A travel & adventure blog by Kara Santos
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.
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.
Continue reading “Unique cemeteries around the Philippines”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.
Continue reading “Food Trip: Where to eat and drink in Sagada”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.
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.
October is Museums and Galleries month in the Philippines. If you’re looking for something new to do in the metro aside from visiting malls, why not explore museums instead. 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.
NOTE: This list is based on museums that I’ve personally visited in Metro Manila. I’ll update this post whenever I visit a new museum.
Continue reading “GUIDE: Museums in Metro 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?
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.
Staying connected online when traveling overseas is now a necessity. With all the travel apps people use for booking hotels and activities, filling up online forms and health declaration cards, scanning QR codes, getting access to e-tickets, and essential communication with travel companions, it’s essential for travelers to stay connected as soon as they land.
Intramuros, the historic walled city of Manila, is one of the country’s top destinations for international tourists and locals alike. While most tourists visit mainly for the churches, museums, and historical sites, some dining spots also offer unique destinations to grab a bite or drink in between all that sightseeing.
Along with classic restaurants serving Filipino-Spanish cuisine, a few new cafes have popped up in the past few years, giving locals a reason to revisit.
Here’s an ultimate guide to the classic and new restaurants in Intramuros currently operational as of October 2024.
Continue reading “Classic and new cafes to visit in Intramuros, Manila”
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