But if you don’t make it to the Luwa, don’t despair. Taal is just a few hours from Manila. Time your visit on a clear day and start your trip with a trek up Taal Volcano.

Batangas is located some 110 kilometers south of Metro Manila, or about two to three hours travel time from the capital city. It’s part of Luzon and bordered to the north by the province of Cavite and Laguna, to the south by Verde Island passage, to the east by the provinces of Quezon,a nd again, Laguna. Its west faces the South China Sea. Its 316,580-hectare land is of rolling terrain while the rest is mountainous and hilly.

Book Club Balai Isabel, on the shores of lake Taal in Talisay town, if you’d like a view of Taal lake and volcano. The resort is furnished with Philippine hardwood furniture, colored Moroccan-style lamps with ornate metal work and stained glass panels, and surrounded by fruit trees and pocket gardens. It has an infinity pool and a spa suite offering reflexology treatment. Published room rates start at P2,800 (about US$62) for the casitas to P16,800 per night for the four-bedroom lakeshore villa.

If you like it intimate and cozy, there’s the seven-room Casa Cecilia Heritage Hotel with its Spanish-Mediterranean architecture and a patio overlooking a garden gazebo, a popular place for weddings. A room here costs P2,200 per night with free breakfast for two.

For budget travelers there’s Casa Punzalan, an 18th-century ancestral home converted into a lodging house run by the Taal Heritage Foundation. It has four-post beds, a wide staircase, and expansive views of Taal Basilica Each of the lodge’s three fan rooms can take in two guests and costs P500 per night. Two air-con rooms are also available for P800 and P1,000 for double occupancy.

Located along the highway in Brgy. Butong is Little Bridge Resort, a 2.5-hectare property that houses 22 air-conditioned hotel rooms, six air-conditioned cabanas, an apartment with three fan rooms, 20 kiosks and mini open-air cottages. Hotel and cabana units average from P3,000-P3,500 per night. It has a five-lane swimming pool and a children’s pool.

The province’s main attraction, Taal Lake, is a freshwater lake located within a cauldron formed by Taal Volcano’s eruptions. At the lake’s center is Volcano Island, where the active Taal Volcano sits. In the distance is the ghostly outline of Mount Maculot.

You can get to Volcano Island from Talisay located in the north central area of Batangas by boat in about 30 minutes. From the island, the only way to get to the upper rim of the volcanic crater is by horseback. The ride takes about 30 minutes, accompanied by a guide who rides with you and holds the reins. You can also walk up the crater, but this takes about an hour.

Tho volcano’s previous eruptions have created a lake within its crater, which is what most tourists come to see on the island. Wisps of smoke coming out of the slope remind us that Taal is still an active volcano. The horseback back from the crater’s rim to flat land takes 20 minutes. All residents in the island maintain houses in the lakeshore towns, where they scurry to cover whenever the alert level is up.

From the sleepy town of Talisay on the northern end of the province, a scenic drive going halfway around Taal Lake will take you to the town of Taal on the southern side. The uphill climb towards Tagaytay and downhill cruise in the general direction of Lemery in Batangas show various angles of the volcano.

The moment is tranquil, the sea calm, the sky a beautiful combination of violet and orange. Few people were at the shore and even fewer were in the water. I stared at the horizon, not wanting to blink and miss a second of that rare opportunity. Living and working in the city, watching the sunset was like rediscovering the amazing creation of God, reviewing all His wonders, and experiencing His power in a very big way. Then I realized that sometimes you have to rediscover things in life to know their worth.

Matabungkay Beach Resort and Hotel is the newly renovated famous Matabungkay Beach in the ’80s. Back then, it was the only resort located at the heart of Lian, Batangas. Now if you can pay this place a visit this summer, you’ll never go wrong. Aside from the award-winning beach resort, Matabungkay also takes pride in their accommodations, facilities, and other services.

Boasting of 57 combinations of superior executive rooms, 12 suites, and 16 villas, all are fully air-conditioned with private baths and verandas. For corporate events, weddings, and special functions, this place can hold up to 500 persons at any given time. As for the food, they serve Filipino as well as international cuisine at Cafe Caballero. But if you’re craving for fresh char-grilled seafood and sumptuous salads, you can head directly to Camachile Bar and Grill. For a taste of local as well as international concoctions, Cogon Bar is the place to go.

