It’s the perfect time for new adventures and we have some New Year travel resolutions that you might want for yourself.
Travelling can give you the release you want from the staleness of every day life. And while it can be costly, it is one of the best investments you can ever make in your life. Remember, spend on experience, not things! Okay, so here we go!
Travel with someone you want to know better
Travel brings out the best (and worst) in people. If you really want to know someone better, travel with them! Going out steadily with someone? Plan a trip with him/her. Your son is entering a new phase and you want to spend quality time with him? Plan a trip with your unico hijo!
It is best to know the place you are going to minimize stress. However, if you are both adventurous then you can go somewhere the both of you have never been to. Travelling together allows you to bond better and it gives you a better, pretension-free peek of a person’s character.
Travel on your own
Always travelled with a companion before? 2018 can be the year to finally try going at it solo! Solo travel is a unique experience and while there are some risks involved (getting bored in the middle of the trip), there are huge rewards.
Solo travel gives you a different perspective on things, forces you to try new ways of doing things, it can also free lots of time for actual adventures as your schedule is your own. The important thing here is to pace your itinerary and to plan ahead the next day – to make sure there are no long downtimes.
Plan your travels ahead of time
If last year your travel calendar was full of spontaneous (and costly) trips, 2018 is the best year to try well planned travels through the next 10 months. Plot it all out in your calendar, secure cheap flights to your destinations, and research in advance the places you want to go while booking hotels ahead of time. Nothing beats a well planned trip! Also plan trips with different travel companions, something new to try this year if you are used to going somewhere with a regular travel buddy – you know, for some variation.
And because you saved money on your plane tickets and hotel room, you can go to more destinations. That’s more adventures for you!
These travel resolutions can add color and something new to your trips this 2018. Trying something different is a good way to put a fresh spin on your travel experience. Make this year more memorable!
Legazpi is one of Philippine’s most visited cities by local and foreign tourists today. The amazing beaches, the majestic Mt. Mayon, the many stone churches in and around Albay, and other scenic places to visit (not to mention the many festivals year round) makes Legazpi a tourist favorite.
An aerial view of the city. It is beautiful and captivating with the miles and miles of shoreline framed by the majestic Mayon in its rear. What a sight to behold!
But do you know that this city is much easier to visit than ever before? Both the increased number of flights from Manila and Cebu and the many bus lines that have Legazpi as one of its key destinations in South Luzon makes it very possible and affordable to enjoy the natural beauty of this city.
So some basic things:
Where to stay?
There are many hotels in town, many of which have just the perfect location for either a quick spin around popular local destinations or a long-term exploration of the Sorsogon-Albay-Catanduanes provinces.
One of the newest hotels in Legazpi – the Emerald Boutique Hotel. It might be small compared to some of its competitors but this hotel aims to go above and beyond their guest’s expectations. Book with them and experience the difference.
Legazpi sits right in the middle of the tourism frenzy so it does not matter what you are after, you will surely get it here. Aside from hotels there are also small bed and breakfast businesses and mid-sized Inns in the city. Hotel rooms can cost you P6000 and up if you are into luxury accommodations. But you can also have a decent place to sleep for as low as P500 a night, a must-have option for the more frugal traveler.
How about available tours?
There are many tour operators in town. If you are into guided tours there are several local companies that can cater to that need, some can even get you halfway to Mayon’s crater (if the ban is lifted anyway). Do you want more daring adventures? Perhaps an ATV ride all the way to the foot of Mayon, or zip-lining over the water at Embarcadero? That can be arranged too.
Riding the ATV to the foot of Mayon is loads of fun. You should try it!
How about navigating a hanging bridge on the side of Lignon Hill with Mayon as the background? You can even have a swim with butandings (whale shark) at Donsol. If you love the ocean then the vanishing island in Malilipot is the ideal kind of adventure for you. All these attractions and activities can be had easily with local tourism service operators.
How to get to Legazpi?
