Asian News on Travel and Hotels

Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is a gastronomic roller coaster ride.

Check out some of the best and most typical chain restaurants close to the best Metro Manila hotels.

Photo credit

Andok’s
Makati, Las Pinas, Makati, Manila, Paranaque, Pasay, Pasig, Quezon City, San Juan, and Taguig

Andok’s is primarily known for litson manok (roasted chicken) prepared on rotating skewers behind piping hot grills enclosed in glass. The juicy chicken is the main draw but fried chicken, barbequed pork, roasted pork, and even breakfast, is available.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Food, Philippines |

Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, is notorious for its crazy traffic jams and narrow streets that are always clogged with vendors.  Still, it is easy to fall in love with this city.  The people are always helpful, warm, and ready to greet you with a big smile.

Photo credit

Manila is energized with rich culture, unique traditions, superb restaurants, gigantic malls, idyllic getaways, and superb hotels.  It is a fantastic destination not only for long vacations but also for those who only have a weekend to spare.

Here is a list of things to do during a quick stay in vibrant Manila.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Attractions, Food, Philippines |

With just a month to go before Valentine’s Day, a lot of people are starting to secure flights and tickets to different destinations for a romantic celebration.  A trip to El Nido in Palawan certainly ranks as just that.

Photo credit

El Nido is at the northernmost tip of the main island of Palawan in the Philippines. People who have been to Ha Long Bay in Vietnam or to Krabi in Thailand will find the limestone cliffs and rock formations in El Nido equally impressive.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Attractions, Philippines |

Bacolod City is the capital of Negros Occidental in the Western Visayas Region of the Philippines. The city’s famous annual MassKara Festival gave rise to the now-ubiquitous nickname “City of Smiles”.

The center of Ilonggo culture is full of superb food, monuments, heritage sites and people who exhibit the best of what the Western Visayas Region has to offer.

Here are some notable items to check off your Bacolod list:

Fountain of Justice

The historic Fountain of Justice in front of Bacolod City Hall commemorates the Spanish colonial surrender of 1898. The area is now a vital recreation and civic space.
Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Philippines, Things to do |

Binondo is truly a historic district of Old Manila, serving as the Chinese community since the earliest days of the city.  This area near the Spanish settlement of Intramuros was a major financial center until Makati took over the role (it was even referred to as “The Wall Street of the Philippines” at one time).

Since then, members of the Chinese community who made it big have established new residences in the suburbs, but often still maintain stores and offices in Binondo. Today, the world’s first Chinatown retains much of its heritage, and visitors can enjoy a quick immersion of Chinoy culture by walking along these crowded urban streets, a combination of high-end stores, vintage establishments and iconic institutions.

Here are some recommended Binondo activities:

Shop for Sweets in Eng Bee Tin. Eng Bee Tin is a famous Chinese pastry shop that sells red bean paste pastries, glutinous rice cakes, moon cakes and other tempting delights. There are several branches in Binondo and throughout Metro Manila. The owners of Eng Bee Tin paid homage to their Binondo roots by donating a purple fire truck to the local fire department, in reference to their popular purple yam (ube) pastry.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Philippines, Things to do |

To pick up where we left off in Part I, the Metro Rail Transit System is a popular mode of transportation in Manila. Tourists who want to explore the expansive metropolis can rely on the MRT to ferry them around quickly and efficiently.

Photo by: ramon_w

Read on to learn more about the different attractions and landmarks near these eight MRT stations:

Boni MRT Station (Mandaluyong City)

Travelers who need to go to a hospital can disembark at the Boni MRT Station as the Victor Potenciano Medical Center is just a few minutes walk away.  This station is also near fast-food chains as well as a public market.  As for malls, tourists can head to the nearby Robinson’s Pioneer.  There are also other modes of transport in this area like buses, taxi cabs, and jeepneys.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Philippines, Transportation |

There are various modes of transport to consider while abroad, from planes to trains, taxis to buses. While certain parts of the world debate the merits of light rail and rapid transit, many urban areas throughout Asia already boast highly efficient networks of both. Tourists in Metro Manila for example, can take the city’s Light Rail Transit System.

Photo by: herbie

The LRT is divided into several lines that serve segregated sections of Metro Manila.  The main line of the LRT is further divided into two lines: the LRT Line 1, or Yellow Line, which travels from North to South and the LRT Line 2, or Purple Line, which travels from East to West.  Manila’s Metro Rail Transit System however, is the main focus of this article.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Philippines, Transportation |

The Batanes Islands are the northernmost province of the Philippines, a largely undeveloped region known for its beaches and natural attractions. It is also the smallest and least populated region in the country, a land ideal for relaxing far away from the hectic urban life. Imagine a place with no traffic, no industrial pollution and no crime, and Bataan will come to mind.

Here are some of things you can do in Batanes:

Photo courtesy by Bingbing:

Hop the islands. Only 3 of the 10 islands comprising the Batanes are large enough to sustain communities, while the rest can be experienced by boat. Sabtang Island is a highlight among the islands; it was named one of the country’s 12 best destinations by the Department of Tourism for its white beaches and deep canyons. Itbayat Island and Mavudis are other points of interest.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Philippines, Things to do |

The workweek can really be stressful at times, and for some people, it is stressful all the time!  This is why it is very important for working guys and gals to find something to look forward to during the weekend.  The “something” can be an enjoyable hobby, a cause that is one is passionate about, an activity like watching the latest blockbuster in the cinema or even a trip out of town that would allow one to escape the hustle and bustle of city life even for short time.

Photo by: kitci

In the Philippines, there are a lot of destinations to consider when it comes to quick getaways.  There are beach resorts that are just two to three hours away from the capital city of Manila.  A lot of beach bums head to Cavite or to Batangas for the perfect combination of sun and sand.  As for those who are willing to go a bit further, a favorite choice would be PUERTO GALERA.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Attractions, Philippines |

Laguna is a thriving province in the Philippines just south of the capital of Manila, rich with coconuts and other natural resources. Due to its proximity near the city, Laguna is popular with the weekend crowd who wish to escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life. Many towns benefit from the amenities of modern life plus the laid-back tranquility of small-town living. There’s plenty to enjoy here for visitors, from the resorts and hotels to the natural, historical and modern attractions that abound.

Here are some things to do in Laguna:

Trek up mystical Mt. Makiling. An inactive volcano with a height of 1,109 meters, Mt. Makiling is said to be the abode of a fairy who protects the residents around her. The mountain itself is great for nature hikes and is a favorite among mountaineers. The University of the Philippines, Los Banos, a satellite institution of the premier state university, is located at the foot of Mt. Makiling.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Philippines, Things to do |