To complete your summer getaway at Matabungkay Beach Resort and Hotel, visit The Wave music lounge and experience live entertainment every weekend. For sports buffs, scuba diving, kayaking, rafting, fishing, and snorkeling facilities are all available, but if you’re looking for more adventure, special trekking and boat trips can be set up to your liking, too. Team-building activities also have its place here — they offer ropes courses at the Center for Outdoor Recreation and Education (CORE).

Aside from the beautiful beach, Matabungkay also has swimming pools for children and adults. Other amenities include a basketball court, billiard tables, lawn and table tennis courts, a beach volleyball court, an indoor kiddie corner and a giant chessboard. At the end of a tiring but happy day, rejuvenate your spirits with a soothing massage at the Floating Spa and feel beautiful at the Aqua Salon. Most importantly, you can feel secure and looked after with a 24-hour security and a medical clinic. Transportation services are also workable.

But then more, more than the modern amenities made available at this resort, the magic of Matabungkay lies in the warmth of the people, its white sand beaches, and marvelous sunsets.

There are more beaches to explore in Batangas, in the Philippines, and all over the world. Too lazy to check them out one by one? Check out this free tool that allows you to search multiple hotel reservation websites.

Matabungkay Beach Resort and Hotel Location Address:
Brgy. Matabungkay, Lian, Batangas
www.matabungkay.net

Celebrating Mother’s Day is special way of thanking our Moms and there are so many ways to say “Thanks for everything Mom; I love you” with a hug and kiss on her cheek. Apparently surprises make mothers happy in line with that here’s a list of 5 Best Gifts to give on Mother’s Day.

1. Give a bouquet of flowers. Flowers are an all-time favorite. You can choose from wide variety of flowers. Remember Moms deserve the freshest and the best sweet-smelling flowers.



2. Give beauty gift sets that’ll help enhance her beauty. Give her best in skincare to take care of her precious skin. Be sure to find the right beauty and skincare products to keep those aging signs away.
   
3. Give your mom a break in cleaning the household chores, do the simple things- clean the dishes, remove the dust and vacuum carpets.
4. Cook her favorite dish. Try to plan this ahead so she will be surprised when you serve the food.



5. Treat her to a Spa; pamper your mom, spa relaxes the body and refreshes the soul to all the hustle and bustle and busy work days. Should one be interested in giving a full treatment spa on Mother’s Day, one can go to The Sanctuary Spa at Maya-Maya. The Resort Spa is located in Nasugbu, Batangas and offers total relaxation in clean, green and spacious surroundings. The Sanctuary Spa at Maya-Maya boasts on the services that they offer like Maya’s Bliss, Traditional Hilot, Head and Shoulder Spa, etc.

The Sanctuary Spa at Maya-Maya has 14 fully pleasurable rooms in native style but with modern comforts. The Spa has also other activities to choose from like Scuba Diving, Speed Boat rentals and local sight seeing trips to local historic sites.

Go and make your reservations at The Sanctuary Spa at Maya-Maya. A perfect treat for all Mothers. For details please visit http://www.mayamaya.com/default.htm

If you want to extend your Halloween getaway, there is the “3 days & 2 nights Halloween Package” perfect for your vacation needs. This package allows you to relish the heavenly delights in Café Caballero because you get two set dinner and breakfast meals for two. Soothe your tired senses with a body massage for two at the Solea Spa. An additional guest can be accommodated for only P2,550 and this already includes an extra bed, two set breakfast and dinner meals. This is truly a rewarding experience for you and your loved ones that only Matabungkay Beach Resort & Hotel can provide.

This one-of-a-kind package is available from Oct 15 – Nov 11, 2007 so book ahead and enjoy a no-frills vacation this Halloween! Visit www.matabungkay.net to book directly online or simply click here.

You and your loved one can experience the utmost pampering for only USD 64.00 with Matabungkay Beach Resort & Hotel’s Beauty and Wellness promo available from Sept 1 to Oct 31, 2007. Included in the package is an overnight accommodation in an Executive Room. This is only the beginning because the Beauty and Wellness promo makes sure you and your loved one indulge in the pleasures of a spa treatment. Enjoy a body massage for two at the Solea Spa, followed by a haircut for two at the Aqua Salon. This is the perfect combination of a rejuvenation and a makeover. Aside from indulging the mind and body, Matabungkay Beach Resort and Hotel indulges you with gustatory delights as it offers a delicious set breakfast for two at the Café Caballero. All in all, it is a holistic renewal of mind, body and spirit. Experience this one of a kind indulgence without the hassle when you book directly in http://www.matabungkay.net or simply click here.