Kara Santos

Limited edition beep cards with Philippine designs: Where to buy

If you use public transportation in Metro Manila, you probably already own a beep card. These stored value cards can be used to pay fare in Metro Manila’s 3 elevated railways – the LRT, LRT-2, MRT-3, point-to-point (P2P) buses, modern PUVs and Cebu ferries.

Going cashless saves you the hassle of lining up every time to get a ticket and saves you a bit on fare compared to using single-journey tickets. These cards can also be used to pay for transactions in some convenience stores and LRT-1 stalls.

How to get to and around Intramuros, Manila

Intramuros is one of the top tourist destinations in Manila for good reason. The Old Walled City is the premiere destination for any first-time tourists in transit to Manila and the go-to destination for entertaining balikbayans who might be home for the holidays. There have been a lot of improvements to the area in recent months like the Pasig River Esplanade, new museums like Centro de Turismo Intramuros and new cafes in Intramuros, which might interest the general public.

With the traffic and limited parking in the area, driving a private vehicle and finding a place to park here can feel like a chore. If you plan to revisit Intramuros but are unsure of how to get there and around, here’s a guide to help you out.

Money-saving tips and top payment options for Europe

Last summer, my husband Art and I went on an amazing month-long trip to 10 European countries, including bucket-list destinations Italy, Switzerland, Czech Republic and Amsterdam. Aside from all the pre-trip jitters and planning that had to be made, one of the things I was concerned about was how to handle our finances for the trip.

Unique cemeteries around the Philippines

Going out of your way to visit a cemetery (other than those where your loved ones are buried on All Souls’ Day) isn’t something most people would want to do during a holiday. Visiting crypts, graveyards and tombs don’t hold the same appeal for tourists compared to visiting beaches, waterfalls and other natural attractions. But around the Philippines, you can find hauntingly beautiful and bizarre cemeteries that have become tourist spots in their own right.

Here are just a few of the unusual burial grounds in the country worth visiting any time of the year.

Food Trip: Where to eat and drink in Sagada

After a day of hiking, caving, biking, and other adventure activities, you’ll definitely work up an appetite while in Sagada. Even if you’re just on a chill staycation, you’ll probably get really hungry walking around town because of the cooler weather and steep roads.

While the small mountain town has fewer dining choices than Baguio City, it’s worth checking out all the unique homegrown restaurants that make use of local ingredients and highlight the rich mountain culture.

Food Trip: Where to eat and drink in Baguio City

Baguio City has always been one of the country’s top destinations during the Christmas season. The cold, chilly breeze, Christmas lights, scenic spots, and great eats make the City of Pines a favorite among those based in Manila and the rest of Luzon looking for a quick getaway for long weekends and holidays.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Philippines

Around the world, you can find landmarks and tourist spots that have that distinction of being called UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These spots are selected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as having high cultural, historical, scientific or other forms of significance, and become legally protected by international treaties.

Metro Manila Museum Guide | Locations, hours, fees & discounted ticket booking

If you’re looking for something new to do in Metro Manila aside from visiting malls, why not explore museums? Whether you’re on a museum date with friends or exploring solo, there are many notable museums around Metro Manila worth your time. Some of these are completely free to visit.

Here’s a reference list of museums in Metro Manila for those who want to learn more about history, culture, or appreciate art. I’ve included their location, business hours and entrance fees if any.

10 unique & fun things to do in Manila

For travelers, backpackers and province-based tourists, Manila is often just thought of as a stopover between flights on the way to another destination. The big city can be overwhelming with the heavy traffic and crowded streets. It’s often seen as gritty and chaotic, especially if you visit the areas of Quiapo and Divisoria.

I often take the tourist sights in Manila for granted because I live here. But if I were a first-time tourist in the Philippines or if I had to take around foreign tourists, balikbayans, expats or province-based friends, what would I do and where would I go?

ITALY | Free things to do in Venice

Venice needs no introduction. The world-famous floating city in Italy has been featured in so many Hollywood films, TV shows, books, video games and modern media, that everyone knows what it looks like. Theme parks and malls around the world build artificial canals just to replicate the look and feel of Venice.

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