Travel as you like it

MANILA, Philippines - Independent travel is all the rage, what with the profusion of affordable air fares and budget airlines. For accommodations, travelers can choose to go simple by couch-surfing and staying at hostels and inns, or to indulge a little by reserving rooms at a boutique hotel or luxury resort. In addition, tourism generates so much income and goodwill that it’s no surprise that locals in popular destinations have also become more accepting and welcoming of tourists.

Nowadays, planning trips is so much easier and more convenient as well because of all the information on the Internet. Just go online and you will find endless choices on when and where to go, what to see, how to have fun. You can pick the options that best suit your funds, schedule, and other important priorities and factors.

A do-it-yourself trip certainly has its own charms, but customized travel is on a different plane altogether. You get to explore new places on your terms, while enjoying the best of the best, as recommended and arranged for you by experts. And by experts, I don’t mean the usual travel agencies and tour operators, though they do a fine job. What I’m referring to are people who have been to fantastic destinations and have access to sites and undergone experiences that are not typically available to all tourists.

This kind of bespoke service is what Travels & Tapas offers. The name alone sounds beguiling, conjuring images of the famous Spanish tapas – those small plates of cold or hot dishes served as appetizers or snacks. Yet Travels & Tapas goes beyond that, creating unforgettable tours around the south of France and northern Spain that focus on these countries’ incomparable history, heritage, tradition, art, culture, and gastronomy.

London-based Isabel Aspillera and Jose Macicior are the refined tastemakers behind this new venture. It’s no surprise to me at all that this husband-and-wife team cooked up this business. Manila-born and bred Isabel and Jose were my neighbors in London when I lived in England from the early ‘80s to the late ‘90s. And what a time it was to be there! Princess Diana captured everyone’s hearts with her inimitable beauty, style and compassion. It was also the heyday of the Iron Lady, a.k.a. British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. The musical Miss Saigon was a triumph on the West End, with its predominantly Filipino cast, top-billed by Lea Salonga and Monique Wilson as the protagonist Kim. And more Filipinos went to the UK to further their studies or to join various industries as professionals, unlike in the past, when most would flock to the US.

I would spend many weekends with them and other couples who lived in the boroughs of Kensington, Chelsea, and Knightsbridge: Madlen and Carlos Faustmann, Marivicky and Angie Arando, and Bing and Ric Barcelona. Isabel was the chief of staff of a wealthy industrialist, while Jose was a commodities trader. But in their leisure time, these weekend antique hunters would organize cozy, delicious dinners. A voracious reader of cookbooks and women’s lifestyle magazines, Isabel was in charge of the meals. Jose, a son of the Basque country, which is located between Northern Spain and Southern France, took care of the music and wine selection. They would take turns cooking classic Spanish and Filipino fare or experiment with new recipes using fresh, available ingredients.

An Assumption Convent graduate, Isabel could set a table like no one can. From the themed tablecloths to plates and glassware to silver cutlery, everything was exquisite. She would even have fresh flowers in the middle of winter! Wherever did she get them? I don’t really know. But more than just the wonderful food and beautiful arrangements, these dinners were livened up by merry laughter, harmless gossip, and warm camaraderie.

Isabel and Jose are avid travelers, and they couldn’t resist organizing jaunts around Europe for our little, close-knit group. Because of this pair’s resourcefulness, we explored the UK countryside, staying at those charming bed and breakfasts and spending time at those quaint pubs. One memorable stop was the Christmas holidays at Gstaad in Switzerland. We were huddled around the lobby of The Grand Hotel, relaxing and sharing stories. And then came a vision: screen goddess Elizabeth Taylor, all decked out in fur and jewels gliding across the room.

Celebrity sightings don’t come with tours arranged by Travels & Tapas, but clients will most definitely benefit from Isabel and Jose’s attention to detail and extensive Continental knowledge. Spain and France, after all, are among the top countries in the world with the highest concentration of Unesco World Heritage Sites.

Indeed, what began as a hobby that Isabel and Jose enjoyed doing so that their friends would have a great time has turned into a growing enterprise. Travels & Tapas had its Asian launch earlier this year, making this delightful concept available to a wider market. Interested parties may contact Isabel and Jose and give them an idea of their interests and preferences. Then the dynamic duo takes care of the rest, from lodging and accommodations to restaurant bookings and entrance arrangements to sites and events.

Should clients wish it, Jose can even act as a personal guide, as he is from the area and has sterling connections with the proud owners of grand estates. Many of these stately homes are closed to general tourists, but a local like Jose can secure invitations to enter those closed doors, perhaps even to stay for the night. In addition, if you are keen on history, then Travels & Tapas can draw up an itinerary that includes the interiors of majestic buildings and private sections of outstanding museums.

For food lovers, San Sebastián is the go-to destination. It’s famous for its pintxos – or tapas, as they are called in this region. Among the most popular pintxos are freshly sliced Iberica ham, explosively spicy peppers, and other delicious savory treats. This seaside city is also famous for having the most number of Michelin-starred dining places in the world and is the home of internationally renowned chefs Juan Mari Arzak and Hilario Arbelaitz.

There really is nothing quite like the luxury of embarking on a journey at your own pace, with things done according to your tastes, making your dreams come true. Travels & Tapas gives the discerning traveler all that, and then some.

Visit www.travelsandtapas.com or email [email protected]m