Talking about accessibility, Legazpi can be reached by air and land. Your options:
By Plane
There are many flights to Legazpi from Manila and vice versa. You will have no problem going in and out of the city by air. There is a 4:55 AM early flight from Manila to Legazpi. The same plane would fly passengers to Manila for its turnaround flight. There is also a daily flight from Cebu to Legazpi at 3:25PM. With Manila and Cebu welcoming flights from all over the world and the Philippines, flying to Legazpi is easy and thanks to budget airlines – affordable!
The flight schedules for Manila to Legazpi. This should make your flights plans easier!
By Bus
Travelling by Bus to Legazpi is more convenient than many people think. There are many bus companies that focus on the Bicol market, coming up with services that improve the travel experience of Bicolanos who frequent Manila. This consequently allows for the overall improvement of the by-land travel of tourists from Manila to Legazpi and vice-versa.
Cagsawa’s Royal Class Bus. This boasts very generous legroom with seats that recline almost completely allowing passengers to sleep through the Manila-Legazpi trip.
Two of the leading bus lines serving the Manila-Legazpi route are Cagsawa and Penafrancia. They have multiple trips all throughout the day. The most convenient of all are the night trips that depart from Manila at around 7:00 PM. These buses have a very spacious leg room with recliner seats and foot rests that will allow you to sleep thought the 12-hour trip to Legazpi. The same bus departs from Legazpi to Manila at around the same time. Bus fares differ from one bus lines to the next but with the quality of your trip at stake, go for the more expensive and convenient trip available.
When it seems like Emerald Boutique Hotel is done surprising people with its affordable rooms and beyond-expectations service, it is now announcing another exciting addition to its offering – opening the doors of its one of a kind events venue they call “The Garden”.
The Garden without its current transparent roof. This space was already so full of charm prior to its renovation. Its airy ambiance made this one of the most popular hangouts among hotel guests especially in the cool of the day.
The Garden was originally an outdoor space that allowed guests to enjoy the fresh air outside. However due to Bicol’s unpredictable weather, the management chose to install a roof over the outdoor space. However it was also important for the hotel to keep the outdoor charm of the area so the perfect compromise would be to install a transparent roof that will keep the water out but will let the natural light in. This also allows guests to have dinner under the stars, a pretty romantic place to enjoy a meal for two.
The Garden with its transparent Resin Roof Panels that allow natural light to flood the place without exposing guests to the elements. The Garden is fully air-conditioned.
The Garden can accommodate up to 60 people. It is fully air-conditioned and it comes with comfortable tables and chairs. But the deal clincher for this venue is its very reasonable rental costs.
The Garden has attractive food packages and there are also inclusions that will surely make your event not only memorable but cost-effective.
With Emerald Bistro Cafe providing for the food in the new events venue, you can be sure you are not only getting a nice place to have your party, you are also dining with amazingly good food prepared by Emerald’s in-house Chef.
The food is provided by the Emerald Bistro Café. This means amazingly delicious menu options prepared by no other than Emerald’s in-house Chef.
There are also two VIP videoke rooms you can use (separate fees apply). These can add another fun element to your event. These rooms have direct access to The Garden so your guests can conveniently enjoy this added amenity.
Emerald’s VIP Videoke rooms are second to none. Rent these out too and make your event more special!
Interested to book at The Garden? Call/text Emerald Boutique Hotel at these numbers: (052) 201 – 0402 or +63 917 322 5232.
Legazpi City, the seat of power of the province of Albay, with a population of 1.23 million is a rising tourism destination in the Philippines. It is one of the most visited cities in the country today thanks to the efforts of the local government and its Department of Tourism counterpart.
Legaspi has seen rapid growth in the past few years. Housing projects are sprouting everywhere, shopping malls are coming in the latest one is Ayala Malls Legaspi. SM will follow which will start construction on January 2017. Robinsons is also expressing their intent in building a store in the city. This growth spurt is a sign that this city is getting a lot of attention, a good hint for people to come and visit it.
