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Why Tourists Are Crazy Over Albay (and Why You Should Be Too)

There is no denying that Albay is becoming one of the country’s most popular provinces for local and international tourism. With its new International Airport opening sometime in 2017 and the continuing promotion of the local government and the Department of Tourism, Albay is bound to receive more visitors in the coming years. But what is the Albay “craze” really all about? Read on and convince yourself that your next trip would be here.

That Mayon view

There is just something about Mayon that makes this heap of rock extra special. It is its perfect cone shape, its sheer size, and how it is laid upon the land that makes it unforgettable. Almost everywhere you are in Albay Mayon is there reminding you of its majesty and beauty.

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Mt. Mayon in all its splendor. One good reason to come over to Albay. Photo credits PhilippineLifestyle.com

Even to locals Mayon never ceases to amaze them. They take pictures of it, post it online, and praise its hundred-and-one qualities. Only when you see it in person you will understand why many are dying to go to Albay.

When you are around town make sure to stay in a hotel that has a view of Mayon or at least near a place where you have a vantage point of the volcano. And yes, pray for clear skies.

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There is somehting about Mayon that you never tire looking at it. Photo credits Tom Falcon

Amazing gastronomic offerings

Bicolandia is a foodie’s paradise and Albay inherits this quality to the brim. It is in this province where the famed Pinangat has its origins. Bicol express is also a staple food around here so even the small carenderias around town has this in their stalls.

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The famed Pinangat. It’s flavorful, its local, and it is the perfect appetizer. Try it when in Albay! Credits to the owner of the photo.

It is also in Legazpi City, the capital city of the Province of Albay where the popular Sili Ice Cream came from thanks to the creativity of the 1st Colonial Grill, one of the most successful restaurants in the region.

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The Sili Ice Cream of the 1st Colonial Grill. The original – a proudly Albayano creation. Credits to the owner of the photo.

The Albay food scene is very exciting to the delight of tourists. Ginataang Santol, Laing Pasta, Laing Pizza, and Volcano Fire Pizza are only some of the few gastronomic treats this place is known for. So if you feel like having new food experiences then this is the place to go.

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The Volcanic Fire Pizza from the Lava Restobar. This is not just good food, it is also an interesting experience.

Picturesque churches

There are a lot of picturesque churches in Albay. Daraga Church and the Albay Church in Legazpi City have innate architectural beauty that will surely impress you. Then there is the Nuestra Señora De Salvacion Shrine in Tiwi, St. John the Baptist Church in Camalig, and the St. Peter and Paul Church in Polangui.

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The Albay Church right at the center of Old Albay District. There are many hotels near this picturesque church, one of which is the Emerald Boutique Hotel. Credits to the owner of the photo.

All these churches you can visit in just a few hours as these places are not too far from each other. If you have a private car to drive around the better it is for your church hopping adventure. Just don’t forget to bring your camera with you.

Polangui Church in Polangui, Albay
The colorful Polangui Church in Albay. The contrast and the earth colors makes this church picture perfect. Credits to the owner of the photo.

Interesting people and culture

Albayanos are a friendly bunch and are really warm in accepting visitors to their province. Everybody here can communicate in Tagalog (Filipino) so it is not that hard to go around the city even if you do not speak the local dialect.

Legazpi City

Albayanos are also very accommodating and hospitable so it is not unusual to be offered a seat in their dining table or have an engaging conversation with them.

Perhaps one of the most interesting things of the culture in this area is the myriad of derivatives of the Bicol language. Legaspeños’ Bicol would sound different from the dialect of people from Daraga even if the two territories are just a few kilometers away from each other. The language would have another “version” in Camalig or in the other side of Albay, like in Tabaco or Tiwi.

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The Legazpi Boulevard. A great place to meet and talk with some locals. Come here early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Photo by Glen Thaddeus Isip

Nevertheless, the cultural mix and roots of Albayanos are both complex and interesting so learn as much as you can and strike some conversations with locals. You will be glad you did.

Beautiful beaches

If you are a beach person then Albay is a prime destination for you. It has a collection of white and black sand beaches, some are in uninhabited islands while others have resorts on them. This gives you a lot of options as far as beach fun is concerned.

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The beautiful Pinamuntugan Beach. Who would not like to come here? Credits to the owner of the photo.

The good thing about these beaches is that they are not that far from urban centers like Sto. Domingo, Tabaco, and Legazpi City. You can stay for example in Legazpi and get to the nearest beach in 30 minutes.

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Muladbucad Beach in Manito, Albay. The water is simply inviting! Credits to the owner of the photo.

If you want to have a more exclusive experience in a resort setting then you can check out Misibis Bay Resort and Casino in Bacacay. 45 minutes from your Legazpi Hotel and you are there sipping fresh lemonade or having fun with water sports.

Grandiose festivals

Albay is known for two grand festivals, some are month-long celebrations that put the city in a very festive mood. May 1-31 is the time for the Magayon Festival. In the heart of the city you can find stalls that sell local food, varied services like tattoo and body piercings, booths that sell popular Bicol pasalubong items and memorabilia plus there is a stage for nightly band entertainment.

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The cultural parade for the Magayon Festival is one of the most popular activities in this month long celebration. Credits to the owner of the photo.

During the second week of October is the Ibalong Festival. This one is just a week-long celebration but its scale is as grand as the Magayon Festival. You can expect cultural parades and coordinated activities around the city. Prepare yourself for the throngs of crowd everywhere you go.

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The Ibalong Parade is colorful and grand. This is one good reason to come and visit Albay. Credits to the owner of the photo.

Other festivals happening around the province is the Tabak Festival in Tabaco City celebrated on the last week of March. You also have the Sarung Banggi Festival in Sto. Domingo happening every May 18-25. The Coron Festival happens every year in Tiwi during the 3rd week of August.

Tribu Himag-Ulaw 2014 Gayon Bicol Festival of Festivals champion (3)
The Magayon Festival is seen to be one of the grandest festivities in the country. Schedule your visit in Albay during Magayon. Just book your flight and accommodation early. Credits to the owner of the photo.

Other Festivals include Kadagatan Festival of Bacacay, Pagsuwak Festival of Guinobatan, Salingoy Festival of Bacacay, and Tinagbuan Festival of Ligao City just to name a few.

Book your flight in advance and reserve a room weeks before your trip during these festivities.

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Legazpi City at night. Visit Albay and sleep with this view. Credits to the owner of the photo.

Is Albay worth visiting? You bet! So do your planning, research on what Albay has for you (this list is not at all complete as far the province’s offerings are concerned) and call up some friends to join you on your trip. Vacations are way better when you share it with someone.

 

Travel Now, Pulubi Later?

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).
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 Ceb Pac 2 years ago but you can still secure this low fare in their annual seat promos.
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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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?