Planning a Holiday Trip? Check These Tips From Seasoned Travel Creators

The year is winding down, and for many, that means one last escape before the calendar resets. But here’s the question: Have you booked your holiday getaway already, or are you holding out on a last-minute deal? Sure, you can wait for that last-minute steal, but like any holiday rush, it comes with risks that can make or break your much-needed holiday reset.

Interestingly, for some of the country’s most seasoned travel creators, this window isn’t about taking chances at all—it’s an opportunity. They’ve learned the tricks of the traveling trade the hard way, and now they know exactly when to go big, when to save, and what to never overlook, especially when it comes to safety. 

For Patty Laurel-Filart, Jax Reyes, Xzar Lim, and Khrystelle Luha, also known as The Traveling Morena, a mix of smart planning, the right travel tools, and a little bit of caution is all it takes to end the year with cherished memories that stick long after the trip is over. 

Patty Laurel-Filart 

Family First: How Patty Laurel-Filart Plans Meaningful, Stress-Free Holiday Travel
For Patty Laurel Filart, slow travel is the key to making bigger, more meaningful moments with her family. Her holiday trips usually begin long before December starts. She prefers to map out options by midyear so she can enjoy the last few months without rushing through fully booked schedules. Their family trips often look simple and relaxed, from walking through Copenhagen’s quiet neighborhoods to visiting Christmas markets in Germany at an easy pace. Patty focuses on what truly matters and leaves room for flexibility so the family can enjoy each moment with fewer distractions.

Jax Reyes

Travel Smart, Save Big: Jax Reyes Shares His Top Hacks for Affordable Adventures
As a value-driven traveler, Jax Reyes welcomes the holidays by tracking major seat sales and choosing destinations that let him save without sacrificing the experience. He plans early to avoid peak-season prices and prefers trips that allow him to slow down rather than pack his days with nonstop activities. Jax looks for affordable flights so he can shift his budget toward meaningful moments on the ground, whether that means staying longer in a favorite spot or taking the time to enjoy simple routines. For Jax, smart planning and a slower, more intentional pace make it easier for him to enjoy bigger moments along the way.

Xzar Lim

Balancing Adventure and Preparation: Xzar Lim’s Journey to New Horizons
Adventure traveler Xzar Lim is spending the holidays with a long-awaited solo trip to Central Asia, followed by an overland journey across South Africa. She has shifted between bikepacking and backpacking to match the demands of each leg of the trip and has learned to balance ambitious routes with moments of rest. Xzar prepares ahead by researching visas and routes early, setting a buffer budget for unexpected changes, and giving herself space to enjoy the journey without burning out. After years of nonstop travel, she now values clarity, balance, and the freedom to push bigger travel goals at a sustainable pace.

The Travelling Morena

Getting Lost and Finding Yourself: The Travelling Morena’s Meaningful Holiday
Khrystelle Luha, known online as The Travelling Morena, is heading back to Cambodia, but this time with a different approach. With major temples and tourist hotspots expected to be packed toward year-end, she’s setting her sights on lesser-known ancient complexes like Koh Ker, Beng Mealea’s jungle-covered ruins, and the serene temple complex of Banteay Chhmar. These sites offer a deeper sense of discovery without the usual crowds, and this slower style of exploration lets her stay spontaneous without losing intention. For Khrystelle, these lesser-known places create space for real connection with people and stories, creating a one-of-a-kind travel experience that grounds you as the year comes to a close.

Big Adventures and Bigger Protection with AXA Smart Traveller
Big adventures come with big uncertainties, and these content creators choose AXA Smart Traveller, AXA’s award-winning travel insurance offering, for reliable, comprehensive protection wherever they go. With one of the highest medical coverages on the market, it offers up to P3.5 million for accidents and another P3.5 million for unexpected illnesses abroad, so you’re protected no matter what happens along the way. 

In addition, AXA Smart Traveller is Schengen-accredited, making it ideal for European trips, and can be purchased online on the same day of your trip, practical for last-minute travel plans. It also offers special rates for group plans, multi-trip coverage, and 24/7 travel assistance—ensuring that surprises never derail a long-awaited journey.

As these creators always remind their communities, big moments deserve big protection. With AXA Smart Traveller, know you can travel boldly, enjoy the holidays on a high note, and look forward to even bigger adventures and moments ahead.

For more information on AXA Smart Traveller, visit www.axa.com.ph.