The growth of Legazpi City is unstoppable. Now is the best time to visit. Credits to the owner of the photo.
But there are some things I hate about this city. I think you need to know about these before pushing for your trip.
Mayon is an Intimidating Stalker
Everywhere you go in Legaspi City you will see Mayon and its majestic slopes. The moment your plane touches down, as long as you have clear skies, Mayon will be there staring at you, and you will be captivated by its beauty so that you will have no choice but to stare back at it – all the time.
Mayon and its seeming omnipresence in the city of Legazpi. Credits to the owner of the photo.
There are only a few hotels that do not have a Mayon view simply because this perfect cone of a volcano is a landmark in the city, an omnipresent topographical feature you can never miss while in Legazpi.
Of course if you love Mayon this will not be such a big nuisance. Ready your camera, pray for good weather, and rape that camera button because selfies with Mayon as background is really, really cool!
The spectacular view at the Baywalk in Legazpi. Photo by Miel Protacio
Too Many Things to See and Do
Legazpi is a very convenient gateway to many tourist attractions that you will have a hard time prioritizing things you want to do and visit. You can choose to go to Cagsawa Ruins, a World Heritage Site, or travel south to Donsol for some Whale Shark interaction, or go up to Lignon Hill for a 360 view of the city.
Cagsawa Ruins, one of the world’s celebrated heritage site is just a short drive from Legazpi proper. Credits to the owner of the photo.
You can also choose to go for a day tour at Misibis Bay, do some ATV adventure at Mayon’s lava formation, or explore nearby islands with amazing white sand beaches, and the list goes on and on.
The view on the way to the foot of Mayon in the ATV trail. Credits to the owner of the photo.
The truth is there is just too many places to go to you can never go to each one of them. You might end up going home frustrated at least that is how it was for me.
The solution to this “problem” is to have a list of your favorites, shorten your list more, and pursue the places you cannot afford to miss while in the city. This is the only way you will know right from the get-go that you came and did what you really wanted to see and do. No regrets!
Weight Gain is Inevitable
Bicol is known for its amazing gastronomic offerings and when you visit Legazpi prepare to eat – as in eat without minding the extra calories. This is the only way you will not end up hating yourself for not enjoying the great food this place is known for. The Sili Ice Cream of Colonial Grill, the Laing Pizza of Small Talk Café, the Emerald Burger of Emerald Boutique Hotel, the Pancit Canton of Mamay Ferings, the Crispy Pata of Bob Marlin, the Bicol Express of Koron Native Restaurant, the no-fuss food at Boklan.
Sili Ice Cream from the Original 1st Colonial Grill.
Good food is so easy to find here that even bike drawn stalls in Penaranda Park can get you to gastronomic heaven with the sandwiches of Eat N’ Run, or the favorite Filipino dish of Mike Sisig.
If you are adventurous enough even the small canteens along the road (carenderias) will have a version of some popular Bicol dishes like laing, bicol express, ginataang santol, and adobo sa asin.
Ginataang Santol is a local delicacy in Albay. Credits to the owner of the photo.
You will hate Legazpi because it will surely make weight gain easy. The secret to overcoming this “crisis” is just to let go of your calorie limits. When you visit Legazpi, accept the fact that you will eat – lots.
The highly regarded laing has become a trademark for Bicol. In Albay it is one of its most respected local dishes. You gotta try it when around the city. Credits to the owner of the photo.
You will probably hate Legazpi. You will be stalked by a majestic, beautiful volcano, your time management will be challenged with so many things to do and see, and you will gain weight. But then you will also probably love all of these things about Legazpi. And you will probably keep coming back.
2016 is a promising year for local and visiting foodies in Legazpi. The food industry in the city is bound to get more interesting as local foodpreneurs are getting bolder in offering their gastronomic creations to the eager public. I am listing 4 new places to eat in Legazpi and I hope you can find the time to visit each one and tell your friends about your experience.
