Tag Archives: vacation

Top 10 Posh Staycation Sites Around the Metro Manila

stay·ca·tion
ˌstāˈkāSHn/

noun

informal
a vacation spent in one’s home country rather than abroad, or one spent at home and involving day trips to local attractions.

According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, STAYCATION is a newly coined word that first came into use back in 2005.  It is a mash-up of the words STAY and VACATION, and means that one is on vacation but also stayed home.  But the staycation definition can extend just beyond the two coined words. It means attending to any household related matters that you would not have been able to do because you were busy at work. For example, you can use staycation as a chance to undergo that long-overdue physical exam that your doctor has been pressing you about. But what is staycation, really?

For the more creative, the staycation meaning can be about being on vacation within the limits of one’s town or city.  It is not necessarily about staying home, for you can also go on staycation at a local hotel or even a friend’s house.  The only difference is that you can easily be available if you are needed at home.

Here are eGetinnz top 10 picks for elegant and affordable staycation around the Metro Manila.

Puerto Galera: The Frugal Man’s Boracay

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White sand beach? Crystal clear waters? Great nightlife?

There are at least a dozen different things one can do in Puerto Galera, or Gale, as the locals call their beautiful paradise of a home. From pitching tents, lighting bonfires, playing beach volleyball & Frisbees, watching the sunset, gazing at the stars, climbing cliffs, driving bikes around the area, the list could go on when discovering Oriental Mindoro’s Gale.

However, the water is still the main attraction of Gale, Crystal clear water shimmering under the sun. Puerto Galera’s landscape is very ideal for swimming, sailing, surfing, snorkeling, and scuba diving. In fact, there is no need to ride a boat to a diving site. Within a kilometer from the coast, schools of Moorish idols are already thriving in the shallow reefs of Gale.

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  1. Where is Puerto Galera situated?

Gale is located on the northern shore of the island of Mindoro, 130km south of Manila, and 14 nautical miles away from Batangas Pier. You can reach Gale by land transport to Batangas pier and then by sea ferry to the paradise.

 

  1. How long is the travel time?

From Metro Manila to Batangas pier usually takes two to three hours depending on the traffic flow. The fastest route is by Skyway, South Luzon Expressway, then Calabarzon highway all the way to Batangas pier. Lastly, the ferry boat ride takes one hour to one and a half.

 

  1. How much does public transportation cost?

Gale is close in proximity to Manila, making it the cheap alternative of Boracay. A four-hour bus ride and ferry travel worth less than 500php (one-way), one way to get to White Beach is by taking a bus with a signage of “Batangas Pier via Calabarzon” near the LRT Gil Puyat station in Pasay City. The fare for an aircon bus is less than 200php and it will take you to Batangas Pier, where you should alight and would find Puerto Galera bound ferries. Pick a ferry that could take you directly to White Beach with a 250pho fare.

 

  1. What time does the ferry leave for Puerto Galera?

The first ferry trip to Puerto Galera departs at around 7:30 AM. Thereafter, a ferry leaves every hour until 5:00 PM which is normally the last trip to Puerto Galera.

 

  1. Where should I stay, Sabang or White Beach?

Sabang and White Beach are the flagships of Puerto Galera to par with nearby island’s beaches. Although there is this understatement that tourists prefer Sabang beach while locals go to White Beach. Perhaps the reason behind is that Sabang is swarmed by a number of high-class resorts, offering best dive education in the country, and dive sites are literally a stone’s throw away. Nightlife in Sabang is also different from White’s, somehow it is akin to the old Ermita, the former red light district of Metro Manila.

One comparison is that Sabang Beach is for the young and adventurous, meanwhile, White Beach is for families, for the carefree individuals who enjoy casual activities under the sun.

White Beach (Brgy San Isidro) is the most popular of Puerto Galera’s 32 beaches, especially among Filipino tourists. Come summer, from March to May. The beaches are filled with people, relaxing, walking to and fro, sunbathing, playing volleyball, riding jet skis and banana boats. At dawn, people sit at the beach to witness one of the best sunsets in the country. At night, more people come out to enjoy meals at beachfront restaurants. There are several open-air bars with drag queen dancers and serving Puerto Galera’s trademark concoction, “Mindoro Sling”. There are also many tattoo shops and souvenir shops along White Beach.

 

  1. How do I find places to stay at in Puerto Galera?

Perhaps one of the reservations of many travel bugs is about accommodations, but rest assured eGetinnz has everyone’s back, providing flexible options for travelers. eGetexperience Puerto Galera today and let us help you leap around the world.

