Summer is officially here!
While many families will troop to beach resorts for a vacation, there are others who aren’t so fond of the sea but would want a change of scenery. Having had the opportunity to visit different places here in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia with my family, I share with you some of our favorite destinations for family trips.
1. Legazpi City
My dad grew up in Naga City, Bicol and has siblings who settled down in Legazpi. Every year, the Santiagos have a grand family reunion there, at my uncle’s apartelle. I finally was able to join the reunion with my husband and kids last year, and we had a blast! The 10-hour bus ride was definitely worth it!
When in Legazpi, check out the following family-friendly places:
a) Albay Park and Wildlife
With a cheap entrance fee of P20.00 per adult and P10.00 per child (with height of 1.2 metres and below), this is a great place to learn about nature and the environment. You may rent out a picnic hut and let your kids run around the playground, or rent bicycles, boats or a kalesa for some unique family fun at reasonable prices. The Park is home to 456 animals, mostly birds, but also include some mammals and reptiles. If you happen to be there on Easter Sunday, you could even join the Park’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt!
b) Cagsawa Ruins Park
Just a jeepney ride away from Legazpi City, the Park is considered to be one of the most visited places in the area. There you can enjoy the breathtaking view of Mt. Mayon, feast on native food and delicacies like “inasal na sira” or grilled fish, and go swimming in the Park’s amply-sized pool. If you’re into making trips fun AND educational, you may want to give your kids an instant history lesson by telling them about the 1814 eruption of Mt. Mayon, and how nature can be so powerful – the remaining Cagsawa church belfry shows how the lava from volcanic eruption engulfed the entire church. You can start a discussion about volcanoes, earthquakes and what to do in case of such events.
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c) The Embarcadero
This recently-opened major waterfront development is located at the harbour area of Legazpi City, adjacent to the Kapuntukan Hill. Aside from the awesome view of the Mayon Volcano and the cityscape to the north and the Albay Gulf to the east, families will enjoy going window-shopping or dining in the many fine places around the Embarcadero. Make sure to have a family photo taken at the lighthouse for your summer vacation journal!
d) St. Raphael Parish Church
If you’re in Legazpi during the Holy Week, you may want to do the traditional “Visita Iglesia”. Be sure to include the St. Raphael Parish Church located in Legazpi Port District. The Church is famous for its altar table made of solid hardened lava carved from a single block!
For more information about Legazpi, check out:
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2. Baguio
I initially had reservations about braving the 7-hour bus ride to Baguio with the two little ones, but after our recent trip there, I got a chance to remember why it is dubbed as the “Summer Capital” of the Philippines. With its cool, crisp weather, lovely scenery, and friendly people, Baguio is definitely a place our family will love returning to again and again, summer or not.
Be sure to visit:
a) Burnham Park
Our kids loved boating on Burnham Lagoon and eating corn in the Rose Garden, which are just two of the Park’s 12 cluster areas. The other ten are the Children's Playground, the Skating Rink, the Orchidarium, Igorot Garden, Melvin Jones Grandstand, the Athletic Bowl, Picnic Grove, the Japanese Peace Tower, Pine Trees of the World and Sunshine Park.
Photo from flickr.com
b) Camp John Hay
Said to be Baguio City’s most popular tourist attraction, Camp John Hay is a beautiful resort in the mountains that includes a world class Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, hotels, a shopping center and a convention center. Families will surely enjoy whiling away their summer days here.
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c) Good Shepherd Convent
Be refreshed and inspired by the beautiful gardens and grotto at the convent of Good Shepherd sisters of Baguio, and enjoy the breathtaking view from their observation deck. The Good Shepherd nuns sell bread and other baked goodies along with their most sought-after strawberry, coco and ube jams, fruit preserves, peanut and cashew brittle – good for merienda on-site or breakfast the following day.
d) Wright Park Riding Circle
Also known as “Ride Park,” here kids can enjoy having pony rides accompanied by accredited pony handlers. Parents can take pictures and videos from the viewing deck and benches.
For more information about Baguio, check out:
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3. Tagaytay
For families who don’t wish to travel far for their summer vacation, Tagaytay is definitely the place to go! Since it is located a mere 37 miles south of Metro Manila, families can easily come over to enjoy its cool weather and numerous family-friendly attractions.
Don’t leave Tagaytay without paying a visit to the places listed below. Your kids will surely have a blast!
a) People’s Park In The Sky
Formerly known as Palace in the Sky, the Park used to be a presidential guesthouse during the time of the late President Ferdinand Marcos. Take in the spectacular view of Lake Taal and Taal volcano to the south, Laguna de Bay to the east, and almost as far as Manila to the north. You can go for a leisurely family walk together or maybe even have a try at horseback riding. The Park also has a well-maintained Japanese garden.
Photo from fotopedia.com
b) Tierra de Maria and The Picnic Grove
Tierra de Maria is a 50-foot statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary located right before the Picnic Grove. Go over to the Picnic Grove and have a good old-fashioned family picnic. Relax with the kids, fly kites together, and build perfect moments that will last you a lifetime. If you are the adventurous type, you may also want to try the Zipline and Cable Car Rides which are their latest attractions.
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c) The Mushroom Burger House
Drop by the Mushroom Burger House and sample its deliciously healthy burgers made out of – what else - MUSHROOMS! Aside from the famous Burger, you can also try the other merienda items on the menu. Your kids can also check out the wishing well situated outside the Burger House.
d) Paradizoo
This is a theme farm located in Mendez, Cavite, which is located a few minutes away from Tagaytay City. Paradizoo lets you see and experience “real farm life.” Bond with your kids while strolling through the Flower Garden or choose fresh organically-grown vegetables to take home for your family dinner. Your kids would also most likely enjoy the “zoo” or theme farm.
