Perfect escape for those endless summer nights

State weather bureau Pagasa declared on March 21 the beginning of the warm and dry season, or what Filipinos commonly refer to as “summer.” People have already been contending with rising temperatures for days, so we’ve known that the shift was imminent and we’ve technically only been waiting for the official announcement.

Now that it’s official, however, we all have a license to tap out for a quick escape just so we can refresh and rejuvenate. For short overnight trips, there are hundreds of options if you drive south of Metro Manila, particularly in Calabarzon Region or mainland Southern Tagalog.

Sulyap Bed & Breakfast (Laguna)

If you and your loved ones want to rediscover the past, you can drive to San Pablo City in Laguna where Sulyap Bed & Breakfast promises to deliver a “taste of the past.” The place is in demand, being a top choice of Agoda travelers back in 2021. The accommodations are built like Spanish-era bahay na bato, with the ground floor made with stones and the second one with wood. From the capiz walls to the furniture, these are truly reminiscent of the olden days.

While it gives you the impression of exclusivity, Sulyap is centrally located. Options for public transportation are some half-kilometer away, and all other urban conveniences are minutes away on wheels since it is inside the city center. Aside from the complimentary breakfast you get when you book an overnight stay, you also enjoy access to the spa, swimming pool and restaurant, among others. It also offers free parking, Wi-Fi and 24-hour room service.

Sonya’s Garden (Cavite)

Some might want to commune with nature or feel the upland clime. That option awaits in Sonya’s Garden, a pioneering B&B concept in Alfonso town, just outside Tagaytay. The owner, Sonya Garcia, turned a 2.5-ha land into a personal sanctuary that she later shared with the rest of the world. In 1998, she opened a cottage restaurant that grew into a B&B.

Now Sonya’s Garden has 25 charming cottages that offer first-rate Filipino hospitality. Guests can also enjoy a nature-bound retreat through healthy scrumptious food, with the ingredients produced by the property itself through organic farming methods. You can even harvest fruits and vegetables yourself, fish in a pond or feed animals. You might also want to try a massage at the spa or swim on a river. Experience healing while you enjoy what Sonya calls “the art of doing nothing.”

Tanaw Banahaw (Quezon)

Another silent sanctuary for you is TA/BA or Tanaw Banahaw, whose host is currently a Superhost on AirBnb. It is a three-bedroom villa in Lucban, Quezon, that, as the name suggests, provides a view of Mount Banahaw. It is also surrounded by lush greenery that will provide guests with both privacy and a good microclimate.

The place can accommodate up to 12 people. It has comfortable beds, a large veranda and a well-equipped kitchen. There’s also a dirty kitchen with a grill and an outdoor lounge area with a fire pit. While it feels secluded, Wi-Fi is available for anyone who needs to work or study from home. It’s near Kamay ni Hesus Shrine and Hulugan Falls. If you go in mid-May, you might even witness some events relating to Lucban’s renowned Pahiyas Festival.

Casa San Pablo (Laguna)

Get your creative juices flowing by booking a stay at Casa San Pablo. The owners, couple Boots and An Alcantara, were formally in the business world but have now relocated in the countryside aiming “to rediscover the joy and wonder of life lived on an intimate scale.” Casa San Pablo is a community art space that can host gatherings and offer creative activities.

Their rooms–from solo to family–offer a combination of rustic and artsy. If you want to munch on food or share drinks midday, you can order anything from rice meals to cakes and coffee to beers at the local café. Your group might want to dine al fresco in the garden, watch a movie outdoors or share cocktails by the pool, before heading into it for a swim. Go biking and enjoy the outdoors or get creative while you paint on pottery. You might even chance upon an artist’s exhibit or show.

Balai Urunjing (Rizal)

For those who can’t squeeze a longer drive into their schedule but would really want a change of scenery, how about you head over to Teresa, Rizal, for a taste of Bali? About an hour away from Manila, Balai Urunjing beckons. It’s an industrial-Balinese villa that can accommodate four people.

The swimming pool, made with stones sourced from Indonesia, should be a major draw for the guests. Right beside it is a bubble pool, and farther away a small patio. Inside are floor-to-ceiling glass windows, high ceilings and wooden and tropical accents, plus a fully equipped kitchen, all of which help you let loose. You can use the TV if you want to enjoy streaming sites. Pinto Art Museum and other must-visit cafes are just 30 minutes away.

Crosswinds (Tagaytay)

Enjoy the highland chill of Tagaytay in a setting that melds the wonders of the city with the aesthetics of Switzerland. Crosswinds is a 100-ha enclave developed by Brittany Corp., the luxury residential arm of Vista Land and Lifescapes Inc.

What adds excitement to the stay is the variety of experiences people will find in Crosswinds. If you do not want to cook yourself a meal, go out and eat at the dining options nearby, like Dear Joe, Windmill Lausanne, Napa and Ruined Project?. Brittany Corp. is known for delivering tasteful iterations of global references to our shores so you can be sure to enjoy an elevated vacation at Crosswinds, both literally and figuratively.

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