Monday, July 22, 2013

3D 2N Metro Bacolod Itinerary

The Ruins, Talisay, Negros Occidental

Mambukal Mountain Resort, Murcia, Negros Occidental

Negros Occidental Capitol Grounds


Arrival in Bacolod City:  Via Plane, Boat, or Bus

Day 1:  Silay City and The Ruins
-Check in first in your hotel of choice on your arrival. If you like to stay in an affordable hotel that has pool, then choose Bacolod Pavilion.
- Pack up and freshen up. Do not forget to bring your cameras and enough money.
- Ride a motorcab going to the terminal bound for Silay.
- Visit the Ancestral Houses. For more info visit: http://tourism.negros-occ.gov.ph/places-to-go/cities/silay-city/
- Dine at Silay's best restaurants and food centers.  They offer very delicious signature dishes. Truly Silaynon! Visit this link to choose from different Silay restaurants: http://www.silayheritage.com/p/place-to-eat.html
- After satisfying your cravings, take a walk through this beautiful place.  It is dubbed as the "Paris of Negros" because of its architecture and cultural background.
- Along the way going back to Bacolod, take a few hours or minutes in The Ruins which is located in Talisay. This place is what made Bacolod known to the whole world. Tell the jeepney or bus to drop you off the corner going to The Ruins, then ride another jeepney route Libertad-Bata (make sure it is bound for Bata) then tell the driver to drop you off the corner again going to the ruins, and take the last ride which is a motorcab (25 php each)
-Make sure you will make it there before sunset. The best time to visit the place is around 4 to 5:30 pm.
- After the ruins, you can have your dinner in Manokan Country in Bacolod (near SM).
- Go back to the hotel, freshen up, and take a rest.

Click here to know more about the ruins:  The Ruins

Day 2: Mambukal Mountain Resort
- After eating your breakfast, you can check out (if you decide to spend overnight in 
mambukal) then pack your things up and head straight to the Bus termal bound for Mambukal. You can ride jeepneys en-route Shopping-Libertad and tell the driver to drop you off at the bus terminal bound for Mambukal.
- Spend the whole day doing picnic, boating, swimming, trekking, and more fun activities there in Mambukal.
- I would highly suggest to spend overnight in mambukal. You can also set-up a tent if you have one.
- If you decided to get back to Bacolod, it is fine too but make sure to inquire first with the bus schedules going back to the city.

Click here to know more about the place: Mambukal Mountain Resort

Day 3: Bacolod City Tour
- After eating breakfast, take a stroll in Bacolod's central district. Buy street foods!
- Do shopping!
- Visit the new government center of Bacolod City.
- Visit the Capitol Grounds.
- Visit San Sebastian Cathedral
- Try a Bacolod City Carenderia (for a change)
- Buy your pasalubongs at Bongbong's and/or Merci
- Checkout, then go to your respective terminals.

Click here to know more about the place: Bacolod City Blog

Thursday, June 13, 2013

4D 3N Manila-Tagaytay-Taal Itinerary


Luneta Park, Manila

Roxas Boulevard, Manila

Intramuros, Manila


Taal Lake, Batangas

DAY 1:  Arrival and Intramuros Tour
- Check in to your desired hotel or inns.  I prefer choosing hotels near manila, pasay, and makati area.
- Have you brunch first or snacks near your hotel vicinity.
- Take a cab or jeepney going to Intramuros (near central station of you choose LRT1 as your mode of transpo)
- In intramuros, you can hire a calesa to tour you around the walled city, or if you are in a tight budget you can just take a walk.  In my case, I just walked because I enjoy walking more when I discover places.
- You should print a map of intramuros before walking around the place.  Here are the places that you should visit: (this is in order)  
  • Palacio Del Sana
  • Memorare
  • San Agustin Church
  • Manila Cathedral
  • Palacio del Gubernador
  • Fort Santiago
Other structures you can find near the gates of intramuros:  Central Post Office & Metropolitan Theatre

- You might be spending your lunch in intramuros so better to find a place to eat in intramuros.
- After spending time in intramuros (time spent should be around 4 to 5 hours depending on activities in Fort Santiago) proceed in going to Manila City Hall vicinity and Luneta Park. 
- It is ideally nice to spend an afternoon at the country's premiere park, around 4 to 5 pm.
- From Luneta, you can take a walk along Roxas Blvd with the beautiful sights and sound of the busy city.
- You can have dinner at Mall of asia after spending some time in Roxas blvd.  Take a cab or FX.
- Back to hotel and freshen up, and take a rest.  If you are up for night life then go to some nightlife destinations within the vicinity of your hotel.

