A travel & adventure blog by Kara Santos
As the world’s oldest Chinatown (established in 1594), Binondo in Manila is a well-known cultural and foodie haven. Here, you can find lots of authentic hole-in-the-wall establishments serving everything from flashy Cantonese-themed lauriat meals to homey Hokkien-style Tsinoy cooking. However, there are over 100+ restaurants in the area, so it can be quite overwhelming to decide where to eat.
After almost two years of being stuck at home and riding only to nearby areas because of the pandemic, we decided to go on a motorcycle road trip right before Christmas last December 2021. Social gatherings were still limited, checkpoints in some areas were still strict, and borders to select destinations were just easing up. At the time, Dingalan in Aurora was one of the few places accepting tourists from other provinces and Metro Manila without a lot of requirements.
You know how hard it is to plan trips with friends. With everyone’s busy schedules, work conflicts, and adult responsibilities, another year goes by and you haven’t had a chance to catch up over coffee or have drinks. Sometimes, planning a staycation in the city can be an easier and more relaxing alternative to out-of-town trips.
Hidden along a quiet residential street in Cubao is a stately Filipino mansion that has opened its doors to the public as a living museum and boutique events space. The MiraNila Heritage House and Library in Cubao is a heritage house originally built in 1929 in the California Revival Style, with lovely gardens and preserved interiors.
My family and I have made it a point to travel together more this year. Since we live in different households with my parents based in the province, we’ve had a lot of catching up to do. This is the first year since the pandemic that we’ve been able to celebrate milestone celebrations together like birthdays.
Baguio City never gets old. The view of pine trees, mountains, and cold weather is always a great experience for those coming from the lowland areas. You can feel the Christmas spirit here all-year around, which makes it a great place to visit with friends and family. With a super long weekend coming up at the end of the month and the upcoming holiday season, Baguio is an easy destination for travelers coming from Manila.
For families traveling with kids, seniors, and pets looking for a place to stay in Baguio, The Forest Lodge at Camp John Hay is one of the top hotels to consider. This chill 5-story mountain resort with 178 rooms caters mostly to families, couples, group travelers, and leisure tourists.
Continue reading “The Forest Lodge at Camp John Hay: Family-friendly mountain resort in Baguio City”Every tourist town needs a proper craft beer joint and in the heritage city of Vigan in Ilocos Sur, one unique watering hole you can visit is Calle Brewery. The Spanish colonial town, one of the country’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, is well-known for its homegrown restaurants serving authentic Ilocano cuisine. Established in March 2018, Calle Brewery offers a relatively new spot in Vigan where tourists can enjoy craft beer and smoked meats in a brewpub converted from a century-old stone house.
For those living in the metro who want a break from the city life, La Union is a popular weekend destination. While known mostly for its surf scene, Elyu is also a good destination for foodies because of the vibrant restaurant scene and diverse food options available. Along with Pinoy staples and international fare, you can also find a several vegetarian/vegan options for those on special diets.
Taiwan is definitely a destination that will appeal to foodies. Whether you’re in the mood for the tastiest dumplings, freshest seafood, or unique street eats, Taiwanese cuisine has something to offer for everybody. For beer lovers, it’s also a great place for chill drinking sessions with its hip craft beer bars and good selection of beer in convenience stores and groceries.
Since Taiwan extended its visa-free entry for Filipino citizens until July 31, 2024, we decided to book a quick bike vacation to the capital city Taipei combined with food-tripping and drinking in between.
When you think of Japanese beer, brands like Kirin, Asahi, Sapporo and Suntory immediately come to mind. You can order these beers easily from any restaurant in Japan, find them in convenience stores, or even purchase them directly from vending machines.
These days, the craft brewing culture is very much alive in Japan. Tokyo is home to many small breweries and micropubs, so it can be overwhelming to decide where and what to drink.
Continue reading “JAPAN | Where to drink in Tokyo: A beer diary”
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