The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Bohol, Philippines

Hotels and beach resorts in Bohol are a constant favorite among travelers wanting to see the best of the Philippines’ Central Visayas Region. And the usual number 1 tour destination after check-in: the Chocolate Hills, a group of about 1,700 grass-covered hills that turn brown during summer. But with all of Bohol’s history and natural beauty, this attraction isn’t all that you can look forward to for your vacation.

Here’s a pocket guide for first-timers who want to explore the province’s tourist spots.

1. Blood Compact Shrine

Located along Carlos P. Garcia Circumferential Road, the Blood Compact Shrine is a memorial to the historic friendship pact between Filipinos and Spaniards. On March 16, 1565, Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and then Bohol chieftain Datu Sikatuna slit their wrists and dropped blood in wine. This ritual is locally known as “Sandugo”, which means “one blood”.

2. Baclayon Church

With religious relics dating back to the 16th century, Baclayon Church is also a destination not to miss. Located in the municipality of Baclayon, just 6 km from Tagbilaran, it the second oldest stone church in the Philippines.

3. Punta Watch Tower

Punta Watch Tower is a triangular edifice in the municipality of Maribojoc, some 14 km west of Tagbilaran, overseeing the seas of South Bohol. It was originally created as a lookout against pirates. From its topmost window, you will enjoy a view of Siquijor, Cebu, and Mindanao.

4. Balicasag Island

Because of the province’s natural underwater beauty, snorkeling and diving are also among the top activities here. And one of the default destinations for this is Balicasag Island. The easiest way to plan a trip is asking assistance from your beachfront resort in Bohol.

5. Bilar Manmade Forest

Another favorite stop among tourists is the Bilar Manmade Forest in Carmen Town. It spans 2 km and boasts a lush spread of red and white mahogany trees.

6. Hinagdanan Cave

Located on Panglao Island, Hinagdanan Cave is a naturally lighted limestone cavern that features a deep lagoon and many large stalactites and stalagmites. “Hinagdanan” literally translates to “laddered” — to get inside the cave, one has to go down using a ladder.

Choosing an accommodation that offers tour packages is never a bad idea. Easily explore these destinations on our list with beach resorts in Bohol like Bohol Beach Club. Discounted room rates and special promos are available on its website.

3 Reasons Why Bohol is the Perfect Destination to Have Your Wedding

A significant increase of Google searches about “Bohol beach wedding packages” proves that tropical weddings are becoming a thing. We can speculate that maybe the picturesque nature in the backdrop during the ceremony just adds to the romance of exchanging vows. But a curious question remains: why Bohol in particular?

24Seven investigates and here’s what we’ve found. Bohol is the perfect destination to have your wedding because of these three reasons:

1. If you want a traditional wedding, Bohol has some spectacular churches, many of which are declared national historical landmarks.

This is according to an article released by Lamudi Philippines. They’ve mentioned the La Purisima Concepcion de la Virgen Maria Parish which is a Neoclassical structure that was completed in 1727. Another beautiful historical church on their list is the St. Augustine Church, or Panglao Church, which is one of the oldest churches in Panglao.

2. Bohol is famous not only for its Chocolate Hills or its tarsiers, but also for its powdery stretches of white sand, mountainous terrains and rocky hills.

Positively Filipino had a run-down of some of the best tourist spots and attractions in Bohol that make the province ideal for weddings. Among the many attractions include the Loboc River Cruise — imagine going for a ride immediately after the ceremony — the hanging bamboo bridge, an array of museums, and of course, the tarsiers.

3. South Palms Resort in Bohol is no stranger to hosting beautiful picturesque weddings.

This holiday destination in Panglao, which offers affordable wedding packages in Bohol, is specifically mentioned by Gawin Blog as an ideal place for tying the knot. Imagine the salty ocean air, the ocean as your backdrop, and sand between your toes. What else could you want while exchanging vows?

Check out South Palms Bohol beach wedding packages here.

The Palladium Hotel Brings Santorini to Palawan, Philippines

Santorini – the beautiful Greek island with the cliffs on the caldera’s edge littered with whitewashed buildings and cobalt domes. A destination so enchanting that it’s easily listed into many a tourist’s bucket list of places to visit. Yet sometimes such a famous location can get packed at times, and traveling there can take a bit of a toll on your budget. So if you want to experience Santorini but also want to save on costs, you can visit other spots around the world that echo the island’s picture-perfect charm.