5 Reasons Why Tagaytay is a Great Place to Stay At

As a British tycoon once said, there are three most important things about properties: location, location, and location.

Tagaytay City is the South’s alternative to Baguio City. It offers the same ambiance and cool climate but is more accessible to tourists and motorists. The travel time is only an hour and a half from Manila, approximately 56 kilometers away. The city is frequently visited by locals and foreigners to take advantage of the cool breeze and magnificent views.
Tagaytay, compared to other metropolises where the midpoint is a marketplace, a walkway, or a distribution center, takes pride of the Taal Volcano’s sight in the heart of the calm waters of Taal Lake —a volcano within a lake, within a volcano within another lake.

FACTS ABOUT TAGAYTAY:

1. Tagaytay was derived from two Tagalog words “taga” and “itay” which means “to cut” and father.

These words were put up together from a story of a father and son who were attacked by a wild boar while hunting. As the animal reached the father, the son cried repeatedly “Taga Itay!”

The shout was heard in the nearby area and became a source of commotion in the place. Later, it is called Tagaytay.

2. The City has a perfect view of the world’s smallest active volcano, Mt Taal.

This natural wonder is significant to the city’s people. The view of Taal Volcano in its entire magnificence is overwhelming, especially on a clear day. Peaceful mood approaches whenever the fog enfolds the hillsides surrounding the city.Local and foreign visitors are always astonished by the sight and it is one of the reasons why they keep on coming back.

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3. It is known for its culinary delights.

Tagaytay City is a fusion of the Southern culture. Tagaytay is also recognized for its food specialties such as Bulalo or beef shank soup with bone marrow, Local fish such as Maliputo and Tawilis (smoked or dried) and others.

The City has multiple Food establishments which anyone can take advantage of as they offer different Tagaytay’s best.

4. It is also famous for its Pineapples.

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The fruit grows abundantly all-year round throughout the luxurious soil of the city. Tagaytay celebrates the Pilipinyahan Summer Festival in May which promotes Pineapples as the most alluring agricultural product in the country. The country continued the growing and selling of this fruit since the Spanish influenced and introduced it to local agriculture. Today, the Philippines is one of the largest producers of Pineapples in the world.

Moreover, Pineapples leaves can produce a fiber called piña which is used for country’s National Costume (Barong Tagalog for men and the Baro’t Saya for women).

5. Tagaytay is entitled to be a city of character, where you can dine, stay, play and pray.

Tagaytay’s stimulating atmosphere calls guests from various places, local and overseas. Indeed, the city is favorable for education, sports, retirement, and retreats as it has a safe, peaceful and clean environment.

Tagaytay community follows the city’s vision with discipline, God-centeredness, and unity. Hence, the city is recognized as the Character City of the South.

7 Things to do in Pangasinan Aside from the Counting the Hundred Islands

Located in northern Luzon, Pangasinan is practically famous for the Hundred Islands in Alaminos but aside from the said tourist attraction, Pangasinan still has a lot to offer, even more so that Boracay is closed. The Ilocos-Pangasinan-Zambales area is most likely to fill in. Here are a few things you could more than enjoy in the land where salt is made.

hundred islands1. Balungao Hilltop Adventure, Balungaosuperman-zip-2

Before getting yourself strapped on a safety harness, you still need to endure one long and steep climb up the mountain. There are two ziplines on the peak, one is 620m for those who want to get down fast and the other one is 1.4km, that could last for more than a minute for you to enjoy the rather exciting view, that is if you can manage to keep your eyes open throughout the swoooosh. Also, there is an ATV rental at your disposal when you want to roam around the terrain.

2.  Lingayen’s Architectural Masterpiececapitol1

The province’s capital has been around since the World War 2, and remnants of the unfortunate event are still pretty much visible in the area. Outside, the city hall is just as magnificent on the inside. The local government unit’s building is a tourist spot itself. Inside is a mini-museum of the city, where everything you need to know about Lingayen could be found.

3. Power Kitingkite-1

Looks easy enough? There are two stages of power kiting in Pangasinan, you need to make the huge kite fly–like really fly then follow the wind towards the sea, step on your boards, and voila that is power kiting. This is not for everyone though, kiting is not for everybody, some people cannot even make a small kite fly.

4. Visit the Death PoolDeath Pool

This crater was because of both earth and water natural process, this spot is where two large waves from two different currents meet, it fills the ditch, making it a saltwater pool. Only professional or amateur swimmers can actually take this, nobody knows how deep the hole is, therefore, safety is a must when visiting the Death Pool

5. Salt Sea Farm, BolinaoDSC_4618

In the year 2017, tourists take an unusual detour to watch farmers harvest salt. A 1993 study conducted by the Nutrition Center of the Philippines showed that salt from this town, combined with those produced in the towns of Bolinao and Bani and Alaminos City, totaled 74,765 MT, the highest salt production by a province in the country for that year.

