Rediscover Prana Resorts & Spa Koh Samui at - QVI Club

THE TRANSIT LOUNGE
Dr. Mark Paul Platon, a Diamond Club member, shares with us his most memorable holiday
experiences to date.
Q. What attracted you to becoming a
QVI Club Member?
My family and I love to travel, so when we
were introduced to QVI Club and learned
about how much we could save on our
accommodations around the world, we
immediately decided to join. It’s also nice
to know that as QVI Club members we’d
be able to stay at spacious well-appointed
resorts and hotels instead of small
cramped and uncomfortable rooms.
Q. What is your most memorable
holiday experience and why?
Q. What are your favorite destinations?
When I’m in the mood for a highly urban
retreat, New York City is still on the top
of my list. The fast and trend-setting
pace ensures that there’s never a dull
moment when I’m there. But when I’ve
had too much of the hustle and bustle
of city life, Switzerland is by far the best
place to detox. It still offers the comforts
of city living, but it’s so much more safe,
relaxed, quiet and clean. Arm yourself
with a Travel Pass and a couple of basic
French and German phrases and you can
wander aimlessly by train all throughout
this picturesque country.
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My most memorable holiday experience
by far was when I went to visit my
sisters Czarra and Czarina in Switzerland
last 2006 and we went around Europe.
We had quite an adventure together
in Paris, Barcelona, Milan, Rome,
Amsterdam, and back to Switzerland
where we celebrated a simple Filipino
Noche Buena or evening dinner to
usher in Christmas and my birthday.
Traveling is made even more special and
memorable when you’re with loved ones.
Reminiscing on the beautiful sights,
hilarious mishaps, and great times
exploring new cities never fail to make me
smile and brighten up my day wherever
I might be.
Q. How about your worst holiday
experience and why?
I can’t say I’ve had a bad holiday
experience yet. Even when I had to go
on duty and work at the hospital over
Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve
which are normally reserved as special
family time, I still managed to enjoy the
spirit of the season.
Q. What do you like to do most when
on vacation?
Every time I’m on vacation or even
when I’m visiting a new destination for
business, I just love exploring my new
environment on foot. If I get the chance,
I also make it a point to try out the local
public transport system, specially the
Metro. Each one’s got its own personality.
And if it’s fairly safe, I won’t even mind
getting lost! That’s an adventure in itself,
and there’s so much to see and learn
while finding my way back home.
Pictures of Dr. Platon’s vacations around the world
are his best souvenirs
Q. What is your idea of a perfect
holiday?
A Perfect Holiday: No work, no plans, no
budget. Everything spontaneous and onthe-fly.
Q. Amongst all the countries you have
been to, which one has left you with the
strongest impression?
I consider myself blessed to have seen
countries outside of my own, but taking
everything into account, there is really
no place like the Philippines. It has a little
bit of everything: interesting historical
sites, colorful cultural celebrations,
upscale urban settings, gorgeous nature
retreats, and charming hospitable
people. No wonder more and more people
from around the world are choosing to
live here.
Q. Name at least 3 essential items you
always take with you when traveling
overseas?
1. My notebook computer - It pays
to stay connected, especially when
you’re stuck in the airport.
2. My Bio Disc - keeps jetlag at bay,
plus it helps me stay energized the
entire time.
3. A digital camera - Pictures are the
best souvenir.
Q. If you were exiled to a desert island
and could only take one person and one
personal item with you, what would
you select?
One person? Hmm … I haven’t met her
yet. One personal item? A big fat Swiss
Army knife!