by James Aquino
Written while facing the second-floor balcony, with a mild drizzle that touches the sea of calatheas, aglaonemas, and the grass below. In a place we never 
knew existed in one of my hometown provinces, in a property so well-thought-of, it felt like finding a second home I never knew existed but now want to visit over and over again.
The gentle resolution of the COVID-19 pandemic opened the doors to what we love the most – travel. Missing the rush of exploring different destinations for almost two years gave us a different outlook on what travel is all about. This time, we wanted to start with shorter but more meaningful travels to nearby provinces that are only a few hours away.
My wife has been on the lookout for something new, some place fresh, and somewhere different. This craving for a peaceful respite led us to a beautiful property not too far from our usual favorite place down south, which is Tagaytay. This property is Sefriya.
Sefriya is a place that presents a wonderful union of a high-end farm and orchard and a peaceful and luxurious exclusive hotel (or at least that’s the impression we got when we saw the promotional photos). It is such a tastefully curated piece of property that it seemed like the realization of one of my greatest life goals, which is to have an events place that feels fresh, premium, and elegant.
Considering that Sefriya opened only few months ago, I can only imagine how much of a metamorphosis it will still have in the future. We immediately
decided to make it the place in which to celebrate our 14th wedding anniversary after making an inquiry to their very responsive Facebook page.
By the time we arrived at the main entrance, we were welcomed by the view of the Liwasan Garden, with patterns inspired by the Versailles and a grand fountain at the center, laid before the main pavilions, Tipanan and Harana, that can accommodate various events. It was a breathtaking sight to behold, like a postcard that came to life.
Our excitement did not stop there. As we entered the premises, we were warmly accommodated by the very hospitable staff.
Sefriya is on a league of its own. There are spots that can transport you somewhere completely different, like basking in the afternoon sun in an estate in Tuscany. The trees, plants, and flowers were landscaped like a painting masterpiece. I kept on mumbling that there is indeed love and exceptional attention that went into planning this place. Everything felt premium, with a simple but very haciendero vibe every step of the way. Currently, they have twelve beautiful rooms that can accommodate small families or couples who wanted to spend a night or two (or three). There is also an in-house restaurant that serves great range of dishes from local fare to pastas and sandwiches. You can have a quick soak in the secluded pool surrounded by mango trees and shrubs, and of course, there is a small chapel, which made us instantaneously decide that we wanted to get married there, renew our vows, and make a testament of our love.
If we have to describe Sefriya in just a few words, they will be: Pristine. Refined. Elysian. We are so grateful to have found a beautiful destination as wonderful as this property, which ignites romance, love of travel, and serenity all in one magnificent ensemble.
Note: This is not a sponsored post by any means. We just believe that Sefriya deserves a beautiful highlight detailing why it is worth the road trip and a stay for those looking for something new and premium without straying too far from the metro.