Click Here to know more about the places:  Intramuros, and Luneta Park

DAY 2: Baclaran, and MRT line 3 hopping (warning: this itinerary is only for adventurous people)
- You can spend this day just for shopping! yes, you heard that, shopping! Take a cab or jeepney going to Baclaran.  This time, you have to leave your valuables in a safe place.  Do not wear jewelries and other valuable accessories.  Visit Baclaran church as well.
- After shopping in Baclaran, you can now begin your MRT line 3 adventures!  First thing you should do is find Taft MRT 3 station near Baclaran and go north bound.  Look for the ticket booth and buy ticket for Ayala station.  Here are the ff stops with the possible destinations:
  • Ayala Station - You can do shop, shop, shop in here. You will find SM Makati, Glorietta, Landmark, and Greenbelt.
  • Ortigas Station - SM Megamall and Robinsons Galleria
  • North Station - TriNoMa and SM North Edsa
- You can spend your lunch or dinner anywhere.
- Go back to the hotel and freshen up again.

DAY 3:  Tagaytay and Taal Volcano
- Without traffic you would have travel time of around 2 hours so better prepare earlier.
- You can take a bus going to Tagaytay in Pasay South Coastal Highway, or you can just hire a taxi for a day.
- First stop is Tagaytay Picnic Grove.
- In Tagaytay, you can find people who offer a trip to the volcano.  You should prepare enough money to pay for the pumpboat and horseback riding going up the volcano.
- Get back to Tagaytay picnic grove
- You can spend meals in Tagaytay picnic grove.
- There are rides such as cable car and zipline in picnic grove.
- Get back to the city at dusk to arrive before bedtime.

Click Here to know more about the places:  Tagaytay Picnic Grove & Taal Volcano

DAY 4:  Manila Ocean Park
- Spend the whole day 4 at the manila ocean park.  You and your partner should enjoy it!


Click Here to know more info about the place:  Manila Ocean Park







Sunday, May 26, 2013

3D 2N Oslob and Dumaguete Itinerary

Oslob Spanish Cuartel

Lab-as Restaurant, Dumaguete City

Whale sharks in Tanawan, Oslob, Cebu

Tumalog Falls, Oslob, Cebu

Silliman University, Dumaguete City


Arrival in Oslob from Cebu:
Day 1: Oslob Whale Watching and Tumalog Falls
- Check in Oslob Garden Stay at around lunch time.  You can request them to cook for your lunch.  Just tell them what you like and they will shop for you and cook for you, thus fresh food will be served.
- After lunch, go ahead to Tan-awan, Oslob for whale shark watching activities.  It lasts for about an hour.  You can also go swimming along the shores after the activity.
- If you want some more swimming activities and stunning beach view, visit Seafari Beach resort nearby (you can have your snacks here).
- Go to Tumalob Falls.  Just look for a motorbike to hire.
- Then go back to Garden stay resort for your dinner.  (you can request them also to have your dinner prepared at a certain time, just give them enough money to buy food for you.)

Click here to know more about the place:  Southbound Cebu:  Oslob


Day 2:  Oslob Town Visit & Dumaguete City Tour
- After your breakfast at the resort, you can now set your foot in visiting Oslob town proper where you can find magnificent spanish ruins and structures.
- Visit The Oslob Spanish Cuartels, the Oslob Church, the Oslob seawall, and other structures that are made of stone still preserved.
- Have your lunch somewhere in the town proper.
- Get back to the resort and check out.
- Ride a bus going to Liloan, Santander Port.
- Take the fastcraft going to Sibulan port traversing Tanon straight for 20 minutes, then take a cab going to Dumaguete.
- Check in Go Hotels or Vintage Inn (near the central district).
- Visit the Fried Ice cream station for coolers.
- Take a walk along the central district and enjoy shopping.
- Visit Dumaguete Cathedral, park, and the old Bell Tower.
- At dusk, take a walk at the Boulevard.  You can see a lot of things and meet a lot of friendly faces.
- Drop by and take some pictures of Silliman University Hall.
- You can choose different snackhouse along the boulevard.
- Spend your time with friends and loved ones at the boulevard.
- Have your dinner at Lab-as Restaurant, they definitely serve sumptuous meal.
- If you want to some drinks at night or watch live bands, you can look for bars within the city.
- Get back to the hotel and rest.