One of the newest Santorini-esque locations is The Palladium Hotel in Coron, Palawan. This boutique hotel in the island south of the Philippines’ capital also boasts whitewashed walls and cobalt-blue accents, similar to the buildings in the popular Greek isle. A step inside seemingly transports you to Santorini—except that it’s much more quiet and with less crowds. Here at The Palladium Hotel, you can enjoy basking in the Santorini-inspired vibe without much distraction.

Every nook and cranny in The Palladium Hotel makes for the ideal backdrop for photos. Aside from the white-and-blue color scheme throughout the property, there’s a swimming pool, bar, and café that are social media-worthy settings. It’s hard not to stop and take selfies while in the hotel’s premises.

Its rooms are lovely, too, that you can help but snap photos of it. Besides following the Santorini theme, with its blue and white palette, each spacious accommodation features exquisite queen beds with high-quality linens. Its suites even have a dining area for communal gatherings with friends or family.

The best room to stay in, however, is what the hotel calls the Versace Suite. It’s a deluxe suite featuring authentic bed, bath, and home amenities from the Versace Home Collection. Imagine being swathed in luxury during your stay. Not a lot of Santorini-inspired hotels can indulge you in this kind of lavishness and comfort at a price that’s fairly reasonable.

If you want to savor the romantic feel of Santorini without shelling a lot, The Palladium Hotel in Coron, Palawan in the Philippines is one destination to consider. It’s also recently opened and it offers an Introductory Promo that gives a 30% discount on published rates plus plated breakfast for travelers booking direct on the hotel’s official website. Round-trip airport transfers are included in the deal; users just have to state their arrival time during the online booking process.

The newest Santorini-inspired boutique hotel in the Philippines, The Palladium Hotel is located in National Highway, Barangay 6, Coron, Palawan Philippines. Learn more about this hotel in Coron by visiting https://www.palladiumhotelcoron.com.

7 Tips On How To Be A Better Hotel Guest

Some hotel accommodations in Cancun do not come cheap and this is why guests feel the need to “maximize the experience” everytime they check in. While it’s true that as a guest, you are entitled to certain privileges during your stay, it’s still not an excuse to be the guest of housekeeping staff’s nightmares.

From travelandleisure.com

Hotel housekeepers have seen it all – those who party real hard and threw up all over the carpeting, guests who let animals in a pet-free accommodations, those who store used condoms in coffee pots – you get the idea. No matter how much you paid for your room, you should always exercise etiquette during your stay, even if you are not prone to rockstar-thrashing-the-room kind of behavior.

Here are some tips to be a housekeeping-friendly guest:

• Clear the bed of clothes and bags before housekeeping makes your bed. They don’t want to touch personal stuff as much as possible, so you will make it easy for them to fix the bed when your stuff is placed on the desk or side chairs.
• Clear the floor of shoes and other stuff as much as possible. Store your items in one area of the room or in your wardrobe. This will make it easier for housekeepers to vacuum the floor.
• Place the stuff you want to dispose off in the garbage bins. Housekeepers will not move items that are not in the bins. So even if it’s obvious that your candy wrapper is meant to be trashed, they wouldn’t place it there themselves.
• Dispose tea leaves properly. Put them in the garbage bin and don’t flush them down the toilet. Tea leaves can cause clogging.
• Make good use of the towels. If you only used it once, you can use it again instead of getting a fresh one. Hang the used towel so the housekeeper will leave it alone. If you do want your towels changed, place them in the shower or bathtub.
• Make good use of bathroom amenities. Refrain from opening multiple bars of soaps if one will suffice. Same goes for shampoo, body wash, and toothpaste. If you’re not planning to take the bars and bottles home, it’s better to not waste the free stuff, which can be used by other guests.
• Sometimes you don’t really need your room to be cleaned, especially if you’re staying for just a night or two. Give the housekeeper a break by hanging the “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door, which signifies that you don’t require your room to be cleaned.

Of course, a hotel is only as good as the people who manage it. If you’re looking for a hotel in Isla Mujeres with excellent staff and great accommodations, look no further than Hotel Casa Maya. Located at Boulevard Kukulcan, Hotel Casa Maya boasts of elegant and homey rooms with magnificent views of the Caribbean, making it one of the best places to stay when in Cancun.

Space and comfort are very much evident in our accommodations in Cancun, which are equipped with amenities such as cable TV, Wi-Fi Internet access, private toilet and bath, safe, dressing room, and hair dryer. Some of the rooms have kitchens and dining area.

