Ilocos -Visit historical and relaxed Ilocos Region in Northern Philippines.
Beautiful destinations + where to go
Vigan, ILOCOS SUR
Vigan is the best-preserved Spanish-colonial town in Asia. If you’re a lover of old cities, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must-visit.
HOW TO GET VIGAN BY PLANE FROM MANILA
If you want to reach Vigan via plane, you can book a flight from Manila to Laoag thru Cebu Pacific. After arriving in Laoag, you can take a bus with Laoag-Vigan route or buses heading to Manila then drop off at Vigan. This trip will take about 2 hours and will cost 100 PHP.
It’s best if you ride the Partas bus along Aurora Blvd in Cubao. The regular air-con bus fare costs P675 while the deluxe costs P725. They don’t accept advanced reservations so be sure to be at the terminal early!
Where to Stay, What to Do and Where to Eat When in Vigan!
Gordion Hotel - which is considered as one of the most respected in Vigan. It currently has a total of 21 rooms and has been in business since the 1950s!
What To Do
The best way to experience historical Vigan is to ride the Kalesa! For only 150/hr, you can visit around 8 popular spots and you also get an instant tour guide! The tour usually lasts for 3 hours so prepare around P450 for the tour.
RIDE A CALESA
Experience riding the colonial era’s way of transportation! Kalesa is a horse-drawn carriage used during the Spanish colonial era in the Philippines. Up to this day, Kalesas can be seen anywhere in Vigan City and it’s one of the must experience activitywhile you are there. You can ride it for 200-300 PHP for an hour.
The Saint Augustine Parish Church, commonly known as Bantay Church, is a Roman Catholic church in Bantay, Ilocos Sur in the Philippines. The church was dedicated to St. Augustine of Hippo. It is also known as the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity. Bantay Bell Tower is one of Vigan’s most iconic structure. Built in 1951, you can see the panoramic view of Vigan in this historical tower.
The St Augustin Church
Baluarte Chavit Singson or Baluarte Zoo
Baluarte Chavit Singson or Baluarte Zoo is a zoological park in Vigan, Ilocos Sur Philippines that is owned by Chavit Singson. Baluarte is just ten minute drive from Vigan City. It features a number of live animals like ostrich, tigers, lions, ducks, camels, kangaroos, and deers among others that lives peacefully at the zoo. There is also a butterfly garden and a gallery which showcases the owner’s collection from his trip to Safari. There is no entrance fee. Operating hours is 6AM to 6PM.
EXPERIENCE PAGBURNAYAN
Pagburnayan Jar Making is also a well known activity that most tourists that visits Vigan wants to experience. It is located in Brgy. Pagburnayan in Vigan. Pagburnayan is a place where they used the old and authentic methods in pottery. The root word “burnay” is an earthenware jar crafted by potter’s hands with the aid of a potter’s wheel. It uses fine sand (anay) as a tempering material and fired at a high temperature in a huge brick-and-clay ground kiln that make it is harder and more durable than other terra cotta.
TRY LONGANIZA
Vigan longanisa is an Ilocano sausage delicacy with plenty of garlic and spices in the mixture. This longganisa is distinct from other native longganisa version because it is small and plump, it is not sweet unlike how the more popular longganisa tastes like. Instead, The way to describe its taste is, it is spicy, salty, tangy and garlicky. You can see longaniza everywhere as street food, in local carinderias and restaurants in Vigan.
TRY EMPANADA
The Vigan empanada is much in keeping with the Vigan people’s love for vegetables in their cuisine. It is similar to a thin taco that is fried to a crisp, with vegetable and meat filling. Rice flour is used for making the crust or the shell. The galapong or rice flour dough is made a day before it is used so it is a must taste if you are in Vigan. Empanadas with meat and vegetables you can find them everywhere. For 35 PHP as street food you can taste a good ones!
BAGNET
Bagnet is the double-fried crispy pork specialty of Ilocos. It’s a cross between chicharon and lechon kawali where the lean meat is crispy but not dry and the pork skin is fried to a crisp. You’ll taste the natural taste oh so yummy taste of the pork!
And a lot more to Explore Vigan
IF you plan to visit Vigan, the Infos are at Homepage of this site!
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