Hotel Venezia: European charm in Bicol

Many acquire the travel bug; some are simply born with it. Sheepishly, I confess, I have a distinctive mole underneath my right foot and my dad used to say, even as a child at the precocious age of terrible toothless two, my penchant for migration was insatiable.

In fact, in the middle of my living room, I have a world map where white and red dots indicate the places I have visited and have yet to see. I pray that, by the time I am recalled and must kick the bucket, I will have explored most of the globe.

Growing up, I often searched for unique destinations, places I often though of as my “geography of bliss.” I always believed that I would be happier elsewhere. The thought of “I could be happy right here” often flashed in my mind as I spotted many an exotic destination. Each time I would come across names of places I never heard of in Miss Universe pageants or magazines like Conde Naste, National Geographic, Travel & Leisure — I would incessantly search for them and place red dots on my map to mark “must-see” spots in this lifetime.

Today, my latest discovery is that one need not travel far and wide to embrace the extraordinary. An almost surreal, unforgettable, life-changing experience has delightfully seized me right here in our local shores of Bicol, a province blessed with nature’s favor and providence.

This travel epiphany started with a gracious invitation from our dear friend Annabella Santos-Wisniewski, lovingly known as Ms. W, to visit the beautifully-appointed Hotel Venezia in Legazpi, Albay. She excitedly shared with my sisters and I the progressive development in Bicol during the launching and signing of the GoNegosyo book in which her company and our Miladay Jewels were both featured. Ms. W’s management company HSAI Raintree Management Inc. manages Hotel Venezia together with other “precious jewel finds” like Discovery Shores in Boracay, Discovery Country Suites in Tagaytay, Discovery Suites in Ortigas, and Discovery Shores in Boracay. I have become an avid fan of their properties that combine world-class standards of excellence with gracious Filipino hospitality.

After a very comfortable 45-minute flight aboard Cebu Pacific we found ourselves like Alice in Wonderland in the elegant Hotel Venezia, our home away from home in Legazpi.

It seemed as though the stars were fetched from the sky to guide our rambunctious group of savvy travelers including the Rapals, Romualdezes and Sumulongs as we rode the ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) along the rugged trails leading to the site for the zip-line adventure. Imagine yourself on a 180-foot harness, 200 feet above ground as you swing over the verdant forest tree tops. From the zip-line, we took the ATVs again to the foot of the majestic Mayon Volcano. A natural steam that was emitted from the rocks was a perfect backdrop for the much-awaited foot spa treatment after the trek. The wind kissed our faces, tousled our hair and drew infectious smiles from all of us. We collectively agreed the scenic views of mountains straddling seas would send the enigmatic Mona Lisa sitting for another round of picture-perfect poses for her beloved Leonardo.

We raced back to the inn-timate Hotel Venezia where old world charm is complemented by modern amenities and conveniences. Gracious Hotel Venezia executives Marivic Fajardo and Cesar Fernandez toured us around this charming Renaissance-inspired edifice replete with romantic yellow lights. Its gabled roofing, mullioned windows and nostalgic balustrades are reminiscent of the Art Nouveau architecture in Cogels-Osy Lei in Antwerp. The spacious marble lobby is accented by wooden ceiling fans and Art Deco lamps. A cozy, all-day eat-all-you-can station of the moistest chocolate crinkle cookies and ice–cold orange iced tea was simply a runaway favorite for our group.

Each of the 40 lavish rooms with LCD TVs and WiFi connections is laid out in a combination of light and dark wood furnishings competently executed with pen-and-ink watercolors from France and Italy. Most of the rooms have stunning views of the Mayon Volcano. For your royal comfort, the 20 rooms have either king- or queen-sized beds with very comfortable duvets and crisp white linen sheets. The 60-square-meter Presidential Suite consists of a sitting room, a master’s bedroom, master bath and shower guest bathroom. There is also a room designed for the physically challenged with extra-wide doors and handrails in the bathroom. Each night, before the pillows and beds are turned down, delectable Filipino delicacies like puto, palitao or inipit are lovingly placed by your bedside with a sweet note of warmth and cheer. Truly world-class Pinoy service at its finest.

Venezia’s Caffe San Marco coffee shop in the lobby is an epicurean’s dream. The fusion of fiery Bicol cuisine combined with international fare is reason enough to keep returning. We sampled the boneless crispy pata, laing lumpia, Angus sinigang, kare-kare, Bicol Express and the insanely delectable chocolate cake made from local cocoa. This restaurant transforms into a romantic piano bar at night.

A glorious sunrise welcomed the next morning and after a hearty Pinoy breakfast of fried rice, danggit, Angus tapang baka, scrambled eggs, fresh fruit and chocolate-eh we headed off to the town of Donsol, just two hours away by van, for the next highlight of this sojourn — swimming with the whale sharks, locally known as butanding.

Riding aboard several boats led by the affable Omar, a self-styled “butanding hunter,” all of us set out in search of the elusive whale shark. After a short, exciting wait of 15 minutes, with temperatures rising by the minute due to the scorching sun, and many prayers of invocation to God for an immediate sighting, Omar suddenly cried “Ayon na (There it is!)” while pointing to a black shadow looming over the starboard side of the boat. We excitedly plunged into the deep-blue 200-foot depths for a memorable 30-minute encounter as we swam alongside this graceful denizen of the deep. I looked at the soulful eye of the whales hark and thanked her for this sublime experience of allowing us to get up close and personal with one of nature’s most divine creations.

From this gem of a trip, I realized our heart lies in the very places we so desire. The significant point is not necessarily that we move to these places, but rather, that we allow these places to move us. Distant lands may in fact contain that special magical energy you need to reconnect to life. By relocating ourselves, be it a lengthy vacation or a weekend sojourn, we give ourselves the permission to be the very person we desire to be — happy and free.

In my geography of bliss, swimming with the whale sharks and being billeted in the posh Hotel Venezia where excellent cuisine and service abounds, tops the list. We all need ways to escape from the realities that crowd our lives. How this “escape” is done can spell the ultimate difference. My dad advocated, at a certain age, that one must either travel in style or not at all.

I have come full circle as I look at the mole underneath my foot; it hasn’t gotten larger, alas, but my ledger of the most gratifying places in my atlas certainly has.

* * *

Hotel Venezia now offers an Adventure Package at P4,888 net per person for three days/two nights (based on twin sharing). For more information, call Hotel Venezia at 6352-481-0888 / 481-0877 or log on to www.hotelvenezia.com.ph. Cebu Pacific flies to Legaspi daily. Call 702-0888 or log on to www.cebupacificair.com.

* * *

E-mail the author at miladay.star@gmail.com.