Nowadays,
a vacation isn’t just about going to the beach and enjoying the sun and sea, or
staying at a five-star hotel and enjoying the lavish accommodations. Of course,
these aren’t bad ideas for having a vacation; but if you’re the more
adventurous type, you’re probably looking for a new experience or at least a
unique hotel that offers their special brand of relaxation.
Thankfully,
there are a lot of new establishments that offer exquisite vacations. What’s
more, these are located in cities or provinces near Metro Manila so you don’t
have to travel so far to get there! Here are five beautiful driving destinations you can visit on your next vacation to experience an
all new kind of holiday.
Batangas:
Nayomi Sanctuary Resort
Camping
can be a wonderful experience but it’s not for everyone and it’s not always
ideal. The weather is always a big factor, and there’s also the concern of
dealing with bugs and sleeping on the hard and bumpy ground. If you bring your
kids with you, you’ll also inevitably have to deal with late-night trips to the
toilet that could be located far away from your tent. Enter the solution that
brings you the best of both worlds: GLAMPING!
Nayomi
Sanctuary Resort or Camp Nayomi, located in Balete, Batangas, is one of the
best places for the ultimate glamping experience. You’ll be surrounded by more
than 14,000 square meters of beautiful sceneries and peaceful ambiance, and
have an excellent view of the Taal Lake to boot! Their bell tents come equipped
with electric bug zappers, a mosquito net, and an industrial electric fan to
keep the bugs away and keep you cool, as well as double beds, fluffy pillows,
and blankets for a comfortable night under the stars. You also have access to
your own bathroom so you don’t have to worry about hygiene or your privacy.
For those
who would simply like to be surrounded by the beauty of nature but still sleep
in a hotel room, Nayomi Sanctuary Resort also has villas and suites. They also
offer day tours and can even arrange a trip to Taal or the Marian Orchard if
you prefer.
Tagaytay:
8 Suites
Tagaytay
remains to be one of the most popular driving destinations because not only is
it so accessible, it also has a wealth of places that can give you a truly relaxing
experience. One such example is 8 Suites, a stylish boutique hotel that
combines modern comforts and the exquisite beauty of nature. Their
well-appointed rooms have forest-inspired themes that seamlessly bring the
outside into the indoors. They also follow the philosophy “Pride without
arrogance” -- you will be welcomed to 8 Suites with unparalleled Filipino
hospitality by the staff, who take pride in their work and ensure that the
hotel delivers great products and services to every guest, every single time.
8 Suites
also has bell tents situated in their grounds, furnished with premium hotel
accoutrements and furniture for a night of glamping. Wool blankets and fairy
lights amp up the romantic ambiance, and complimentary smores will give you an
even more “legit” camping vibe without compromising your comfort and privacy.
Baler:
Easy Adventure
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| Photo from Click The City |
What’s
better than glamping? Glamping on the beach with a beautiful view of the sea,
that’s what! Easy Adventure is a campsite in Baler, Aurora where you can stay
on a treetop, riverside, or oceanview tents furnished with tables and couches
and simple yet comfortable beds, pillows, and sheets. The treetop tent, in
particular, is an excellent choice for an entire family or a group of friends.
It is located in a private section of the beach, surrounded by a lot of trees
to amp up that feeling of being close to nature, and has a spectacular view of
Charlie’s Point Surf Spot.
What’s
great about Easy Adventure is their commitment to protecting the environment
and sustainability. They try to minimize light pollution as much as possible,
that’s why they provide one rechargeable lamp per person and don’t have too
many electrical lights surrounding the camps. (Don’t worry, though, because
they have 24-hour security and staff on service!) The camp also runs on
renewable energy generated by their wind turbines; they have charging stations
for your gadgets but to really maximize the experience, disconnect yourself and
enjoy nature without the encumberment of technology even for just a few hours!
Antipolo:
Mount Purro Nature Reserve
Mount
Purro Nature Reserve in Antipolo is an eco-park ran by a family, led by Toto
and Baby Malvar. It began with Toto’s love for nature and his personal crusade
to rehabilitate the Upper Marikina Watershed, first by planting trees and then
by taking care of the people who live in the mountains of Sierra Madre. These
people include the indigenous Dumagat tribes who, in appreciation of Toto and
Baby’s efforts to support their community, have formally adopted the couple as
honorary citizens.
Since
then, what started out as a small and simple bahay kubo has evolved in to a
sprawling eco-park with farm-style cottages, where families and friends can
stay and enjoy peaceful and beautiful surroundings. Mount Purro Nature Reserve
also has a camping and bonfire area, a swimming pool, a restaurant
(Loli’s Kitchen), and conference areas for intimate events. Those looking for
more nature-oriented activities can go hiking in the forest or swimming in the
nearby river. There’s also a mini zipline for those looking for a bit of
thrill.
It’s good
to treat yourself to something new once in a while. You might even end up
discovering a new love and appreciation for something as simple as the sound of
birds that wake you up in the morning.
Have a
happy, restful, and meaningful vacation!
