A travel & adventure blog by Kara Santos
A weekend in Tokyo is such a treat. This is a city of contrasts that collide beautifully together: sprawling skyscrapers sit side by side with ancient shrines, historic parklands blend into a backdrop of futuristic architecture and cutting-edge technology works in harmony with traditional customs. Discovering Japan’s capital can take years, but with a weekend to spare, start with the highlights.
The very word Bali, evokes visions of paradise and luxury, and the reality lives up to that reputation. It is packed with incredible upscale experiences, from hotels, to dining, to spas, to tours.
Planning a visit to Bali and want to make sure you take in the best of the luxury experiences that the island has to offer? Read on for our guide on where to go, what to do and what to see.
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.
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam’s largest city, is the Củ Chi Tunnels, a network of connecting underground tunnels located in the Củ Chi district. As the location of several military campaigns during the Vietnam War, the tunnels were the Viet Cong’s base of operations for the Tết Offensive in 1968.
Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), commonly known as Saigon is one of the most vibrant and largest cities in Vietnam. Known for its complex history dating back to the Vietnam War, its French colonial landmarks, and delicious healthy cuisine, Saigon is a good base for backpackers and budget travelers to start their exploration of Southeast Asia.
Last May 2017, I went on a 6-day-5-night cruise aboard Star Cruises SuperStar Virgo, the first cruise ship to homeport in Manila. Compared to my usual DIY backpacking trips, this was an amazing hassle-free vacation that I got to enjoy with my mom and nephew. Going on a luxury cruise is something I’d never thought I’d get to do. It’s a unique type of travel experience worth saving up for and ticking off your bucketlist!
Continue reading “Travel Guide: SuperStar Virgo Cruise from Manila”
Dubbed the “Adventure capital of the world,” Queenstown in New Zealand’s South Island blew us away with its breathtaking landscapes and extreme adventures. Everyone who heard I was going to New Zealand said I had to go to Queenstown. And while it was roughly more than 1,500 km away from our original entry point in Auckland in the North Island, the long journey going to the South Island was so worth it.
Baguio City, the country’s summer capital, is undoubtedly one of the most popular destinations in the Philippines. “The City of Pines” is always a top destination for vacations and weekend trips because of its proximity to Manila and cooler climate.
While a lot has changed here over the years, there are still lots of scenic spots reminiscent of the Baguio of the old, parks and flower gardens, a great range of places to eat, top hotels and city comforts. Here are 10 essential Baguio experiences for first-time visitors.
Continue reading “10 Things to Do in Baguio”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”Over the years, I’ve gone back and forth from Manila to my hometown Naga City in Camarines Sur in the Bicol Region. I’ve also gone on road trips with the family to nearby provinces of mainland Bicol: Camarines Norte, Albay and Sorsogon. The Manila to Bicol route passing the Asian Highway 26 (AH26), also known as the Pan-Philippine Highway or Maharlika Highway, is a major road trip route on the island of Luzon in the Philippines.
I’ve been getting inquiries from people planning to drive this route whether by car or motorcycle (and even a few long-distance bikepackers), so I’ve decided to compile a suggested itinerary covering the essentials and some travel tips.
Continue reading “Road Trip Guide: Bicol Highlights”
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