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Tessa Valdes
We're all familiar with this society staple's over-the-top ensembles. What we really want to know is what she packs when she travels

think it's kind of obsessive, but when I travel, I have to have a different outfit everyday," says Tessa Valdes. "Complete with accessories and false eyelashes!" We aren't really surprised, as the 44-year-old society columnist/interior designer/style icon explains why she's almost always charged for overweight luggage when she checks in at the airport. But what did surprise us is that, no matter how many trips she takes in a year, she's still a nervous flier. "If the plane starts shaking because of turbulence, I already think I'm going to die!" she exclaims. Which is why she never gets on a plane without her novenas and rosary, as well as her feng shui charms and paraphernalia. "I might as well get all the help I can get," she laughs. Her travel plans this year include a Gold Coast holiday with her family, New York to run the famous marathon (she's currently training), and to join The Amazing Race Asia with Tim Yap. "Between the two of us, can you imagine the kind of luggage we'll be bringing??"

FAVORITES
Outfit to wear on the plane: Zara tee, embellished jeans, Aldo heels.

Handcarry bag: An Italian bag with lots of pockets and leather trimmings. I bought it during my last trip to Rome.

Luggage: I definitely like soft suitcases-I can put more stuff in! Jansport makes lightweight luggage with colorful prints.

Watch: Swatch, of course, because their watches match my colorful outfits.

Gadgets: Apple Macbook in a pink leather case-the case is special since it was a gift from my 22-year-old son's girlfriend; We're all familiar with this society staple's over-the-top ensembles. What we really want to know is what she packs when she travels Tessa wears a gown by Oliver Tolentino, earrings and bangles by Arnel Papa, hat by Marilu Laurena two cell phones-one Nokia, one Motorola; Sony digital camera with bling-bling; and iPod with my Nike+ monitor for my marathon training.

Beauty products: La Prairie moisturizer, Met Tathione soap, Nivea sunblock, and Shu Uemura makeup and false eyelashes.

DESTINATIONS
Hotel: Grand Hyatt Tokyo-it was the first hotel my husband Dennis and I stayed in when we vacationed as a married couple. The bed was like sleeping on clouds, the toilet seat was heated and had so many features, and the room was luxurious and spacious. It's the hotel in the movie Lost In Translation.

Favorite resort: Mombo Camp in Botswana, Africa. The resort is in the middle of a safari but has all the amenities of a five-star hotel. There is an indoor and outdoor shower with heated water, and you sleep with the most amazing animal sounds around each individual stylized hut. SPA: Local: Urban Spa, Mandala Spa and The Spa at the Mandarin Oriental-they all have excellent treatments.

Foreign: Kapalua Bay Villas and Resort in Hawaii. The resort is right next to a spectacular golf course-you can have wonderful spa treatments after.

Airline: Singapore Airlines. Their planes are so new and I just feel safe. Plus they have sexy stewardesses!

Places to shop: All over the world! I can shop anywhere and everywhere and all are my favorite!

Europe: Venice, Florence and Rome-so much art and artistry!

Asia: Palau, Micronesia. Scuba diving is one of my passions. We love staying on Ocean Hunter II, a dive live-aboard yacht-it's like a small hotel at sea.

North America: San Francisco, only because I lived there for five years-I proudly raised my son while going to college.

Dream destination: It's a toss between Maldives and the Galapagos Islands. In Maldives, I would stay in Four Seasons with Dennis-it will surely make me fall in love with him all over again! In Galapagos, it will be on a dive boat, The Aggressor, again with my husband. We are both avid divers and love the water!

SHOPPING
What you bring for friends and family abroad: Wow Magic Sing-this is always a hit with the foreigners. And also 7D Dried Mangoes.

Favorite pasalubong for friends and family back home: Paton's chocolate from Duty-Free. With all my overweight, I just buy pasalubong when I arrive in the airport.

Most expensive purchase: Murano chandelier from Venice for my house.

Best bargain purchase: Prada and Miu Miu shoes from a street market in Rome.

Purchase you regret the most: Souvenir items that I don't need or have use for.

TIPS
Getting rid of jet lag: Airborne does the trick for me, plus loads of vitamin C. A glass of wine also knocks me out.

Sightseeing: Tickets to many museums can be purchased online to avoid the long queues at the gate. Try to see at least one show in big cities like New York, Las Vegas or London. In Spain, catch a flamenco show and feel their passion.

General travel tips: Bring socks, so you can put them on when your shoes need to be removed for security check. Have enough cash for emergency side trips. Make sure your mobile phone is on roaming, so people at home can reach you (unless you're honeymooning in the middle of the ocean). Hook up with a friend or friends' friends to make your trip more memorable. If no friends are available, make new ones and keep them for life! n