Retazo Diner
This resto-diner-bar watcamacallit is an interesting place to dine. For one its interior is very unique. The owners of the place seem to maximize the physical features of the building they leased for the diner and went ahead with rustic-chic décor.
Retazo Diner is so full of personality that eating here is almost irresistible. Good food and good music can be expected here.
Owned and managed by musicians, this diner is not only about good food but most especially about good music. If you are into Jazz, Bossa Nova, Pop R&B, with a touch of Pinoy acoustic sound then this is a must-visit place for you.
Cloud Embassy, one of the leading acoustic acts in the city plays regularly in Retazo. The nameplate for the diner and the photos on the wall makes this place interesting to dine in. Photo by Eli Casim
The food here is good and what makes this place more exciting is that they have an ongoing Man Vs. Food challenge – to finish a humungous spicy beef burger in Ciabata bread, fries, and with Retazo’s signature mango-graham shake in 5 minutes. So far no one has been successful in winning the challenge. Maybe that would be you?
The Retazo Burger is one the diner’s most popular entry in its menu. Pounds and pounds of beef in Ciabata bread is more than enough tickle one’s appetite.
What to eat here? The Retazo Burger would be on top of my list and so is their Bicol Express.
Mamay Ferings
Okay so this place has one of the best if not the best pancit in town. Take my word for it! Well there is a good reason why this is so. According to the owners they were just originally looking for a place to rent out for a “pansitan” but as luck would have it, they saw a huge space that they can make into a full restaurant. And the rest as they say is history.
Mamay Fering’s expansive interior makes it a nice place from some intimate events. The food here is top notch and the place is quite classic looking, charming even.
This pansitan-turned-restaurant is located in the heart of the city on the second level of a charming building that borrows its looks from a Filipino ancestral home, complete with the hard wood façade and Capiz shell-laden windows. The restaurant has a spacious interior with a sizable covered veranda that opens up to the hustle and bustle of the city below.
Mamay Fering’s Porchetta is a must try. The spices in the meat and its tenderness is mouth watering.The mixed sea foods in Mamay Ferings is unforgettable. This is one filling dish that should leave a nice memory of your Legazpi visit.
What to eat here? The Pancit Canton is a must try of course. The mixed seafoods is also a great choice and so is the legendary Porchetta.
Koron
Koron is another restaurant that is worth your try when in Legaspi City. This place boasts of native cuisines, although not exclusively Bicolano. Located in Yashano Mall this restaurant is bound to give you an authentic experience with Filipino food.
The Koron offering is authentic Pinoy food. When you eat in this restaurant, the experience is as nice as the food.
Everything here is “native” from the food presentation, to the interior décor, to the plates and cutlery. When you eat here bring your camera with you because you would be having fun taking photos of the Koron’s unique way of giving you a taste of Pinoy staple food.
Everything in Koron has a native Pinoy touch. The spoon and fork says it all!
What to eat here? There is the boneless crispy pata, the Kosidong Lapu-lapu, and pancit buko just to name a few.
El Mundo Pequeño
Are you in the mood for some pizza, pasta, or tacos? Then you do not have to go far. In the heart of the Old Albay District of Legazpi City is El Mundo Pequeño, a small restaurant that is big in taste and flavour.
El Mundo Pequeño just opened its doors last month but this restaurant is bound to increase its avid diners thanks to its amazingly good food.
The Pepperoni Pizza here is oh-so-amazing that I am tempted to say it is the best in the city. It is authentic, thin crusted, with just the right amount of everything. This resto is located in the very same building where the Locsin Pili Nut was in the past few decades.
This Pepperoni Pizza is the best in town. Try it to believe it.
The restaurant is deceivingly simple from the outside with just a few chairs and tables. But for this resto it is the not the store front that matters, it is the food.
Care for some Tacos? This place should be your destination if you are into this Mexican staple food.
