My favorite local summer destinations
From Balesin to Intramuros, staycations have never been better.
I often say there are no perfect lives, only perfect moments. And if you haven’t found something worth dying for, you haven’t truly lived. Life is made of memorable vacations — if spent in the country, we call them staycations.
At the recent Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) event, I was invited by Bob Zozobrado, a trustee of the PATA-Philippines to keynote their first business assembly for 2015 and enumerate some of my favorite local destinations. PATA is the biggest travel organization in the world, with members coming from the leading travel agencies, airlines, hotels and resorts.
Specifically, Bob, a dear friend, asked me to answer this question in my discussion: “As a global traveler, what do you look for in the places you visit in the Philippines?”
I have termed my favorite destinations in the Philippines as “staycations” because they let me spend my vacation without having to leave the country. This means luxurious accommodations and attractions. Excellent service, sumptuous cuisine, green tourism wherein the community benefits from the hotel or resort and advocacies that simply show that they care for the environment. This is why the Philippines remains gloriously beautiful and therefore attractive.
I wish I could visit each of our 7,107 islands to explore their beauty, taste their flavors and interact with all the people as I learn about their culture and traditions. But for now allow me to share some of my favorite local destinations from a global perspective.
I must admit, many times, I look for luxury accommodations, because for me the accommodation is already the destination. In no particular order, here are some of my favorite summer destinations.
Siama, Sorsogon
If you are looking for some adventure in one of the country’s spectacular seas, try visiting the Siama Resort in Sorsogon with the most creative furniture by Milo Naval. His family is into furniture export all over the world and he even has a tricycle made of rattan called “padyak cycle.”
Just nearby there are whale shark attractions. In Mexico, they have to take an hour’s boat ride just to spot these gentle giants, but in Siama, they are part of the everyday attraction. The pristine Lake Bulusan dubbed as the “Switzerland of the Orient” is another of my favorite attraction in Sorsogon. It lies at the heart of the National Park, which covers a land area of 3,672 hectares. Being in Bulusan is like watching a scene or two from the movie Avatar or Lost Horizon.
El Nido Resorts, Palawan
For gorgeous, eco-friendly resorts, we have El Nido Resorts composed of Lagen, Miniloc, Pangalusian and Apulit. El Nido has maintained its standing as the country’s greenest resort. Must see also are the Big and Small Lagoons. The Entalula Beach is a private paradise within paradise.
Two Seasons, Coron, Palawan
Can you imagine? In our very own shores, we have a fabulous resort called Two Seasons that is 100 percent responsibly sustainable as well. This resort is 100 percent run by solar power. The resort is resplendent with organic charm, luxurious eco-tecture, ultra modern amenities and bespoke elegance set against the backdrop of Coron’s dramatic karst limestone and verdant foliage.
Huma Island Resort, Busuanga, Palawan
If you are looking to find the Maldives in our own shores, you’ll find it at Huma Island Resorts. Huma showcases a Mediterranean-themed sanctuary mixed with Filipino architecture. It is characterized by bespoke excellence, laudable furnishings and all the creativity one can imagine in a tropical destination. Like an emerald floating on the waters of Busuanga, Huma entices the soul to frolic in nature’s bounty and glory. It also has remarkable amenities with world class diving and snorkeling. Sea planes just like the Maldivian air taxis will service discriminating guests to this resort.
Ananyana Resort, Bohol
Ananyana in Bohol is a boutique resort by the Dojio beach that resembles the Caribbean, not to mention the exquisite cuisine of international delicacies, the best in Bohol. Persona Mesa, Ananyana’s business partner, is a place where we had the most delicious sisig triangles with spicy vinegar and achara, fall-off-the-bone braised pork ribs, pork binagoongan with fried eggplant, fresh lumpia with peanut sauce, and turon with a twist for dessert. The resort has 13 beautifully appointed rooms and two spacious family suites to share its lavish facilities and three kilometers of private beachfront. Ananyana resort certainly takes boutique hospitality to soaring heights.
Balesin, Quezon Province
Balesin is a resort that’s growing in popularity. Part of its beauty is its proximity to Manila. Just a 25-minute flight and you’ll find seven gorgeous villages with different themes that represent several countries around the world and excellent cuisine to match each destination.
Puerto Princesa Underground River, Palawan
Traveling is such an adventure! Visit one of the Seven Wonders of Nature, the Puerto Princesa Subterannean River National Park, a World Heritage Site in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Words, no matter how beautifully said, will not do justice to describe the underground river. It’s a must see —now!
Misibis Resort, Albay
Misibis Resort in Albay is a member of Small Luxury Hotels that is nestled at the foot of Mayon volcano. There are only a few places in the world where one can experience volcanic tourism, where one can relax and sip champagne aboard a chartered yacht while watching the volcano erupt.
Sagada and Benguet
The mountainous terrains of Sagada and Benguet relieve one of the summer’s heat. In these places, the culture and traditions of the people are still prevalent. Here, the local art scene — which bears global appeal — is ripe, and continuously evolving.
Sitio Remedios, Vigan and other sites in Ilocos
Sitio Remedios in Ilocos Norte, has a collection of old homes created together for a heritage village that reminds one of the cobblestoned towns in Spain. There are also sand dunes in Paoay, Ilocos Norte that resemble the ones in Dubai. Next to Ilocos Norte is another of my favorites — Vigan. “We’ve only just VIGAN!” is a remarkable tagline for this capital city of Ilocos Sur, which is filled with the beauty of the Spanish influence. Stay at a bed-and-breakfast in the city square and be regaled by what Vigan has to offer.
Sonya's Garden, Cavite
Sonya’s Garden is an oasis where flowers bloom the whole year round and the food reminds one of England with English tea, scones and clotted cream. Its bed-and-breakfast is a place of healing for my family and close friends. The place does wonders to our soul, and our rejuvenation. From Sonya’s Garden, one can visit the Taal volcano, the smallest volcano in the world, or revel in the old-world charm of the town of Taal in Batangas.
The Farm in San Benito, Batangas
The Farm in San Benito in Lipa, Batangas is a world-class, award-winning medical paradise. It is one of the very first to have pioneered medical tourism in the country.
Batanes
Time stands still in Batanes, a place in the Philippines where literacy is high among its younger populace. Batanes is not only known for its “Wuthering Heights” appeal, it is also famous for the honesty of its people. The hills are alive in Batanes, and so is the spirit of the people who will guard their province with utmost reverence for nature.
Hotel staycations in Manila
For staycations in the city, where the vacation is the destination, check out the Presidential Suite of the Raffles Hotel in Makati, created after the iconic Singapore Raffles. Here, you celebrate magical moments with your loved ones in three well-appointed rooms, your beautiful home away from home.
In the historic Intramuros, a staycation awaits at The Bayleaf Hotel, owned by the very kind Laurel family. Italian pizza has never tasted so good at the hotel restaurant called Raffaelle. At the hotel’s deck, you can clink glasses of champagne as you watch the glorious Manila Bay sunset.
Indeed, we embrace such perfect moments in these havens as we open ourselves to magical life-changing experiences. However, such stunningly beautiful places may not be around if we desecrate them and become vandals of our land. I am a staunch advocate of preserving and nurturing the environment. Mother Earth is all we have and it must be conserved for future generations. Responsible tourism is the answer to the concerns and issues that come before us.
We only have one life to live; but if we live it right, once is more than enough.
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E-mail the author at miladay.star@gmail.com.
