IF busy schedules and bank accounts will allow it, it would be great to head for a much, much cooler place during the summer. One can the escape not only the summer heat, but also the stress, traffic and pollution as well. We asked several celebrities where their dream vacations would be and what they would pack in their luggage?

Brian Velasco (drums, Razorback) wants to own a house in Boracay, Milan and in the South of France because he loves to travel. "I love Paris! I also love New York despite the pollution and the crime rate. I love New York because of the characters there. Cultures converge there, Italians, Mexicans, Jews, Filipinos, whites and blacks. But for the summer, nothing beats the beach! Take me anywhere, I'd be happiest in the beach. When I make it big someday, I'm going to buy a house in Boracay or Puerto Galera. I'm going to live and retire there."

Ned Esguerra (bass, Free Verse) loves music so much that he brings it with him even if he's on vacation. "If I had the time, I plan to tour the whole Philippines. I will travel light, maging backpacker para maging adventure talaga. Bahala na kung anong mahanap ko doon sa lugar. Ang dadalhin ko sa tour either maliit na keyboard or guitar para makapagsulat pa rin ako ng kanta. Maybe I'll be inspired by the places I visit. Para kapag bumalik ako galing sa bakasyon, may mga kanta na kaming mare-record."

Joel Tolentino (drums, Free Verse) claims that the beach is the perfect vacation spot for him. "Sa Batangas ako pupunta. Dati every summer, kaming mga magbabarkada go to this certain place. This year, hindi na mga ka-banda ko ang isasama ko, ibang barkada naman. Dadalhin ko yung CD player ko at mga favorites kong CDs: Madonna's 'Something to Remember,' South Border's Live album, 'Compilation of Hemisphere' (techno)."

Andy Garcia (lead guitar, Free Verse) fell in love with Cebu when they performed for a gig. "Cebu is a good place for a short vacation. Must-haves for my trip, actually dinadala ko ito kahit saan ako magpunta, are: cellphone, ATM cards, credit cards, Palm pilot ko."

Bong Maquito (keyboards, Free Verse) loves food and hates to sweat. "Sa Baguio ako pupunta para mag-relax at magbakasyon. Magdadala ako ng maraming pagkain, CDs at tapes. Ngayon South Border ang pinakikinggan ko pero nagbabago yung taste ko depende sa mood ko."

Agot Isidro claims that she loves to travel but it can't be a spontaneous activity. "I love to get away and travel but it can't be on the spur-of-the-moment, kailangan planuhin ko. Getting away can be good for the mind, body and soul, even if you take only three days off. Basta change of scenery lang.

"Jim Paredes taught me to make a list of 100 things I want to do in my life. On that list, I wrote, ski in Aspen, trek the mountains and go to Africa. My dream vacation would really be Africa. I've been to Paris, Europe, New York but Africa is a different world. You don't know what to expect because the place is so exotic. My favorite place here in the Philippines is Palawan. Maganda, parang wala ka sa Pilipinas. It's so soothing to be there.

"On vacation, I'd probably pack a few self-help books or anything that's interesting."

Sharmaine Suarez wants to travel around the world and be a philanthropist. "I love traveling. If I have all the money in the world, I would travel around the world. I also love children so I'd also visit the orphanages all around the world.

She doesn't have a specific plan for the summer. "I still can't decide where to go and what to do. It would depend on my moods. I'm a Gemini. Sometimes I prefer staying at home but I'm also into sports. I learned how to rock climb in Subic during the Star Olympics a few years ago and I got addicted to it."

Rosanna Roces claims that she will stay at home during Holy Week. "Kapag wala akong trabaho, naglilinis lang ako nang bahay. Langit na sa akin kapag nasa bahay ako. Madalas akong sa kusina, nagluluto."

Kara David ("Unang Hirit"/"Brigada Siete") describes herself as a mountain person so she hies off to the mountains to rest and relax. "Mount Halbon in Mindoro is a great vacation spot for me because it's cool and has the highest peak. Mount Pulag in Northern Luzon has the second highest peak so I might try climbing that too.