Top 5 Summer Trends in the Philippines

Destination # 1: Bataan

Family: Mark Andrew and Sharine Lim, together with children Magnus Yuri, 6 and Titus Leon, 4

When we first visited Bataan: February 2013 

How we got there: We drove our own car. It takes about three to four hours.  

What spots we checked out: 

• The Shine of Valor, which was built to honor the fallen soldiers of World War II. 
• The Pawikan Sanctuary in Morong, Bataan, near Mt. Samat. 
• Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, about 30 minutes away from the sanctuary in Bagac, Bataan. 

What we loved about Mt. Samat and the Shrine of Valor:

• The climb up to Mt. Samat (entrance fee at P20 per person) was very exhilarating. We drove up to the steep top of Mt. Samat and the view was wide, clear and beautiful. The air was strong and cool even during mid-day. 
• The shrine was built of shiny, tall and imposing marble and the landscape was impeccable. There was a tower with an elevator that goes all the up to the 36th floor and there you can get an even better view of Bataan. 
• There was also a WWII museum at the Shrine of Valor which was new and educational. We read some of the memoirs/plaques that serve as reminders of the acts of heroism that took place there. 
• In the museum, the kids showed huge curiosity over the different ammunitions and war pictures. Their father had a chance to tell them the story behind the struggle which they will hopefully remember and cherish.
• • Destination #2: Lighthouse Marina in Subic
    
    
    
    Family: Efren and Maritess Reyes with their daughter, Akisha Sabine, 4
    When we first visited Lighthouse Marina: November 2011
    How we heard about it: Through magazines and Trip Advisor.
    How we got there: We boarded a bus to Olongapo. There, a hotel representative brought us to the hotel. From the bus station, the hotel is about five minutes away.
    What to check out and what we loved about the place: 
    • The water-themed spa suites have a spectacular view of Subic Bay and the nearby islands and coves. It also has its own jacuzzi where you can indulge in the privacy of your own room.
    • Delectable gastronomic delights at the Sands restaurant. There is also an option to dine al fresco.
    • There is also a view deck that resembles a lighthouse which gives a breathtaking panoramic view of the bay.
    • Aside from the beautiful rooms and suites, and delightful restaurants, the hotel also offers camping and sailing tours to the nearby unadulterated Sampaloc cove.
    Room rates start at P6,000 (net of taxes; inclusive of breakfast, welcome drinks and fresh fruits and nightcap drinks).
  Room rates start at P6,000 (net of taxes; inclusive of breakfast, welcome drinks and fresh fruits and nightcap drinks).
• Destination #3: Nurture Spa
  
  
  
  Family: Efren and Maritess Reyes with their daughter, Akisha Sabine, 4
  When we first visited Nurture Spa: September 2011
  How we heard about it: Through travel magazines and social media. Its picturesque gardens and Filipiniana-themed rooms enticed us to visit this sanctuary in Tagaytay.
  How we got there: We traveled by car for two hours from Makati.
  What to check out and what we loved about the place: 
  • It is engulfed in lush greenery and blossoming buds, a perfect venue to relax and breathe some fresh air. Nurture Spa Village has a hectare of zen-inspired garden situated on a cliff. 
  • They have a small pool for your dipping indulgence. You can read a book or simply bask in the sun by the poolside while sipping some fresh mango shake. 
  • They also have air conditioned accommodations like the Pag-Ibig Room. The Filipiniana-inspired room reminds me of an ancestral house, only more modern. It has a tub and flat screen TV. 
  • They also have an open al-fresco gazebo. TIP: Make sure you bring insect repellant especially when lounging by the poolside at night.
  Packages start at P8,500 for an overnight accommodation, plated breakfast, lunch or dinner, and a 30-minute massage, good for two.
• Destination #4: Regina Rica in Tanay, Rizal
  
  
  
  Family: Paolo and Cristine Santos De Guzman with their kids Kyle, 8 and Kiera, 4
  When we first visited Regina Rica: March 21, 2010, with my parents and the kids

  My family was invited to join Sunday mass and lunch by a close friend of theirs. Regina Rica or Regina Rosarii was still under construction then. 
  The moment my father entered, he fell in love with the place. We heard mass outdoors under tents on the exact site where the church (now constructed) was planned to be put up.  It was a very solemn experience and since then, we would go there every last Sunday of the month.
  How we got there: By car. It takes around two hours from Marcos Highway to get to Tanay, Rizal. A family with children won’t have problems because of the nature sights and greens you can see outside. They won’t be bored. My kids call it “nature TV”. 
  Little kids won’t have a difficult time napping during the trip, because the roads are good with a lot of zigzags that lull them to slumber.
  What we loved about the place:
  • The feeling of tranquility and serenity you get every time you are there. It’s not only a place of prayer, but a place for you to just find your inner peace.
  • Anybody can visit Regina Rica, there are no entrance fees.
  • The “big Mama Mary” as my daughter would call it, Regina Rosarii, situated on top of the hill is actually an adoration chapel. A church has been put up there recently, called Regina Rica, where everyone is welcome to hear mass.
  • They have an expansive garden that includes a section of organic vegetables. They also have pets like rabbits, ducks, chickens and chicks, ponies, and monkeys which the kids enjoyed playing with.
  • Check out also the Way of the Cross, Mary’s Sacred Trail and the Hanging Bridge. The “kakahuyan” is made up of planted trees sponsored by different guests. Our family sponsored a few. They maintain the beauty and bounty of nature in their grounds. 
  • Destination #5: San Pablo, Laguna
    
    
    
    Family: Mark Andrew and Sharine Lim, together with children Magnus Yuri, 6 and Titus Leon, 4
    When we first visited San Pablo, Laguna: December 2012.
    How we heard about it: We thought of doing the “Viaje del Sol”, an initiative which was formed by the different residents, artists and owners of places you can visit while in San Pablo.
    How we got there: We brought our own car which took us about four hours to get to Laguna. This was with reasonable traffic.
    What spots we checked out: 
    • Casa San Pablo – The owners opened an intimate bed and breakfast within what used to be a coconut plantation farm. 
    • Patis Tito Garden Café – About 30 minutes from Casa San Pablo, this is the rest house of fashion designer Patis Tesoro which has a café/restaurant, boutique/souvenir shop and an extensive garden with a mini-zoo. Her actual house is cordoned off but you can also see it from the garden. 
    • Sampaloc Lake – San Pablo is home to seven different lakes and the biggest one is the Sampaloc Lake. 
    • Villa Escudero – Must-tries are the lunch at the man-made waterfalls, the water of which falls from a lake which feeds to a creek from Mount Banahaw and cultural show.
    What we loved about Casa San Pablo: 
    • There are hammocks around the quaint rooms where you can relax and the kids can run around. There’s also a pool area should the kids want to swim. 
    • You eat in this glass-walled room full of vintage art and antiques and we were so busy looking at the knick-knacks we almost missed our food every time! 
    • The stay felt personal and we loved it.
    What we loved about the Patis Tito Garden Café: 
    If you are familiar with the Filipino souvenir shop Tesoro’s, then expect impeccable Filipino furniture and design from the tiles to the over-sized bangas, indoor plants and Filipiniana.
  • Wow!! sarap sana magtripping kea lang no money hehehe!!!
  • http://www.smartparenting.com.ph/home-living/travel-trips-activities/5-of-the-best-summer-getaway-destinations-in-nearby-provinces/page/5