The stunning view of the ocean and fine beach sand serve as perfect backdrop to enjoy the stellar service from our bilingual staff. Enjoy the use of first class amenities including the swimming pool and jacuzzi, Beach Club for beach activities and water sports, and Lobby Bar for refreshing drinks and cocktails.

Hotel Casa Maya has several restaurants: Restaurante La Veranda for breakfast and international buffet; Las Brisas Restaurant for Mexican, international, and seafood dishes; Super Maya for delicatessen and coffee; and Coco Loco for appetizing drinks and snacks.

Coco Loco

This hotel in Cancun is known for being a tropical haven for leisure and business travelers, thanks to its wonderful location. Situated right by the beach in Cancun, Hotel Casa Maya is the perfect spot for those who want to be just a few steps away from the beach and also close to other places of interest in the area like a shopping mall, gaming facility, golf course, and dining and night life options.

First time in Cancun? Check out these 5 travel tips so you can enjoy your getaway without worries.

Pay less for an extraordinary experience in Cancun. You can visit the hotel website for direct reservations and inquiries.

Things to Do When You’ve Only Got 24 Hours to Explore Penang

I don’t know why you’ll give yourself only 24 hours to tour a whole island. Maybe you’re doing multiple city visits in a limited time or this is just a spontaneous trip. Whatever it is, it’s done. So how can you fully experience the perfect mix of the cosmopolitan and heritage in a place such as Penang?

Well, we’ve got a few ideas.

Choose the most ideal Penang accommodation

One of the first things you need to do is find a hotel with access to all the most important destinations in Penang. For instance, Rainbow Paradise Beach Resort is minutes away from restaurants, shopping centres, and heritage sites. You can’t afford to lose time commuting long distances.

Temple run

Picture from Picture from http://www.constructionplusasia.com/cheah-kongsi/

Start your tour early in the morning, and do it with temples. The reason being that it can get completely overcrowded and might not get to appreciate the architecture and the spiritual significance of the differing temples.

Make sure to visit Kapitan Keling Mosque, Penang Khoo Kongsi, and Kuan Yin Temple.

Memorials and ancestral mansions

From morning to mid-day, make your way to the memorial sites and the preserved mansions. Places like the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, Peranakan Museum,  Fort Cornwallis, and the Queen Victoria Memorial.

Restaurants and the Clan Jetties

At mid-day, around 11:00 AM at least so it’s not exactly lunchtime, treat yourself to some local delights. The reason you want to grab lunch early is so you can get seats before the rush.  Visit Penang’s best hawker centres like New Lane Hawker Centre, Gurney Drive Hawker Centre, or the Long Beach Food Court.

Then just as the food centres are thick with people, you can jettison out of there and visit the Clan Jetties. Take a relaxing stroll and see rustic houses standing on stilts over water. There are at least 6 jetties you can visit here, named after the surnames of Chinese families who owned them before.

Shopping centres

By this time, it’s already evening, and you’re probably tired of touring. You can start draining your remaining adrenaline by shopping!

Make your way to Gurney Plaza Shopping Mall or Paragon Mall for your unique bargains.

Explore the Penang nightlife

Now that the day is drawing to an end, you can just chill at the local bars and pubs to get a dose of Penang’s nightlife. Head over to the Penang Upper Road and check out all the places lined along the street.

Drop by Slippery Senoritas, Three Sixty Rooftop Bar, or Soho Free House.

That’s your 24-hour itinerary! Make your Penang trip extra special when you take advantage of Rainbow Paradise Beach Resort's website exclusive offers!

Enjoy taking that odd trip!

5 Ways to Enjoy a Quiet and Relaxing Holiday in the Bustling City of Makati

Although Makati City is one of the busiest places in Metro Manila, Philippines, anyone can still enjoy a laid-back retreat here. And this is possible by trying different activities, such as visiting spas, museums, and churches.

For many, a quick stay in a serviced apartment in Makati City amounts to being enveloped in the lively spirit of the bustling metropolis. Since it is among the most important financial and commercial areas in the country, this is highly expected. However, what others don't know is, any traveler can have the opportunity to savor some peace and quiet during their visit to the city. And they can experience this by trying these different activities and things to do in Makati.

1. Taking a walk in the park
Ayala Triangle Gardens – easily the most charming park and one of the best places to visit in Makati – is a sight to see if you desire to spend a laid-back day. Here, you'll find yourself cradled in an arboreal retreat, which, although seated in the heart of the Central Business District, is sure to let you savor some quiet time.

