Touring Tagaytay, Volvo-style

For most of us, Monday means cutting the wonderful weekend short, getting stuck in the start-of-the-week rush-hour traffic, and slaving away at the office to finish all the work that’s piled up since the week before. It’s no wonder we all look forward to the weekend so we can unwind and chillax with friends and family.

Heeding the need to beat Monday morning blues, Maverick property developer Brittney Corporation indulged a few of its friends from the media to an extended weekend treat by turning a drab Monday into a delightful and relaxing holiday. All it took was that wonderful fresh Tagaytay mountain air, fun and smooth driving, fine coffee and fabulous pampering at the Monday in the Mountains: The Crosswinds Leisure Drive with Volvo and Figaro.

Convening at the Volvo showroom in Makati along Pasong Tamo Extension for a light breakfast we were all assigned our luxurious Volvo vehicles for the trip from their excellent roster of S40, S60, S60 T5, and S80 cars. As soon as everyone slid in, the cars began nimbly making their way down to the beautiful and nearby weekend getaway of Tagaytay. And one thing I simply have to admit, the Volvo sure made it a smooth and easy trip!

Indeed on the wheels of mobile luxury we made it to our first stop before I knew it, the Figaro coffee shop in Tagaytay where Figaro CEO Chit Juan warmly welcomed us. Over a delicious cup of coffee, Chit gamely took us through Figaro’s long and impressive roster of socio-civic and health-oriented programs and projects that they began through the Figaro Foundation including the Back on the Belt campaign, the Save the Barako campaign, the Adopt-a-Coffee Farm program, and their latest endeavor – organic coffee. With a representative from the German organic approval board on hand to explain the hard task of getting organic products up to international standards, Chit explained how organic products in general, coffee included, are very beneficial to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It was quite informative and after the talk, Figaro even treated its guests to large baskets full of organic fruits and vegetables.

Then it was back into our Volvo cars and off to our next stop, Crosswinds, Brittney’s breathtaking Swiss-inspired development. Nestled in the mountains among hundreds of pine trees, Crosswinds exudes an idyllic lifestyle where couples, families, and even business associates can come to relax, reflect, and rejuvenate from the stress of urban living.

When we arrived we were warmly welcomed and treated to a mouth-watering buffet of fresh vegetables, pasta, delectable shrimp, and some seriously addicting chocolate fondue (be still my chocoholic heart!). Afterwards, we all took a stroll through the lovely grounds of Crosswinds and even checked out some lovely Swiss-inspired quadrilles.

Indeed, Crosswinds just brings relaxation and luxury to another level. Cool and calming pine-scented breeze often finds its way to the tranquil haven 2,500 feet above sea level. Couple that with the great housing developments like their Swiss-themed duettos and quadrilles and you’ve a scenic alpine vacation that’s just a drive away.

Additionally, Crosswinds also offers other fine amenities to complete the relaxation and vacation package including a swimming pool, Peak Parks picnic areas, Rock Creek Park nature paths and shaded walking trails, and a 360-degree view deck of the grounds in all their glory. Not to mention, the air is so fresh and the surroundings so beautiful you really can’t help but think you’ve walked into some wonderful fairytale… Heidi maybe?

Finally, to end our little relaxing Monday sojourn, Crosswinds invited all the members of the media contingent to a special tree-planting activity at the perfect plateau on the way up to the view deck. We were all given a seedling (and by seedling I mean a baby tree already taller than me!) from the Crosswinds nursery to plant. Being a true nature lover and environmentalist I had a great time shoveling dirt and making sure my tree was planted well into the ground. We were even invited to put our names on the tree we planted and were assured that the Crosswinds nursery and forestry staff will tend to our trees so we can visit them any time we like.

It was a beautiful, relaxing, and fun Monday morning and as the Volvo drove peacefully back into the city I couldn’t help but think that I need to spend more weekdays like this.