Click here to know more about the place:  Dumaguete City

Day 3:  Manjuyod Sandbar
- Early in the morning, prep for a day visit in Manjuyod Sandbar
- Enjoy half of the day in the sandbar.  it is really nice in there.
- Bring food.
- Get back to the hotel at around 1pm or after lunch.
- Rest and prepare for checkout.
- Checkout at around 4pm
- You can take a boat or fastcraft going back to Cebu or you can also do the dgte-sibulan-liloan-cebu route.

Click here to know more about the place:  Manjuyod Sandbar

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

3D 2N Leyte Travel Itinerary

Sabin Hotel and Resort, Ormoc City

Street Food in Tacloban City

Calanggaman Island, Palompon, Leyte

Lake Danao Nature Park, Tongonan, Leyte

Arrival in Tacloban:  Via plane or boat from Ormoc

Day 1:  Tacloban City Tour
- Check in:  Go Hotel Tacloban or any hotel of choice.
- Look for a transport service or simply hire a MotorCab for a day, just use your negotiation skills.  Do not allow them to exceed 1,500Php for a day tour.
- Visit Sto Nino Shrine (the old house of the former first lady, Imelda Marcos)
- Take a walk around the central business of Tacloban.
- Visit Sto Nino Church.
- Lunch in Fahrenheit Food (affordable) or Guiseppe's Restaurant (Fine dining).
- Head to the Leyte Landing Memorial in Palo.
- Go to the Philippine's most popular bridge, the San Juanico Bridge
- Go back to the hotel and rest or visit the nearby Robinson's Tacloban
- Nightlife in Astrodome

Click here to know more about the city:  Tacloban City

Day 2:  Kalanggaman Island (the best island paradise in region 8)
- Around 8:30 am checkout from the hotel in Tacloban ride a cab going to the terminal bound for Palompon
- Upon arrival in Palompon around 11am, start to look for a possible pumpboat operator that can be hired for a day and take you to Kalanggaman Island:  You can hire a pumpboat around 2,000php to 3,000php depending on the size of the pumpboat.  You can eat lunch somewhere in Palompon or buy food to bring.
- Enjoy the half of the day in Kalanggaman Island. It is best experienced if you are a group of 8 or more, or with your special someone.  Bring some food and plenty of drinks.
-  Back to Palompon.
- Ride the van/bus bound for Ormoc
- Check in:  Sabin Resort, Pongos Hotel, or any desired hotel in Ormoc
- Dinner in Milagrina, for snaks be sure to taste the burger in Mayongs
- Back in the Hotel to rest or dip in the pool and relax (if you stay in Sabin resort)

Day 3:  Lake Danao Adventure Park (the above sea-level guitar-shaped lake)
- From the hotel, take a cab going to the Ormoc city terminal around 6am.
- In the terminal, look for a multicab for hire in going to Lake Danao.  Be sure to buy food first.
- Enjoy picnic, boating, trekking, swimming, sight-seeing with the family or friends in the park around 7am to 11am.  Of course, bring food for lunch there in the park and make sure you do not litter.
- Head back to the hotel around 11am (just adjust the time with the time of your departure)
- Checkout around 12nn.
- Head to Ormoc Port (for sea travellers) or Tacloban Airport (for airplane) See Commute Philippines, for shipping schedules.

Click here to know more about the place: Ormoc City and Lake Danao


Sunday, April 21, 2013

3D 2N Iloilo-Guimaras Tour: Iloilo City Tour and Guimaras Day Tour



Arrival in Iloilo City: Via plane or boat.

Day 1:  Iloilo City Tour
-Check in:  City Corporate Inn (budget hotel) or Circle Inn (with pool and nice view of Guimaras)
-Hire a motorcycle for a day to take you to all the places around Iloilo City or you can just commute and ride jeepney to save money and discover different places.
- First Stop, Jaro Cathedral and Jaro Belfry located in Jaro District; just ride the jeepney bound for Jaro.  If you still have time, do not forget to drop by the old Capitol building in Jaro.
- Try the Original La Paz Batchoy in La Paz District.
-Visit Iloilo Museum and the nearby Capitol, DOT to inquire more about the city, Arroyo Fountain, and then take a walk in Muelle Street
- Take a stroll in the museum city of Iloilo, you will be fascinated with the old structures, old buildings that are still standing within the city.
- For Lunch, you must try the carenderia near Iloilo public market.  I loved their taste.
- Visit Churches within the city: Sta Teresita, San Jose de Placer, etc
- Visit Plaza de Libertad and Nearby City Hall Grounds
- Go to the Molo district and try their Pancit Molo
-At dusk, try to visit Iloilo Esplanade.  You can see the view of the developing Iloilo in the Esplanade.
-Nightlife in Smallville.
-Back to Hotel and rest.

