With the Holy Week fast approaching, some of you might have started looking for destinations to spend the long holiday. Although going to faraway places to see the beauty of the world is always rewarding, with the Easter festivities also going on, you might not have the time to travel to those places. Don't worry! We've put down a list of places you can visit with relatively short flights from Manila (all under-five-hours) for your long weekends and short escapes, and trust us--these places offers just as much excitement as places far away!
Exceptionally near from The Philippines is the buzzling and dazzling Hong Kong, making the ex-British colony one of the most favourite overseas destinations for Filipino. Spend your weekend (and some dollars) in its' many shopping districts such as Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui, marvel at the colourfully neon-lit evenings in Mongkok, climb to Victoria Peak and see Hong Kong's modern skyline, take great photos at the beautiful Choi Hung Rainbow Estate, or spend a day with your family in Hong Kong Disneyland. Hong Kong simply offers infinite options for travelers to enjoy their stay there, whether short or long.
Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, is a modern metropolis with Japanese colonial lanes, busy shopping streets and contemporary buildings. Take an elevator to the observatory on top of the 509m-tall, bamboo-shaped Taipei 101 skyscraper, and don't forget to sample Taiwanese famous street food at the expansive Shilin market!
Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is known for its centuries-old architecture and a rich culture with Southeast Asian, Chinese and French influences. At its heart is the chaotic Old Quarter, where the narrow streets are roughly arranged by trade. There are many little temples, including Bach Ma, honoring a legendary horse, plus Đồng Xuân Market, selling household goods and street food. Don't forget to sample Bun Ca, a type of vermicelli noodle dish with roast pork dipped into tangy vinegar sauce, made world-famous when eaten by US President Barack Obama and the late great chef Anthony Bourdain when they visited Vietnam.
Known for being China's global city and financial hub, Shanghai is definitely the place to go for your long weekend! Stroll along the world-famous Bund district, marvel at Pudong district's futuristic skyline, crowned with the 632m Shanghai Tower and Oriental Pearl TV Tower, or visit the traditional Yu Garden with its many pavilions, towers, and ponds. Of course, don't forget to spend a lovely day at the Shanghai Disneyland with your family!
The definitive tropical paradise island of the region, Bali offers a plethora of entertainment and leisure activities for visitors. Apart from the beautiful beaches at Sanur and Nusa Dua or the electrifying night-life of Legian and Kuta, Bali also offers the tranquility and serenity of the mountainous Ubud, where you can walk around green paddy fields, immerse yourself on the unique traditional Balinese cultural shows and galleries, or simply taking in the natural beauty of the world-famous island. There's always something new to discover in Bali!
At SweetEscape, we believe that no matter how short distanced, holiday moments are always worth capturing. Whenever you want to go, make it memorable with SweetEscape! We connect you to 2000+ professional photographers in more than 400 cities around the world, so all you have to do is to create your memories, while we take great photos of your every moment! Use the code FIRSTESCAPE on your first SweetEscape booking to get USD50 off and let's #MakeLifeMemorable!