Quezon Premier Hotel : An Affordable and Cozy Place To Stay in Lucena City

It was my first time in the Quezon province, I knew exactly where to go and what to see but I was not sure where to stay. Then, I stumbled upon Quezon Premier Hotel. Their hotel looks good and interesting. I contacted them and they gladly said yes to sponsor my stay in Lucena City for two nights.

Quezon premier has two branches in Quezon, one in Lucena and another one in Candelaria. I chose their Lucena branch as it is closer to my planned destination - Lucban and Tayabas. 

Quezon Premier Hotel Lucena City has 47 clean and comfortable room ideal for families, couples and solo traveler like myself. The hotel has a pool where you can dip to relax and refresh. 

Location

Quezon Premier Hotel is conveniently located along the national highway. It is accessible by private car or by bus. Once in the hotel, you can opt to relax and enjoy dipping in the pool or you can also visit the nearby towns of Lucban and Tayabas or just roam around Lucena City. 

Here's my take on Quezon Premier Hotel
Rates: Affordable deluxe and premier rooms. Rates start at P1,600 for deluxe and P2,400 for premier suite good for two persons.
Rooms: The room is big and clean with cable TV. Wifi is available in some of the rooms close to the reception area.
Service: The staff were friendly and courteous.
Breakfast: Breakfast is included in the room rates.
Lobby: Small lobby with comfortable couch.Wifi signal is strong in the lobby area.

Quezon Premier Hotel Lucena City

Brgy. Domoit, Lucena City

Tel: +63 922-8450975 or +63 42 7109538

Email: quezontowncenter@gmail.com

Website: http://www.quezonpremierhotel.com/

*Quezon Premier Hotel is a sponsor of Escape Manila's PHL50 : Backpacking the Philippines in 50 Days. 

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Day 17 of PHL50 : Beach Bumming at Bagasbas Beach, Daet, Camarines Norte

Before I left Naga in the morning to Daet, I visited the Peñafrancia Basilica Minore Church. I woke up early, took a bath and went straight to the church. I decided to charter a tricycle to reduce the travel time as I have to leave Naga in the morning. It was a short trip as the road was almost empty. It was only 30 minutes past 6AM when I arrived in the church and it was still closed so I was not able to see it's interior design.

Peñafrancia Basilica Minore Church

Daet, Camarines Norte

I arrived in Daet before lunch time. I checked in at Hotel Dolor as I've read that they have a cheap and decent rooms to stay. Well, it was true as I only paid P300 for a big non-airconditioned room with T&B.

Bagasbas Beach

After lunch, I chartered a tricycle to bring me to Bagasbas Beach. I paid P40 for the trip. Bagasbas Beach has a fine and light gray sand. It is known as a surfing spot in Daet but when I reach there, the sea was calm so the waves were small. There was no way to surf so I decided to beach bum the whole afternoon.

It was already dark when I left Bagasbas Beach. I arrived the town proper of Daet at around 8PM, took my dinner and called it off a day. It was a short day in Camarines Norte but it was a relaxing one. I did not have to move from one place to another. There are still a lot of places to see in Camarines Norte like the Vinzon's Church and Mercedes port but I had limited time. I am pretty sure I'll be going back to this province soon.

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Day 16 of PHL50 : Awesome ATV Ride to Malabsay Falls and Panicuason Hotspring in Naga City

 

The adventurers (photo credit to ATV Ride Naga)

My second day in Naga was extraordinary. I always thought that Naga is just all about food trip and church hopping. Months before my scheduled trip to Naga, I have already coordinated with the city tourism office for their assistance. I thought they would only show me around the city and do the usual Naga itinerary. Then, I was advised that I will be riding an ATV going to Malabsay Falls. I got really excited because it will be my first ATV ride. 

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Day 15 of PHL50 : Church Hopping in Naga City

On the first day of my stay in Naga, I did the usual activity in the city - church hopping and a little food trip. It was already late in the afternoon when I went out as I took a little nap when I arrived at Naga Land Hotel. I can see an old church from where I stayed so I went out from my hotel room and started my church-hopping activity for the day.

San Francisco Church

San Francisco Church is the closest church from my hotel so I decided to go there first and took photos of one of the oldest church in the Bicol Region.

