The world through celeb eyes
People in the professional world are blessed with 13 long weekend holidays this year. If you’re one of them, what will you do with the rest? Follow the lead of Solenn Heussaff, Yeng Constantino-Asuncion, Anne Curtis, Jessy Mendiola and Liz Uy, who often choose to travel the road less taken when spending the holidays:
Yeng and her husband Victor Asuncion visited Angsana Velavaru in Maldives for their honeymoon early this year, where they’ve witnessed how the locals celebrate Chinese New Year, among others.
Visa required for Pinoys? Yes.
Maldives is known for its rich marine life. Hence, one of the perfect places to visit there is the Bluetribe Moofushi diving center and the Alimatha Island at the Vaavu Atoll. Both places offer a variety of watersports activities including windsurfing, diving, snorkeling, kayaking, riding on catamarans and pedal boats. You could also swim with whale sharks and manta rays.
Anne went to Myanmar with boyfriend Erwan Heussaff, her bestie Solenn and Solenn’s Argentine boyfriend Nico Bolzico. The gang enjoyed places such as the Shwedagon Pagoda, and even tried exotic foods like crickets.
Visa required? No.
Myanmar is perfect for travelers who like religious relics. One of the most breathtaking sites there is the Buddhist monastery of Taung Kalat. Built atop an extinct volcano, visitors must climb 777 steps to reach the summit. Along the way are a multitude of Macaque monkeys expecting treats.
Her being named Honorary Ambassador for Tourism of South Korea made Jessy appreciate the beauty of Jeju Island.
During her South Korean sojourn, Jessy also visited the Ice Museum, Daheeyeon Garden, Cheonjiyeon Waterfalls, Sungsan Sunrise Peak and Alive Museum.
Visa required for Jeju Island? No.
Jeju Island, a volcanic island, is one of the world’s “New 7 Wonders of Nature” and is a protected site.
Going to the Manjanggul Cave is one of the most exhilarating activities visitors can do in the place. The cave was formed after molten lava burst through the earth’s crust creating a giant tunnel, considered one of the largest in the world. Highlighted in the cave is Turtle Rock, which, you guessed it, is a rock formation shaped like a turtle believed to resemble Jeju Island itself.
Solenn visited Tel Aviv and the Holy City of Jerusalem in Israel. There she took pleasure in shopping, eating native foods and swimming on the beach. She has also gone to see the famous Western Wall in Jerusalem, considered the most sacred of Jewish sites as it is supposedly the remnant of the Herodian retaining wall.
Visa required? No.
Jerusalem is the top tourist attraction in Israel. There you could gawk at places and things mentioned in the Bible including the Western Wall, Temple Mount, and Dome of the Rock (Al-Aqsa Mosque).
You can also walk through the Mahane Yehuda Market or The Shuk, where shops selling souvenirs, pottery, olive-wood mementos, clothing and food could be found. You could also participate in numerous colorful festivals.
Nearby are other popular sites like Bethlehem, The Dead Sea, Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee.
Liz and her family went to Russia for a vacation early this year. Places they visited include the Saint Basil’s Cathedral and Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow.
Visa required? Yes.
Located in the Caucasus Mountain Range in Southern Russia, Mount Elbrus is just one of the many beautiful sights in the country. Elbrus is one of the seven highest summits on each of earth’s seven continents. The mountain is apt for both experienced mountain climbers and neophytes. A cable car system can take visitors as high as 12,500 feet.