Best Vacation Destination For Summer

During summertime, Baguio and Tagaytay cities have always been the most popular destinations for tourists because of their colder weather amidst hot summer. While on the popular beaches, Boracay and Puerto Galera had been the all time favorite spots. And if you’re looking for a paradise vacation, Palawan is the best place. But for a change and for a new discovery of places to visit, I searched for the next best vacation destinations for an unforgettable new experience.

  

BATANES

Batanes’ consists of group of small island on the northern part of the country. It has a colder weather very suitable during summer.  Rain comes in any day of the year. Although the islands’ residents maintain a conservative and traditional living, electricity, cable television and telecommunication signal are already available.

And because of the islands’ natural beauty, there are a thousand ways and things to do all over Batanes. You could go swimming, hiking, fishing, sightseeing (the best thing), island hopping and nature tripping.

A stay in Batanes offers an experience of historical and memorable simple life. It’s a great place to get connected to and appreciate our past, the best place to discover our beginnings.

Places to go and see in Batanes:

 

● House of Dakay (1887) a UNESCO heritage building.

● Lighthouses of Batanes

● St. Dominic de Guzman Parish Cathedral

● Mt. Iraya - A 1008-meter mountain on Batan Island.

● Mahatao View Deck

● Burial Caves - Pre-historic burial caves in the town of Itbayat.

● Sumhao Wind Power Plant

● Nakaboang Beach, Ark & Cave

● Songsong Ruins

● Beaches - Chadpidan Beach, White Beach and more.

● Payaman - known as "Marlboro Country", a pasture overlooking farm fields & the Pacific Ocean.

 
 BANAHAW

Mt. Banahaw is popular as a traditional pilgrimage place for locals and some tourists. It was believed by many to be a “holy mountain” or spiritually-filled spot. It is also well-known among mountaineers being the nearest hiking site in Manila. Climbing activity peaks during Holy Week every year, with thousands of climbers visits both for nature and spiritual intent. There are at least 4 trails exist from the mountain, from Dolores, Sariaya, & Lucban or Tayabas in Quezon. The most frequented trails are the Cristiano & the Tatlong Tangke, taking a typical 9 and 5 hours hike, respectively. These 2 trails originate from Barangay Kinabuhayan, Dolores, and meet near the summit of Banahaw. What will be found in the summit are what they call Durungawan (viewpoints) I, II, and III, and it is in the summit where pilgrims usually do some spiritual refuge.

Other Sections to See in the Mountain

• Crystalino Falls,
• Suplina Falls,
• Salamin Bubog (glass mirror) which is a small pond in which the water is as a mirror;
• the Kweba ng Dios Ama (cave), one of the most sacred place but you will be dismayed to see a concrete house built by a local sects right in the mouth of the cave;
• the Pintong Lihim (sacred door)- two large boulders with divergent paths and
• Niluhuran (place where trees knelt) which was named due to the bent trees which sorrounds the place and some minor pilgrim sites.
• Durungawan (view points) I, II, and III (highest point), the cave near the cross and the crater view overlooking Guis-guis and two other rivers Tubig ng Gatas at Tubig ng Dugo (river of blood and milk because one is white as marble and the other red as iron oxide).

Within Kinabuhayan area,

• the Bakas (Christ’s foot print),
• Santo Calbaryo (Calvary),
• Tres Personas,
• Ilog ng landas (river),
• Ina ng Awa,
• Husgado (cave),
• Kweba ni San Pedro (cave),
• Kweba ni San Pablo (cave),
• Prisintahan,
• Dolorosa,
• Piedra Mental,
• Ciudad Mystica,
• Buhok ng Birhen,

ILOCOS NORTE

 

The panoramic Ilocos Norte is boasts of graceful, historic churches, deep aquamarine-colored seas, scenic vistas of Rocky Mountains, hidden waterfalls, fine and white sand beaches, and a mystical history of gold mines, bloody revolts and an interesting window to Philippine national politics.

At about 488 Kilometers from Manila, touring Ilocos Norte takes 2 to 4 days to enjoy all the beautiful places each town has to offer. A perfect destination if you wish to escape the pressures of city living. From Pagudpud beach to Fort Ilocandia to Paoay Church to Bangui Windfarm, Ilocos Norte offers an endless vacation indulgence that will surely be a great summer experience.

WHERE TO GO

 

 DAY 1 - North

• Bacarra  - Bacarra Church, Bell Tower and ruins
• Pasuquin -  biscocho, salt making
• Burgos -  Cape Bojedor Lighthouse
• Bangui - Bangui valley, Bangui viewdeck
• Pagudpud - Mabogabog falls, Patapat viaduct, white sand beaches

DAY 2 - South

• Badoc - Juan Luna House
• Currimao - Coral rock formations
• Batac - Gregorio Aglipay Church, Marcos Museum, Mariano Marcos State University,  
• Paoay - Malacañang of the North, Paoay Church, Paoay Lake
• Laoag - Aurora Park, Bantay Bell Tower, Tobacco Monopoly Monument, St. William's Cathedral, 
• Sarusar : exhibit on Ilocano products

 

 

DAY 3 - Central

• San Nicolas - pottery, San Nicolas Church
• Sarrat - Aglipayan Church, Sta. Monica Church and convent
• Solsona - Dua-Dua falls, Karingking river

 




The latest addition to the numerous destinations is the Banna Zipline. Located at Brgy. Caribquib in the town of Banna, it was a project of the Barangay Council, with 160 meter-cable ropeslide in less than 20 second ride. On the base of the zip line rides, tourists can make use of the village's sprawling ground for rest and picnic.

Zip line tours are becoming alternative vacation activities during this summer and can be enjoyed at P100/ per ride.