A travel & adventure blog by Kara Santos
If you’re on a road trip in the Bicol region and looking for a place to stay in Sorsogon City, Siama Hotel, a charming nature-inspired boutique hotel, is a great option. This hidden gem celebrates the beauty of Bicol’s natural materials in a contemporary artistic setting. Prior to my visit, I had already seen various photos of Siama Hotel online and was intrigued by the place. During a summer visit to Naga City, I convinced my parents to take a road trip to Sorsogon for a quick family vacation.
Combining Visita Iglesia, the Holy Week tradition of visiting seven churches, and the sport of biking is a unique way to mix faith and fitness. While most tourists would prefer to visit churches by motorized transport, there’s something about pedaling your way around under the heat of the sun that makes visiting churches feel like an actual sacrifice or penance rather than just sightseeing by car.
For those based in Metro Manila, Batangas and La Union are the most popular destinations that tourists head to for a beach fix. For those willing to travel a little further South, then Camarines Norte (or Cam Norte) in the Bicol region, roughly 343 km southeast of Manila might be the ideal spot for you. Much has been written about the historic destinations in this Philippine province, so here are my picks of the most fun and unique activities you can do there.
Kanchanaburi is a city in Thailand located where the rivers Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai meet. Just a couple of hours away from the bustling capital of Bangkok, this area is known for its natural attractions and waterfalls, making it an ideal destination for those who prefer nature and adventure getaways compared to party beaches and shopping.
Continue reading “THAILAND: River Kwai Village Jungle Resort”
After covering the Golden Anniversary and T’nalak Festival in Koronadal City, I extended my trip to explore more of the region and opted to stay in Microtel by Wyndham – General Santos City. Located on the shores of Sarangani Bay, this independent city is geographically part of South Cotabato in Mindanao and is the gateway to other provinces including Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, and (North) Cotabato.
Tagaytay City is one of the nearest destinations to Manila for weekend getaways. While most people go here on day trips, it’s always nice to spend the night to have more time to check out all the different new sights. There are a lot of accommodations to choose from in the main city, from no-frills backpacker’s hotels, to hotel rooms with a view of Taal Lake, and villas and cottages for rents for bigger groups. For those looking for something a little more unique and cozy, Plant Bistro is a lovely little bed & breakfast and cafe. I found the place on Airbnb and thought it would make a great weekend getaway.
Continue reading “Plant Bistro: Cozy B & B and Cafe in Tagaytay”
Summer is here and many families and barkadas are looking for resorts for their out-of-town swimming trips and excursions. One of the places I can recommend relatively near the metro is Momarco Resort in Tanay, Rizal. Only 1.5 hours away from Quezon City, Momarco Resort has a large, clean and well-maintained swimming pool and an artificial lagoon with a waterfall.
If you’re planning to try Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls and want a place to stay the night before or after the adventure, Matutinao Beach Resort in Barangay Matutinao, Badian, South Cebu is a good choice.
Mabuhay Motorcycle Tours is a company that offers big bikes and scooters for rent and guided motorcycle tours in the Philippines. I previously wrote about their services in Northern Luzon and found out that they had branched out to Manila, Baguio and Bohol from their main branch based in Alaminos, Pangasinan. During my recent trip to Bohol, I got a chance to stay in their guesthouse and use any motorcycle for 2 days.
After our long motorcycle ride from Manila to my hometown Naga City in Bicol, I was all set for a few days of just chilling out at the beach. My family decided to spend Christmas Eve in Caramoan, a rugged getaway best known for being the filming location of hit reality show Survivor. To maximize our stay, we took a 3D2N package at Tugawe Cove Resort, a beautiful resort hidden in a cove.
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