Photo from flickr.com
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4. Brunei
As a child of OFW parents, I grew up in this idyllic, Islamic little country on the Borneo archipelago. Brunei is a great place to visit, especially if you have kids. With Cebu Pacific’s reasonably priced fares, you may want to consider splurging a little and escaping to the “Abode of Peace” for a weekend family getaway.
Among the many places to check out in Brunei are:
a) Istana Nurul Iman and Taman Persiaran Damuan
Located in Brunei’s capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, Istana Nural Iman is the Sultan's Royal Palace. It is considered to be the largest residential palace in the world. If you happen to be there during Hari Raya, which is the Muslim celebration ending their 40-day Puasa or fasting season, you will be allowed to go inside the Palace and greet the Sultan (only if you are male though) and members of the Royal family.
b) The Taman Persiaran Damuan, or Damuan Recreational Park, is located along the river bank off Jalan Tutong, right in front of the Palace. Let your kids have fun at the playground, stroll around, take lots of pictures and maybe even partake of local delicacies available at the food stalls set up in the evenings.
c) The Empire Hotel and Country Club
If you are looking to really go all the way in making your family vacation memorable, stay at the Empire Hotel. Although a bit pricey, its awesome architecture and ultra-chic atmosphere is definitely worth it. Of special mention is their E-Kids Club where your kids can enjoy and learn while mingling with the colorful E-Kids Club rainforest mascots.
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d) Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation Complex
Dubbed as Brunei’s largest shopping complex, it was designed to generate revenue for a foundation dedicated to the welfare of the Bruneian people. This is a great place to combine window shopping and sight-seeing, since its main walkway features excellent views of the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque at one end and Kampung Ayer (Water Village) at the other.
e) Thien Thien Chicken Rice Restaurant
For our family, no trip to Brunei would be complete without eating at what is considered to be the home of the best chicken rice (what we usually refer to as Hainanese chicken rice in the Philippines) in Brunei – Thien Thien Restaurant, which has branches in Gadong, Seri Complex and Kiulap. If you’ve never tasted chicken rice before, Thien Thien is definitely the best place to start. Try both the steamed and roasted varieties and you will surely be coming back for more!
Photo from layered.typepad.com
For more information about Brunei, check out:
- http://www.bruneitourism.travel/
- http://www.borneo.com.au/brunei/brunei002.htm
- http://www.worldtravelguide.net/brunei
- http://www.theempirehotel.com
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5. Kuala Lumpur
We’ve only been to the capital of Malaysia once. Friends of ours from Timor Leste generously sponsored our trip via Air Asia there, and we had a great time exploring the city. We would definitely want to go back.
Check out these places in KL, most of which are conveniently located in the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) Complex:
a) KLCC Public Park
The park is huge, filled with children’s playgrounds, wading pools, and walking trails. Families will surely enjoy coming here to relax, have a filling picnic or just enjoy the scenery. Its location is also very convenient as it is right next to the Petronas Towers. If the weather is too hot for you and your kids, you can just opt to go inside the KLCC Mall.
Photo from umami.typepad.com
b) Petrosains Discovery Centre
Located at the top floor of the Suria KLCC Mall, the Petrosains Discovery Centre is very much like our local Museo Pambata. It is made up of over 150 exhibits, with lots of interactive things for kids to learn through play. There are also unique fun exhibits such as the Dark Ride, the “Ride the Hurricane” and the simulated helicopter ride to an offshore oil rig.
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c) Aquaria KLCC
This is a world-class 60,000 square foot underground aquarium that houses thousands of marine species from all over the world. Children and adults alike will surely enjoy the Aqua Theatre, a mini-replica of the ocean where visitors can witness daily feedings. Thrill-seeking families can also take the opportunity to dive with the sharks and come face-to-face with the sea’s greatest predators. (Needless to say, we didn’t do this as our kids are still too young!)
Photo from flickr.com
For more information about Kuala Lumpur and its attractions, please go to:
- http://www.kuala-lumpur.ws/attractions/
- http://www.hoteltravel.com/malaysia/kualalumpur/guides/activities_sports.htm
- http://www.holidayswithkids.com.au/where_togo/where_to_go/overseas/malaysia
- http://www.petrosains.com.my/index.html
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6. Singapore
With numerous budget airlines providing low-cost airfares to the “Lion City”, Singapore is becoming a favorite destination of Filipino families for a long weekend holiday.
We made sure to check out the following places in Singapore:
a) Jurong Bird Park
The park is the largest of its kind in South East Asia, and is filled with all types of birds. There is an open air aviary where visitors can feed the Lorikeets and other birds from the region and those from lands farther away. Kids will love the Bird Show and the penguin exhibit.
Photo from flickr.com
b) Singapore Zoo
It is popular among tourists and is probably one of the best zoos in the world. The animal exhibits are open (i.e. you will feel as if you are really in the jungle or safari observing the animals). Kids and kids-at-heart have the chance to feed the animals in specific exhibits, and there are also different animal shows and a water park where you and the kids can cool off after a day of walking around the zoo.
c) Singapore Science Center
The Center is divided into separate galleries each housing multiple interactive exhibits and displays. Although our preschooler was not able to grasp the Science behind a lot of the exhibits, he still immensely enjoyed our trip there because of the many hands-on activities available. Too bad though that we didn’t know in advance to pack swimming gear for the trip as there is a Water Park and Play area there!
For more information about Singapore, check out:
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