Trafalgar and Cathay Pacific: A heavenly match

There are unions made in heaven. Some, you can enjoy while on earth. Such is the synergy between Trafalgar  and Cathay Pacific who have partnered to bring you travel experiences around the globe beyond the expected.

The gentle immaculate froth of foam bubbles playfully floated in the air as I tossed them while submerged in the warm waters of the bathtub. But I was not in my home. Instead, I was in the comfort of my home away from home — here in the posh cabanas of The Wing, the first class lounge of Cathay Pacific in the Hong Kong International Airport. I experienced a new standard of aviation luxury as I reminisced over the unforgettable memories of my recent sojourns to Rome and Southern Italy.

In between sips of sparkling champagne and bites of sweet strawberries, I closed my eyes and recalled the special Trafalgar guided holidays expertly arranged by its general sales agent, Pan Pacific Travel’s Helen Hao. Together with my gregarious traveling group which converged in the Eternal City, we were privileged to explore Rome, Pompeii, Sorrento, the Isle of Capri, Positano and Alberobello from an exclusive insider’s perspective. Here, our gracious travel director Giacomo and local expert guides accompanied us to take a closer look at unique places and have authentic experiences with the locals. Hidden treasures such as quaint restaurants, cultural historic sights and local homes serving organic produce are special treats one gets when traveling with Trafalgar.

With more than 67 years experience in the industry, Trafalgar is proud to be the world’s number one guided holiday operator. With Trafalgar, you can enter the Vatican, the Colosseum and other sites without having to fall in line. You can even ascend the smooth and step-less spiral staircase designed by famous architect Donato Bramante in a part of the Vatican not opened to the public.

On the other hand, Cathay Pacific flies you to these amazing destinations with the luxury, efficiency and care that make the difference we all look for. We passengers are now spoilt for choice. Just when we thought Rome would be our very first stop in our itinerary, we were pleasantly surprised that our first tour turned out to be the six luxurious lounges of Cathay Pacific, which span an impressive 13,000 square meters. This luxury is done in cooperation with its sister company Dragonair.

My father often said it is not enough to travel, one must learn how to travel well. This simply means taking the option to pamper oneself, to give one that much-desired and deserved treat. Life is short. It ought to be enjoyed, not endured.

Indulge and unwind before your Cathay Pacific flight. Today, the thrill and comfort of the destination begins long before you actually reach it. It commences the minute your luxurious lounge experience begins. “We are committed to offering our passengers the best lounges in the world,” said Cathay Pacific COO Ivan Chu.

Take your pick among these aviation luxuries that are better experienced than explained, said Ryan Uy, the airline’s sales and marketing manager. Cathay Pacific’s newest lounge, The Bridge, offers passengers a very relaxing environment. Try the iconic Long Bar at The Bridge’s North Wing and The Bakery which specializes in freshly baked pizzas.

In the South Wing, The Bistro offers choice Asian and Western offerings and the Coffee Loft serves brews and pastries. The South Wing also features nine Shower Suites. Try the signature Noodle Bar and the popular Char Siu Bao at The Wing. The ultra-luxe Cabin introduces new seating and dining concepts like the Cathay Solus Chair. 

Flying to the Leonardo da Vinci/Fiumicino International Airport (FC0) after a very comfortable flight aboard Cathay Pacific’s premium economy class — simply defined as business class comfort at economy prices — we practically hit the ground running. Eager to experience the romance of Rome, I said a prayer to the good Lord for travel mercies.

Rome has been referred to as a dynamic city where history unfolds before us in every nook and cranny. Rome is an enigma. On one hand you have centuries of history  that come alive. On the other hand, you have the opulence of modern luxury, and high fashion brands on the Via del Condotti.

We sat on the Spanish Steps and watched the world go by. Tossed coins into the Trevi fountain in the hope of returning here. At the Colosseum, you can simply imagine the thumping of the gladiators. We savored a special dinner musicale at Le Terme del Colosseo, a former Roman bath house. The very talented singers regaled us with powerful renditions of songs like Volare, O Sole Mio and other Italian classics.

Can you imagine standing on layers of ruins that suggest a timeless past while modern people flock here to relive it? Beneath the ruins of history, culture and a storied past, we embraced a faith that calls us closer to our Creator. The Sistine Chapel of the reluctant painter Michelangelo, who died blind, was a riveting confrontation with immortality. I felt like it was my Judgment Day as I humbly stood before the illustrious masterpiece.

Exploring the ancient city of Pompeii and the excavations which lay buried for centuries after Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD., we learned insights about this world heritage site from the Trafalgar local expert. Driving down the scenic coastal town of Positano and Sorrento famous for romantic movies and limoncello, we remembered the film Only You starring Marisa Tomei.

Revel in the poignant view as horizontal waves and vertical cliffs merge in the horizon in the Amalfi coast. In Positano, Flavio Gioia invented the compass, while the Madonna asked to be “placed” by sailors who were transporting her to the sea. Capri evokes fascination, from the beauty of its shoreline and the appeal of its strange rock formations.

We were amazed by Alberobello, in the Puglia region, where the unique Trulli stone houses can be found. A special “Be My Guest” dinner ensued with a local family at their massseria (farmhouse). We  made their traditional biscuits and we savored their freshly made produce — extra virgin olive oil and wine. From there we headed to the stark, yet stunning, beauty of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sassi cave-dwellings and the town of Matera. Here, you will admire churches dug out of rock and filming locations from Mel Gibson’s film The Passion of Christ.

“Return to Sorrento” heralds a famous song, O Sole Mio, that is known the world over. Legend has it those mythical sirens whose alluring singing bewitched passing sailors once inhabited this paradise.

At our farewell dinner musicale, Trafalgar’s director of sales Mae Cheah and PR specialist for Trafalgar Choy Teh led the merriment as we all felt like one big happy family. Audrey Zubiri represented the Filipino group as she gamely performed the song Mamma Mia to the group’s delight.

Under a star-strewn sky, I stepped out onto the balcony and appreciated the glorious view of the Eternal City. I remembered what Trafalgar’s CEO Gavin Tollman shared: “Travel is in our DNA. It’s our passion to help our guests travel beyond the expected.”

On the way home to Manila, I enjoyed Cathay Pacific’s very luxurious, fully reclining Business Class seats where I had my own spacious cubicle with fresh orchids, and an array of entertainment and culinary inflight choices. A member of the illustrious One World Alliance and a recipient of numerous awards, it has become an airline of choice.

After experiencing how Trafalgar creates the most unique itineraries, how it cares for its passengers and arranges all the details, I daresay there is no other better way to explore the world than this. Truly, the journey is as significant as the destination.

Indeed, we are so blessed to have the synergy of Trafalgar  and Cathay Pacific. This match made in heaven can be enjoyed on earth.

What are you waiting for?

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Trafalgar has an early bird discount promo that guarantees travelers 10 percent off on package costs for guided vacations booked before Feb. 12. Cathay Pacific and Trafalgar will be joining the much-awaited annual Travel Tour Expo on Feb. 12-14 at the SMX Convention Center. Book your tours with Pan Pacific Travel Corporation at 523-1990, 526-6427, 536-1265/67 or email trafalgarmanila@panpacifictravel.com.ph.

When you book with Trafalgar, enjoy special airfare discounts in Cathay Pacific, its official airline partner.

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Email the author at miladay.star@gmail.com.