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Traveloka PH

08 Nov 2016 - 9 min read

Philippine Holidays and Places to Go to in 2017

Are you the type of traveler who likes to plan well ahead of time? Or are you one of those who always find it difficult to file a vacation leave because of their heavy workload? If your answer is yes to either one of those questions, then this article will prove extremely helpful.
We've listed down the seven long weekends in 2017 so you can plan ahead your mini getaways without having to worry about using up all your vacation leaves. Not to mention, planning your trip early means you get to save money by booking plane tickets and hotels in advance and you don’t have to stress about last minute details. Check out the list of 2017 Philippine holidays:

Can't wait to plan your 2017 getaways? Here are some suggestions on where you should go on your next travel. Hopefully, it will be full of fun and adventure.

New Year Weekend (Dec 30, 2016 - Jan 1, 2017)

Tired of just staying at home to welcome the New Year? Why not shake things up a bit and go someplace new? Make sure to bring your loved ones with you to eat, party, watch fireworks displays and make New Year's resolutions together.

Local destination:

Bell House Camp John Hay Baguio

The Bell House at Camp John Hay.

Welcome the New Year at Camp John Hay in Baguio. Since 2011, this camp has been organizing New Year’s events complete with fireworks displays and mouth-watering spreads for its guests. And with its cool temperatures, Baguio is the closest you’ll ever get to experiencing winter without having to leave the country. Thinking of celebrating New Year's Eve at Camp John Hay, check out these hotel rooms at The Manor.Try looking for other hotels in Baguio.

International destination:

Hong Kong fireworks display

Be amazed by the fireworks display in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is one of the top places in the world to celebrate New Year's Eve. The city comes alive with dazzling displays of fireworks and throngs of people out shopping and enjoying the food in street markets.Aside from Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park, Victoria Peak is another favorite spot to experience breathtaking night views of the city and a close-up view of the New Year’s fireworks display.

Holy Week Holidays (April 13 - 16, 2017)

The Philippines is a predominantly Catholic country. As such, most Filipinos can be found embarking on a pilgrimage called “Visita Iglesia", where they visit different places of worship to celebrate the Holy Week. This time of the year also signifies the start of the summer break, so a lot of families use this time to go on beach trips.

Local destination:

Islas de Gigantes Iloilo

Catch some 'Vitamin Sea' on Islas de Gigantes in Iloilo.

Try going on a trip to Iloilo, and visit the beautiful beaches on Islas de Gigantes. What’s great about the beaches here is that they are not as crowded as other popular beaches like Boracay. You’ll enjoy a peaceful getaway while basking in the sun and the soothing waves. Don't forget to go island hopping.Check affordable hotels in Iloilo.

International destination:

Uluwatu Bali

Take in the amazing views in Uluwatu, Bali.

Bali is a great destination for those who want to be near the beach while experiencing some sort of a spiritual escape. The island is a great place to unwind and relax. Its crystal clear waters, beautiful beaches, and numerous temples create a space where you can meditate on life and reconnect with yourself sans the distractions of work.

Labor Day Weekend (April 29 - May 1, 2017)

Celebrated to honor the working class, Labor Day is that time of the year where you and colleagues/officemates/co-workers finally get some much-needed time off. So take a break from all the office work and head to the beach.

Local destination:

Boracay labor day

Nothing compares Labor Day celebration in Boracay.

In the Philippines, Boracay is known as a top Labor Day weekend destination. After all, "Laboracay", a portmanteau of Labor Day and Boracay, was born here. On this paradise island, people unwind, play, party hard, and not worry about deadlines.Look for hotels in Boracay.

International destination:

Cherry blossoms at Meguro River Tokyo

Watch the cherry blossoms floating along the Meguro River in Tokyo, Japan.

Head over to Japan and catch the cherry blossoms in full bloom around this time of the year. Some of the best places to view this beautiful wonder of nature are in Meguro River, Shinjuku Gyoen, or Ueno Park in Tokyo. While in Tokyo, check out the shopping scene at Ginza, take in the stunning views of the Tokyo skyline from the Skytree, and visit one of their most famous temples, Senso-ji.

Independence Day Weekend (June 10 - 12, 2017)

Another holiday that you can look forward to in the middle of the year is the Philippine Independence Day weekend. Some take this moment to remember Philippine history and all the heroes that made her independence possible. Others use this as an excuse to book a quick getaway.

Local destination:

Fort San Pedro Cebu

Go sightseeing at one of the famous historical places in Cebu, Fort San Pedro.

