A travel & adventure blog by Kara Santos
For those living in the metro who want a break from the city life, La Union is a popular weekend destination. While known mostly for its surf scene, Elyu is also a good destination for foodies because of the vibrant restaurant scene and diverse food options available. Along with Pinoy staples and international fare, you can also find a several vegetarian/vegan options for those on special diets.
Taiwan is definitely a destination that will appeal to foodies. Whether you’re in the mood for the tastiest dumplings, freshest seafood, or unique street eats, Taiwanese cuisine has something to offer for everybody. For beer lovers, it’s also a great place for chill drinking sessions with its hip craft beer bars and good selection of beer in convenience stores and groceries.
Since Taiwan extended its visa-free entry for Filipino citizens until July 31, 2024, we decided to book a quick bike vacation to the capital city Taipei combined with food-tripping and drinking in between.
When you think of Japanese beer, brands like Kirin, Asahi, Sapporo and Suntory immediately come to mind. You can order these beers easily from any restaurant in Japan, find them in convenience stores, or even purchase them directly from vending machines.
These days, the craft brewing culture is very much alive in Japan. Tokyo is home to many small breweries and micropubs, so it can be overwhelming to decide where and what to drink.
Continue reading “Where to drink in Tokyo, Japan: Beer diary 2023”Anyone who grew up playing old school video games dreams of visiting Super Nintendo World. This themed section inside Universal Studios Japan in Osaka is a geek-filled paradise where you warp right into Princess Peach’s Castle, punch question mark blocks in real life, and dine on cute Mario-themed food items.
After years of being stuck at home and escaping to virtual worlds, it felt great to get sucked into this immersive video game world in real life in Japan during a recent family trip.
Continue reading “Travel Guide: Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan (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.
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”Zamboanga City’s cuisine is just as festive, colorful and diverse as the culture of the region. Because of their location near the Sulu Sea, you get a variety of fresh seafood. With Zamboanga’s rich history as a former Spanish settlement, Hispanic flavors and food preparation have been infused into dishes.
The presence of ethnic tribes from the Sulu archipelago and the Malay peninsula, known for their use of exotic spices, have added a unique touch to the cuisine that you can’t find anywhere else in the country.
Continue reading “Food Trip: Zamboanga City (2023)”The towns of Angono and Binangonan in Rizal offer an alternative destination where you can admire art and enjoy food trips near Manila. Angono, known as the “Art Capital of the Philippines,” is home to quirky folk art museums, art galleries like the Blanco Family Museum, and homegrown restaurants that serve native and exotic cuisine.
The neighboring town of Binangonan is also considered a cradle of arts in Rizal. It’s here where you can find the famed Angono-Binangonan Petroglyphs (the oldest known work of art in the country) and ArtSector Gallery and Chimney Cafe, an art and food spot that’s grabbed the interest of folk from Metro Manila.
Continue reading “Food Trip: Where to eat in Angono and Binangonan, Rizal (updated 2023)”Al fresco dining has really made a comeback in the Philippines because of the pandemic. Since restrictions eased earlier this year and COVID cases are down, families and barkadas are dining out all together again during weekends, but many still prefer to meet up in al fresco spaces for safety. While mall-based restos with open air dining are an option, scenic places near Manila like Tagaytay and Tanay have just boomed with al fresco cafes and pop-up coffee stalls.
But because gas is so expensive these days, nearer destinations are becoming more appealing. For those based in the metro, Antipolo is always a popular destination that has an out-of-town feel and great views, but is still relatively near the metro and easy to drive to if you just wan to to enjoy a quick brunch or coffee with friends. For bikers, Antipolo is also one of the most popular spots near Manila to bike to for coffee or weekend rides.
Continue reading “Food Trip: Where to eat in Antipolo (updated 2023)”NOTE: The article below and most photos were taken during various pre-pandemic visits, but I’ve updated the latest guidelines and rates with information available as of January 2023.
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