Chinese immigrants from long ago who have decided to stay in the Philippines for the purposes of trade and a better business environment have retained their traditions even when miles away from mainland China.

The Filipino people whose bloodline is of 10% Chinese descent also celebrate the Chinese New Year but usually welcome it with a simpler celebration than the January 1st merrymaking.

The Chinese New Year in the Philippines is an important celebration for the Filipino-Chinese community though. It is celebrated with fireworks at midnight and a sumptuous meal of seafood dishes along with traditional dragon dances and other Chinese customs.

From Laoag City to the southern part of the country, Nian Gao more popularly known as Tikoy is now being sold in preparation for the year of the water dragon.

If you would like to celebrate the Chinese New Year with us, Manny O. Wines and the Manila Hotel will be welcoming the Chinese New Year with a grand festivity at the hotel’s lobby lounge on January 22, 2012. Regular tickets are priced at Php 2, 188.00, premium tickets are priced at Php 3, 188.00. For inquiries, you may contact 527 0011 local 1108.

There are so many places to go to in the Philippines and if you are a Filipino, exploring your own country before visiting other tourist spots in Asia or in other parts of the world is a must. The three main islands in the Philippines include Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Luzon is where the capital is located. Metropolitan Manila may be one of the biggest attractions because the megacity hosts the biggest malls and best bazaars but if you really want to enjoy being in the tropics, going to its beaches is always a great idea. There are many beaches to explore and lots of mountainous regions too. In fact, when a Filipino thinks about the beautiful places in the Philippines, he will not be able to enumerate all of them because for each region or province –there is always a tourist spot –either because of its idyllic beaches, its countryside or its social, cultural and political relevance.

Up north just a 12-hour bus ride away from the capital is Ilocos Norte –one of the most beautiful places in the country. You can go to RCJ situated on España and board the 8 pm or 9 pm bus. You will arrive in Batac or Laoag City at around 8 in the morning (traffic in the Metro upon leaving is included). Well it’s not really a 12-hour bus ride, it could be more because they’d be dropping people off at Paoay and in other places too. The great thing about boarding RCJ is that you would get to get a great view of the countryside early in the morning. You will also have a view of the sea and maybe even a glimpse of the infamous 300-year-old church in Paoay. Alright, you will see the back of it but this should work as an appetizer for you because Ilocos Norte is rich when it comes to tourist spots. White beaches are of course available further north and if you feel like travelling to Cagayan Valley and explore the most verdant of fields and visit Callao Caves, that should also be a great idea.

Another great stop before your Ilocos Norte trip is Baguio City and Sagada. During the summertime, lots of Filipinos go to Baguio City to cool off because this is one of the coolest parts of the country and the most urban of the coolest spots too. Baguio City has malls as well but it still has its share of beautiful spots. There are a lot of pine trees in this region but they are not the same as the pines we see in the Western hemisphere. Ilocos Norte also has its share of pines –very much the same as that of Baguio.

From Cagayan Valley, you can travel either to Isabella or Abra. Abra has a lot to offer when it comes to Northern traditions. They have caves and mummies. In fact, if you live amongst the locals, you will still be able to see the process of mummification. These are of course in the more remote areas of Abra and not in the major towns. It’s worth a look though because the place is a hub for many Philippine anthropologists. Another wonderful choice is to go to Batanes and experience Ivatan living. Batanes is a beautiful place and it looks like one of the sets of LOTR (Lord of the Rings, for the non-geek).

These are only a few of the places you can go to while in the Philippines. Just a few hours from Metro Manila is Alaminos, Pangasinan -a wonderful place to visit especially if you fancy some island hopping –this place has 100 islands 3 of which are tourist ready and the others you can rent for a night, if you wish to have some privacy. While you are in the northern part of the country, you might as well visit La Union’s beaches and spend some time surfing. The locals can teach you how to surf. Most of the time they won’t let you pay since they surf for fun and are not instructors per se but it’s always advised that you ask how much they charge per hour in case you may be talking to a professional.

Subic is also a nice place to visit especially if you want to see the American Air Base and how different the area is from the rest of the country. The Philippines does not have very nice roads thanks to rampant corruption in the government but traversing these roads sure is worth it.

Other places to see include the beaches of Batangas, the island destination Puerto Galera just a 45-minute boat ride away from the Batangas Pier, Coron, Palawan, the Bicol Region where the Mayon Volcano is and lots of other place such as Taal Volcano, Tagaytay and the historic town of Angono. You would be dizzy with your map if you follow these as I have enumerated them but I will write other hubs as a guide to these places.

