A door away

It’s the ‘Ber’ months and it’s time to plan that holiday getaway with friends or family. What’s holding back most people from going all out to make their dreams get real? Budget concerns. Fret not, these destinations are budget-friendly.

If your dream vacay is a nature trip, with some history, exotic scenery, shopping and glorious, inexpensive food, mark Davao for your next adventure.

The Crocodile Park, the Philippine Eagle sanctuary, the Davao Butterfly House, Eden Nature Park and Resort and zipline adventures are what make Davao a heaven on earth for thrill-seekers and adrenaline-junkies. Climb the summit of the “King of the Philippine Peaks,” Mt. Apo and get a 360-degree view from the country’s highest peak. Go island-hopping and take a dip in the waters of world-class beaches.

Vacations are never complete without feasts. Enjoy native Dabawenyo dishes like sinugbang tuna (grilled tuna), inato (grilled chicken), pasayan (deep-fried shrimp), kinhason (baked scallops) and imbaw (clam soup). Sample their pomelo and durian products ranging from fresh fruit to candies to ice cream and shake.

For indelible memories, Palawan is Ground Zero for you. The natural beauty of its beaches, rivers and caves plus the tropical vibe that this island brings will mesmerize you.

Here’s where you’ll find its most popular attraction — the Puerto Princesa Underground River, the world’s longest navigable underground river — that has made it one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.

The Ihawig River is a perfect place to commune with nature and just feel good to be alive. A visit to this historic river will not be complete unless you experience its most famous tourist attraction, firefly-watching.

And to complete your magical experience in Palawan, experience the sands of the popular Honda Bay. You can use the site as a jump-off place for a lot of other islands to travel to.

DAVAO City’s Eden Nature Park, a mountain resort located 3,000 feet above sea level.

Sometimes you don’t need to go far to escape the stress of the city. Only a few hours away from the noise of Manila, you can find solitude and a much-needed break in Tagaytay.

Enjoy the city’s varied attractions, from the mind challenging and jaw-dropping Puzzle Mansion where you can find the most extensive collection of Jigsaw Puzzles in the world. The lady who completed all the 2D, 3D and 4D puzzles here — some as big as murals — is in the Guinness Book of World Records for the unmatchable number and kinds of puzzles she completed.

Enjoy Tagaytay’s cool breeze and chilly evenings with a romantic dinner or even just a hot sip of healthy Tagaytay bulalo.

Don’t miss its most famous attraction — the People’s Park in the Sky. It stands at the highest point of Tagaytay and lets you have a 360-degree view of the surrounding landscape, the best vantage point to see Taal Lake and Volcano. If you want rides and kiddie adventures, visit the Sky Ranch for rides and panoramic views. You can find the best branded items at outlet stores in Sta. Rosa where you’ll find quality, outlet-priced gifts to give for the holiday season.

At the end of your daily adventures, it’s nice to rest and stay at an affordable hotel equipped with basic yet modern amenities.

Hotel chain RedDoorz are found in these destinations. Guests are pampered with free WiFi, clean beds, clean sheets, free toiletries, unlimited water and a pleasant experience — all for very affordable rates. Even paying is easy! You can use credit cards, Dragonpay or pay-at-hotel without need for credit card guarantee.

There are 22 RedDoorz hotels in Davao while 13 are found in Palawan. RedDoorz locations in Ridge, Mahogany and Sta. Rosa are all just minutes away from all the best Tagaytay landmarks.

But whatever location you choose, booking your RedDoorz hotel will be easy as pie because the RedDoorz App is your go-to companion for your discovery adventure. This user-friendly, 100 percent safe app allows you to compare hundreds of hotels, get real time prices and read traveller reviews so you can plan your trip in detail.