Fresh off a flight from Alaska, I arrived in Holbox tired, skeptical, and questioning my life choices. Three days later, I was plotting my return.

I boarded Virgin Voyages' Brilliant Lady expecting spectacular Alaska scenery. What I didn't expect was how much our family—ranging from first-time cruisers to seasoned travelers—would fall in love with the ship itself. From Dawes Glacier and whale sightings to Scarlet Night and Sir Richard Branson onboard, this maiden Alaska voyage delivered plenty of surprises.

A return to Venice and Florence, a first visit to Viareggio, and the kind of unexpected moments that remind me why Italy always delivers—especially when you think you already know it.

Six years after a brutal gorilla trek in Uganda that nearly broke me, I returned—this time with my son—to track mountain gorillas again in both Uganda and Rwanda. What followed was a journey of redemption, conservation, and an unforgettable moment when a silverback brushed past Abe’s leg in the forest.

In the Forbidden City, people kept whispering to my guide while looking at me. When I asked what they were saying, he replied, “They’re asking if you’re Chinese.”
That moment set the tone for three unforgettable nights in Beijing—where private lunches on the Great Wall, brutal shopping honesty, unexpected ancestry revelations, and a forced digital detox reshaped how I saw China, and myself.

The morning we arrived in Honningsvåg, the weather forecast read: sunrise at 12:00 a.m., sunset at 12:00 a.m. High above the Arctic Circle, the sun neither rises nor sets — a fitting introduction to a journey where the Northern Lights didn’t need chasing. From polar nights and whale-filled fjords to quiet meals of king crab and unexpected detours, this was an Arctic experience shaped as much by timing and place as by preparation.

When I told a friend I was going to Lapland, he joked that I had traveled so much I was starting to invent places. Fair. Lapland sounds imaginary — but north of the Arctic Circle, amid husky safaris, reindeer sleighs, and glowing winter skies, it proves itself breathtakingly real.

On assignment for Travel + Leisure, Tesa Totengco boards PONANT’s Le Commandant Charcot—the world’s only luxury icebreaker—for a winter voyage through Canada’s frozen St. Lawrence. Snowshoeing, dogsledding, and Michelin-level dining redefine exploration. Equal parts adventure and elegance, this is the future of travel in the polar world.

Varanasi is not a place you simply visit — it’s a place that absorbs you. From astrology readings and silk weavers to sunrise prayers on the Ganges, Tesa and her stepson Ryan discover the city where life and death meet in divine harmony. A journey both humbling and unforgettable.

Panama reveals its many faces — historic Casco Viejo, highland coffee farms, black-sand beaches, and living indigenous artistry. Join us as we trace a journey of flavor, craft, and connection beyond the Canal — through a country as soft and kind as its people.

Tucked high in Boquete’s cloud forest, Hacienda Mamecillo is no ordinary dining experience. Rolando (Rolo) Chamorro and Gabriella Carlsson have transformed an abandoned coffee farm into Panama’s hidden table, where candlelight, greenhouse-grown flavors, and a seven-course tasting menu come together in an unforgettable fusion of farm, theater, and family passion.

From Prague’s cobblestones to Budapest’s ruin bars, my first river cruise aboard AmaWaterways’ AmaMagna was a revelation. Twice the width of a traditional ship, AmaMagna brought us through five countries in seven nights, with spacious suites, flexible excursions, and unforgettable meals. Along the way, I rediscovered Vienna over schnitzel, connected with my Benedictine roots at Melk Abbey, and shopped for treasures from TONAK hats in Prague to embroidered blouses in Bratislava.

In La Rioja, wine is more than a drink—it’s the rhythm of life. We wandered storied cellars, tasted vintages beside the Ebro River, and lingered over lunches with views of Frank Gehry’s titanium masterpiece. From Calle Laurel’s pintxo magic to watching white horses gallop through a village square, our days were filled with the flavors, landscapes, and quiet wonders that make Rioja unforgettable.

From seaside oysters and sunlit strolls to wood-fired fish and French-Basque macarons, this chapter of Anywhere Is Good journeys through San Sebastián and the French Basque Country—where slow travel tastes better, stories linger longer, and every stop reveals another kind of magic.

I first visited Bilbao in the 1980s—pre-Guggenheim, pre-Bourdain. While my then-beau rehearsed with the Bilbao Opera, I wandered the city solo. It was gritty, authentic, and entirely unconcerned with charm. When I asked a local where to eat, he shrugged and said simply, “Anywhere.” Not a recommendation, not a list. Just a quiet kind of assurance that wherever I ended up, it would be good.

In June 2024, I was invited for an exclusive pre-opening stay at the fairytale Rosewood Schloss Fuschl, nestled on the shores of Lake Fuschl in Austria’s Salzkammergut region. From hot air ballooning at sunrise to chillout boating at sunset, spa serenity to private Mozart recitals, this three-night preview was pure storybook magic. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at what makes this soon-to-open Rosewood gem a dream for luxury travelers.

Experience the best of Nepal through luxury stays, sacred temples, Sherpa heritage, and epic mountain adventures. From Everest flights to fine dining, this is a journey of culture and contrast.

On my third journey to Estonia, I finally stepped beyond Tallinn’s medieval walls and into the quiet beauty of its islands. From a smoked sauna ritual at Pädaste Manor on Muhu Island to climbing the ramparts of a 14th-century citadel on Saaremaa, this trip revealed a soulful side of Estonia few take the time to see. Add in natural skincare, handcrafted woodwork, and a vodka-paired sandwich tasting in Tallinn, and you have a destination that’s both grounding and surprising.

Sometimes, it starts with a whisper—or a shared confidence. “Kolkata,” my friend Mohan said, “is an undiscovered gem in India.” That’s all it took. A whisper. A spark. What did I know of Kolkata or Calcutta then? Growing up in the Philippines, I knew of Mother Teresa’s work, her mission to care for the poor and the lepers. Beyond that, nothing. How I managed to stay so unaware is frankly unforgivable—but it’s also why I travel. To learn, to witness, to break ignorance with experience.

In 2024, I embarked on an unforgettable journey to three of the world's most iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Great Wall of China, Machu Picchu, and Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Each destination offered unique challenges, breathtaking views, and deep cultural significance. From having a private lunch on the Great Wall, to navigating the altitude at Machu Picchu, and hiking to the cliffside Tiger’s Nest, these experiences reminded me of humanity’s incredible perseverance and ingenuity.

Looking to explore these wonders for yourself? Let me guide you with insider tips and VIP access to make your adventure truly unforgettable! 🌍✨