Summer is here! I can actually feel the scorching heat of the mighty sun. In two weeks time, my daughter will have her Moving Up Day Ceremony in school and her first school year will officially end. Now that I have a pre-schooler, looking forward to summer is somehow different and has a broader meaning. It’s not all about going to the beach, getting-a-tan and all, the activities that I’ll include in our vacation plan should contribute to her development as well. I strongly believe that we should always make an effort to make beautiful memories with our family and see new places every year where we and our children can learn new things , broaden our knowledge and strengthen our relationship as family.
Let me share with you some places that your family can visit this summer. Some of these were visited by us already so rest assured that these are perfect for a family bonding.
1. Explore the Queen City of the South, Cebu and have a staycation in Plantation Bay Resort and Spa
I instantly fell in love the first time I visited Cebu. The place is clean, there’s peace and order, the people are hospitable and very welcoming to their guests. This is 1 hour and 15 minutes away from Manila via plane. Cebu has a wide range of places to offer for tourists where you can learn about their history and culture like Magellan’s Cross, Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino de Cebu, Cebu Taoist Temple,Β Fort San Pedro, Lapu-Lapu’s Monument and others.
For staycation, you may opt to reside for few days in Plantation Bay Resort and Spa. Plantation Bay offers one of the largest privately-owned waterways in the world, with the clean elegance of colonial-plantation architecture. This resort is family-friendly with lots of activities to offer for kids. Staying here alone is a complete package – you get a picturesque view of its man-made lake, beautiful sight of the sea where you can do water activities like jetski, banana boat ride, snorkeling and others, sumptuous food in its 4 restaurants, entertainment show at night, kalesa ride, world-class spa, etc.Β My family visited this place twice last year for our 4th wedding anniversary (May) and my husband’s pre-birthday celebration last September and given a chance we would definitely want to come back.
2. Acuatico Resort in Laiya, San Juan, Batangas
There are numerous resorts in San Juan, Batangas, but, if you’re looking for a private resort with beach front and swimming pool perfect for the entire family, this one is for you. Acuatico Beach Resort is only 3-hour drive from Manila with 21 rooms and villas featuring aΒ blend of contemporary design and Balinese influences.Β They offer top-notch amenities, facilities, and services. It has a magnificent infinity pool with floating bar and a restaurant offering scrumptious yet affordable dishes. If you’re looking for a good massage, Acuatico’s Simona Spa offers a signature full-body massage treatment. This was the best massage I had so far.
3. Baguio
Baguio, also known as the Summer Capital of the Philippines,Β is one of the places that most of us want to visit during summer because of its cool climate despite of the 6-hour long drive from Manila. Here you can see the Mines View Park, Burnham Park, Camp John Hay, Session Road, The Mansion, Wright Park, Baguio Botanical Garden and Strawberry Farm to name just a few.
4. Club Manila East, Taytay, Rizal
Club Manila East is a premier getaway destination in Taytay, Rizal. It started off in 1999 with the Fantasy Lagoon, a 9,100 square gigantic pool for the guests with waterfalls, kayaks and surf bikes. To meet the increasing demand of the guests, CME added the following: 25-meter lap pool, bean pool, beach waves, buzzy river, ocean waves and CME fly. They also offer overnight accommodation with its 70 villas. You may enjoy all of these amenities at an affordable price of P375.00. Kids below 3 ft. are free of charge. To those who want a spacious resort with numerous swimming pools Club Manila East is perfect for you.
5. Staycation in a hotel in the metro
To those who wish to relax and have an instant staycation without the hassle of long travel, you may avail of the overnight accommodations offered by hotels in the metro. There you can sit back, relax, read a book and just enjoy the moment with your family. This is a bit more affordable since you don’t have to pay for long hour drive gasoline and toll fees.
And, since we are talking about traveling, it is of importance to pack along our travel essentials. We should not forget to bring any of the following:
- sunscreen protection for the whole family
- sunglasses
- beach hats
- swimwear made of a sun protective fabric
- beach bag
- beach slippers
- potable water
- towel/blanket
- beach toys for the kids
- first aid kit
- toiletries
- Green Cross alcohol
Last, but not the least, we should always bring an insect repellent lotion since dengue mosquitoes are always around even on summer. Green Cross Gentle Protect Insect Repellent Lotion is my trusted partner in keeping my daughter safe from day-and-night dengue mosquitoes. This is kid-friendly and offers up to 8 hours protection without the greasy-feel, it is hypo-allergenic and safe for children’s sensitive skin. It also smells good and feels light so even though it’s summer and kids are prone to sweating, you need not to worry because it offers a non-greasy protection. My husband and I use this product too.
Green Cross Gentle Protect Insect Repellent Lotion isΒ a part of my family’s everyday staples and always present inΒ our grocery list. Make this product part of your family too!
I hope my vacation ideas can help you achieve a productive and exciting summer with your family. Let’s always do our bestΒ to make happy and meaningful memories with our children because these experiences and exposure to different places and people contribute a lot in their holistic development as an individual.
Let’s have fun under the sun this summer!
For more vacation ideas and parenting articles, you may visit the Mommy PROs App of Green Cross Alcohol Philippines. Happy summer!
19 comments
Is Green Cross lotion a new product sold in the market? It’s the first time I’ve seen one. How’s the smell? π
This is available in the market alraedy. It smells good, to be exact it smells like a baby powder.
each and every single of them are beautiful but if I have a choice I would choose Club Manila East, Taytay, Rizal from all these,
CME is near and affordable. The place is also nice and clean. =)
resorts, Baguio or Tagaytay are the places we will consider this summer for our family escapade π of course insect repeller lotions are always included in my getaway baggage π
Yes, Green Cross insect repellent lotion is a must-have in protecting our whole family.
Lots of fun for summer and it’s fast approaching, really hot…family bonding time.
Love your list here! Na-miss ko bigla ang Cebu π Will definitely go back in the Summer Capital (baguio) this coming May. Happy Summer 2014!
Yay! I also miss Cebu. =)
I wonder how the temperature now in Baguio if it’s almost summer. For the past year, there had been reports saying that it’s not that cold there anymore, right?
Actually, when we were there last February 2013, the weather was just like in Manila.
whoah! I hope I can visit those places this summer.
I love the relaxing ambiance of plantation bay and of course, Baguio too since it is my home town.
It’s indeed very relaxing in Plantation Bay. =)
We’ve been to Baguio last February. I want to go to Laiya with the fambam this summer! I definitely feel summer because of your post π
Me too! If can only go back to those places now I would. Laiya has numerous resorts, I highly recommend Acuatico. =)
Love this post… looking forward to seeing this places firsthand! though where I am is far of from being summer.
Thank you!
We are planning to go to Acuatico this Summer! Super ganda ng resort na yan ano?