In the Visayas Region, you will find a lot of beautiful beaches as well. Going to Cebu is a must because this historic city has a lot to offer i.e. beautiful historical sites. Cebu is the oldest city in the Philippines and it used to have a bid to be the capital of country –it is still however a very strong commercial and financial hub. Its growing population is likened to the growth of Metro Manila. Bohol is also a great place to visit especially if you want to see a tarsier and enjoy the beauty of the limestone formation called Chocolate Hills.

In Mindanao, one can go to Zamboanga City or Davao City. For mountain climbers, Mt. Apo is the place to go –this is the highest peak in the country and definitely worth a visit or a climb rather. You may board a plane from Metro Manila going to Davao City for this experience. It would be best however to do your research and look for reputable travel agencies that can guide you on where to go. This will also prevent you from getting ripped off. This is just a precaution and does not necessarily happen to all tourists but as with going to a land you have never been to and where you do not speak the language, it would be best to make sure that you are safe.

A country known for being disorganized, the Philippines’ Department of Tourism has organized a rather interesting campaign to encourage foreigners to visit the Philippines. Although there are a lot of photos that show the large cities in the Philippines, I would suggest that a foreigner go to the countryside instead of staying in places in the Metro Manila area.

I love Metro Manila but I do not like the street children who beg for money, I am not proud of the garbage on the side of the streets and I do not like the traffic. It’s true though, it’s more fun in the Philippines if you go to the countryside or to the beaches around the country.

About 4000 years ago, Austronesians migrated to the northern part of the Philippines. Identified for its rich culture and its houses made out of corals, the place now known as Batanes Islands is one of the most visited places in the country.

The small province composed of ten islands is located about 160 kilometers from mainland Luzon. It sits in the high seas near Taiwan with the Bashi Channel in between the two.

Although this part of the Cagayan Valley region was rarely visited by Filipinos before, the number of tourists to Batanes has grown over the years because of its unique culture worlds apart from that of the mainland. Tourists also love its pristine waters and its greenery. In fact, if you visit Batanes, you would feel like you are in the set of the Lord of the Rings –just greener.

What is mesmerizing about Batanes is not just the place itself but its culture. The Ivatan have linguistic commonalities with the Tao of Orchid Island located in the southeastern coast of Taiwan and prehistoric cultural commonalities with the people of the Babuyan Island in the Philippines. Its rich history goes back to the Dutch and Spanish Formosas. The language on its own –Austronesian in origin is something that makes the Ivatan different from the rest of the people in the Philippines.

While in the province, you may want to visit Basco –the capital and then go straight to Mahatao, Itbayat, Sabtang, Ivana and Uyugan.

The climate in this part of the Philippines is more like to that of Okinawa and Taiwan although it is located in a tropical country. Sometimes, the province experiences below normal temperatures.

A lot of people do not want to go to Batanes Islands because it is said to be constantly battered by strong typhoons. This however is a misconception because the place holds the last weather station in the northern part of the country. Unlike other parts of the Philippines, Batanes has no wet or dry season. It enjoys four seasons with temperatures dipping as low as 7 degrees Celsius during winter.

If you are planning to visit the islands, you may want to go in Mid-March to June so that you will not experience rain while in the area. The place can still be visited during other parts of the year of course but it would be best to be there when the weather is pleasant.

From Metro Manila, visitors going to Batanes may fly to Ilocos Norte’s capital Laoag and then board either a ship or a small plane to get to Batanes Islands.

Travel in general has inspired a lot of stories and adventure. Those who like it old school say however that planes have taken the travel out of travelling making some of the younger generation think whether it is better to just fly to somewhere or board a ship to somewhere or maybe even walk to somewhere if it is possible. Our ancestors often walked to places then later on rode donkeys and horses. They never called it travel though because they either were doing it to trade with other places or were migrating to greener pastures. Whatever your choice of transportation, it’s what you make out of the experience –the fun things you have done, the cool places you’ve seen and taken photos of, the people you met and the new things you learned.

Whether you are planning to go to the Alps or just going to visit friends and family in another state –that is still called travel. The encyclopedias would agree with this because travel is defined as the movement of individual to relatively distant places. In most cases, we travel because we want to go to a new place and experience their culture, their food and their weather or whatever else there is to experience in the said destination but going to the outskirts of Turkey or flying to Transylvania to research about something is also called travelling. Pilgrimages, fleeing war or going to a certain destination for business are all filed under travel which means it does not entail that you should be on vacation. It’s not just relaxation that motivates us to travel –there are other things that motivate people to travel. In fact, sometimes travel is necessary because commuting to work is also defined as a form of travel. With these said, it means that wherever you go, you are travelling.

