Traveling opens to us new horizons. We acquire new experiences and knowledge through traveling. We also create precious memories with our loved ones in our travels together with them. Travelling has become a favorite activity by families and circles of friends especially now when it has become accessible. Everyone is coming to realize that travel does need to be a luxury. It could be afforded according to one’s budget.
Today, we prepared the top travel packages to all locations in the country which would not hurt your pockets. This article will help you choose and prepare for your next barkada or family getaway.
Paoay Church also known as Saint Augustine Church or Iglesia de San Agustin de Paoay is a Roman Catholic Church located in Paoay, Ilocos Norte. The church was built in 1710 and is famous for its enormity. In 1973, it was declared as a National Cultural Treasure and in 1993, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the collective group Baroque Churches of the Philippines. Its architecture is a primary example of a Spanish colonial earthquake baroque architecture.
Vigan City is located in Ilocos Sur in the Philippines. It is known for its incredible preservation of Spanish colonial and Asian architecture which are known as heritage sites. In Calle Crisologo, the traveler will be thrown back into history and be awed by the Spanish colonial era cobblestone streets, malecon, calesas, and mansions bearing Spanish colonial architecture. In Crisologo Museum, one will be awed by the exhibit of period pieces furniture. The traveler must visit Vigan City if she desires a vintage feel and an education about our country’s history.
National Museum of the Philippines is the national institution mandated to acquire, document, curate, and exhibit various cultural, historical, scientific, and art objects for the educational benefit of the Filipino people. It is now permanently free of charge to all visitors to encourage the public to visit the museum and its constitutive institutions. It is comprised of the National Museum of Fine Arts, National Museum of Anthropology, National Planetarium, and the soon to be opened National Museum of Natural History. These institutions are located at Padre Burgos Avenue, Ermita, Metro Manila. They are open Tuesdays to Sundays, from 10 AM to 6 PM.
The National Museum of Fine Arts houses various art objects such as paintings and sculptures of various Filipino artists such as Juan Luna, Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, Guillermo Tolentino, and Fernando Amorsolo. Exhibit begins at Level 2 at the main entrance and cover 17th-20th century Philippine art. It is comprised of eleven galleries. Gallery I exhibits religious art from the 17th to 19th centuries. Gallery II exhibits art prints from the Archives of the Royal Botanical Garden in Madrid. Gallery III exhibits academic and romantic art. Gallery IV exhibits academic and neoclassical sculpture. Gallery V exhibits art which pay homage to Dr. Jose Rizal. This gallery includes his drawing of the view of Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin, and his sculptures Bust of Ricardo Carcinero, San Pablo Ermitano, Oyang Dapitana, and Mother’s Revenge. Gallery VI exhibits classical art from the 20th century. Gallery VIII exhibits artworks which portray the Imperial Japanese Occupation from 1941-1945. Gallery X exhibits The Progress of Medicine in the Philippines, a set of four large paintings by national artist Carlos V. Francisco. Gallery XI exhibits drawings of Fernando C. Amorsolo. Gallery XII exhibits works of Guillermo E. Tolentino. Level 3 exhibits modern and contemporary Philippine art from the 20th and 21st century.
The National Museum of Anthropology exhibit Philippine historical and cultural artifacts. It features several exhibits such as San Diego exhibit, Five Centuries of Maritime Trade Before the Arrival of the West, The Origin (Pinagmulan), Archaeological Treasures (Kaban ng Lahi), and The Filipinos and Their Rich Cultural Heritage (Kinahinatnan).
The National Planetarium features a full dome planetarium projector and offers free shows until the month of May. It features the shows A Planet For Goldilocks, Hayabusa Back to the Earth, and Journey to a Billion Suns.
Rizal Park is a historical urban park in Manila dedicated to the Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal. It is located Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Manila. The Monument of Rizal stands astutely at the heart of the park. The park is designed democratically to cater to the leisure of the public. There are several benches scattered in the park but which are strategically placed beside attractions such as water fountains with dancing lights. Inside the park are various attractions such as the Children’s Playground, the Chinese Garden, the Japanese Garden, the Noli Me Tangere Garden, and the Orchidarium and Butterfly Pavilion.
Nagsasa Cove located in Zambales near Mt. Pinatubo has become one of the top travel destinations in the country. Nagsasa cove is one of the places in Zambales which was devastated by Mt. Pinatubo. It was rained with Mt. Pinatubo’s ashes. However, Mt. Pinatubo’s spewing of ashes on Nagsasa cove proved to be a blessing in disguise as the beach along Nagsasa Cove turned into a beautiful ash gray. There are plenty of beautiful sites in Nagsasa Cove. There are beaches, shorelines, and ranges of hills. If you want to escape your busy metropolitan life for a while, Nagsasa Cove must be your next destination. You can enjoy a break from the busy urban life and camp in Nagsasa Cove. Nagsasa Coves celebrates the simple activities of walking, swimming, sight-seeing, and generally just appreciating the beauty of nature.
Cebu City is located in the Central Visayas region. If you are able to prepare and save money for your next travel, Cebu City could be your next travel destination! One could be wise and regulate the flight promos to get a discount in your flight to Cebu. In Cebu, you will find vestiges of our Spanish colonial past. Basilica Minore del Santo Nino and triangular Fort San Pedro are located in the city. You can have a sweeping view of the beautiful city at an observation deck on Mt. Busay. In Cebu City, the traveler could enjoy several fun and adventurous activities such as diving, snorkeling, and swimming and lounging in beautiful beaches. There many endangered beautiful species in Cebu such as whale sharks.
What do you think about our list? Did you like it? Was it helpful for your next travel plans? If we missed any beautiful travel destinations, you may help us improve our article and help other readers as well by commenting below.
Ferdz Decena is an award-winning travel photographer, writer and blogger. His works has found print in publications such as Singapore Airlines’s Silver Kris, Philippine Airlines’ Mabuhay, Cebu Pacific’s Smile and Seair InFlight. He has also lent his expertise to various organizations like the Oceana Philippines, Lopez Group Foundation, Save the Children and World Vision, contributing quality images for their marketing materials.