What to eat here? The meatballs spaghetti is a must-try and also the beef burritos. If you are into authentic Italian pizza and pasta then this is the place to dine to your heart’s content.
The offerings of this restaurant is just amazing. It is a fusion of authentic Italian and Mexican food, a must try when in Legazpi.
There is just something special about Small Hotels or Inns in a quiet street, especially those that strive for the comfort of their guests. This is what boutique hotels are known for – small in size but big in offerings and personality.
Enter the Emerald Boutique Hotel in Legazpi City. It is intimate and charming with nicely furnished rooms. What it lacks in luxurious space, it makes up with its unique style, comfort, and service.
The Rooms
The rooms at Emerald Hotel Legazpi have thick, 5-star quality mattresses with anti-bacterial sheets. The toiletries of this small hotel are also beyond the expectations of many people, considering the published rates of its rooms. The toilet and bath are nice and it is complete with rainshower head showers.
Emerald Boutique Hotel’s Standard Room. The comfy mattress says it all. Quality accommodations is here for the price of a budget hotel.
And if it is any consolation, the water that comes out from the faucets (showers too) is treated by the hotel’s own water purification system. Simply put, the water that you take a bath with is safe to drink, comparable to the bottled water you buy from the store.
This is Emerald’s Twin Deluxe Room. Two beds, generous floor space, elegantly furnished toilet and bath, with Cable TV and 24/7 Internet access.
The rooms are all equipped with cable TV and each floor has its own dedicated Internet line. In fact every part of the hotel has a decent WiFi signal, even the lobby, corridors, and outdoor spaces. Some of the third floor rooms have a Mayon view, while some rooms on the 2nd and 3rd floors have access to a veranda.
The Location
A 3-minute walk to any direction will get you to the very heart of Legazpi City. Restaurants abound and Jeepneys drive through Rizal St.. These can ferry you through almost all routes in the city.
Emerald Boutique hotel is located right in the heart of Legazpi City. It is just a 3-minute walk to the seat of power of the province of Albay and the local government of Legazpi. Restaurants are also near the hotel. If you fancy roaming around the city the hotel is just a few meters away from one of the of main streets of Legazpi (Rizal St.) where public utility jeepneys pass through driving people in and around the major routes in the city.
Swimming with Whale Sharks in Donsol Bay is a feasible adventure if you are staying at the Emerald Boutique Hotel. Photo by Q Phia via FlickrThe Cagsawa Ruins, a World Heritage Site, is one Jeepney ride from Emerald Hotel Legaspi. Photo by Ayan Villafuerte
Do you want to visit the famous Cagsawa Ruins? One jeepney ride from the hotel is all you need. Do you want to hike up to the top of Lignon Hill and witness the majestic beauty of Mayon? It is just another jeepney ride away from Emerald Hotel Legazpi. This is one of the most important features of the Hotel – its accessibility to the many tourist attractions in the city and beyond.
If you fancy visiting the Cagraray EcoPark then Legazpi City is a convenient jump off point. Photo by Sayson Ballesteros
Emerald is in Legazpi and the city is at the very heart of Albay Province making it a convenient jump-off point to many local attractions like the Vanishing Island in Malilipot, The Mayon Rest House in Tabaco, Vera Falls in Malinao, Kawa-Kawa Hill in Ligao, Danao Lake in Polangui, the Japanese Tunnels in Camalig, and the Cagraray EcoPark, even the Misibis Bay Resort and Casino.
The Vera Falls in Malinao. This is just a short drive away from Legazpi City. Photo credits to the owner
Everything is within reach of Emerald Boutique Hotel and this includes Donsol Bay where the whale sharks or Butanding show up during the summer months.
Dining and Entertainment
The Emerald Bistro Cafe. This is open all day to serve sumptuous meals to hotel guests. Coffee is also available here.
