AUSTRIA | Things to do in Vienna

Renowned for its natural landscapes, music, literature and art, Austria is a wonderful destination to visit in Europe. Austria was the third country we visited on our European tour earlier this year. After traveling around Rome and Venice in Italy, we crossed to Austria in Central Europe, which lies in the Eastern Alps. Most of us are familiar with some aspects of Austrian culture having grown up watching the classic 1965 film The Sound of Music starring Julie Andrews. The real von Trapp family once lived in Salzburg and the movie was filmed mainly in and around the city.

Continue reading “AUSTRIA | Things to do in Vienna”

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.

Continue reading “How to get to and around Intramuros, Manila”

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.

Continue reading “Food Trip: Where to eat and drink in Sagada”

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.

Continue reading “UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Philippines”

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.

Continue reading “Metro Manila Museum Guide | Locations, hours, fees & discounted ticket booking”

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? 

Continue reading “10 unique & fun things to do in Manila”

Classic and new cafes to visit in Intramuros, Manila

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”

Lonely Planet Philippines 2024 guidebook is now available

If you got bitten by the travel bug before the digital era, chances are you’ve relied on Lonely Planet for your explorations.

For the past five decades, globetrotters have considered Lonely Planet’s classic guidebooks a “traveler’s bible” to help plan in-depth country trips and pick the best things to do, where to stay and where to eat in each country.

Continue reading “Lonely Planet Philippines 2024 guidebook is now available”

5 rainy season destinations in the Philippines for nature lovers

It can be tough to plan trips during the rainy season in the Philippines. There’s a lot of uncertainty when traveling by air and sea, especially if a typhoon hits. Once you arrive at your destination, overcast skies and seasonal downpours can be a downer during sightseeing and typical outdoor activities like going to the beach.

But this doesn’t mean hitting the snooze button on travel. Some places around the country come alive once the rainy season sets in. Natural landscapes like waterfalls look their finest and mountain scenery is at its greenest. The fog in mountainous areas can make places look more captivating.

Continue reading “5 rainy season destinations in the Philippines for nature lovers”

UNESCO Biosphere Reserves of the Philippines

Did you know there are currently four UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in the Philippines? The province of Apayao was recently designated the country’s newest biosphere reserve as part of UNESCO’s initiative to conserve and manage biodiversity. Apayao is the country’s fourth province named a biosphere reserve, after Albay, Palawan and Puerto Galera. 

Continue reading “UNESCO Biosphere Reserves of the Philippines”