The Island Explorer

My daughter missed her flight to Joburg, so I was started my South African sojourn alone. Instead of locking myself inside my hotel room, I decided to take a tour of the Lesedi Village , which was one of the top day tours for visitors to Johannesburg. The others were the Apartheid Museum and Soweto tours. I decided to take this first, since I was dying to get a taste of Africa. Johannesburg was beginning to bore me, so I wanted to see some action, even though it wasn't authentic. The tour price was also quite expensive, so I decided to take the 30-minute drive up north from downtown Johannesburg to Lesedi. I expected it to be a tourist trap , since it's part of the usual tours so didn't expect that much. We were welcomed by the cast of characters of the village. They were intimidating at first, but I realized that it was all part of the "show". The place actually looked promising. There was a cafe near the entrance. I started to wander around,...

I have never been THIS excited for a trip. At the midst of the rush hour of Christmas, I managed to sneak out and head off to South Africa for one of the most spontaneous trips of my life. I boarded my Cathay Pacific plane from Manila that was enroute to Hong Kong. I decided to stay for a day in Hong Kong, before boarding an evening flight to Johannesburg. I arrived in Johannesburg early in the morning. I have my reasons for this unplanned trip. Because of the stress of the holiday season, I wasn't able to really map out where to go and what to do. And just like I usually did, I just made sure I have everything I need, passport, tickets, visa and money and hopped to another memorable journey.  As I drove to my hotel, I noticed Joburg to be very quiet. The driver told me it was because it was Christmas Day. I forgot that it was a holiday. I booked a room at the  Holiday Inn Rosebank without researching on it .  I was pleased that the hotel was located besi...

Bacolod may not trigger as a choice destination for travelers, except say for its famous Maskara Festival and cuisine. I always pass up chances to go to Bacolod, since I always end up pounds heavier. There are several new hotels in Bacolod, but one of my original favorites is the Sugarland Hotel. 

After several failed attempts, I finally found a slot to stay in one of the last of Metro Cebu's resorts. And what a fitting finale it is indeed. One of the Philippines' pioneer boutique properties, Abaca Resort and Spa is also one the country's best luxury escapes. Abaca is known for its famed restaurant of the same name. It actually started out with the restaurant owned by Jason Hyatt. The restaurant has been named one of the country's best, so having meal here is an experience all together. In fact, I have eaten several times here already, but I have never gotten the chance to stay in their resort.  The Abaca Resort and Spa is already more than 5 years old, and has gotten a lot of good reviews from its visitors. The property is located between Movenpick and Be Resorts in Punta Engano in Mactan. I was always wondering how the experience would be different from Shangri-La or the Imperial Park, two of my favorite resorts in Mactan as well. To...

Ever since I went to Zoobic early this year, and noticed the signs of a resort I have not heard of in Subic, I  have been running after Kamana Sanctuary in my mind. Finally, because of iTravelerAsia.com, I was able to experience it and satisfy my curiosity. 

I have been regularly visiting Cebu for the past 8 years both for work and leisure purposes. I have always struggled with value hotels in the past. Now, this doesn't seem to be a problem anymore for the Queen City of the South, with the opening of new hotels such as the Alpa Suites, Elizabeth Hotel, Harolds and now, Quest Hotel.

After months of planning, it's finally here. But not officially launched and up yet. This is the realization of my dream of a travel business. iTravelerAsia is the first branded Asian travel club featuring properties hand picked by travel curators. It's a new kind of travel website that enables you to customize your own itineraries (iTs) at the best rates possible. In the end, it's all about traveling independently, as I have promoted on this site.   I am so excited with my newest endeavor, and I do hope you guys spread the word. Sign up now at www.itravelerasia.com . Change the way you travel soon.

Located beside the bustling SM City Baguio, Casa Vallejo is one of the oldest hotels in Baguio City. This antique quality is its charm and selling point as well. Opened in 1909, Casa Vallejo is indeed a heritage hotel, that is reminiscent of the American era. In fact, it is already one of the 10 oldest institutions in the Baguio City.