Trifter

1.  BATANES RESORT  (Kaychanarianan, Basco, Batanes)

Batanes is the perfect vacation place where you can enjoy peace and quiet, panoramic views of hills and mountains, and pristinely isolated beaches.

Nestled along a hillside, Batanes Resort is composed of small houses a few meters away from the beach. The resort has a friendly staff and comfortable accommodations. More importantly, they know the best of the islands and can arrange guided tours.

Start at Batan Island and explore Valugan Rock Bay where you’ll hear the rumblings of boulders as they’re tugged by the waves. Walk along Ivatan stone houses (made of stone and cogon grass) and meet up with old women wearing Vacul, a headdress made of cogon grass to protect them against harsh weather. Be sure to drop by the famed Marlboro Country (picturesque hills and grasslands), Mahato Fishing Village, and Pacita Abad’s house-cum-museum. Go on a rough boat ride to visit Sabtang Island where centuries-old houses made of cobblestones still stand. The good news: you can actually stay in one of these homes for the night. Cap off your excursion with a picnic at Cavanaran Beach, a secluded beach perfect for picture taking, sun bathing, and emoting.

2.  BADIAN ISLAND RESORT AND SPA (Badian Island, Cebu)

(Image from the website)

Lying 97.6 kilometers southwest of Cebu City, on an island 15 minutes away by boat, is the magical Badian Island Resort and Spa with its auburn shore, staff in colorful uniforms singing their welcome, bars and stores connected by foot bridges, and clusters of suites scattered over a lovely eight-hectare landscape. With babysitting services at your disposal, mommy can indulge in health and beauty treatments at the Badian Natural Spa while daddy can go on diving excursions. The whole family can then gather together for a glass-bottom boat tour, a picnic by the Kawasan Falls, and a visit to nearby towns and villages. Cap the whole thing off with a magnificent sunset cruise.

3.  BOHOL BEACH CLUB (Barrio Bolod, Panglao Island, Bohol)

(Image from the website)

Its stretch of 1.4 kilometers of powdery white sand beach is already a sight to see, but beyond the shores where the Bohol Beach Club is located, there is an underwater world waiting to be explored. Aboard the resort’s glass-bottom boat, not very far from the shoreline, guests can see corals and fishes big and small. Needless to say, there’s lots of snorkeling and diving to be had for the more adventurous.