Cebu is a great choice if you want to visit beautiful historical sites. The province also boasts superb beaches and islands that you can check out as well. Drop by Magellan’s Cross, the Lapu-Lapu Shrine, and Fort San Pedro. After your tour of the city, hop on a bus to Bantayan Island and squeeze in a day on one of the island’s stunning beaches.

International destination:

Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

Experience the unique sights and sounds of Kuala Lumpur.

One of the many beautiful places in South East Asia that you should definitely include in your bucket list is Malaysia. For one, the people here are nice and two, there are tourist destinations like Petronas Towers, Batu Caves, and Aquaria KLCC that you can easily include in your three-day itinerary.

Ninoy Aquino Holiday (Aug 19 - 21, 2017)

Spend this holiday in a place you’ve always been itching to cross off your bucket list. Whether it's a domestic or international destination, book before the year ends to score hotel stays and plane fares at a cheaper rate.

Local destination:

lighthouse view Batanes

Batanes is known for its rolling hills, rocky shorelines, stunning beaches, tall cliffs, and panoramic views.

Take the plunge and visit our very own Batanes Island. This beautiful province offers a unique experience for those who are into nature and beautiful landscapes. Its rolling hills, rocky shorelines, stunning beaches, tall cliffs, and panoramic views have reminded not a few of New Zealand.

International destination:

Wat Arun Bangkok Thailand

This iconic Buddhist temple, known as the Temple of the Dawn, is one of Bangkok's most famous landmarks.

Thailand's unique culture is one of its biggest tourism draws. They come here to experience the warmth of the Thai people, the amazing cuisine, and incredible destinations. If you find yourself here, enjoy the country’s beautiful traditions as well as their places of worship.

National Heroes Day Weekend (Aug 26 - 28, 2017)

If you feel like you haven’t had the chance to relax in a long time, take advantage of this long weekend to recharge and rejuvenate your senses by traveling.

Local destination:

Rock formations in Palawan

Palawan's crystal clear waters and beautiful rock formations have made the paradise island one of the best places to visit in the world.

This time of the year is usually Palawan's low season. Make the most of it to snag cheap flights and hotels. Visit Puerto Princesa or El Nido to enjoy some peace and quiet, crystal clear waters, and powdery white sand beaches. Generally, Palawan is less crowded compared to Boracay making it perfect for those who want to avoid the madding crowd.

International destination:

Dubai skyline

Dubai is home to the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa.

In Dubai, you can try joining their desert safari for some adrenaline-pumping adventure or simply get up close and personal with the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa. The modern architecture dominating Dubai's skyline is a site to behold.

Christmas Holidays (Dec 23 - 25, 2017)

End the year with a bang and treat yourself and your family to a Christmas trip next December. Flight tickets during this time of the year can be quite expensive. Better to book a year ahead to score promos and deals that are just right for your budget.

Local destination:

View of Taal Volcano from Tagaytay

Enjoy the breathtaking views of Taal Volcano.

You don’t have to go too far to have a nice Christmas vacation with the family. If you’re from Manila and finding it such a hassle to go to Baguio, Tagaytay City is a great alternative. This cool city offers a bunch of fun spots and restaurants that you can try out. You can also check out this list of things to do in Tagaytay City and places to visit while you’re there.

International destination:

Singapore skyline

Spend the Christmas season on the beautiful island city-state of Singapore.

Not many are aware of it, but Singapore actually celebrates Christmas with as much pizzazz as the rest of us. The streets are beautifully lit up and you’ll see tons of people flocking to malls and restaurants, feeling the holiday vibe. Stroll along Orchard Road and enjoy the glittering, festive lights.

Start planning those vacations

If you think seven long weekends aren’t enough for all your vacations this year, don’t worry because there are other possible long weekends in the Philippines in 2017. You can still look forward to holiday announcements during the Eidul Adha and Eid’l Fitr celebrations. Here are the estimated dates for these national holidays, which are usually based on the Islamic calendar:Eidul Adha - Sept. 1, 2017 (Friday)Eid’l Fitr - June 26, 2017 (Monday)To help you remember all these dates and plan your trips smoothly, we’ve come up with a special 2017 Philippine Holidays cheat sheet for you.

philippines holidays and long weekends 2017

This detailed calendar can help make planning trips easier.

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More tips? File for a vacation leave slated Oct 30 (Monday) so that you'll have five days worth of vacation from Oct 28 to Nov 1. You could also try using your leave on Dec 1 (Friday) to score another long weekend starting Nov 30 to Dec 3.

What are you waiting for? Mark down these dates and get planning. Discover cheap hotel deals and cheap flights from carriers like Philippine Airlines, AirAsia, and more with Traveloka!

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