Visayas – Page 3 – Travel Up

Travel Guide: Antique

Antique is a province of the Philippines located in the region of Western Visayas. Just a couple of hours away from the gateway to Boracay, the country’s most famous beach party destination, Antique offers a different kind of getaway. “Off-the-beaten-path” is the description that immediately comes to mind. This laid-back province comprised of 18 municipalities (no cities!) has a lot to offer for those looking for raw and rugged adventures.

They’ve got it all for you, including riverside jungle hot tubs, beautiful uncrowded beaches, rice terraces hidden in remote mountain villages, multi-level waterfalls, clear rivers and springs, mountain highlands and stunning karst cliffs.

Where to Stay in Antique

The province of Antique in Western Visayas has a lot to offer for intrepid travelers. With all its natural attractions, the province is really best enjoyed outdoors. Don’t expect to be holing up in luxury hotels with high-speed WiFi during your stay. Most of the accommodation options remain rustic and not suited for finicky travelers. Take the opportunity to slow down and enjoy the simple life away from urban comforts, reconnect with nature and spend quality time with family or friends.

If you’re traveling to Antique anytime soon, here are some of the inns and resorts you can choose from located in the different towns.

Reference Points & Road Markers in the Philippines

Most riders and cyclists I know have a thing for taking photos with reference points, road signs and unique markers. These are basically just ordinary-looking signs on the road, but because of their uniqueness to a place, they symbolize stepping foot and exploring a new destination. It’s like the title screen starting a new chapter in your adventures or unlocking an achievement of reaching a new place.

Visita Iglesia: Beautiful Churches around the Philippines

It’s Holy Week once again, and no doubt many Filipinos will be visiting seven (or 14) churches to pray the Stations of the Cross and reflect. Visita Iglesia or church visits are customarily done during Maundy Thursday or Good Friday, though it’s commonly practiced during any day of the Holy Week.

Over the years, I’ve visited a lot of churches, chapels, and sites of religious significance in different provinces around the Philippines. Though I’m not really an expert on heritage sites, I thought it would be timely to come up with a list of some of the most beautiful and unique churches I’ve been to around the country.

For this list, I included a selection of 14 churches (and a couple of church ruins) from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao that I personally found really beautiful along with some trivia about what makes them worth visiting any time of the year.

10 Youngest Provinces of the Philippines

Most provinces of the Philippines have a unique identity. The older, more established ones usually have a rich history, distinct cuisine and well-known tourist spots featured in postcards and calendars. Something immediately comes to mind when you mention certain places. For instance, most people think of Magellan’s Cross and lechon when you mention Cebu. Iloilo brings images of La Paz Batchoy and Miagao Church to mind. You immediately associate Albay with Mayon Volcano and spicy Bicol Express. You get my drift.

Older destinations usually need no introduction. They all have direct airports and good road networks, so they’re relatively easy to visit and explore. Chances are, you’ve been there already.

Canyoning Downstream the Blanca Aurora River in Samar

After visiting a place, the journey going back is usually pretty uneventful. Packing up your gear and heading home is usually not even worth writing about. But after visiting the stunning Pinipisakan Falls and spelunking in Sulpan Cave deep in the jungles of San Jorge, Samar, the journey going back was just as exciting. The third and last leg of our epic adventure involved riding the currents of the Blanca Aurora River downstream.

Travel Guide: Gigantes Islands, Iloilo

The Gigantes Group of Islands, popularly known as Islas de Gigantes or “Islands of Giants” in Spanish are a remote cluster of islands in the northernmost part of Iloilo province in the Philippines. The Gigantes Islands consists of about ten islands: the two largest being Gigantes Norte (North Gigantes) and Gigantes Sur (South Gigantes).

Solina Beach & Nature Resort, Iloilo

For those planning to go island-hopping around the Gigantes Group of Islands in Iloilo this summer, you might want to extend your trip to more than just a day tour. Solina Beach & Nature Resort in the town of Carles offers a luxurious gateway to your Gigantes adventure. The only high-end beachfront resort in Carles is a destination in itself, with stylish swimming pools, its own large in-house restaurant serving local specialties and spacious and comfortable accommodations.

Opened in time for the summer season, Solina Beach & Nature Resort offers three types of rooms for guests from cozy pods, well-appointed villas and outdoorsy glamping-style cabins

Travel Guide: Capiz

The province of Capiz in Panay Island is a rising eco-tourism destination that has a lot to offer for different types of travelers. History buffs can visit sites of historic and religious interest, nature-trippers can venture out and explore the off-the-beaten natural tourist spots like islands and waterfalls, while culture buffs can enjoy the province’s rich handicrafts.

10 Amazing Philippine Islands to Explore by Motorcycle

There are lots of different modes of transport you can use to get around the Philippines. But my personal favorite is just getting on a motorbike, riding around and exploring on your own. Motourism is on the rise and more tourists are discovering the Philippine islands on two wheels.

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