Skywatch#115 Summer In D' Leonor Inland Resort and Wave Pool

Summer is almost at its end now. Nights are cooler, even rains are becoming frequent. Still, the days are just sweltering like any summer days should be and maybe even more. No thanks to global warming. One good way to cool off is to head off the waters, the beach or the pool. Since the beach has been the frequent destination for our office summer outing. The pool was chosen as the new alternative and the D' Leonor Inland Resort and Wave Pool just fits the bill. Located at Barangay Communal and just about 30 to 40 minutes from downtown, the new resort has zoo, wave pool, kid's pool, cottages and a zipline.

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London’s Best Kept Secret: Battersea Park

At just a few miles south of Marble Arch, Battersea Park has to be one of London’s best kept secrets. Its inner-city location belies the stunning beauty of this vast park, and if you’re in London then it can provide fantastic respite from the busy capital.

Whether you’re in the city for business or pleasure, why not find a cheap hotel near Battersea Park and enjoy a stroll around this great green space after a hectic day of work or sightseeing?

This park is so vast and varied that you won’t want to miss a thing. Here’s what you need to tick off your must do list:

The Old English Garden
This garden is a wonderfully calm and peaceful place to sit after a stressful day. Relax on a bench surrounded by trees and flowers, while the trickling water of the pond fountain takes you away from the strain of the day.

Get On Your Bike
You can hire a bicycle from the London Recumbents in the park, and take the air and some exercise in a most pleasant way. It certainly beats the gym.

Have an Adventure in the Playground
Those who are in London with the kids should give them respite from the overwhelming sights and sounds of the city, and let them run off some steam in the playgrounds at Battersea Park.

An amazing adventure playground awaits older adventurers, as well as a well-equipped junior and toddler playgrounds. There’s fun to be had here for all ages.

Enjoy Sports
Many budget London hotels don’t have fitness facilities, so why not head to the Millennium Arena at Battersea Park instead? This fantastic sports facility, located in the park, boasts a running track, tennis courts, multi-purpose playing surfaces and a fitness centre.

Don’t let the beauty of Battersea Park pass you by if you’re in the capital. It’s an amazing inner-city green space that’s just the ticket if you need a breather from city life.

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Skywatch#114 Quirino Grandstand, Luneta

Quirino Grandstand is the traditional location of the swearing-in of the newly-elected President of the Philippines. It is  part of the Rizal Park or as most locals call it, Luneta Park. 

 

The grandstand is a favorite location for major religious, political, cultural and social events since it was built in 1949. 

 

But in ordinary days like this one, common people hang out in the grand stand to escape from the summer heat while some brave ones, fly these colorful kites.

 

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Italian Lakes Holidays: Experience Beautiful Natural Italy

Italy boasts some of the world’s most beautiful natural landscapes. Vast, twinkling lakes flanked by majestic mountains await, surrounded by charming villages and traditional towns.

Italian lakes holidays have so much to offer every holidaymaker, but they make a particularly romantic break for couples. Image strolling down a lakeside promenade hand in hand, stopping to share a gelato or a bottle of chianti, and drink in the stunning scenery. The lakes and mountains destinations in Italy really do offer holidays that are like a breath of fresh air.

Lake Maggiore is a truly beautiful choice of destination in the Italian Lake District. The second largest lake in the country, it straddles the Italy/Switzerland border and is flanked by lush, pine clad hills.

Stresa is one of the most popular resorts on the lake, noted for some stunning examples of architecture such as the 19th century Villa Pallivicino stately home. This beautiful lakeside resort is located at the foot of Mount Mottarone, which offers endless opportunity for exploration.

You can take a cable car to the mountain’s summit, or alight half way and make the rest of the journey on foot. While the trek may be hard work, it’ll be more than worth it when you see the spectacular view, which takes in seven lakes and a ring of mountains. It really is truly breathtaking.

The Alpinia botanical gardens are also located half way up Mount Mottarone, so be sure to make the most of your trek up the mountain and take in this wonderful natural attraction as you go.

For those travelling to lake and mountain destinations in Europe walking holidays are a great idea. You can enjoy exploring the stunning surroundings with a guided group, or set off on a pre-planned route for a romantic walk that you’ll remember for a lifetime.

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Skywatch#113 Villa Escudero, Tiaong, Quezon

One of several cottages inside the Villa Escudero, Tiaong, Quezon. The plantation resort is about 30 minutes ride away from San Pablo City.

The plantation resort has a lot to offer for every one. Carabao (water buffalo) cart rides, bamboo rafting, buffet lunch at the waterfalls restaurant, Philippine native dance show and a whole lot more. For me, the one day trip is not enough to explore and enjoy the place.

To get there from Manila, ride one of the buses traveling to Lucena that ply the EDSA (Epifanio delos Santos Ave.) road or get to the JAC bus terminal in Taft Avenue. Travel time is about two to three hours. Tell the conductor to let you down right after the arch boundary of Quezon Province. The gate of the plantation resort is right after the arch on the left side of the highway.

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Skyway#112 Mt. Apo In Hiding

I waited to take a photo of Mt. Apo while we were in D' Leonor Inland Resort but the clouds stayed on and the tallest mountain of our country remained hidden all throughout the afternoon.

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Picking a Package in Spain

Whether you’re looking for the perfect place to spend your annual summer holiday or you’re trying to squeeze in your fifth break of the year, there are more than a few good reasons to spend your next escape in Spain.

On the mainland you’ve got prime city break territory with the likes of fast-paced Madrid, the architectural delights of Barcelona or the chic waterside cafes of Valencia. Then there’s the ever-popular golden Costas which are scattered along the South and South-East coastlines - from the lively Costa Del Sol and boisterous Costa Blanca, to the more authentic and traditional ambience of Costa de la Luz.

Moored just off the coastline are the glorious Balearic Islands of Ibiza, Majorca and Menorca. If a quiet pace with some serious rest and relaxation are on the agenda, you can’t go wrong with Menorca package holidays. Here you’ll find pine-clad hills flanking golden sandy beaches, calm azure shores and cloudless blue skies, perfect for leisurely strolls, hiking and enjoying a refreshing break at any one of the low-key cafes or restaurants dotted along the coastline.

Spain package holidays are generally geared around the beach, but there are always plenty of other things to see and do. Thanks to their popularity with British and European tourists - which brings many visitors flocking back to these sunny shores year after year - there are plenty of activities on offer to suit every age and ability. Kids will love the numerous water parks with their death-defying flumes, families will appreciate the boat trips and glass-bottomed tours which gives great views of sea life, while energetic types can get their fix by jet skiing, wind surfing or mountain biking.

Spain is a diverse destination with more than enough holiday experiences to suit even the most particular of tastes, and it’s no surprise that so many visitors choose to come back here year after year.

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