A travel & adventure blog by Kara Santos
Save the date, foodies! The MICHELIN Guide Manila and Environs & Cebu 2027 restaurant selection is set to be revealed at the MICHELIN Guide Restaurant Ceremony on Thursday, 29 October 2026 at the Manila Marriott Hotel at Newport World Resorts.
Building on the success of its inaugural edition, the MICHELIN Guide returns to the Philippines for a second year, continuing to shine a spotlight on the country’s rich culinary heritage, warm hospitality, and dynamic new generation of talent.
Nine hotels and resorts in the Philippines have been named under the 2026 MICHELIN Key Hotel selection, which recognizes the most outstanding hotel experiences around the world.
Up from 5 in 2025, the 2026 selection in the Philippines welcomes 5 new entries, reflecting “the country’s growing reputation for exceptional hospitality experiences across urban destinations, island retreats, and luxury resorts.”
Planning for your family vacations this Christmas season? Disney fans based in the Philippines have another good reason to book a cruise on the Disney Adventure sailing from Singapore! The Disney Cruise line announced that they’re adding Langkawi, Malaysia as a port of call for select 5D4N Disney Adventure sailings beginning December 31, 2026.
I always look forward to trying local specialties whenever I travel to different destinations and often connect travel memories to the food I had on a trip.
I still recall the lively chatter at neighborhood pizzeria while digging into slices of pizza al taglio and beer after biking along Rome’s ancient roads in Italy during our nearly month-long trip to Europe.
Indulging in fresh seafood, steak, and fish and chips by the shores of Manly Beach was a highlight, as much as the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb, while traveling from Melbourne to Brisbane in Australia.
Feasting on the bold and varied flavors of chilli crab, creamy laksa, and comforting kaya toast at hawker centers makes every visit to Singapore with family and friends something to look forward to.
Continue reading “Travel the world through food with ‘Culinary Connections’ by Singapore Airlines, Mastercard and Grand Hyatt Manila”In 1983, a group of teenagers in neon shirts and indoor sunglasses was doing something unprecedented in the corridor of a newly opened Orchard Road mall: nothing useful. They were loitering, breakdancing to cassette players, and taking up space that business owners had other plans for. Within two years, they had a name—the Centrepoint Kids—and the street had its first real evidence of what it would become. Not just a shopping destination, but a place where the youth figured things out.
What people today experience as Orchard Road shopping carries forty years of that history in it: generations working out what to wear, who to be with, what kind of city they wanted to grow up in. The shops have changed considerably; tracing four decades of that shift reveals as much about the people as it does about the street.
Continue reading “How Orchard Road Reflects Singapore’s Evolving Youth Culture”There’s something about getting stamps on a passport that can motivate you to travel, even if it’s just to nearby local destinations.
I recently got hold of the Quezon City Explorer Passport, a handy tourism booklet with maps, detailed entries for different spots around Quezon City, and blank pages where users can collect stamps and stickers as they explore.
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”Looking for a hidden escape to unwind in Bonifacio Global City? Apartment 1B x Elias BGC Taproom is a great spot if you’re in the mood for gourmet comfort food and craft beverages. This relaxed taproom offers a cozy space designed for easy evenings and casual conversations over local craft beer, ciders, mead, cocktails, and other hard drinks at an affordable price.
Intramuros is one of the top tourist destinations in Manila for good reason. The Old Walled City is the premiere destination for any first-time tourists in transit to Manila and the go-to destination for entertaining balikbayans who might be home for the holidays.
There have been a lot of improvements to the area in the past few years like the Pasig River Esplanade, new museums like Centro de Turismo Intramuros and new cafes in Intramuros, which might be of interest the general public.
Continue reading “Intramuros commute & parking guide: How to get there and best ways to explore”
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