As temperatures rise, so does the idea of strolling by the shore with sand and saltwater on your feet. Watching the perfect sunset, having a couple of hours of pampering or sipping cocktails throughout the day while achieving a golden tan. The beach is calling.

This summer, travel and adventure brings us to Sugarlandia — the province of Negros. The pride of Ilonggos is this paradise tucked in a five-hectare property that’s a treasure of luxury for the ultimate summer vacation — Manami. To get there is a four-hour drive from Bacolod where you can enjoy panoramic views of the countryside, breathtaking coastlines and lush virgin forests. At the end of a long cinematic drive, you reach Sipalay — a quaint town known to locals as the Boracay of Negros -- and welcomed to the property with the sweetest greetings and warmest smiles that make the drive all worth it.

We arrived in late afternoon and were graciously received by the staff in their breathtaking, well-designed lobby reception (note on the hanging handwoven lamps) and just in time to catch the beautiful golden sunset. After a round or two of mouthwatering cocktails and popular tubo (sugarcane) juice, we were brought to our villas to freshen up. The room was beautifully spacious, the bed huge with crispy white sheets, fluffy pillows and, most importantly, the bathroom was divine — paradise within paradise.

The vibe and energy of the place was very comforting, light and relaxed. The bed was tempting for a quick nap but soon it was time for dinner. We all gathered at Lingaw restaurant, the main dining area that offers a range of savory and delicious Negrense-Spanish cuisine. Forget your diet for a few days and enjoy the gastronomic indulgence — this was no place skip their signature paella, cochinillo and catch-to-table specialties. It was a wonderful dinner under the moonlight mixed with a lot of laughter, exchange of pleasantries and catching up among colleagues. I ended the night with an hour-long hot shower that felt like a great massage that cradled me to bed.

I caught the beautiful sunrise from my veranda and soaked in the hillside view where I saw the other villas, the nearby island at the horizon and the endless ocean.