A travel & adventure blog by Kara Santos
With Holy Week coming up and summer in full swing, you know the most accessible and popular beaches are going to get pretty crowded. For those looking for peace and privacy for beach camping trips, Inaladelan Island Resort in Palawan is a great choice. This 12-hectare private island and camping paradise off the coast of Port Barton in Palawan offers a stunning getaway.
Puerto Princesa City, the capital of Palawan, is one of the most popular tourist cities in the Philippines. Best known for its beach resorts, stunning lagoons and the Underground River, Palawan is also a great place for foodies. Though you can now find malls with fast-food joints and international cuisine in Puerto Princesa, nothing beats sampling the homegrown cafes, feasting on fresh seafood, and trying out the unique eats the province has to offer. For first-time visitors, here are some of the must-eats to put on your foodie bucket-list in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
I’ve had the opportunity to stay in some beautiful luxury hotels for work and as part of media tours. This includes grand five-star properties in Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong and Macau. But nothing prepared me for Okada Manila. The moment I stepped inside the lobby, I was completely overwhelmed by the extravagance of the place. It’s hard to believe that a place like this exists in Metro Manila.
Okada Manila is among the largest ultra-luxury integrated hotel-resorts in Asia. It aims to compete with casinos in Macau and position Metro Manila as a regional and international destination. Continue reading “Okada Manila Hotel and Resort Complex”
I’ve been going back and forth to the Eastern towns of Rizal a lot during weekend rides. During that time, I think I’ve tried all the main road trip restaurants in Rizal along Marilaque and Manila East Road Road. One of my favorite dining destinations is Lutong Pugon, a secret garden restaurant owned by a local artist that serves delicious wood-fired pizza. You really wouldn’t expect to find a quality pizzeria like this up in the mountains.
There’s craft beer in my hometown Naga City! Ibalon Craft Brew is introducing to Naga City the first craft beers in the Bicol region. I’m so happy that folks in Bicol now have more beer options and can enjoy something new and different compared to the usual commercial beers served in most stores, bars and restaurants in Naga City.
Continue reading “Ibalon Craft Brew: Bicol’s First Craft Beer”
The beauty of the Philippines really shines in other provinces and islands. Destinations like Palawan, Cebu, Bohol and Boracay are top draws for foreign tourists. However, many international travelers have to travel through Metro Manila, the capital and main gateway to many of the other destinations before they can get there.
Pasig is a city in the Philippines located along the eastern border of Metro Manila. While most business and luxury tourists usually stay in the Manila / Pasay area to be near the airport and backpackers will want to stay in the Makati / Poblacion area for the nightlife, I would recommend staying in Pasig if you’re traveling with the family or if you want to enjoy a mix of active pursuits and city comforts.
If you’ve ever planned or been to New York City, then you are probably aware of the fact that the city is one of the most amazing cities in the world. The city has so much to offer and it seems you can never run out of things to do or explore there. When you arrive in NYC for the first time, you will feel the city’s energy and vibe which will motivate you to explore the Big Apple to tiniest details.
Because Metro Manila and many surrounding towns are highly urbanized and congested, a lot of us are always looking for easy escapes for day trips and weekend getaways. Just a couple of hours from the metro, the nearby provinces of Laguna and Quezon are good choices for those who want to experience the “simple country life.” You can spend the day in a farm or natural resorts, stay in cozy bed & breakfasts, dine in artistic and homey restaurants, and visit artist’s studios.
For those who like nature-tripping, art, culture and food, here are just some of the places you can drive to for an easy countryside getaway relatively near Manila (excluding Nuvali and Tagaytay).
Continue reading “Road Trip Guide: Laguna & Quezon”Iloilo is one of the best destination for foodies in Visayas. For most people, a trip here isn’t complete without having Ilonggo favorites like La Paz Batchoy, Pancit Molo and Lechon Manok. But if you’re a craft beer lover, Brewery Gastropub should definitely be at the top of your list of places to visit. Brewery Gastropub is the first bar and gastropub in Iloilo City that offers a wide selection of both imported and local craft beers from all over the world. They feature over 100 different varieties of bottled beer that you can choose from including 15 fresh beers in draft form.
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