Ilocos Sur claimed as the "Heritage Village of the Philippines"
is a province of the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region in Luzon. Vigan City, located on the mouth of the Mestizo River is the provincial capital. Ilocos Sur is bordered by Ilocos Norte and Abra to the north, Mountain Province to the east, La Union and Benguet to the south, and the South China Sea to the west.- Wiki
accessible by various transport vehicles from Manila and other nearby provinces and cities. It may be reached through public utility buses which range from ordinary, first class air conditioned, up to cozy deluxe types. Car rentals are most available at the international airport.Where to stay?
There are lots of cheaps lodges and inn in Ilocos Sur. One i will highly recommend is the Granpa's Inn located at the heart of Vigan. But of course if you have friends and relatives in the area, it is always a good idea if your tightening your budget :)
Where to go?
Sta Maria Beach, a crystal clear and and one of the magnificent beaches in Ilocos Sur.
The Hidden Garden in Vigan, Ilocos Sur is one of the city's most popular attractions. owned by Francisco Flores, a landscape architect. Four years ago, it started as Flores' personal garden therapy
Pinsal Falls is a Philippine waterfall that is located in the town of Santa Maria in the province of Ilocos Sur. With a height of approximately 85 feet, it is known for being the largest waterfall in the Ilocos Region as well as for its natural beauty. With its romantic atmosphere, Pinsal Falls is a popular location for filming Philippine movies as well as a favorite spot for swimming and for picnicking. The pools at the top of the falls are famous as well. The biggest of these pools figures in a local legend as it is said to be the footprint that was left by an Ilocano giant who was running off in search of his wife. There is also a famous spring with boiling-hot water at the top of the falls.
San Augustine Church and Bell Tower – one of the oldest churches of Ilocos Sur, it was built in 1590 with Fr. Montoya, as the first parish priest. The Augustinian friars named it after St. Augustine, the Patron Saint.
The Santa Maria Church is a great attraction to both the traveller and the faithful in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur. It is not only a reminiscent of the four centuries of Spanish domination of that area but also a unique structure with a diversified architectural design and built of heavy stones and mortar.
The St. Paul’s Cathedral is also known as the metropolitan Cathedral. It is considered a major religious
landmark not only of northern Luzon but the country as well. Visitors must include a visit to the cathedral when in Vigan as it has been a center of Roman Catholic devotion for centuries.
Vigan’s Calle Crisologo or Mena Crisologo Street
The major attraction of Vigan is its mestizo district which is filled with Spanish-style houses that evoke a bygone era when its people lived prosperously because of the Manila-Acapulco maritime trade.
For visitors who want to experience being transported back to this period in Philippine Spanish colonial time, a walk or a calesa ride through Vigan’s Calle Crisologo or Mena Crisologo Street is a must.
Baluarte is 80 hectares of gently rolling terrains, hills and mountain sides, the structures of facilities and amenities, its phases of construction is in its best possible realistic and natural habitat for good and sound animal care.
Located along the western seaboard of Northern Luzon 408 kilometers north of Manila, bounded in the South by South China Sea, Baluarte has its breathtaking view of Vigan City. Baluarte is open to the public and admission is FREE. It is actually Governor Chavit's gift to the people of Vigan where residents are accorded free use of spaces for their livelihood programs.
Where to Dine?
Fast Food Stores- if you can't missed the taste of burgers and fries , vigan brings the western food chain just for you in an ambiance of the Spanish Era.
Kusina Felicitas is Grandpa’s Inn’s signature restaurant. The dining hall is walled with the original bricks of the 18th century building wherein painting hang for customers to enjoy and you can actually buy them. The restaurant is also adorned with locally made furnitutres which is one of the industries that made Vigan famous.
Kusina Felicitas serves authentic Ilocano cuisine with wide array of menu to choose from, the Bagnet, Longanisa, Pinakbet, Bunog( a fish indigenous to the local river), and Ipon( a seasonal fish famous to the Ilocanos). This is the place for a perfect Ilocano gastronomy.
Kusina Felicitas also offers favorite Filipino and Asian cuisine to supplement the menu. We have selected recipes that satisfy everyone’s palate.
Kusina Felicitas has two function areas for small meeting and functions, each area can accommodate 50-60 persons.-wiki
What to Eat?
Empanada is a stuffed bread or pastry baked or fried .The name comes from the verb empanar, meaning to wrap or coat in bread. Empanada is made by folding a dough or bread patty around the stuffing. The stuffing can consist of a variety of meats, cheese, vegetables or fruits among others.
Ukoy is a Filipino dish made from deep fried mixture of shrimps and vegetables. It's made from raw shrimp, sweet potato, and squash.
So when you happened to visit Ilocos Sur, for a vacation, you know where to go, to dine and knows what to eat.
I’m looking forward for my next Ilocos Trip, this time ILOCOS NORTE!!!
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