The August 21 national holiday offers Metro Manila residents a three-day leave which is ideal for their ‘short get away’ without the need to splurge on their flights or extra leave days. The ideal place is where you can get to by bus, car or any other transport method within a few hours or so.
Being relatively close to Manila also means budget-conscious travelers can allocate more of their travel budget to food, activities and housing. It’s pretty convenient to get to a destination in two to five hours on a short getaway.
Tagaytay
Tagaytay City is still one of the simple getaway towns from Metro Manila. Accessible in less than 2-hours with SLEX or CALAX, it’s ideal for visitors seeking to cram more into a 3-day break than on a road trip.
Tagaytay offers an environment that is cooler and able to see the Taal Lake, and has good food and lodging choices making it suitable for couples, families and groups alike. A user-friendly search will help travelers avoid the most expensive hotels and pubs by steering them toward an economical hotel and affordable meals.
La Union
La Union is basically a long weekend trip for any travellers ready to spend a lot more time on the road, especially around San Juan. It offers gorgeous coastal scenery, surfing and cafe hopping, which is why it’s very appealing for younger people and groups of friends.
With the improvement of road connectivity in TPLEX extensions, the travel time for the province from Manila is shortened, which makes the area easily accessible for a short road trip. Early travel is the best way to maximize visitors’ time during the three days.
Anawangin Cove
For those seeking something more basic, Anawangin Cove in San Antonio, Zambales is an option. The campground is a rustic and green camping experience among unique evergreen ash and gray volcanic-sand beaches.
The camp allows those who take pleasure from nature and affordable lodging over luxury resorts to enjoy Anawangin. It’s a great choice for groups that can maintain a simple schedule and are willing to invest more time in outdoor activities.
How to Keep an August Weekend Affordable?
Traveling by car is affordable and sharing vehicles among multiple occupants of a single car can save on the cost of transportation during a holiday weekend. For bus routes that have been in place, public transport can also be effective.
It’s also advisable to make travel plans early and book rooms in advance, since the most popular getaway spots may get higher, as the weekend nears. Basic hotels, guesthouses, and camping should be compared, and not as a top priority when choosing a travel accommodation.
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Plan Around the Three-Day Window
The greatest benefit of an August long weekend is the fact it gives travellers a true vacation without having to take a long vacation. If one chooses its holiday destination within a few hours after Metro Manila, leaving early in the day will make it possible to explore and leave the country without having to lose another workday.
As for Tagaytay, you’ll find it cooler than the rest, while at La Union you’re near the sea and at Anawangin Cove, you’re camping. The basic idea of selecting Tagaytay towels for your holiday is to make sure that you’ve matched your place of destination and your budget and how much time you have available.
FAQs
When is the August long weekend?
The national holiday falls on August 21, making it a three-day long weekend for people travelling anywhere in Metro Manila from which they can make a short domestic vacation.
Which city is the nearest place from Manila?
One of the fastest is Tagaytay which takes less than two hours by SLEX, CAS AKK, and CALAX under normal conditions.
What would you pick to visit if you were going to the beach?
If you are looking for beaches, surfing and cafes you should definitely consider La Union, and if you’re a more rustic sneak you should consider camping up Anawangin Cove.