San Francisco Church was built in 1578 and is one of the oldest church in the Bicol Region

Naga Metropolitan Cathedral

The Naga Metropolitan Cathedral is just a walking distance from San Francisco Church. It is also known as Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist. It is one of the major attractions of the city for both local and foreign tourists.

Porta Mariae
I also had a chance to take photos of Porta Mariae, which was just in front of the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral. Is is an arch built to commemorate the 300th year devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia.

Nuestra Señora de Peña de Francia

Nuestra Señora de Peña de Francia is another old church located in Naga City. There are jeeps passing the church from the city center but I decided to walk my way to the church. I asked around if it was far or near, the person I asked said it is near so I decided to just walk. It was a little far actually.

After the church hopping, I did a short walking tour of the city and visited the nearby parks from Naga Land Hotel. Then, I took an early dinner and decided to go back to the hotel and called it a day. I still have another great adventure the next day with Naga ATV Ride.

More photos here :  escapemanilaFB

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Nagaland Hotel : An Affordable Accommodation in the Heart of Naga City

Naga City was my destination on my 15th day backpacking in the Philippines. I arrived in the city around noon from Legazpi and immediately took a tricycle from the terminal to Naga Land Hotel. 

Naga Land Hotel is situated in the heart of Naga City. It is located in front of a shopping mall and is walking distance to San Francisco Church, Naga Metropolitan Cathedral and Rizal Park. It is also one jeepney ride to Basilica Minore of our Lady of Peñafrancia and Shrine of our Lady of Peñafrancia.

Naga Land Hotel offers comfortable accommodation at an affordable rates. It is a 3-storey hotel with 51 air-conditioned rooms equipped with television and telephone and internet connection for easy communication access.

Location

As I mentioned earlier, the hotel is located in the central district of Naga City. A lot of restaurants that offer local cuisines and delicacies are just a walking distance from the hotel. Major churches and pars are also within walking distance form Naga Land Hotel. 

Here's what I can say about my stay at Naga Land Hotel:

Rates: Reasonable price for a budget hotel. 
Rooms: The room and T&B were clean. Free wifi in the rooms. 
Service: The staff were friendly and courteous. Every floor has a mini reception area so you can easily catch them when you need something.
Breakfast: You can pay P50 for a Filipino breakfast. I did not avail it as I have to leave the  hotel early so I opted to eat somewhere.
Lobby: Small lobby with comfortable couch. Each floor also has a mini lobby where you can stay and meet people.

Mini lobby on the 3rd floor

By the way, there is no elevator in the hotel so you will have to take the stairs going to your room. Naga Land is a budget hotel so do not expect a 5-star type of service and amenities. Overall, it was a comfortable and pleasurable stay at Naga Land Hotel.

NagaLand Hotel is located at Elias Angeles St., Naga City. You may call them at +63 54 473-2111 or visit their website at www.nagalandhotel.net. Please see below the brochure for the location map.

Outside the entrance of the hotel

Hotel Rates and Location Map:

*NagaLand Hotel is a sponsor of Escape Manila's PHL50 : Backpacking the Philippines in 50 Days. 
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TRAVEL GUIDE : Surigao City- The City of Island Adventures

Everything you need to know about Surigao City : Where to Stay, Where to Eat, What to Do and How to Get There

The province of Surigao del Norte is covered with 12,540 miles of seawater and is abundant of different marine species. Surigao City, the provincial capital is dubbed as the City  of Island Adventures as it offers a variety of both island and water activities. Here's your guide to to visiting Surigao City.

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Day 14 of PHL50 : Exploring Ligao and Tabaco, Albay

There are still lots of sites to see in Legazpi and Daraga but I decided to go somewhere else to see another perspective of Mayon Volcano. I looked at the map and found out that I'll be able to see the other sides of Mayon Volcano from Tabao and Ligao still in the province of Albay.

Tabaco, Albay

I took a jeepney from Legazpi City going to the town of Tabaco. It took more about an hour to reach Tabaco. I basically don't know what to see there because my main agenda was just to see the other side of Mayon Volcano be it in Tabaco or along the way. So when I arrived in Tabaco City, I immediately asked a passer-by what are the attractions of the town and he told me to visit the St. John the Baptist Church. He gave me the direction and I walked my way to the Church.

St. John the Baptist Church

St. John the Baptist Church is also known as the Church of San Juan Bautista located in San Juan, Tabaco City. It is one of the most visited religious structures in the province of Albay. The church has been declared as a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum in 2001. It is definitely a must see attraction in Albay.

