A travel & adventure blog by Kara Santos
Tourists can discover the rich history, heritage, and old-world charm of the Intramuros in Manila more conveniently with fun new experiences and attractions. In case you didn’t know, Klook has launched a new Intramuros Pass, which gives access to the top activities in the walled city of Manila.
We first discovered La View Mountain Resort in January 2022. After trying to ride to Jariel’s Peak one weekend by motorcycles, we were forced to turn back because checkpoints and border restrictions going to Infanta, Quezon were still being enforced.
The Subic Special Economic and Freeport Zone, simply known as Subic Bay, is a coastal northwest of Manila frequented by families and water sports enthusiasts for weekend getaways. Formerly the location of U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay before it was decommissioned in the early 90s, the area is now known for its beautiful coastline with sandy beaches and dive sites.
Friends who were fortunate to have traveled to Anawangin Cove and nearby spots like Nagsasa Cove, Silanguin Cove, and Capones years ago often talk about how the area was once a pure and raw area for camping and getting away from it all.
This area in a secluded part of Zambales facing the West Philippine Sea separated by mountain ranges from the mainland used to offer secluded spots for back to basics camping where mountaineers would head after trekking through by land.
Continue reading “Island-hopping in Zambales: Beach resorts in Anawangin, Nagsasa and Silanguin Cove (2023)”The town of Lucban in Quezon is celebrating the Pahiyas Festial soon. Known as one of the most colorful festivals in the Philippines, Pahiyas is celebrated every May as a means to give thanks after a bountiful harvest. ‘Pahiyas’ literally means “precious offering,” and the practice dates back to the 16th century. People celebrate it in honor of San Isidro Labrador, the farmer’s patron saint.
Tagaytay is always a favorite weekend destination for families wanting to escape the summer heat in Metro Manila. While you can easily visit on a day trip, you can also extend your trip and stay overnight so you can have more time to go around, try new restaurants, or just enjoy the cooler weather.
During our last trip to Tagaytay in March 2023 to do the Taal Lake Bike Loop, we stayed a couple of nights at View Park Hotel, an elegant yet affordable boutique hotel.
Continue reading “View Park Hotel Tagaytay: Scenic and comfortable weekend retreat”
Royal Enfield has just announced the opening of its brand new exclusive store in Lipa City, Batangas. The seventh exclusive store in the Philippines, located in Pilahan St., Barangay Sabang will further enhance the reach and accessibility for customers in the country.
Last December before Christmas, we spent almost a week in Sagada just to enjoy the cooler weather. This lovely town in the Mountain Province is probably the closest place you can get to experiencing winter in the Philippines. At any rate, it’s always a respite from the summer heat. The cooler temperatures in the months of November to February dip to lows of 15°, though the average temperature all year around is 18°, which is amazing considering the 40° heat index we’re currently experiencing in Manila.
Nueva Ecija, best known as the “rice granary of the Philippines,” is an underrated tourism destination. Aside from quick visits for work or stopovers in some towns like Cabanatuan City, we usually just pass through the province during road trips on our way to other destinations in the North.
We’ve taken road trips to Dingalan in Aurora passing the towns of Laur and Gabaldon. We’ve also driven through the zigzag mountain roads of Bongabon on the way to Baler. During previous motorcycle rides, we usually just stopped at the tourist markers, welcome arches, and the views of mountains on our way to the coastal towns.
Continue reading “Travel Guide: Nueva Ecija (2023)”The sidequest for beer continues! One of my main motivations for traveling these days is to check out new opened craft beer spots or revisit old favorites. Aside from doing the Taal Lake Loop, one of the main reasons I wanted to revisit Tagaytay was to check out Papa Bolo.
Papa Bolo is a relatively new brewery in Tagaytay City which opened last June 2022. The huge brewpub serves quality Filipino craft beer brewed with local ingredients along with upscale food to match.
Continue reading “Papa Bolo: Cool new craft brewery to drink with a view in Tagaytay”
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