August 26 - 30 2011 Long Weekend, Longer Travel Opportunity

Eid’l-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. This year it falls on August 30 and has been declared a holiday. With August 29, already declared a holiday to celebrate National Heroes Day, a four-day long weekend is in the offing to majority of employees in the country.

As Saturdays & Sundays are normally off-work days, employees who work under such schedule will enjoy a four-day weekend from August 26 - 30, 2011. That long weekend is an opportune time to tour the Philippines and know more about our country.

Image from Dreamstime Free Photos

Those planning to travel on a long weekend such as this one need to plan ahead. A well-planned itenerary is the key to making the most out of a long vacation.

Since its four days, going out of the city or your province is very suitable. Getting cheap fares for air travel would not only be cost-saving but time-saving as well.

Up north, you can fly to Laoag, Ilocos Norte. Taste the famous Ilocos Empanada. Or just went straight splashing at the beaches of Pagudpud. Then you can proceed to the Heritage City in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. It is best to walk through Calle Crisologo at night. Stepping on the cobblestoned streets is like stepping to the Spanish times.

Further down, Baguio remains a favorite except when it rains.

Feeling lazy for long trips, Tagaytay is quite near and accessible from Metro Manila. I hope you can experience Tagaytay Zipline fun, too.

Weather permitting, beach resorts further down south in Batangas are a plenty for a fun swim. Munting Buhangin is one example.

Boracay & Bohol are famous destinations in the Visayas. As it is not summer anymore, perhaps it is no longer full of visitors by the end of August. Going there on the upcoming long weekend may prove to be more enjoyable because of less crowd..

I will personally recommend Cagayan de Oro. Not that I'm from there. But if the weather allows it, you can have lots of adrenaline rush via Cagayan de Oro river whitewater rafting adventure. After which, you can proceed to the scenic beauty that is Camiguin.

Those are just passing suggestions. The Philippines has a lot of exciting and splendid places to visit on that long vacation.

I do hope that local tourism will enjoy a boost from August 26 to 30, 2011. Be safe and enjoy the Philippines during this upcoming long weekend.