The interior of St. John the Baptist Church

National Museum Marker - St. John the Baptist

The Bell Tower - St. John the Baptist Church

I was supposed to visit the Mayon Planetarium and Science Park but I got lost so I decided to take a jeep bound to Ligao.

Kawa-Kawa Hill in Ligao, Albay

I arrived in Ligao City after about 2 hours of jeepney ride. I went straight to the city center and took a tricycle to Kawa-kawa Hill. The tricycles have color codes so not all of them can bring you to kawa-kawa hill. Good thing a local man has helped me find my way. He was really helpful, he didn't leave me behind until I found the right tricycle.

I reached Kawa-Kawa hill after about 15 minutes and I started trekking to the top of the hill. There is no entrance fee to the hill so anyone can visit the place. I was excited to see the sunflower farm more that the stations of the cross. I explored the hill and stayed there for a couple of hours. I enjoyed the variety of fruit bearing trees and other plant in the hill. I was able to see the Mayon Volcano from the top of Kawa-Kawa Hill. It was hot yet I had so much fun.

View of Mayon Volcano from the top of Kawa-kawa Hill

I wanted to wait for the sunset because they say it offers a magnificent view but I had to go back to Tabaco City so I left before the sun sets. Maybe I should just come back next time and stay in Ligao City.

I took a jeepney back to Legazpi, had my dinner and went back to Casablanca Suites to take a good sleep. I am bound for Naga the next day.

Expenses:

Tricycle from Casablanca Suites to Gaisano - P8

Jeepney Fare from Legazpi to Tabaco - P25

Water - P8

Jeepney from Tabaco to Ligao- P43

Trike from Ligao city center to Kawa-kawa Hill - P10

Buko Shake - P20

Jeepney from Ligao to Legazpi - P45

Dinner - P100

Trike from Gaisano to Casablanca Suites - P8

How to get to Kawa-Kawa Hill
Kawa-Kawa Hill  is located in Barangay Tuburan which is 2 kilometers away from Ligao's city center. It is about 27 kilometers away from the provincial capitol of Albay and is approximately 30 kilometers from Legazpi City. Buses from Manila going to the Albay and Sorsogon, Visayas and Mindanao pass by Ligao so it is very accessible. Jeepneys from nearby towns and cities have regular trips to and from Ligao City. From the city center take a tricycle going to Kawa-kawa hill. Fare should just be P10.

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Day 13 of PHL50 : Staring at the Majestic Mount Mayon from Ligñon Hill in Legazpi, Albay

Leaving Sorsogon

I left Sorsogon in the morning to revisit the province of Albay. It will be my second time in the province and I still felt the same excitement as the first time I was on my way to Albay. 

Hello Legazpi, Albay

I arrived in Legazpi, Albay before lunch time. I have a reservations with Casablanca Suites and based on my research they are located close to the Bus Terminal. When the bus arrived at the terminal, I immediately went out and took a tricycle going to Casablanca Suites. I can't wait to check-in, relax a bit and continue my journey in the Bicol Region. 

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TRAVEL GUIDE : Davao City and Davao del Norte

Everything you need to know about Davao City and Davao del Norte : Where to Stay, Where to Eat, What to Do and How to Get There

Lanikai, Hijo Plantation

Davao is blessed with picturesque landscapes, pristine white and gray sand beaches, fruit plantations, abundant natural resources, wildlife sanctuary and diverse culture. So whether you are looking for an adrenaline pumping adventure, beach bumming and nature or food tripping, Davao has all got it for you.

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Casablanca Suites : A Modern and Chic Hotel in Legazpi City

After a long and exhausting ride, I finally reached Legazpi City. I was excited to check in at Casablanca Suites to relax a bit before engaging myself into another fun adventure in the Bicol region. I took a tricycle from the the bus terminal going to the hotel and after less than 10 minutes I'm already standing at the lobby. I arrived before check in time and they were still able to accommodate me. The hotel lobby was spacious, well-lighted and elegant. I checked-in, went to my room and enjoyed a relaxing experience at Casablanca Suites.

Casablanca Suites has 19 spacious rooms which are crafted to suit the convenience of a business and leisure traveler. Their air-conditioned rooms are equipped with 32" TV entertainment system, a working desk, a compimentary WIFI and LAN internet access and other amenities that will make your stay more comfortable and enjoyable.