Emerald Boutique Hotel has its own Bistro-Café in the ground floor which serves the guests with the hotel’s complimentary breakfast. It is open from 6:00AM to 10:00PM. The restaurant also offers mouth-watering Bicol gastronomic treats. Gourmet coffee will also be available soon in the Café.
The Emerald Bistro Café opens up to an outdoor space, to “The Garden” which will soon have live acoustic entertainment on the weekends. With the parasols, the open skies, and the comfortable seating, this area will surely be a new favorite hangout area for guests and Legazpi locals.
The Garden, an outdoor space that connects the indoor dining area to the elements outside. You can dine here if you want to.
For those who love to sing their hearts out there is the Emerald KTV rooms. The sound proof rooms are fully equipped with high quality audio-visual equipment ready to provide music and vocals even for the most demanding and seasoned karaoke singers.
People are having so much fun in Emerald’s KTV rooms. This room is sound proof and equipped with top of the line audio visual equipment.
The Videoke rooms can be rented out exclusively for three hours for only Php2500. This rate includes a consumable food package that can fill up the appetite of up to 10 people. Not a bad deal at all.
The Ambiance
Emerald Boutique Hotel’s lobby. This intimate and welcoming space represents the very feel of this charming hotel.
Emerald Boutique Hotel offers intimate accommodation with 30 fully air-conditioned rooms. This gives the hotel a homey feel and with its friendly customer service this hotel delights and delivers. Even with the limitations of its size, the hotel has all the amenities that matter most even to a seasoned traveler.
The hotel’s front desk. That green lighting reflects the emerald standard pursued by this up and coming boutique hotel.
With room rates going for as low as Php1500 per night, the Emerald Boutique Hotel is bound to exceed all your expectations.
The millennials are quite familiar with the saying, “travel now, pulubi later”. With the increasing availability and utility of credit cards, travel is becoming a source of debt for many, to the point of begging for food months after a trip. But this does not have to be your reality – if only you travel smart.
Plan your trip in advance
The first sign of trouble for cash-hungry vacations is spur-of-the-moment plans. A good example would be friends in the office are talking about how beautiful Mt. Mayon is. As the conversation unfolds, a raw, “feasible” plan emerge. “Let’s go to Albay next week”! And that my friend is how you travel with huge financial consequences.
If it is possible, go against the trend and book your hotel in the “slow” months.
The problem with spur-of-the-moment travels is that everything costs more from plane tickets to the tours you want to take, even the hotel rooms you need to book. The solution is to plan your trip months before you go. Do your research about your destination, how you can fully enjoy the sights and sounds of the city, find hotels with a view and near to everything you want to experience while in town.
The perfect cone volcano in the Philippines, Mt. Mayon. Majestic, breath-taking, magayon (beautiful in the local dialect). Credits to the owner of this photo.
Know more about the peak season of tourist arrivals in your planned destination. Summer and the Holidays are often when hotels are charging more for their rooms and airlines are cashing in with the influx of vacationers. If it is possible, go against the trend and book your hotel in the “slow” months.
File your leave at work early, start losing weight if you plan to wear that swimsuit, talk about your trip at the office or among your friends, the more the merrier! Plan out your itinerary, book the local tours early, reserve the hotel rooms, and build up the excitement as your departure date draws near!
Nothing beats a well-planned, well-timed vacation.
Book your flights early
Look out for seat sales from budget airlines. You can even call your preferred ticketing office to reserve seats for you as soon as the sale is announced.
Seasoned budget travellers even plan their vacation around the travel dates of their discounted plane tickets. This is also a good way to plot your vacation plans. Seat sales in local airlines are often in harmony with tourist peak seasons.
Wait for seat sales like these. This was a promo by Cebu Pacific 2 years ago but you can still secure this low fare in their annual seat promos. Travel period will vary.
There is a huge chance that plane tickets on sale would mean lower local hotel room rates, lower tour fees, lower price of everything plus you get to enjoy your space in the beach more.
