Pinoy Tour: Philippines at its finest

by Kc Ochoa

Labels: Beach Resort, beachfront resort, beachside retreat, dumaguete resort, Island Adventure, Monarch Sands Beach Resort, packages, Travel Tour, vacation, vacation spot

Luxury, by its nature, tends to seek the higher ground in the Philippines. What is luxury in places where five-star establishments offer the same treats and extras? Luxury has its tendency to push the limit further. And in the end, it all comes down to what luxury gives in exchange of its cost.

The Philippines is where hard-earned money can go very far, a nice place to buy into. Vacation islands in the Philippines like Cebu, Bohol, and Davao can be really cheap or be really expensive. But, if you know your way around, you may have a Philippine vacation where every penny spent is worth it.

Sanctuary at Davao Pearl Farm (Under $120 a day) Refreshingly far from Manila and the giddy island beat of Boracay, the Samal Island in Davao has made a name for its idyllic atmosphere and dramatic coastline. Its Davao Pearl Farm Resort offers luxury, native-inspired rooms that flank the Davao beachfront.

Pearl Farm combines indigenous touch and modern living to refreshing effect in its Davao resort. Leisure, spa, and conference facilities are available, too, but the real luxury in staying at Pearl Farm consists of swimming with turtles, getting close to sunken war vessels, or simply finding your own stretch of white beach far from the madding crown.

Heritage tour in Cebu City (Under $110 a day) Called the “Queen City of the South,” Cebu is magnificent in the right places. Centuries-old churches and forts stand in the same locale as the commercial hubs in the port city of Cebu. A day at the Crown Regency acquaints hotel guests with the modern ethos of luxury hotel living, then with the quaint charm of Cebu City the next day.

With the tree-lined Osmena Boulevard as backdrop, Crown Regency towers above the Fuente Osmena in Cebu City and brings guests to the nightlife center and cultural hub of the island. Equally interesting is the Peak Restobar at the 23^rd floor of its hotel in Cebu, the tallest in the city, which gives guests a panoramic view of Cebu while sipping cocktails and taking comfort food.

Bohol island adventure (Under $140 a day) Composed of posh beachfront villas, each with it own plunge pool, balcony, and landscaped garden, the Amorita Resort in Bohol offers the perfect place to enjoy the sun, beach, and crisp sea air of the island. With a Mandala Spa set to break cover in its resort in Bohol, Amorita guarantees luxury and comfort in island living.

But Amorita is more than just for relaxation. The water off the Amorita Resort in Bohol is a marine sanctuary, where a glass wall can be seen enclosing an area to protect an array of marine life. From here to the far reaches of the Bohol Sea, various natural wonders, old houses, and cultural sites await resort guests for a tropical island adventure.

Not to miss is a lunch on a boat ride down the Loboc River in Bohol, with thick rainforests sliding along as you feast on favorite Philippine delicacies.

Labels: Beach Resort, Bohol Resort, Cebu, Davao, Davao Resort, Hotel in Cebu, Island Adventure, Travel Tour

The sun and the sand of Boracay in the Philippines is a considerable departure from the concrete jungle of Manila. And this change of scenery can do every one every good. But, as extensive and impressive the coastline of Boracay is, it could get dull and soporific. Suddenly you miss the nightlife of the big city like Manila, its cultural scene as well as the colorful personality that makes Manila a booming city.

This, however, does not make Boracay any less charming among the tourist capitals of the Philippines and the world. That is, if one knows his way around the tropical island of Boracay. With a feel for the place, creativity, and a little help from your friends, Boracay visitors can experience island life without feeling to have left the vibe of the city life in Manila. Here are the top three places in Boracay that can make every minute of a beach holiday eventful.

Top 3 places where one can't feel alone in Boracay Beach

1. Tides Boracay—The emerging party capital of Boracay, this fashionably chic boutique hotel in Boracay is gaining renowned for bringing the party scene of Manila to the island. Tides Boracay Hotel is owned and managed by some of Manila’s top partyphiles, including the charmed little group that introduced The Embassy to Manila’s party landscape. Need we say more?
   
2. Bolabog Beach—Home to the strongest trade winds in the island, the Bolabog Beach in Boracay is favorite among kitesurfers, most of them Russians and Australians. With two of the world’s International Tossposts kings in one place, it couldn’t get any better than the Bolabog Beach when beach party and watersports are at their peak. And residents of the Philippines couldn’t have done any worse.
3. Boracay Sandcastles—Boracay wouldn’t be Boracay without island adventures. And there is little place else on the island that is a perfect mix of “frontierland” and city pace than in Boracay Sandcastles. It acquaints guest with the island of Boracay through diving, cave exploration, kayaking, mountain bike riding, all while the outdoor cafés, bars, and restaurants wait on guests for a night of island party and leisure.

There is a saying about Boracay that has become quite famous: What happens in Boracay stays in Boracay. It can be the right place for a Boracay Beach holiday, if only you know where to look for it. For the lowdown on how to make the best possible beach holiday in Boracay, visit the Boracay Sandcastles and Tides Boracay websites.

Labels: Beach Party, Boracay, Island Adventure