A travel & adventure blog by Kara Santos
Looking for roadtrip-worthy destinations to visit on weekends? With the start of the rainy season, destinations become greener and cooler, and the next few months might be a good time for you to hit the road and discover local hidden gem stays in and near Metro Manila.
With its wide, tree-lined roads, network of dedicated bike lanes, and lush, open spaces, Clark is an amazing destination for cyclists. Located in Pampanga roughly 2-3 hours from Metro Manila, the whole area offers a safe, accessible, and scenic escape perfect for both leisure riding and intense training. Bike events and races are regularly held here, but it’s also great for leisurely bike vacations and solo explorations.
Cyclists looking for a place to stay in Clark, where the whole family can enjoy, might want to consider The Henry Glass House Clark.
Continue reading “Bike-friendly hotel in Clark: The Henry Glass House Clark”
When booking a stay at a five-star hotel, the idea of being treated to a complimentary upgrade can feel like a distant dream for many. After all, luxury hotels are in high demand and have strict policies that make upgrades seem like an exception rather than a common benefit. Nevertheless, there’s an unspoken protocol that can increase your chances of enjoying extra perks without paying more.
Whether it’s a larger room, a better view, or additional amenities, mastering the right approach could make your stay far more memorable and enjoyable. Here are some ways to help you unlock those coveted upgrades and perks.
Continue reading “How do you get complimentary room upgrades and other perks in 5 star hotels”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?
While in Venice, we got to stay in a historic hotel on Lido de Venezia or Lido Island, which hosts the Venice Film Festival every year. The 1st Venice Film Festival took place on Lido Island in August 1932. The 81st film festival is happening from August to September 2024, with stars congregating at “Palazzo del Cinema,” a 1937-era theater just five minutes away from the hotel we stayed in.
After a full week of sightseeing in Italy’s capital city Rome and Vatican City ticking off all the big-name attractions for first-timers and biking along Rome’s ancient Roman roads, we got a taste of “La Dolce Vita” (the sweet life) in the Tuscan countryside near Florence on our way to Venice.
La Union, the surfing capital of the Northern Philippines, has always been a popular destination for those coming from the metro, especially during weekends and holidays. There’s something about the magical sunsets and laidback surf life that attracts families, couples, weekend warriors, backpackers, digital nomads, and solo travelers, and keeps them coming back.
“I wish I had a beach house,” I thought to myself as I lounged in the air-conditioned comfort of a private beachfront cabin in Calatagan, Batangas. Who wouldn’t want to watch the sunset every night and wake up to the view of the beach every morning. There’s a laid-back lifestyle that comes along with living at the beach even if you have to work remotely from there. There’s no rush to go anywhere. You can easily go for a swim in the morning or evening after work hours, and people seem more friendly without being burdened by the stress of traffic and city living.
After almost two years of being stuck at home and riding only to nearby areas because of the pandemic, we decided to go on a motorcycle road trip right before Christmas last December 2021. Social gatherings were still limited, checkpoints in some areas were still strict, and borders to select destinations were just easing up. At the time, Dingalan in Aurora was one of the few places accepting tourists from other provinces and Metro Manila without a lot of requirements.
The first time I visited Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bataan, it felt like I went back in time. The destination Bagac is known for salvaging heritage houses from ruins from different parts of the country and renovating them all in one place.
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