All About Palawan

The Philippines is known for its beautiful beaches that are also home to a very diverse marine life. Given the 7,000 plus islands in the Philippines it is no surprise that countless tourists visit the country every year to explore its blue waters and fine sand. Boracay, Pagudpud, Camarines Sur and Palawan are just some of the islands where world class beaches are situated.  

The island province of Palawan is one of the more popular tourist spots in the country. Palawan is situated in between the South China Sea in the northwest and Sulu Sea in the Southeast. Puerto Princesa, Coron and El Nido are some of the towns and cities that are often included in Palawan travel packages. 

Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan is also the largest city in the Philippines. Travel Packages to Puerto Princesa are usually inclusive of an afternoon city tour, the Underground river tour, the Honday Bay Island Hoping Tour. The afternoon city tour include a visit to the Crocodile Farm where in crocodiles are farmed and is also a place for rehabilitation for rescued wildlife. It also includes a visit to a restaurant garden, Baker’s Hill known for their hopia in barangay Sta. Monica. The city tour also includes the following stops; Mitra’s Ranch which is known for its scenic view of the Honda Bay and Puerto Princesa Bay Walk which is a park and recreation area with a view of the Puerto Princesa Bay.

Coron is a very small town located in the tip of Palawan. Coron travel packages usually include visits to the Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake, Twin lagoons, Skeleton Wreck, Kalachuchi Beach, Dimanglet island, Atuwayan, Banol Beach, Coron reef garden, Sanagt island, Paz Island, Calumbuyan Island, Banana island, Malcapuya island, Coral bay garden. Given this, the only mode of transportation to these destinations are thru chartered boats known as the Bangkas. The Coron Bay is also known for ship wrecks that are around 10 to 43 meters deep. The bay is now a wreck diving paradise where in the ships are still very much intact with huge holes allowing divers to swim through them.

El Nido is a first class municipality and a managed resources protected area in Palawan which is composed of 45 islands. El Nido Travel packages are usually very pricey compared to the other two. El Nido is truly one of the top tourist destinations in the country and is even referred to the to as the "Philippines' Last Frontier” because of its breathtaking cliffs, lagoons, waterfalls, caves, forests and of course white-sand beaches. The must see places in El Nido, Palawan are Bacuit Bay, Caldao Island, Cadlao Island, Dilumacad Island, EL Nido Resorts, Miniloc Island, Lagen Island, Pangalusian Island, Vigan Island, Cudugnon Point, Matinloc Island, Pinasil Island, Abrawan Rive and Ille Cave.

Top Ten Travel Agencies in Manila

The travel industry in Manila has boomed. With the younger generations looking to travel internationally and domestically, travel agencies will always give the best rates and service to keep a loyal clientele.  As the modern world keeps pushing forward, travelling from one place to another will definitely be easier and faster. Travel agencies in Manila will definitely slug it out to provide the best personalized services to their clients.

Trends Travelmart International Corporation has been in the travel industry since 1989. With age comes experience. Over the past 20 years or so they have accumulated a following of loyal clients that trust their service. The services that they provide are complete, from documentation, travel insurance, airport assistance to cruises and domestic and international ticketing.

Fiesta Tours and Travel Corporation is another travel agency that has been around and built a strong name in the industry. Established in May of 1982, they have been serving their clients with efficiency and reliability. Their main business includes documentation, international and domestic ticketing, local and international tours. They strive to give their clientele worry free travel at the best possible rate.

Located in Fort Bonifacio Global City, Kirschner Travel Manila started out as a service office. In 2005 they became an independent full time service travel agency. They invite everyone to explore the world and specially invite German residents to visit the Philippines. Some of their services are travel advice, corporate and group travel arrangements, international and domestic ticketing at special rates.

Wow Philippines Travel Agency Incorporated on the other hand was founded in 2005. Their office in Ortigas Center since then has been working hard to give clients 275 Boracay packages, 32 Palawan packages, 93 Bohol packages, 60 Cebu packages, 30 Manila packages, 18 Puerto Galera packages, 10 Baguio packages, 11 Vigan packages, 4 Davao packages and 15 Camiguin packages. No wonder they call themselves Wow Philippines.

