Why David Celdran brings his own pillow on a plane

Globetrotter David Celdran hates to fly. And, yet, he travels constantly, crisscrossing around the world as the eyes and ears, heart and mind of fellow explorers looking for their next great adventure.

The veteran journalist does it for his multiple roles on television and in print. He is the long-running host of the award-winning show Executive Class, the upscale lifestyle and travel program that reports on iconic destinations, decadent hotels, far-flung resorts, sumptuous cuisine, fantastic shopping, ultimate pampering, and once-in-a-lifetime activities.

He also presents View from the Top, the 30-minute show that features the pastimes and advocacies of industry bigwigs, from DMCI’s David Consunji to Silicon Valley’s Diosdado Banatao.

Most recently, he has become the editor in chief of Vault, the luxury magazine that schools men in the finer things of life — cognac and cheeses, classic oxfords and tailored suits, fast cars and grown-up gadgets.

Though he wishes his travel clothes were more comfortable, he manages to change into pajamas to fully relax on long-haul flights. For eight out of 10 times, David goes straight to work upon arrival. After he has landed, he showers in the airline lounge, puts on a crisp white shirt with his favorite navy blazer, and rides to his assignment.

It comes with the territory that he is blessed with many choices for accommodations, but the seasoned traveler rarely compromises on hotels on personal trips. You should be billeted in the best locations because “chances are, most things you want to see and do are within the area.”

Since he is always in front of the camera, the married father of two seldom has pictures taken of him while traveling. Instead, his photo library is filled with images of unfolding scenes taken at different locations.

The most luxurious experience he has had on a trip was “driving around the Bavarian region of Germany in a top-down sports car in the summer, staying in former castles now turned into leading hotels, and enjoying meals in Michelin-starred restaurants. What an ideal combination!”

And they were all part of his job!

PHILIPPINE STAR: What do you remember most of your first trip abroad?

DAVID CELDRAN: Like most Filipino travelers, my first trip was to Hong Kong and my second to America. I traveled with my family at 12 years old. It was the gritty, rather old-world Hong Kong with dark shady back streets. I remembered the aroma of camphor and cooking in the streets. It definitely smelled of unfamiliar land. I was lucky to have seen it before luxury set in. It’s gentrified today.

What won’t you leave home without?

I really travel light and only pack essentials — nothing more. If the trip is on land or if space allows on a flight, I bring a soft, flat goose down pillow. I am not particularly sentimental so it’s nothing special. I just have difficulty in sleeping.

Who is your ideal traveling companion?

My wife. Oftentimes, though, I prefer to be alone, especially when I travel for work. You can do things you want to do and cover more ground.

What would you consider a must-do activity in every foreign city that you visit?

Explore the historic center on foot. And the best way to do it is without a guide book. You should have no preconceived notions, no biases, and no expectations. Keep an open mind is what I always remind myself!

Describe your most memorable trip.

I am lucky to have many to list or choose from. However, traveling the back roads of Japan is always top of mind. I was recipient of a grant by the Japanese government, so I traveled from the northernmost to the southernmost points of the country in the name of research. I’m fortunate to have known and experienced a different Japan that only the Japanese know.

What do you miss most when you’re away from home?

My family, of course. The comforts and consistency of home. Come to think about it, no matter how luxurious a hotel or a resort is, nothing compares to your own bedroom.

What is the strangest thing you have done on a trip?

It was at the Mekong Valley in southern Vietnam. I had to drink the blood of a cobra that was still alive. This was for an assignment in Vietnamese cuisine. But let me tell you about the scariest. I was attending a conference in Athens, Greece, not as a member of media, when I was hopelessly trapped in a serious riot right in the middle of it all. Unlike here, where rallies are rallies, over there, it takes on an entirely different level. It’s not just a rally. They were actively burning cars and the ground levels of buildings. Imagine being in a strange foreign land and this was happening. You can say that everything was Greek to me.

Let’s talk favorites now. Name your favorite city abroad.

Tokyo, New York, and Stockholm. The first two cities are favorites for the usual obvious reasons. Stockholm is great because it’s a design-oriented city where everything is naturally beautiful. It’s in a live natural state that’s closest to nature. The residents are more relaxed and thus friendlier. The quality of life is high.

Name your favorite spot in the Philippines.

Without a doubt, my home. Also Sagada, though regretfully it’s no longer the same place I remember it to be.

Favorite airport?

Zurich. The size is manageable. The beautiful glass walls are one of its attractions. It has the best chocolate shops I’ve seen and fantastic unique stores aside from the usual branded ones. It’s put together beautifully as only the Swiss know how to do. They do things properly or else they won’t do it all. The airport is a reflection of Switzerland as a country and its service as a people. It is great example of how things are supposed to be.

Favorite museum?

Foundation Beyeler in Basel, Switzerland. It has a private collection of contemporary modern art. Again, it has a manageable collection with not too many art pieces. You don’t have to fight the crowds unlike in most popular museums where the experience suffers. Here, there’s more than enough time to take everything in. There’s even time to sit in front of masterpieces. I find the experience enhanced because art can be digested at your own pace.

And if you could take home a piece of art, which one would it be?

Any painting of Johannes Vermeer at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The primary colors, the symbolism, the expressions that are full of character such as in “The Study of a Young Woman” draw me to his works.

Favorite hotel/resort?

The Shangri-La Hotel Paris has fantastic views of the Eiffel Tower and the River Seine not to mention the very attentive staff, while the Mandarin Oriental Barcelona is the perfect combination of contemporary style and indulgent luxury. A close second are the traditional Kyoto ryokans, which offer a unique experience. You wear a yukata, an unlined kimono, stay in rooms featuring tatami mats and sliding doors, and take baths with water from hot springs.

Favorite landmarks?

I love the streets of Rome, which have remained as they were centuries ago, because they’re just full of surprises. Whenever I’m there, I just walk leisurely, allowing the experience to sink in. Then, I stumble into something unexpected. At the end of street is a beautiful piazza and, in the middle of it all,  a fountain.

Favorite musical or play?

Shakespeare in the Park in Central Park, New York. The shows are free, but you have to queue up to get tickets on the day of the performance. Around 1,500 people watch each staging. I’m also an opera buff, so I seldom miss one when it plays in a city I’m visiting. Favorite mall or store?

Manufacum in Düsseldorf, Germany. They only sell branded handmade and artisanal products like glazed cappuccino cups or boots with hand-stitched soles. These are made from traditional manufacturing methods, which were passed on from generation to generation.

Favorite restaurant or bar?

The coffee bars of Rome such as Sant’Eustachio Il Café found between Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. The place is always crowded with people waiting for a cup of warm and frothy espresso. The famous La Tazza d’Ora, once only popular with locals but today is packed with tourists, is a must for their granita di café and other coffee products such coffee beans covered in chocolate.

What is the worst souvenir you have ever bought back from a trip?

Posters. The unusual shape and size make them a hassle to pack. Never again!

Aside from unpacking your suitcase, what is the first thing you would do upon returning home?

Hug the kids. If they’re asleep or not at home, I take a shower.

Name a city you have never visited but would like to someday.

Istanbul in Turkey or the cities of Jordan. I’m fascinated with ancient civilization. Havana in Cuba is another choice. They’ve been so isolated that time seems to stand still.

Name a country you wish to explore.

Not a country, but an entire continent—South America.