Click here to know more about the city:  Iloilo City

Day 2:  Guimaras Island Day Tour
- From the above mentioned hotels, you can just take a walk to Ortiz Wharf (where you ride pumpboats going to Guimaras; 15 minutes travel crossing Guimaras and 14-20php fare.)
- Arrival in Guimaras.  Here is a contact person who could be your tour guide and at the same time, transportation service provider for a whole day tour in Guimaras:  Charlie (+639461966887 ) 
-These are the places to visit:
  • Smallest Park
  • Guimaras' Highest Point of Elevation
  • Guimaras Adventure Park (Target Shooting)
  • Museo de Guimaras
  • Pitstop Restaurant (home of the Mango Pizza and Chicken Adobo with a Twist)
  • Trappist (home of the trappist monks and souvenir center)
  • Mango Plantation
  • Camp Alfredo (zipline, hanging bridge, and more)
  • Raymen Beach Resort (white beach; also good for spending the night)
  • Guisi Lighthouse and Ruins (very magnificent place; secluded)
  • Guisi Beach (white beach; also good for spending the night)
  • Balaan Bukid (nice view at the hilltop; overlooking Iloilo City)
- Back to the Jetty Port in Jordan to ride pumpboat bound for Iloilo.
- You can have dinner somewhere in the city.
- Rest in the Hotel.

Click here to know more about the island:  Guimaras Island


Day 3:  Nearby towns & Pasalubong
- Visit Nearby towns' Churches:  Some of the oldest Churches in the Philippines (Miag-ao Church, Guimbal Church, San Joaquin Church)
- Buy Pasalubongs in Biscocho house and Merci
-Back to the hotel and check out
-Go to airport/port.

Click here for more Philippine Travel Destinations!

Monday, April 1, 2013

3D 2N Caraga Tour: Butuan, Enchanted River, Tinuy-an Falls, Britannia Islands




Arrival In Butuan City

Day 1: Butuan City Tour
-Check in:  Dotties' or Inland Resort
- Butuan Museum, Balangay Museum
- Zipline in DELTA Adventure Park (longest zipline in Asia).
-Lunch in Aling Cora's or Weegol's.  Dessert in MARGIE's.
- Sight Seeing in Macapagal bridge and River Cruise in Agusan River
- Dinner at Floating restaurant near Philippine Port Authority.

Click here for more details about the city:  Butuan City Itinerary

Day 2: Tinuy-an Falls and Enchanted River
- For commuters, take a trike and tell them to take you to the bus terminal and then take the Bachelor Tours bus bound for Mangagoy, Bislig and tell the driver/conductor to drop you off in the corner road going to Tinuy-an Falls, then hire a habal2x/single motorcycle.  Remember to bring enough food, and just let the trike driver wait for you until you decide to proceed in going to Enchanted river.

- From the falls tell the trike driver to take you to the highway again and then take the bus bound for Butuan that will pass by Hinatuan, and tell the driver/conductor once again to drop you off near the corner going to Enchanted river and take another trike.

-Spend the night somewhere in Hinatuan.

Click here for more details about:  Enchanted River and Tinuy-an Falls.

DAY 3:  Britannia Island
-Take a bus that passes San Agustin Town and spend a day doing island hopping in Britannia group of islands.

-Go back to Butuan.

My advise is that if you are a bunch of tourists, you better hire a Van/Vhire as your transportation for the whole 2 day tour in Tinuy-an falls, Enchanted river, and Britannia Islands.  You can hire an 8k Van with driver and guide for a 2-day tour.  The van is good for 12, so if you are a group of 12 you can save a lot.  You can contact me, 09329721312 for the van so that I can help you book a van for hire in Butuan.

Click here or more Philippine Travel Destinations!

It is more fun in the Philippines!