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.
Tagaytay is always a favorite weekend destination for families wanting to escape the summer heat in Metro Manila. While you can easily visit on a day trip, you can also extend your trip and stay overnight so you can have more time to go around, try new restaurants, or just enjoy the cooler weather.
During our last trip to Tagaytay in March 2023 to do the Taal Lake Bike Loop, we stayed a couple of nights at View Park Hotel, an elegant yet affordable boutique hotel.
Continue reading “View Park Hotel Tagaytay: Scenic and comfortable weekend retreat”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”A year before the most recent eruption of Taal Volcano and the start of the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns in 2020, we rode our motorcycles from Metro Manila circling Laguna Lake and Taal Lake. Back then, it was just for the thrill of the joyride and so we could hike to the crater lake on Volcano Island afterwards.
When it comes to leisure staycations, accommodations are the most important factor to consider. Camping and glamping have become more popular among families looking to spend time outdoors after months of being cooped up during the pandemic era.
In fact, there’s been an increase in demand for unique sleeping quarters like treehouses, camper vans, farm stays, and more catering to leisure travelers who want to experience something new. Data from Airbnb shows that searches for unique homes has exploded in the past three years, creating potential earning opportunities for hosts.
Continue reading “Unique Airbnb stays around the Philippines”For those coming from Metro Manila, Tagaytay in Cavite is one of the most popular choices for a road trip or quick weekend getaway. You can enjoy the cooler climate with a refreshing view in this mountain town overlooking Taal Lake without having to drive too far.
We’ve all been cooped up for the past 2 years since the pandemic hit, and it’s great that we can finally rediscover and revisit our favorite spots again.
There’s a cool new spot to enjoy craft beer and local coffee in Tagaytay!
Siglo Brew is a relatively new dining destination, having opened on June 12, 2021. It’s conveniently located right across Tagaytay Picnic Grove, a popular sightseeing spot. For those who want to eat full meals, you can head to Siglo Modern Filipino restaurant along the road. But you can also just head on to the back, located inside View Park Hotel for coffee, craft beer, local pastries, and beer chow.
Taal Vista Hotel is the oldest hotel in Tagaytay and the second oldest in the Philippines. Officially opened in 1939, the historic property overlooking Taal Volcano and Taal Lake has managed to survive WWII, volcanic eruptions including the most devastating eruption in January 2020 and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Taal Lake is the third-largest lake in the Philippines. Within the lake, you can find Taal Volcano, one of the smallest active volcanoes in the world. Most people admire panoramic views of the lake from Tagaytay City in Cavite, the most popular (and usually crowded) weekend tourist destination near Manila. Those who want to enjoy a more peaceful and serene trip can visit the towns of Batangas surrounding the lake.
The beauty of the Philippines really shines in other provinces and islands. Destinations like Palawan, Cebu, Bohol and Boracay are top draws for foreign tourists. However, many international travelers have to travel through Metro Manila, the capital and main gateway to many of the other destinations before they can get there.
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