Acely's GT Family Travels
Acely Family Travels: Where Every Journey Feels Like Home
There’s a saying that the best memories are made when you’re on the road – and for the Acely family, this couldn’t ring truer. For the past five years, they’ve turned travel into a way of life, weaving adventures into their routine and proving that you don’t need to choose between seeing the world and staying connected as a family.
How It All Began
It started with a spontaneous weekend trip to Tagaytay, just a few hours from their home in Makati. At the time, parents Ana and Miguel were feeling burnt out from their corporate jobs, and their two kids – 10-year-old Lia and 7-year-old Leo – were spending more time on screens than exploring the outdoors. What was meant to be a quick escape turned into a revelation: watching their children’s eyes light up at the sight of Taal Volcano, sharing fresh bulalo at a roadside stall, and laughing together as they got lost on a scenic trail felt more meaningful than any deadline or report.
“That trip changed everything,” Ana recalls. “We realized we were so focused on building a future for our kids that we were missing out on creating moments with them right now.”
Their Travel Philosophy: Slow, Simple, and Shared
Unlike many families who rush to check off tourist hotspots, the Acelys believe in “slow travel.” They pick a destination and stay for at least a week, giving themselves time to settle in, meet locals, and discover hidden gems that guidebooks miss. On a trip to Cebu, they spent three days learning to make lechon from a local family, and on a visit to Palawan, they helped a small community clean up a stretch of beach – experiences that left a lasting impact on both the family and the places they visited.
“For us, travel isn’t about how many places we see,” Miguel says. “It’s about how deeply we connect with them – and with each other. We make sure everyone has a say in where we go and what we do, so no one feels like they’re just along for the ride.”
Unforgettable Adventures (and a Few Misadventures)
Every journey has its highs and lows, and the Acelys have had their share of both. There was the time their rental car broke down in the middle of a rice field in Nueva Ecija – but instead of panicking, they spent the afternoon playing with local kids and learning to plant rice. Or the rainy day in Baguio when their plans to hike Burnham Park were ruined, so they ended up spending hours in a small bookstore, reading stories aloud and sipping hot chocolate.
“Those ‘oops’ moments often become our favorite memories,” Lia says, grinning. “Like when Dad tried to speak Ilocano and accidentally asked for ‘a thousand chickens’ instead of ‘a glass of water’ – everyone laughed so hard!”
Bringing Travel Home
The Acelys don’t let their adventures end when they return to Makati. They’ve turned their living room into a “travel corner,” filled with souvenirs, photos, and a map marking every place they’ve visited. Every Sunday, they have a “travel night” where they cook a meal from their last destination, share stories, and plan their next trip.
“It’s important to us that travel enriches our daily lives,” Ana explains. “We’ve learned to be more flexible, more curious, and more grateful – and those lessons stay with us long after we’ve unpacked our suitcases.”
As the Acelys prepare for their next adventure – a trip to Siargao to learn surfing – they hope their story inspires other families to take that first step. “You don’t need a big budget or a lot of time,” Miguel says. “All you need is the willingness to explore, to laugh, and to make memories together. That’s what Acely Family Travels is all about.”
"Lace has visited numerous countries including Italy, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, China, Japan, Australia, and the Philippines. That’s a total of 13 countries."
Comments
Post a Comment