The hotel offers complimentary Filipino and continental breakfast buffet. The restaurant is located on the ground floor and it offers a great view of the majestic Mount Mayon that will greet you a good morning. I really enjoyed sipping my hot coffee and eating my favorite Filipino breakfast while staring at the Mayon Volcano. 

Here's my personal take:

Rates: Reasonable price considering the amenities and services they offered.

Rooms: Spacious, chic and modern. Big and clean toilet and bathroom.

Service: The staff were very friendly and courteous.

Breakfast: Buffet style - good and tasty food

Restaurant: Comfortable seats that offer a great view of the Mayon Volcano.

Lobby: Clean and comfortable with 2 computers available for guests who want to get connected to the internet.

Tips:

• If you want to have a great view, request for a room that faces the Mayon Volcano. It will be a little more expensive but it's worth it.
• There are small coffee shops and restaurants outside the hotel (same building) should you want to try some Bicol delicacies.
• You can take a tricycle in front of the hotel that can bring you to the city center and from there you can take a jeep going to Legazpi's attractions.
• Embarcadero is also just one ride away if you want to hang out at night or go shopping. 

Casablanca Suites is located at Benny Imperial St. (Alternate Road), Legazpi City
You may call them at Tel: (052) 481-0788; Fax No: (052) 481-0789

Hotel Rates:

*Casablanca Suites is a sponsor of Escape Manila's PHL50 : Backpacking the Philippines in 50 Days.
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Escape Manila's Top 15 Philippine Travel Blogs for 2013

It is very difficult to come up with a list of your favorite travel blogs especially when you follow and read plenty of them. 

There are a number of Pinoy travel blogs I follow and regularly visits. Some of them are not on this list but I assure you they are equally great and useful as the ones on this list.

These blogs inspired me to travel more and write about my adventures and misadventures. Here are my Top 15 Travel Blogs for 2013 in no particular order:

• Marcos' Ambot-ah
• Gael's The Pinay Solo Backpacker
• Mervin's Pinoy Adventurista
• Enrico's Byahilo : Ito ang Trip Ko
• Edgar's Eazy Traveler
• Doi's The Traveling Feet
• Lai's Pinay Travelista
• Josiah's Lakas ng Trip
• Angel's Lakwatsero
• Edcel's SoloflightED
• Ramil and Edgar's Pinas Muna
• Dom's Eskapo
• Gay's Pinay Travel Junkie
• James' Journeying James
• Olan's The Travel Teller

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Day 12 of PHL50 : Spending A Day in Paguriran Beach

Day 12 of PHL 50 and I did not know what to do. I have been overstaying in Sorsogon City. I could have gone somewhere but I realized it will be good to do some beach bumming instead. I asked some friends where to go and they said to try going to Paguriran Beach.

Paguriran Beach

I left the hostel in the morning and planned of staying in Paguriran beach for the rest of the day. The jeepney terminal was just across the hostel so it was kinda easy to go there. I went to Bacon first and then took another jeep to Sawanga. I did not know where to take the jeep to Sawanga  so I asked an old lady and she answered back "bakit ka pupunta dun eh di mo pala alam" (you don't know the place, why are you going there)? I had a mixed reaction, I should never asked an old lady again for a direction. She then asked me if I have a companion and I told her I am alone and she started preaching me saying that I should not travel alone and the Paguriran beach is not really nice and I should just go and see the hot spring in Irosin. She was about to tell me a story but the jeepney has arrived, I took the front seat and she was at the back. 

A blue starfish

I arrived in Paguriran beach around 11AM. It was low tide so the beach was not really at its best. The lagoon has a little water so I was not able to enjoy it. The beach was also rocky but I manage to find a good spot for swimming and bumming. I swam, I ate and I slept.

I left the beach around 3PM as I do not want to miss the last trip going back to Sorsogon City. It was a relaxing and refreshing day. The beach was not as good as I expected but I manage to have some fun.

Day 12 Expenses:
Hostel - P350
Lunch - P46
Jeepney Fare (Sorsogon - Bacon) P17
Jeepney Fare (Bacon - Paguriran) P30
Jeepney Fare (Paguriran - Sorsogon City) P47
Snacks - P25
Dinner - P65
Globe Load - P100

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