What is your dream summer vacation?

I always look forward to taking a trip with my family in the summer. Whether we go to the beach or the mountains here in the country, take a trip abroad or even if we just laze around at home – where we go is not as important as being able to spend quality time with the people I love. Just knowing that even for a while I can leave my worries and work behind and relax and enjoy the company of my family makes the thought of a vacation a perfect dream. So, even though there is so much happening in the world around us and I know we should not take these events for granted still it is good to take some time away to recharge and put our anxieties aside even for a short time.

Read on and find out where the celebrities I talked to want to spend their vacation.

Celso Dayrit, president, Philippine Olympic Commission: My favorite dream vacation in RP is Boracay. It’s a place where I can really enjoy nature, relax and have a lot of fun in a truly tropical summer atmosphere. I enjoy its powdery sand, clear blue water, fresh seafood, inexpensive accommodations, beach and golf all day, the beautiful people around, relaxing evenings, fresh air – all this in the company of friends and loved ones. What more could I ask for?

Cindy Kurleto, TV host, Masayang Tanghali Bayan: I would love to go to the beach to swim in the sea, watch the stars, lie on the sand and soak in the sun. But since I miss Austria, my dream vacation now is a winter weekend in the mountains where it is cold. I would like to stay in a cozy wooden house where there is thick snow all around and other people are miles away.

Joe Salazar, couturier: The best vacation that I had was the Malaybalay, Bukidnon trip I made three years ago. I visited Gang Gomez and stayed with him and the monks for two weeks. I felt so much peace when I was there. Since I have such a busy schedule, I never had the time to go back there. So, for my dream vacation I would love to go back.

Rio Cojuangco, actress: To be able to make it to my vacation.

Ino Manalo, MET Museum director: I’d love to spend days just floating around the backwaters of Kerala in India. The problem is that I might end up doing on-the-spot research for a possible exhibit at the MET.

Manny Lopez, president, Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines: My dream summer vacation, which I would like to take with my wife Suzette and three daughters, is a tour of the Seven Wonders of the World. I was fortunate enough to see majority of these wonders and I would like my family to be able to do the same.

Gloria Diaz, actress: Italy with my kids, Mike and my sisters and $50,000 to spend.

Angel Aquino, TV host, fashion and commercial model: It has to be summer in Boracay learning all the water sports, getting a perfect tan and walking the stretch of the beach at night.