For those who want to go all around the globe but do not have the budget to do so, you can start small. You can appreciate all the great things about the place where you live in and when you’re done, you should go out of the country and do the same thing.

Monsignor Della Casa is a beautiful country resort situated in Florence. Just 16 miles away from the town, it is a major resort destination both for locals and foreigners. The resort facility is also known for its brand of service and many a satisfied traveler return to the casa every year.

An extraordinary place, the resort boasts the beauty of the countryside and beautiful Tuscan architecture. Whether you are in town to enjoy the Italian sun or just need some time off from the rigors of city life, staying at Monsignor Della Casa is really something that one should look forward to.

Alright, the first few words that might pop in your head is “Dream On” but as Rudyard Kipling said, you should dream –well he didn’t say that, he actually said “If you can dream –and not make dreams your master;” and he went on and on about life lessons and such. But it was directed to men wasn’t it? So brace yourselves ladies and get those plane tickets ready. 

Now that Prince William is about to get married, girls can now set their sights on his younger brother Harry. What’s hotter than a bad boy is actually meeting him but first you have to go to England and visit the sites while hatching a plan on how to get this uber cute prince.

Although Prince Harry does not stay at their primary residence, it would be great if you can stay near the place to increase your chances of meeting the infamous Harry.

Hotels near the palace include Sofitel London St. James close to Her Majesty’s Theatre, The Trafalgar Hilton near Admiralty Arch, Le Meridien Piccadilly, The Cavendish London and the Hostel at Piccadilly Guest House. There are other choices of course but this list should do just fine.

So you don’t like Prince Harry eh?

Take a look at the Swedish prince, Prince Carl Philip. He is a 30-something prince oozing with sex appeal. If you aren’t in Sweden just yet, please take a look at these photos. These are the places where His Royal Highness loves to hangout at.

If you want a younger blue-blood however, Andrea Casiraghi of Monaco is definitely the best choice.

The prince speaks impeccable English, French, Italian and German. Travelers can hop on a plane from Paris going to Nice, France and then travel from Nice to Monaco.

There are also regular buses connecting Monte Carlo to Nice Cote-D’Azur airport making it possible for you to get to the prince as soon as possible. For those who have money to spend, Heli Air Monaco offers helicopter services between the airport in Nice and Monte Carlo.

Apart from hatching a plan on how to snag the prince, you can also enjoy the sights and just walk around Monaco-Ville or visit the Palais Princier (Prince’s Palace) located in Monaco-Ville.

For those who fell in love with the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding, you can still dream to have your very own big fat Greek wedding and marry a prince along the way.

Prince Philippos of Greece and Denmark is a Georgetown University graduate and is definitely one of the most eligible bachelors in the world. Visiting Greece sounds like a great idea now doesn’t it? This prince doesn’t like the limelight much so be prepared to live a quiet life.

For those who want a young, good looking prince who’s got a fortune of $4 billion, Prince Felix of Luxembourg is your bet.

Visiting the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is always a great adventure especially if you want to tour the rest of Europe along the way. This small country is landlocked by Belgium, Germany and France. Its continental climate is also one of the main reasons why many travelers opt to go to Luxembourg. If you are traveling from Paris, you can get on a train to arrive in Luxembourg.  It is also important to note that you speak either French or German and would also be great if you learn Luxembourgish.

English is also understood but shopkeepers will not respond unless you speak in French or German so you better start saying Je parle très peu français now before they start conversing with you.

Just a 3-hour train ride away from Luxembourg is Belgium where the intelligent and very appealing royal Prince Amadeo is from. It is rumored however that he is currently living in New York City and works in Wall Street. Belgium is a wonderful place though so it would be best to visit Prince Amadeo’s country before you head to New York to steal his heart.

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Travellers always look for good food but if you are in the Philippines and are tired of the rather exotic cuisine, it may be time for you to have a taste of Amrey’s Kitchen’s baked goodies.

The baker in the home based bakeshop works as an interpreter but baking is the language she loves the most.

All the cupcakes she makes are filled with love –not flour, making these products very delectable and oh-so-sinful. According to her, her best creation is her dark chocolate cake but I disagree because her banana cake topped with cream cheese is just as awesome and may even be better for those who love tropical fruits.

Amrey’s Kitchen also offers cookies, carrot cakes, brownies and other delightful creations that will surely whet the appetite. As much as I am trying to restrain myself from saying this –Amrey’s Kitchen products will remind you of your grandmother’s baked goods -only better tasting.