6. Paddle at Balingasay, Riverthe Enchanted Cave, Bolinao

Paddle through the country’s cleanest river. The waters of the river of Balingasay lead to the Enchanted Cave, where somehow it is Puerto Princesa in Pangasinan.

7. Watch the Sunset

 

Laois Beach right after sunset.Being located in the western part of Luzon, Pangasinan took sunsets to the next level. Manila Bay could not even par. Perhaps Thanos actually missed a Pangasinan Sunset Brochure when he decided to go to Benguet.

Enjoy the wonders of Pangasinan, let us help you get closer to the world now. With eGetInnz.com, we would help you find a home away from home, just click on this link and let us get started!https://www.egetinnz.com/s/pangasinan–philippines/ChIJYwRUz55gkTMR40ADRhicvEQ?&guests=1

7 Underrated Places in Bataan That You Need To Check Out This Summer

The Philippines has the most wonderful sights of nature and history combined with all the eighteen regions of the country, there is no uneventful place in the 7 107 islands of the Philippines and as they say, it is more fun in the Philippines. Bataan known as the History Hub of Central Luzon is a peninsula in the northern part of the country’s largest group of islands. Being not that famous in the world where Boracay is the star, Bataan actually have the beaches that rival the nearby provinces such as Batangas and La Union, it also has the mountain trails that can parr with Zambales’, and lastly the sea waves that can match to Baler’s.

7. Mount Samat, Shrine, Pilar

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This place is almost akin to the ruins of Charleston in South Carolina, although Mount Samat was converted into a shrine, all the ruins and memorabilia of the second world war are very much present in this shrine. It became the symbol of the commemoration of the Valor Day or Araw ng Kagitingan or as for the locals, the Bataan day. Climbing the mountain is not that hard but is highly rewarding with the giant cross on the top which you could actually climb.

 

6. Plaza Mayor de Ciudad de Balanga, Balanga City

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Bataan might come as an archaic and time-honored province, it has its own way of charming the tourists and even its citizens to fall in love with it. Its capital, Balanga City is quite the epitome of the modern and old world. The plaza is more beautiful and alive at night, with a spectacle of lights and dancing fountains.

5. Pasukulan Falls, Abucay

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Chasing Waterfalls is one activity to do in Bataan and for those exploring Bataan’s great outdoor experience, Pasukulan Falls has a majestic sight, with pristine waters cascading from almost 200 feet above and into a serene pool.

4. Lolen’s Hu Tieu-an, Morong

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This amazing restaurant opened in the 90s, after the refugees from Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia sought temporary shelter in Bataan’s Philippines Refugee Processing Center. Two decades later, the refugees have long gone, yet this chapter in the world history lives on through this humble place. Try the Vietnamese noodle soup, hu tieu, and their special take on the banh mi.

3 Vista Tala Resort and Recreational Park, Orani

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In the small village called Tala in Orani, is a majestic escape by the mountains. Vista Tala Resort and Recreational Park is a mountainside resort, decked with villas and a beautiful cliffside pool overlooking a view of lush mountains and trees.

2. Stella Mariz Resort, Bagac

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Stella Mariz Resort lets you be one with nature. Away from the bustle of the city, simple cottages, picnic tables, and pine trees adorn the beach, instead of concrete, plush hotels and villas.Bask in the warm sun and sand between your toes, set up camp by the beach and spend your nights by the shore. Conversations with friends by the campfire, while listening to the crashing waves and lying under the stars? You bet.

  1. La Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, Bagac

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Of course, one does not leave Bataan without visiting the Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, a heritage resort that’s just a marvelous sight by itself, with opulent Spanish-era houses, cobblestone streets and a majestic canal, all perched by the sea. Las Casas has been a popular setting for period films and television shows in recent years, such as GMA-7’s Zorro, the sleeper hit Heneral Luna, and Lav Diaz’ 8-hour film Hele Sa Hiwagang Hapis. Book a night at their heritage house, take a dip in the sea as a calesa strides by. It’s just like being transported back in time.

These are only a few activities and spots that you can enjoy in Bataan. Visit the place now and you will not regret it. Let us help you with finding a home away from home in https://www.egetinnz.com/s/bataan–philippines/ChIJiXiYAeMUljMRSD3hXo_L4Go?&guests=1