Why: The Philippines is known for its well-preserved bahay na bato (stone houses) which are a fusion of Spanish design and Filipino taste. Those with a love for history and architecture can take a 3-hour (or so) trip to Bataan and spend a day at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar.You can arrive in the morning and take part in an hour-long day tour, which takes you around the property (TIP: wear comfortable footwear, preferably slip-on). After that, you can take a dip at the La Playa Beach in front of the reception. Shoppers can enjoy local crafts at the Paseo de Escolta and La Tiendesitas. There are more options to try out for the day at Las Casas, and all their day tour rates com with emails.

Explore more! Check out hotels in Bataan.

Why: Another ancient home turned into a resort, Villa Escudero is not your run-of-the-mill types of places. The plantation is known for its restaurant at the foot of a waterfall, the Escudero Private Museum (one of the largest museums in the Philippines), bamboo rafting, and carabao-drawn carriages.Because Villa Escudero is a little farther off (between the borders of Laguna and Quezon), you might have to start your day a bit earlier than usual. Leaving around 6:30 AM is a good idea, and you can be in the plantation and resort around 10:30 in the morning.Your day tour comes with a welcome (and much-needed) drink, a museum tour, a carabao cart ride, and lunch at the waterfall restaurant. If you plan to stay overnight, you have full use of the rooms with idyllic views of provincial life.

Choose from the many budget-friendly hotels in Quezon.

Why: If you’re tired of the tradition of eating leftover fruitcake and Christmas ham, then break it. You need to go to Hidden Valley for a while and stay hidden.The resort is unique in a sense that the design of the pools are designed to look natural, and the gentle falls all the more sends you off into a peaceful nap. The canopy above you lazily sways side to side with the wind, leaves brushing against each other. It’s an oasis away from home, but brings you back to your natural self.Usually, traveling to Hidden Valley is a couple’s favorite date idea. And it’s true: the place is as romantic as it is family friendly. There are smaller pools where couples can have their private moments, while bigger families can enjoy bigger pools and even look for endemic animals in the surrounding tropical rainforest.If you’re thinking about looking for paradise around two hours away, this is your best bet.

Why: Sometimes, going to resorts can get a little tiresome. You want something more local, and you want to bring home a souvenir to put on your wall. If a cultural experience is in your mind, head to Paete, Laguna.It’s the carving capital of the Philippines—small wooden figurines to life-size sculptures of religious icons and other imagery. Although many wooden sculptures today depict popular cartoon characters and movie stars (you can find Marilyn Monroe somewhere stashed with several saints in a shop), you’ll get to see how art is still in the hearts of the people of Paete.

Why: Go to where Francis Ford Coppola shot Apocalypse Now. When you visit the town of Pagsanjan, you’ll want to keep going back every chance you get. The main attraction is the Magdapio Falls, which is a 318 feet-tall waterfall, and a sure-fire way to get through this natural beauty is to go through it—using a Bangka and going through 16 rapids. Don’t worry, you’ll be with guides, and as long as you follow instructions, you’re safe and sound.There are also other ways to venture in and around Pagsanjan—you can go take a vertical trek and reach above the canopy, or go into the Devil’s cave under the main falls.For the less adventurous, you can always take a dip at the bottom of the falls or visit historical landmarks and shop for local products.

Stay the night in a nearby Laguna hotel.

Why: While it might be crowded during the holidays, going to Tagaytay to have coffee while looking at Taal volcano is still a good idea if you want to get out of the city. If you want to try something different, however, try actually going to Taal volcano and do some trekking. There are many tours that give you the opportunity to go in and around Taal. Some tour operators will pick you up in Manila using a minibus, and then take you to Tagaytay, where you can have breakfast by the ridge. After some preparations, you’ll begin to go to Taal Volcano. Within the crater, you’ll pass by steam vents spewing out sulfur (word of caution: stay away from those steam vents) and various flora and fauna that have called this active volcano, home. Back in Tagaytay, you can have a food trip along the ridge or book a spa date with your significant other in Tagaytay’s more famous resorts.

Relax in a Tagaytay hotel after your adventure.