Airlite travel and tours aims to provide services such as booking, tour facilitation, travel documentation and the like. They have promo fares, international and domestic packages and special packages. Special packages include honeymoons, adventures and pilgrimages.

Mango Tours is a travel agency based in the U.S. that provides tours focused in Asia, specifically the Philippines. They have 11 branches that help facilitate the smooth travel of their clients. Along with their office in Salcedo Village, Makati City they are able to offer hotel and resort packages at competitive prices.

Horizon Travel in Ermita has been around and accredited IATA since 1980. They offer cruises, tours and hotels, international airfare, domestic airfare, travel insurance, documentation assistance and the like at affordable prices. Their experience will truly be worth while for clients.

Mr. Travel Manila is also located in Ermita but on Adriatico street. They provide VISA assistance for expats, travel insurance, passport processing and ticketing. Airfares and cheap promos are regularly made available by them.

Balikbayani.com is an online travel agency where in clients book and purchase tickets online. Everything is done through computers since they are directly linked to reservation computers of most major airlines.

Last but not the least is Travelsmart.net. They provide online reservation and bookings of hotels and resorts, car Rentals, domestic and international flights. Most of the services are just one click away online making them one of the top travel agencies in Manila.

Travel Guide - Restaurant List on a Road Trip to Baguio

There are many roadside stops you can consider on your to or from Baguio but aside from the usual gas stations for a much needed break, guides never include where to eat in your travel package before arriving in the summer capital. As Pangasinan is the halfway point up to Baguio, or at least the point where people can’t ignore their stomach grumbles any longer, this list will provide you with some restaurants that you can consider stopping by for a quick nosh.

Robinsons Luisita, located by the gateway of the Hacienda Luisita, provides ample parking space, 24-hour ATM service, and various dining outlets. There’s a supermarket too in case you need supplies and couldn’t wait until you got to SM Baguio. There’s the ever-reliable Max’s Chicken, a Jollibee, a Chowking, a Mang Inasal, a Dencio’s Grill and a Pancake House too.

The gimmicky floating restaurant Isdaan, in Gerona, Tarlac has this famous wall where you can throw everything from plates to an old school television set while you are instructed to scream “Tacsiyapo” (a local cuss word) while doing so. This gimmick bode well with customers, as this is what made this restaurant famous. Many frequent this quirky restaurant on the way up or down from Baguio.

Aside from throwing items, this floating restaurant has many other attractions including statues that seem to have been bought off a theme park yard sale. There’s an Incan/Budda-ish stone giant as well as a dinosaur, and some giant fish thrown in for good measure (it is called Isdaan after all).  There are signs on the wall dare you to do things such as cross through a concrete plank in the middle of a small lagoon which if you endeavor and succeed crossing it twice, would win you a kilo of tilapia.

Part of the Barrio Fiesta group, this restaurant may have silly attractions but rest assured, the reason people keep coming back here is because the food is still fantastic. Come for the Pinatolang Baka, (which is served inside a buho, a bamboo lined with banana leaves to encapsulate the broth inside) or the Kuhol sa Gata. The Marinated Inihaw na Spare Ribs may look like your common fare, but bloggers agree that this is one dish to come back for. Also, other staples like Ensaladang Mangga (green mangoes with salted egg, red onion, and bagoong), Grilled Squid, and other traditional Filipino fare are consistently good.

                                                                                      

Many fine restaurants await you in Baguio so don’t ruin your appetite at a stopover if you can.

Budget Travel: Backpacking Destinations

Having a vacation without burning a hole in your pocket is definitely a dream come true for everyone.  Travelling can be very costly and would certainly put a dent in your savings.  But this can be an inspiring and unforgettable experience for one.  Taking the chance to see new places, meet different people, and learn their culture will give you a fresh way of seeing things beyond the obvious. And yet, how can you do this without spending too much?

            The Philippines is one of the many tourist destinations that can offer you the best deals and yet, superb accommodation, silver service and memorable adventures for a budget travel.  In a country where there are over 7,107 islands to explore, The Philippines is surely the perfect place for your backpacking explorations.  

