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Manila Bulletin devider Lifestyle devider Travel devider How smart planning can turn every trip into big moments

How smart planning can turn every trip into big moments

Published Jan 7, 2026 09:33 am  |  Updated Jan 7, 2026 03:38 pm
Every unforgettable journey begins long before anyone boards a plane. Long before bags are packed or passports are stamped, the magic reveals itself in the way travelers choose to shape their experience. For Patty Laurel-Filart and Khrystelle Luha, traveling isn't just about seeing the world. It's about designing how they want to feel about it. Stepping into 2026, they inspire us to make travel resolutions that prioritize intention and protection for the big adventures ahead.

Whether exploring centuries-old cities in Europe with loved ones or discovering the quiet warmth of Central Asia, they build their journeys with curiosity, purpose, and deep intention. And though their adventures take them to different places, they share one powerful belief. Every big moment deserves to be thoughtfully and deliberately protected from the very start. This makes it the perfect resolution for gearing up your travels this year.

Patty Laurel-Filart: Building Family Memories with Purpose

Patty's fascination with Europe began when she was a child absorbed in books about art and history. Today, she shares that passion with her family through carefully planned trips to cities like Geneva, Copenhagen, Porto, Lyon, and Dubrovnik. She chooses destinations that balance safety, learning, and fun, allowing her children to grow through every place they visit.

Patty considers travel planning her happy place. She enjoys the research, budgeting, booking, and organizing that make trip preparations feel like solving a beautiful puzzle. She is intentional about choosing safe neighborhoods, preparing for weather changes, and crafting itineraries that fit her kids' energy levels. These choices are guided by the Filipino value of "Kayod Ipon", which she and her husband teach their children to internalize, so that they can enjoy these special moments of exploration because they've put in the hard work and forward thinking to earn them.
Patty's family trips are also shaped by meaningful rituals. Every night while on vacation, they gather for two family mindfulness exercises: a "Bedtime Recap" to share favorite moments and grateful prayer, and a game of "This Time Tomorrow,” where they talk about what they would have experienced by tomorrow evening, further building excitement for the next day.

With all her experience and love for well-kept plans, Patty knows better than to believe everything will go her way. In fact, she prefers to plan her trips with an 80-20 philosophy. That's 80 percent preparation to the best of her abilities, and 20 percent flexibility for whatever unexpected adventure gets thrown in her family's way. She knows that delays, lost bags, and sudden changes can happen, especially with kids, so she prepares thoroughly but keeps space for spontaneity and joy.

The Traveling Morena: Designing Trips That Open the Heart

While Patty builds memory-rich family itineraries, Khrystelle, better known online as "The Traveling Morena," seeks out destinations that challenge her perspective. Her curiosity led her to Kazakhstan, a place she initially chose to explore its culture and natural landscapes, but instead found a much deeper connection through tender human experiences.

One highlight was a traditional lunch inside a yurt in a canyon and a lake tour. As she spent her afternoon captivated by postcard-perfect Almaty in the autumn, she settled in for a midday meal that exposed her to the renowned hospitality of the Kazakh people. Surrounded by strangers who welcomed her genuinely with the dishes and companions they cherished most, Khrystelle went back to her hotel deeply moved by the intimate generosity she had been shown that day as a visitor to their country.

This impression would be further highlighted throughout the rest of her trip. As she travelled to areas where English is rarely spoken, she learned to rely on gestures, smiles, and an abundance of patience. One morning, an elderly man saw she was not dressed warmly enough and offered his gloves and bonnet. They did not share a language, yet they understood each other completely.

For unique destinations rife with opportunities for connection, Khrystelle believes that travelers must learn to be truly present in the moment. Her advice is multi-fold: choose places that excite and intimidate you, build an itinerary that gives the exploration of these locales structure, but always leave room for detours because those unplanned moments often become your best stories.
               
Traveling with Confidence
After all the research, bookings, and decisions that shape their trips, both women never skip one essential final step: securing protection that lets them fully live each moment. With AXA Smart Traveller, they’re free to explore the world with peace of mind - knowing they’re covered anytime, anywhere.

As one of the largest and fastest-growing insurance providers in the country, AXA Philippines provides comprehensive travel security through Smart Traveller, including PHP 3.5 million coverage for accidents and another PHP 3.5 million for sudden illnesses, Schengen accreditation for hassle-free European travel, 24/7 worldwide assistance, and exclusive savings for families, groups, and annual multi-trip plans. Because when your adventure is built with intention, your protection should be too. AXA Smart Traveller becomes the safety net that holds the blueprint of a trip together when life gets unpredictable. For Patty, it means focusing on her children and the memories they create. For Khrystelle, it means embracing unfamiliar places with confidence. With the right protection, you can freely build meaningful journeys and savor every big moment along the way. Start with your New Year's commitment to travel smarter in 2026.

Learn more by visiting their website and discover how AXA Smart Traveller can help you travel smart and protected on your next journey.   

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