and innovative vibe the city has. There’s always something new whether it’s a robot making coffee or a driverless car.
We stay near Embarcadero so it’s great to walk by the ocean, eat oysters at restos, or grab a coffee and watch people go by. Restaurants we will eat at will probably be those with outdoor dining. There’s oysters at Mission Rock Resort, a great lobster roll place in Burlingame, and maybe a trip to Napa.”
The full story on post-pandemic trips can be found in Volume 2 of Lifestyle Asia 2021.