Amrey’s Kitchen is located in Quezon City, Philippines.

How To Contact Amrey

You may send Amrey a message through her Multiply account or visit her Facebook page.

Fernandina Beach Vacation Rentals

Escape from winter madness and have fun under the sun with your family at Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island. Remember: it’s never a sin to enjoy life’s pleasures whenever you can. And while you’re at it, make sure you properly choose the vacation house you’re going to be renting, and book way ahead of time – Fernandina beach gets fully booked around spring and summer vacations. Make sure you get an oceanfront beach house: it offers everything you could ever need, from fully-furnished rooms with spectacular views of the ocean to scrumptious fresh seafood, minus the costly expenses of hotel rooms.

Traveling Around The Fernandina Coast

There are plenty of things to do at the Fernandina beach for the whole family. One of them is to go on educational, cultural trips that focus on traditional historical heritage sites, such as Amelia Island Museum, Fort Clinch State Park and even the Bosque Bello Cemetery. There are also Historic Area Walking Tours conducted by the museum for a more comprehensive lesson on history. Finally there are contemporary events for younger members of the family, such as festivals, gallery openings by young and emerging painters and sculptors in the art scene, car shows as well as a trendy hang-out bar/café called the Indigo Alley, where comfort meets artistic style.

Fernandina Beach Family Fun

If you and your family are more of the adventurous type, Fernandina Beach also offers plenty of water sports and other outdoor activities, such as horseback riding, horse-drawn carriages as well as tennis. The more recommended activities are boating and waterway tours offered by Amelia Island Charter Fishing and Amelia River Cruises & Charters and Cumberland Sound Ferry Service, to name a few. And when night time falls, the whole family can enjoy a paranormal experience with a walking ghost tour offered by Amelia Island Ghost Tours. Of course, you mustn’t forget to bring your cameras along to capture the thrilling memories.

Fernandina Summer Getaway Activities

After doing all of these activities, it’s time for the grown-ups to relax! Fernandina Beach boasts of having more than 3 golf courses for the dads and sons – Island Falls Golf, The Golf Club at North Hampton and Fernandina Beach Golf Club, one of the best pubic courses and absolutely perfect for hitting the links – and a shopping district for the moms and daughters, one of which is at Fernandina Beach itself, called Centre street and located in the historic district downtown.

Port Saint Lucie Rentals

Feeling a bit cold and lonely for the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day Festival? Then why don’t you and your family drive straight to Port St. Lucie and get your bones warmed up for that occasion, or any other occasion for that matter? Port St. Lucie has many festivities, such as Oktoberfest and City Fest, and you surely wouldn’t want to pass up these free events. And when the festivities are over, there are still tons of things left for you to do with your loved ones – just make sure to rent a beachfront house, otherwise you’d be stuck in a fancy hotel that’d cost a small fortune for the same basic amenities.

Port Saint Lucie Family Activities

You might be wondering why you would ever want to rent a beach house, right? Well, that’s because some of the best things to do in Port St. Lucie can be done in the beach itself! Rent boats and go on tours to watch dolphins at the Indian River Lagoon. Enjoy the various water activities such as fishing, kayaking, sailing and surfing at the beautiful waters of Florida. Then drive to town where you can watch a baseball game with the St. Lucie Mets at the Digital Domain Park, or enjoy a fun-filled afternoon with your kids at Superplay USA, the hottest Family Entertainment Center for all ages.

Places to Visit

If you need to settle down and experience adventure at a mellow pace, then visiting the Savannas Preserve State Park should be in your itinerary. Make sure you bring your camera along though, because you wouldn’t want to miss this perfect haven for photographers. There’s also Vine & Barley, an alcohol connoisseur’s dream vacation, filled with over 75 wines and 24 micro-brewed craft beers that you can ‘taste’ at less than half a glass. Sam Snead’s Oak Grill & Tavern also renders your trip with a more sophisticated touch. Then finally, end your day on a high note as you play Golf in the world-class PGA Golf Club.

Cultural Delights

Port St. Lucie is bursting with cultural activity: aside from having many festivals, they also have heritage sites that are unique in the world, such as the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum, which is “the only museum in the world dedicated exclusively to the elite warriors of the Naval Special Warfare”, or the Sunrise Theatre, a beautiful facility made even more picturesque by its namesake. A.E. Backus “Bean” Gallery, Hallstrom Planetarium and St. Lucie County Historical Museum are such other places where you and your family can visit in order to fully appreciate what St. Lucie is all about.

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