North Luzon Suggestions?

[Jamesey]

We've got a fantastic holiday booked for December, which will involve taking our 10 month old baby and my mother to the Philippines for the first time!

Our itinerary includes time in Hong Kong, Manila, Panglao and with my wife's family in Isabela Province.

But after New Year, we've got a week to spend somewhere in North Luzon. Has anyone got any ideas as to where?

We'll probably travel there by land from Isabela, rather than having to go back to Manila. I've seen Pagudpud and 100 Islands online and Ilocos looks like an interesting place. I've been to Subic and Pampanga, so wouldn't consider going there again.

Any ideas would be much appreciated!

[liane]

We've got a fantastic holiday booked for December, which will involve taking our 10 month old baby and my mother to the Philippines for the first time!

Our itinerary includes time in Hong Kong, Manila, Panglao and with my wife's family in Isabela Province.

But after New Year, we've got a week to spend somewhere in North Luzon. Has anyone got any ideas as to where?

We'll probably travel there by land from Isabela, rather than having to go back to Manila. I've seen Pagudpud and 100 Islands online and Ilocos looks like an interesting place. I've been to Subic and Pampanga, so wouldn't consider going there again.

Any ideas would be much appreciated!

The places you've mentioned are nice. You can explore Ilocos around Vigan areas which has a very nice view and Ilocos got some beaches like Pagudpud too.
If you like you can visit Baguio City which is very famous in the Northern part as the summer capital of the Phils. It has a nice temperature there, a little cooler plus great scenery as well It got nice hotels too

[cheesewiz]

We've got a fantastic holiday booked for December, which will involve taking our 10 month old baby and my mother to the Philippines for the first time!

Our itinerary includes time in Hong Kong, Manila, Panglao and with my wife's family in Isabela Province.

But after New Year, we've got a week to spend somewhere in North Luzon. Has anyone got any ideas as to where?

We'll probably travel there by land from Isabela, rather than having to go back to Manila. I've seen Pagudpud and 100 Islands online and Ilocos looks like an interesting place. I've been to Subic and Pampanga, so wouldn't consider going there again.

Any ideas would be much appreciated!

Ilocos is very nice actually specially if you stay in Fort Ilocandia, nice hotel, nice scenery, friendly people and nice food. You can have a trip to Malacanang Palace of the North, have a glimpse of the former president Marcos (wax museum lol) there's loads of nice place to see there actually. You can do Vigan/Pagudpud tour from the hotel as well we chose Vigan I don't know why quite nice place too some interesting places to visit.

100 island is okay very affordable. Governor's Island is the best IMO they have a view point on top of the hill and you can see the island on top its quite amazing.

My only complain going to this places is too far from Laguna Sitting in the bus I can't feel my bum anymore. Manila to 100 island takes around 5 hours? The worst is Ilocos 11/12 hours in the bus....plane just 45 mins.

I have no idea how far Isabela on those places you mention but my opinion is what is nearer place specially if you have a baby and your mother she might get terrified on the road. Enjoy ur holiday!

[KeithD]

Don't hire a motorbike

[Sconnie]

I echo what Cheesewiz has said, we have stayed in both Fort Ilocandia and Pagudpud.
Fort Ilocandia is very nice, lovely hotel, beaches and places to visit, I enjoyed my stay there although it was only a couple of days, went to the family home of Marcus and saw him in his glass coffin.

I found traveling to Pagudpud a nightmare by bus and would not recommend this journey to anyone elderly or with a small baby, must be better if you have your own vehicle. The resort was nice with beautiful white sand beaches, we were there in April and I found it too hot to go out in the sun (sun bathing , swimming in the sea) until around 4.30 pm then of course it was dark by 6.30/7.00pm. I found Pagudpud quiet, but that might have been due to the time of year, there are places to visit, waterfalls, beaches etc. If you go to Pagudpud make sure you have cash, as there are no cash machines and the resort we stayed in, SAUD would not take cards, (4 hour return journey by bus to Laoag) to get cash.

Hope you enjoy your holiday.

[Jamesey]

Thanks for the advice.

Fort Ilocania looks like a cool place and would be a good base for exploring Pagudpud, Vigan etc.

Hopefully we can drive there from Isabela, but I'll need to check that out. We'll be able to fly from Laoag to Manila on the way back. My mother will have gone home by the time we go there, but we'll still have our baby with us. W'll probably be able to take some family members along to help out!

[marlyn&kenny]

The places you've mentioned are nice. You can explore Ilocos around Vigan areas which has a very nice view and Ilocos got some beaches like Pagudpud too.
If you like you can visit Baguio City which is very famous in the Northern part as the summer capital of the Phils. It has a nice temperature there, a little cooler plus great scenery as well It got nice hotels too

Yes you can visit pagudpod which is in ilocos norte, then you may as well visit baluarte ni chavit as they call....thats in ilocos sur, then have a nice dip in one of the beaches!!!!!!!!!!

Enjoy!

[pennybarry]

If you wish to feel the spanish era, then visit North We have Kalesa there and you'll enjoy seeing the town.
You can visit Baguio and Banaue, Hundred Islands and La Union Beach!
Visit Bataan if you wish to reminisce The Fall of Bataan. It is a very historic place.