Places in the Philippines I'd Like To Travel To

Lately, I'm getting addicted to travel blogs. I realized that there are a lot of beautiful places here in my own country that I haven't been to yet. Alvin keeps on nagging me that we start traveling first around the Philippines before we travel abroad. I think he wasn't too happy with our first out of the country trip to Singapore. Though i can blame it to the numerous shopping malls that we saw there (mall hopping isn't one of his favorite past time hehe). Don't get me wrong. He loved the company (thanks again to Topet and Jojo) and that temple in China town but as the outdorsy person that he is, i think he expected more.

Well, he will definitely going to be happy with the places to visit I've lined up here. I will also mention the travel blogs where i saw these pictures.


1.) BELLAROCA RESORT, MARINDUQUE

One of my must go places is Santorini, Greece. Blue water, white igloo like houses, perfect vacation atmosphere. But like most of us, I didn't know that there's this Santorini inspired resort in Marinduque!!! It's called Bellaroca Island Resort and Spa. The resort includes yacht/speedboat transfer from airport to island, private villa (with their own infinity pools and golfcart), hotel rooms, golf course, swimming pools, tea house, fitness gym, meditation sanctuary, watersports activities, spa and tours.

But mind you, this exquisite island resort does not come cheap. As of their published rates last year (when they first opened, February 2009), the cheapest hotel room rate is $420 per night (roughly around Php 18,000). Their rate is at its most expensive at $1,320 (around Php 59,000) for the two bedroom villa.

You can see more pictures here at their website:http://www.bellaroccaresorts.com

Bellaroca photos from http://www.weekendhaven.com/2009/04/dream-haven-bellaroca-island-resort-and-spa











2.) FUNDACION PACITA IN BASCO, BATANES

Batanes is known to be the island at the that tipmost place at the north of the Philippines. According to some people who have already been there, signal number 3 storms are actually normal for people who live there. So, it is best to visit this place during summertime. But still, basing on the pictures and the people who have been there, Batanes is one of the most beautiful places they have been to. It's like Malboro Country, Pinas style.

From the travel blog www.ourawesomeplanet.com, it showed the beautiful cottages / rooms with the spacious decks where once can view the terrain, blue sea, sunset and sunrise.

According to its official website http://www.fundacionpacita.ph/, Fundacion Pacita was once home studio of internationally-acclaimed artist Pacita Abad and was turned into a well known resort by her brother.

The lowest rate is Php 6,750 for the Terrace suite while it can go as high as 10,800 for the Luxury Terrace Suite. Various rooms which are decorated magnificently can be seen at their official website. There is a minimum 2 nights stay and the room rates include a set breakfast, roundtrip airport transfers and half day Cultural Heritage Tours.

Photos from http://www.ourawesomeplanet.com/awesome/2010/01/the-fundacion-pacita-batanes-experience.html















3.) BATAD, BANAUE

There's this Judy Ann - Piolo movie that i can't forget because they shot in this location where the character that Judy Ann played teared up because she was so touched with the 360 degree view of the rice terraces. Alvin has already been to this place in Batad, Banaue and he swears that it is truly a magnificent place.

Photos from http://www.ourawesomeplanet.com/awesome/awesome-batad-banaue.html







4.) CAMIGUIN ISLAND

Camiguin is located at the northern tip of Mindanao. As what I saw in their website, http://www.camiguinisland.net/content/information.htm, you can stay at the Caminguin Island Beach Club.Their room rates are Php 1,100 for a family fan room (6 pax) and Php 1,600 for the AC Room with TV and fridge for the low season.

Some places to visit in Camiguin include:

*Catarman Church Ruins --these are the remains of the Old Spanish Church due to the volcanic eruption in 1871 which wiped out the Spanish settlement of Catarman
*White Island --swimming, sunbathing and snorkeling are some of the activities in this C or sometimes I shaped island with the Mount Hibok Hibok and Old Vulcan as its backdrop
*Sunken Cementery --Located in Bonbon, Catamaran, a huge cross marker was installed to mark the community cementery that sunk in 1871. You can see the gravestones when you dive here.
*Katibawasan Falls, Tanguines Lagoon, Tangub hot springs, Macao Cold spring and Sto. Nino Cold spring

Photos from Camiguin website http://www.camiguinisland.net













5.) APO ISLAND BEACH RESORT

This place was suggested by Alvin. According to its website (http://www.apoislandresort.com/), Apo Island is rated one of the top 10 diving spots in the Philippines. Apo Island can be found in Dauin, Negros Oriental.

Activities in the island include boat tour around the island, diving and snorkeling (they have a dive shop where you can rent diving gear and hire instructors as well), hiking to the lighthouse and visit the Marine Sanctuary. You can also have fresh seafood cooked in the island's beachside restaurant and bar.

As of December 2009, their room rates ranges from Php700 (for dormitories), to Php2,800 for a two person capacity room.

Photos from http://www.apoislandresort.com/photos/index.php













6.) BALESIN ISLAND IN POLLILIO, QUEZON PROVINCE

I dont think many people know of this beach / resort in Quezon. I just came across this at www.ourawesomeplanet.com. According to the said website, it takes 4 hours of land trip and 3 hours by boat to reach this island. I think it's worth it naman because as you can see in the pictures the crystal clear waters of the beach.

I feel this will be like Boracay but a less developed one therefore a more peaceful location for those who just want to relax.

Photos from http://www.ourawesomeplanet.com/awesome/2006/05/balesin_island2.html











7.) CORON, PALAWAN

I found this place also from www.ourawesomeplanet.com (don't you just love this website?!). According to them, the things to do when in Coron is to swim in the Kayangan Lake, swim between the Twin Lagoons, snorkel at Siete Picados and dip into the Maquinit Hot Springs.

Photos from http://www.ourawesomeplanet.com/awesome/2008/04/coron-palawan.html







8.) EL NIDO, PALAWAN

Okay, from the pictures below, who, in their right mind, wouldn't want to go to El Nido in Palawan?! The beach is so pristine with crystal clear waters! According to their website, you can stay at the Lagen Island Resort which is set on a cove, fringed by a thick primary forest. Or at the Miniloc Island Resort which is also set on a cove with a backdrop of limestone cliffs.

Activities in the island include snorkeling, kayaking, rock jumping, tours, etc. If I were to go there, i will just lie down on the sand and take plenty and plenty of pictures!!!

Room rates for the Lagen Island Resort starts at Php 8,000++ for the triple sharing, Php 9,000++ for twin sharing and Php 11,500++ for the single room (during low season)

Room rates for Miniloc Island Resort starts at Php 4,500++ for triple/quad sharing, Php 5,500++ for twin sharing and Php 8,000++ for single room (during low season)

You can view more pictures and their complete rates at their website: http://www.elnidoresorts.com

Photos from http://www.elnidoresorts.com