If you and your buddies are planning on a summer ender escapade and want to get the usual ration of ancient ruins and adventure travels, then please let us suggest taking a trip to the less crowded but no less impressive, the province of Camarines Sur.

In the land of high art, high fashion, and high sales tax emerged a culture which has single-handedly set the trends that the modern world define as tasteful. France, undoubtedly, has been promoting its cultural influence for centuries. From the Parisian couture houses of Chanel, Christian Dior, and Yves Saint Laurent, the luxury leather atelier of Louis Vuitton; to the early generation of French thinkers including Moliere, Hugo, Balzac, Flaubert, Proust, Sartre, and Camus; to the guide of Andre Michelin, which set the standard for star-worthy cuisine in the world – this birthplace of Impressionism and Surrealism has been one innate with the audacity to find rarest gems among rocks.

Whether you’re a beach bum, a food connoisseur, a culture seeker or an adventure freak, the Philippines has everything that you’re looking for in a tourist destination. And each spot has something unique to offer.

Scaling a volcano in a tuxedo? Why not?

Others may think you’re nuts for being “over-dressed” but it’s really okay if you’re going to Taal Volcano.

The majestic Mt. Iriga can been seen from almost any point of Iriga City in Camarines Sur. Located 478 kilometers south of Manila and situated between the cities of Naga and Legaspi, Iriga is a fast-growing urban center that also offers a few natural wonders.

Thrilling Adventures in CamSur

Anticipation flows through your arms as you near the water’s edge.

It exudes a calm and welcoming presence; it urges you to challenge her. You are handed the line that will be your guide to the course; it tells you to get ready. Then without hesitation, the cable pulls you towards the challenge.

Twin peaks from fire and water

Elements of fire and water: two elements found in my travels to Mt. Fuji and Mt. Mayon.

What makes a place worth the visit? Beautiful landmarks, a rich culture, and popular cuisine are some of the foremost considerations, but when you throw in the wonderful character of its residents, that place becomes even more magical: a place like Bicol.

Travelers journeyed from all parts of the country to experience the inexplicable bliss of being part of a traditional feast that has been celebrated for centuries. Thousands of devotees and tourists recently flocked to Camarines Sur’s Naga City, all wanting to get a glimpse of one of the country’s most famous religious feasts: the Peñafrancia festival.

Bagasbas International Eco Arts Fest

When we appreciate art, we try to understand the stories, the motives that lie within every painstaking stroke or expressive pose.

Meaningful vacations

Relaxation…how do you define it? In Camarines Sur, there are three options for relaxing and de-stressing. First, it is lying on a hammock under the trees, sipping your favorite drink while watching the sunset; second, exhausting your body by engaging in sports like wakeboarding; and third, visiting and interacting with the Gawad Kalinga family.

t is not down in any map; true places never are. (Herman Melville)

There is always a certain fascination to being the first at something, being witness to what is new — from being the first to hold your newborn to the beginning of a new day.