10 Local Destinations That Will Transport You Around the World
There's no need to worry about long-haul flights or applying for a visa months before your
Fortune Island
Nasugbu, Batangas
While it's not where world-famous philosophers met all those years ago, the "ruins" of the Acropolis in Athens make this island a must-visit. All that remains of the luxury resort built on the secluded island are the tall Greek columns on the cliffs of the island. But the good news is, they make a great photo to add to your Instagram feed, especially when you take photos at sunset. The best part is, this island is just two hours away from Manila.
Bangui Wind Farms
Ilocos Norte
Bangui Bay is lined with 20 wind turbines along a nine-kilometer stretch, creating a great view that looks very much like the many famous wind farms located in Denmark.
Batanes
With animals freely making their way through the lush green landscapes and sloping hills, Batanes is already a picture-perfect sight on its own. The lighthouses located near the shorelines make it even more like the scenery you'd find in New Zealand.
Banaue Rice Terraces
Mountain Province Road, Banaue, Ifugao
Undoubtedly grander in size than its counterpart in Ubud, Indonesia, the Banaue Rice Terraces is known all around the globe for its stunning views. It's just as famous for the amazing feat of using the rainforest located on top of the terraces as irrigation for the rice paddies below. It's hard to believe this has been since pre-colonial times.
Sirao Flower Farm
Cebu City
Aptly nicknamed "Little Amsterdam," this farm boasts colorful blossoms of yellow and red celosia flowers. Not only are the flowers reminiscent of the Netherlands, but the temperature here also gets pretty low. Make sure to visit from April to May or October to November when the flowers are in full bloom.
Bilar Man-made Mahogany Forest
Loboc, Bohol
Everyone's hopping on the Japan bandwagon, but don't despair if this is the closest you can get for now. The canopy of the Bilar Man-made Forest bears a striking resemblance to the Sagano Bamboo Forest in Kyoto. Stretching for two kilometers between the towns of Loboc and Bilar, the mahogany forest is a favorite pit stop for those visiting the Chocolate Hills.
Calle Crisologo
Crisologo, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur
While the Walled City of "Intramuros" also bears a striking resemblance to Spanish cities, the vibe and well-preserved architecture found in the Vigan street feels like a page straight out of your history book.
Santuario de Redentor
Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City
One of the most well-known spots in Brazil is its Christ the Redeemer statue sitting atop Mount Corcovado in Rio de Janeiro. But did you know that we have a perfect replica of the famous monument? While it's not as large, the 30-foot Santuario de Redentor that can be found in Cagayan de Oro features all of the statue's original details.
Tinuy-an Falls
Bisilig, Surigao del Sur
No, that's not the Niagara Fallsâalthough Tinuy-an Falls in Surigao del Sur is known as the "Little Niagara of the Philippines" because they're both curtain waterfalls. The widest waterfall in the country, Tinuy-an is in its most picturesque form in the morning, when a rainbow appears from the falls, stretching out to the river.
El Nido
Palawan
There's no need to book a flight to Vietnam when you can visit El Nido. It bears the same features as Ha Long Bay with its picture-perfect limestones surrounding the islands of Palawan.
Main photo provided by A Wanderful Sole
This story originally appeared on Spot.ph.
*Minor edits have been made by the Esquiremag.ph editors.