            Gear up for a long hike as you trek the world-renowned Banaue Rice Terraces in Central Luzon.  This rice field carved out of the hills by the native Ifugao’s amazes the world for more than 3,000 years now.  Along the way, you’ll meet the locals who are very much hospitable and are eager to show you their unique culture and traditions.  As this place continues to be a source of livelihood for the inhabitants, UNESCO declared the Banaue Rice Terraces as a World Heritage Site years ago.

            Be amazed as well of the beauty and wonder of Mount Mayon in the province of Albay.  Its perfect cone shape never ceases to amaze the world despite its frequent eruptions, since it is considered as one of the active volcanoes in the Philippines. 

            Looking for a historical destination?  Then, you should never miss the chance to visit the ancient Intramuros in the center of Manila.  Derived from the Latin word which means “within the walls’, you can take a leisure walk as you admire the marvelous architectural beauty shown in the castle, churches, monasteries, homes, schools and other government buildings with Spanish designs situated within these walls.  Still standing proud since it was built in 1571, Intramuros proves to be a Philippine treasure.

            Palawan should definitely be a part of your list.  Palawan offers you a lot of adventures; from trudging its lush forests and mountains, abundant wildlife habitat, swimming in the untouched and pristine beaches of El Nido, and visiting the infamous Underground River in Puerto Princesa.  Recently declared by UNESCO as one of the 7 Wonders of the World, this natural attraction is one of the top destinations in the country.

            The Tubbataha Reef is by far the dreamland for scuba divers.  About 150 kilometers southeast of Palawan and located in the Sulu Sea, this World Heritage Site according to UNESCO is a home for thousands of marine species.  This is a real heaven for those who wish to explore the deep secrets of the blue waters of the Philippines.

            These are but some of the rich natural beauty Philippines has to offer.  Backpacking here is a real budget travel for it won’t empty your bank accounts!

Best Bed and Breakfasts near NAIA

A bed and breakfast place is something you can find pretty easily in Manila, especially for those on a travel budget. A lot of tourists come and go, and many of them often look for a cheap but decent place to stay while they are visiting the country. Of course, if you have a travel budget, you can’t be very picky with the places you stay in.

One good place to stay for people you are visiting Manila on a travel budget is the Townhouse Hotel. It’s only 1.5 miles from all four Manila airports. It has 34 rooms which are divided into 5 types. All the rooms have your basic amenities like air-conditioner, TV, telephone, and WIFI access. The hotel has it’s own restaurant, which serves local and international favorite home cooked meals at 6am to midnight. There are also other restaurants nearby—McDonalds, Kenny Rogers, Chow King, Jollibee—if you prefer to dine outside of the hotel. Their room rates range from 300-950 pesos, depending on the type of room you choose.

If your budget isn’t too tight, maybe you can go for a more upscale living space. Casa Joaquin Bed and Breakfast is located at 116 Caliraya Drive, Marian Lakeview Park, Paranaque City, Manila. This establishment is only 20 minutes away from the international airport and the busy Makati Commercial Center. It’s even closer to the Global City in Taguig. All the rooms here are provided with private bathrooms, air-conditioning and ceiling fans. It is also close to a few local attractions like Farmer’s Market, Bonifacio Global City, Makati Commercial Center, public golf courses, and Shoemart Shopping Center. You can pay by using your credit card.

Another bed and breakfast place you can stay in is the 1 River Central Hostel, which is located in Makati. This hostel has 4 stories and 22 rooms and was built in 2011. The rooms are generally split from men and women but special arrangements can be made if you book the entire room. The hostel offers free Internet access through WIFI and free breakfast to all guests. The building also has a roof deck where guests are allowed to lounge and relax. Onsite restaurants include Starbucks and Tapas. Other local restaurants that are close by include Cibo (modern Italian restaurant), Burgoo(American restaurant), and Thousand Cranes (Chinese restaurant). The hostel is also in close proximity to some local attractions like Rockwell Mall, Greenbelt Mall, SM Mega Mall, and Fort Bonifacio Global City.