Talk to the locals
Vacations are nice when you fully integrate yourself to the local lifestyle. The last thing that you want to happen is to fail to get the real vibe of the city. Do not insulate yourself in the comforts of your hotel room and shuttle service. Get into the local lifestyle.
Engaging locals to small talks often mean a treasure chest of tips on to-do’s and to-eat. (Phot0 by Arnel Banawa)
Talking to locals also give you a deeper experience with your destination.
The best way to do that is to talk to locals. Have short walks around your hotel or ride jeepneys to go anywhere. Engage locals into casual conversations, and perhaps ask them what you can do to really enjoy the city. It is often from these conversations popular local hang outs are revealed, something no amount of online research can give you.
Talking to locals also give you a deeper experience with your destination. This can even give you windows of opportunity to go back to the city, but this time with local friends. Now that’s exciting!
Eat where locals eat
The Sili Ice Cream pioneered by a local restaurant in Legazpi City. This is a must try for visitors of the city.
Tired of the same breakfast at the hotel? Try the local gastronomic treats of your destination city! Eat where locals do! It could be a popular carenderia right on the next corner, or a mamihan or lugawan 50 meters from your hotel. Specialty restaurants are also a good idea to have an authentic food experience.
By eating where locals eat you can have a more accurate feel of the city
Lava Bar’s Volcanic Fire Pizza is another must try for Legazpi City visitors. Lava Bar is located at Ayala Malls Legazpi. (Photo by William Ong)
In Legazpi City, the sili ice cream is a must-try and only one restaurant offers that. Go there! Then there is the pinangat, a local dish that has charmed local tourists for decades now. Small Talk Café also offers the pinangat pizza, another must-try for tourists.
Pinangat, a local delicacy in Bicolandia. You need to try this when in Legazpi City. (Photo by Claire Dee Lim)
By eating where locals eat you can have a more accurate feel of the city. It also makes a good story to friends back at home. Yeah, you ate sili ice cream and you can brag all about it.
Do not be fooled with hotel published rates
Do not settle with the rates you see on the hotel’s website and in their other booking outlets. Always ask for a better deal. At least try.
Published rates in any hotel are not always accurate. These rates are often subjected to discounts especially during the off season. Booking a room in advance can give you more flexible rates. You can even ask the hotel for some tips when to book your room/s.
The Emerald Boutique Hotel, a newly opened small, intimate hotel in Legazpi City. This hotel is bound to exceed your expectations.
Planning to book several rooms? Some hotels give discounts to rooms reserved and paid for in bulk. This is often true in small boutique hotels, or in some little inn or bed and breakfast.
Do not settle with the rates you see on the hotel’s website and in their other booking outlets. Always ask for a better deal. At least try.
Emerald Boutique Hotel’s Double Deluxe Room. Convenient and elegant.
Pursue the tours you really like
Thanks to the Internet and Google it is quite easy today to find something to do in any city in the Philippines. Travel blog abound (like this one) and your friends on Facebook often have experiences in places you want to visit. Reading and asking around is not that hard.
Malilipot, Albay’s vanishing island. This is a beach in the middle of the sea. Now that’s interesting! Credits to the owner of the photo.
Plan ahead, be informed, be intentional with your trip, and get into the local lifestyle.
But what do you really want to do? That is the question you must have an answer for especially if you are travelling on a budget. Pursue the tours that have immense personal value to you.
In Legazpi City the Mayon ATV tour is a huge hit. You do not only get to see Mayon up close but drive through its lava path up to the very foot of the majestic volcano.
The Mayon ATV Tour. Imagine driving through the lava flow from the majestic Mayon Volcano! (Photo by Melo Villareal)
You can also try the vanishing island tour in Malilipot Albay. If you love the beach then this tour should be in your thing-to-do list while in Albay.
So don’t be a “pulubi” after travelling to beautiful cities around the country. Plan ahead, be informed, be intentional with your trip, and get into the local lifestyle. Who said you have to be in debt to enjoy the perks of travel?
