Nowadays, not everyone has the luxury of time to have a vacation. However, it’s also important to set aside some time to take a break and let your mind and body recover from stress. So how do you do it?
Believe it or not, the weekend is more than enough to have a fulfilling and relaxing vacation. How you might ask? Driving destinations! There are a lot of nearby locations that are only a few hours away, but will still make you feel like you had a restful week-long holiday. Here are just a few places to visit for a short but wonderful vacation.
Camp Netanya
This Santorini-inspired resort and spa is a visual treat. With its white-washed walls and bright blue roofs, your eyes will certainly feel refreshed! But more than just the beautiful architecture and family-friendly amenities and facilities, the sparkling sea and breathtaking underwater life will surely make you feel like you’re in paradise: Camp Netanya is located in Anilao, Batangas, a Marine Protected Sanctuary that’s teeming with colorful fish, corals, seahorses, octopuses, and other interesting sea creatures. Indeed, Anilao is regarded as the birthplace of scuba diving in the country because of its diverse marine life, underwater caves, and numerous beaches and coves.
Camp Netanya can accommodate every kind of traveler, from solo adventurers to a whole family. They have rooms for two to six guests and even villas that host up to 14 persons. Scuba diving is, of course, the flagship attraction but you can also choose to simply swim in the pool, snorkel in the shallow waters, or participate in activities like kayaking. They also have an in-house spa where you can get some well-deserved pampering, as well as various dining options within the property to satisfy your palate.
Nurture Wellness Village
Sometimes, all you really need to relax is a luxurious massage. There’s just something about a visit to a wellness spa that makes you feel so refreshed and well-cared for, right? At Nurture Wellness Village in Tagaytay, you’ll get more than an indulgent spa treatment — you’ll get their unique brand of health and wellness that they have called “ecotherapy.” The principle is simply that you can experience healing with the help of nature. Nurture Wellness Village offers spa treatments and healing services that will already leave you feeling rejuvenated; couple these with a calming and serene environment, where you can see, hear and feel nature, and they become all the more refreshing.
If you want to stay overnight, Nurture Wellness Village has suites and rooms available that can accommodate up to four persons. They also have glamping tents for those who want to sleep under the stars. These tents are all air-conditioned and furnished with hotel-style amenities. Booking a glamping tent also comes packaged with activities like a farm tour, healthy juicing, and coffee roasting demo with beans from the surrounding coffee orchards.
Costa Pacifica
For some people, activities like surfing is the key to relaxation. One of the best-surfing destinations in the country is Baler in Aurora Province, where the surfing season can start as early as August or September and can extend up to April or May. Another benefit of Baler over other surfing spots in the country is that it’s only about six hours away from Metro Manila and it’s not as crowded as other beaches.
If you want access to the best surf spots in Baler, including Charlie’s Point and Sabang Beach, Costa Pacifica Hotel and Resort is the best place to check in and ride the waves. Even beginners who have zero experience in surfing can conquer the swells with the help of Costa Pacifica’s friendly instructors! If you want to take a break from the waters, there are various activities you can do in and around Costa Pacifica, including trekking and spelunking. You can also visit the famous Ditumabo or Mother Falls and Dicasalarin Cove, another famous swimming and surfing spot.
St. Patrick Village
The appeal of Baguio has not diminished over the years, but the City of Pines has admittedly gotten more and more crowded because tourists just love it so much. Luckily, there are places like St. Patrick Village located in quieter but no less beautiful parts of Baguio. It’s situated along South Drive, somewhere between Camp John Hay and Baguio Country Club, and is composed of cabins and villas that look like they came right out of a postcard.
If you’re traveling alone or with a special someone or your small family, you can choose either a standard or deluxe room; big families and groups of friends can avail of multi-room villas that can accommodate up to 12 people. What’s good about St. Patrick Village is that it’s located near various tourist attractions; taxis also pass by the area frequently, so you don’t have to worry about transportation if you don’t have your own car.
Are you ready for a refreshing vacation? These locations are just waiting for your booking! You can also check out websites like Deal Grocer for discounts and other value-for-money deals that you can’t get anywhere else.
Happy vacation!