2. Visiting a church
If wanting a place where you can reflect for as long as you desire, then it is a good idea to visit a church. An ideal choice is Nuestra Senora de Gracia Church, a Baroque building that is located along Bernardino Street in Gudalupe Viejo – one of the oldest parishes in the city. Indeed, the peace and quiet that this Makati attraction lends to its visitors makes it a must-visit site.

3. Entering museums
If you fancy hopping from one gallery to another, then the city will be just right for you, since it has museums to fill your fancy. An example is Yuchengco Museum, which is found within RCBC Plaza at the intersection of Ayala and Gil Puyat Avenues. It features a collection of works from renowned local artists, such as Juan Luna, Fernando Amorsolo, and Carlos “Botong” Francisco. You may also head over to the corner of Makati Avenue and Dela Rosa Street, and enter Ayala Museum, where you'll find more galleries that embody Philippine art and culture.

4. Shopping spree
Makati is home to some of the best shopping malls in the country, and most of them are in the CBD. Greenbelt is where you will find luxurious restaurants, cafés, and boutiques set in a lush green landscape. If you're searching for the best place to watch movies or knock some pins down in game of bowling, you should head over to Power Plant Mall in Rockwell Center. And if it is affordable yet quality apparel that you want, then The Landmark should be your destination.

5. Spending a few hours at the spa
What better way there is to end a fun-filled day than by entering an establishment that promises nothing but relief? Whether it is a full-body massage, your much-desired pedicure session, or a soothing aromatherapy bath, you can have it in Makati. And among the most well-known places that deliver these services is Aegle Wellness Center, the on-site integrative health and wellness center of The Alpha Suites. To get an exclusive access to this facility, book a room in this serviced apartment in Makati.

Keep Your Nightlife Alive in Gurney Drive With These Must-Visit Destinations

Combing through the eateries, restaurants, and hawker centres in the seafront promenade of Gurney Drive is the ultimate gastronomic experience. And you know when’s the best time to do it? At night of course!






The night is always young in Gurney Drive, and you shouldn’t just take my word for it! Here are some of the most visited establishments around Gurney.

Three Sixty Revolving Restaurant & Sky Bar

A place that literally takes you high while enjoying a couple of drinks with friends. The Three Sixty Revolving Restaurant & Sky Bar is a two-level penthouse lounge with e revolving dining hall and an open-air lounge.

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The dining hall does a slow 360-degree turn so that guests can be treated to a different view of Georgetown. One moment you might have been looking at a view of the harbour, the next, it’s their notable colonial-era buildings. But if you prefer just to lounge comfortable with a single view, the outdoor hall is fitted with bucket armchairs for ultimate comfort.



The bar is also known for their varied tunes; playing jazz in the dining hall, while R&B and hip hop are blaring through the speakers outside.

Soho Free House Penang

Soho Free House Penang is considered to be a city institution. This pub offers all day Happy Hour beer promotions so that both locals and tourists can enjoy a good pint of beer any time of the day.



This two-storey pub dons a colonial heritage decor, making it look like an actual British pub. But the vibe remains casual and relaxing, never pretentious.

Slippery Senorita

A dance club that offers more than just an amazing clubbing experience, Slippery Senorita is the ultimate destination for party people.



It’s known to feature an eclectic repertoire of music, allowing people with various tastes moment to enjoy. Slippery Senorita is also the only nightclub which has flair bartenders — these are bartender entertainers who execute synchronised juggling and fire-breathing performances ever night.

Monkey Bar

If you just want a quiet night out with friends, you can go directly to Monkey Bar.

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Its heavy, dark wood interior will transport you to Europe itself, with their iconic pubs. And true to its vibe, Monkey Bar offers the best beers and stouts in Penang. You can also try out their cocktails and tuak, their extensive local and international menu, all at an affordable price.



Are your ready for that evening Penang pub crawl? Well, before you add these to your list of nightly destinations to visit, you must choose your Penang accommodation first.



Luckily for your, Evergreen Hotel Laurel Penang is offering a 17% discount when you book at least 7 days before your check-in date.



It comes with both the Advance Purchase Deal – with Breakfast and the Room Only option.



Just book your stay directly on their website, and their exclusive Penang promo discount is yours!



If you’re looking for the best night of your life, don’t miss out on this Penang, Malaysia experience.



*Promo details and policies may change without prior notice, but published information at the time of booking will still be honoured.