Why: Another volcano that you need to hike around is Mt. Pinatubo in Zambales. The now-dormant volcano was known for one of the most violent eruptions in the late 20th century, with ash shooting to the sky from the crater and ash clouds reaching as far as across the Pacific. Today, it’s now on a mountain climber’s to-hike list and, after going into its crater, you’ll understand why. There are many tour operators now that offer to pick you up in Manila early in the morning, and give you a private tour of Mt. Pinatubo’s crater. Before you actually get to hike Pinatubo though, you’ll pass through an Aeta village and several ash fields on a 4x4 Jeep. One would think that the mouth of the volcano is just a barren, sandy wasteland, but it’s actually teeming with life. At the center of the crater is a turquoise-colored lake, surrounded by lush foliage, living off the nutrients coming from the volcano itself. This will only take a day, and because Zambales is so close to Manila, you’ll definitely be home a little before dinnertime (depending on the traffic, that is).

Done exploring? Extend your stay in a hotel in Zambales.

Why: Another must-hike mountain is Pico de Loro in Cavite. The province of Cavite is famous for being the seat of power during the Philippine revolution, when Aguinaldo headed the Filipinos to drive the Spaniards out of the country. His home still stands today, and is now open to the public as a museum and historical shrine.Aside from history, Cavite is also home to natural wonders. Pico de Loro is one of the most popular venues to go to for a day trip. It’s famous as a hiking spot, and once you reach the peak, you see a breathtaking view of the South China Sea and the lowlands in Cavite.If you want to try out your hiking skills, Pico de Loro is relatively easy. Depending on your speed, it will take an entire day. You can book a trip package online and have a guide help you, especially if you’re a beginner.Hiking isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and if you’re the type to just take a scenic route without climbing a mountain, you can always chow down at any fast food joint along the way, or have something more native and different. Because Pico de Loro is near Nasugbu, Batangas, you can also go to the province for some local delicacies.

Cap off your hiking with a comfy sleep. Find a hotel in Cavite.

Why: Have you ever tried taking a trip around a province? Not yet? Try to go around Rizal province for a day or so, and you’ll find that the Philippines is paradise on earth. You don’t have to always go out of the country to find an adventure. In Tanay, Rizal alone, you’ll find two waterfalls worth visiting. The most popular one is Daranak Falls, a 14-meter falls with picnic sites. You’ll fall in love with the lush vegetation surrounding the waterfalls; it’s as if you’ve traveled back in time when large cities did not exist. If you want to enter Daranak Falls, it’s P50 per adult, and children under three feet can enter for free. You can reserve picnic sheds for P300 a day and picnic tables at P200 a day. Batlag Falls is another popular site in Tanay, and it’s within a close distance to Daranak Falls. The problem is that you’ll have to spend a little extra for entrance, so you can just choose to go only to Daranak Falls or Batlag Falls. One thing you’ll notice about Batlag Falls—and something you might enjoy—is that the area is not as crowded as Daranak Falls. So it might be worth it to pay extra for fewer crowds.

Why: Antipolo is slowly turning into an artist’s haven, and it’s because of Pinto Art Gallery. An art-loving doctor set up this Mexican- and Mediterranean-inspired structures to house several works of art—from sculptures to large paintings, both traditional and modern. If traffic is on your side, you can reach Pinto within an hour. It costs P200 per adult to enter the museum, and it’s so worth it. The place transports you to another world. Several art pieces sit around in various places around the property. No wall is bare, no surface is empty. You’ll find every nook and cranny filled with art and substance. This trip will surely be eye candy for those who want to see the world in a different perspective.

Note: Pinto Art Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. The museum is CLOSED on MONDAYS.

Settle in comfortably in an Antipolo hotel after an artsy day.

Why: In need of a beach trip before you go back to the office? Even just for a day? Head to Zambales, which is only around two hours a day. If you don’t know where to go to exactly, trust your instincts and find your Anawangin Cove—and also to Nagsasa Cove. This is a favorite among budget beach bums who need to worship the sun before going back to the office. Anawangin and Nagsasa were accidental creations during the Mt. Pinatubo eruption back in the 1990s. Today, they’re a budget traveler’s dream come true so close to Manila. To reach Anawangin cove, you can either trek for around five hours, and to reach Nagsasa, you can trek for around six hours. But if you can’t take the trek, you can rent a boat to both coves or either one for a minimal fee. The list is, of course, non-exhaustive, and there will be more places to find in the future. Always remember to pack light, book a little earlier than usual, and have fun. The Philippines is full of surprises, and you can find so much in just one day.

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