August 15th, 2008 at 1:18 am

From being an underutilized military base, the 240-hectare Bonifacio Global city is now a thriving urban hub.  Close to a hundred office and residential buildings and a number of shopping and entertainment complexes have already been set up in Bonifacio Global City.

 

The newly opened Bonifacio High Street offers a blend of unique and popular retail, dining and leisure activities that attract residents, tourists and expatriates. This is fast building a reputation for Bonifacio Global City as the launching pad for new concepts in food and dining. 

 

The row of restaurants on High Street is becoming a favorite destination of business people, expatriates, tourists and the elite. I dine in the area at least once in week to unwind while enjoying the good food and its entertainment.

 

One of my favorites in the area is the New Orleans Restaurant, where a jazz band plays on Thursday through Sundays.  I bumped into the Philippine Tourism Secretary,
Ace Durano in one of my visit to the place and we talked about the continuous growth of Philippine tourism.

 

Even the famous Krispy Kreme Donut shop has now a branch on High Street.  There are spas, boutique and fashion shops in the area. From low-key coffee shops to fine dining restaurants and bookstores to designer boutiques, Bonifacio High Street has everything you want and need for your metropolitan lifestyle.

 

Pedestrian traffic to Bonifacio High Street and “Market!Market!” has significantly increased in the past year. It is estimated that on weekdays crowd of 7,000 shoppers and promenaders rise up to 16,000 people on weekends.

 

Another favorite in the area is the Le Soufflé, the upscale Chinese bistro Zong, Chinese fusion haven Good Earth Oriental Cuisine and Bar, and India’s Prince of Jaipur.  These fine dining restaurants complement the international flavors of the Fort. 

 

Portico 1771 in Serendra, is influenced by fine East Asian cuisine that evolved from centuries-old cooking traditions offering the warmth and friendliness of familiar aromas emanating from classic herbs and spices.

 

Serendra at the Fort is another must-visit for those who want to experience the best in Manila. Fine dining, shopping and residences are all there.  High-end retail shops lined the park-setting and high-rise condominiums.

The strategic location of Bonifacio Global City, which is just next to the Makati Business District and its accessibility to many Metro Manila residential areas, makes it a major crossroad. Residential condominiums gives residents a suburban experience because of its quiet ambiance, but near enough to the vibrant pulse of city living.

 

If you are a Manila-bound visitor with very limited time on your hand, squeeze in a visit to the Bonifacio Global City and experience a very fulfilling trip. Call us at Travel International for all your travel needs, (310) 327-5143.  You can also visit our website, www.travelinternational.net.

622

Add Your Comment   1 Comment

August 15th, 2008 at 1:17 am

The Philippines’ three major islands, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, offer premier destinations for divers, amidst lush tropical environment with excellent underwater views. With the convergence of the nutrient rich waters of the Pacific Ocean, South China Sea and Celebes Sea, the Philippines make it a scuba diver’s paradise.  Lovers of this sport get a spectacular view of an aquatic symphony of over 2,000 species of marine fish, as well as more than 800 out of the 1000 known coral species in the world. 

 

Most of the dive spots in the country have resorts nearby where trained scuba divers guide and provide orientation for divers, whether beginners or experienced ones.  The trained scuba divers guide the participants to the sanctuaries of the very rare exotic fishes like Spanish dancer, harlequin, ghost-pipe fish, camouflaged frogfish, fire gobies and various species of seahorses. They are also familiar as to where sanctuaries of turtles, sharks and rays are.

 

A favorite and a very popular site of divers is Verde Island Passage, which separates the Philippines’ largest Island, Luzon and the island of Mindoro, where the diving destination Puerto Galera is located. One conservationist described it as having the largest concentration of marine life in the world. 

 

The Verde Island Passage is roughly 100 kilometers long and its shortest distance is 20 kilometers wide.  It looks like a typical tropical island, with white sand, swaying palm trees and balmy weather, but what is underneath the water is what makes it so fantastic and its reefs are said to be home to almost 60 percent of the world’s known shore fish.

 

Scuba divers from different parts of the world and who have experienced diving in the Philippines keep coming back as testified by many.  They described the popular dive sites as world class.

 

In addition to the spectacular marine life they see, divers also love the water temperature in the Philippines.  They liken it to diving in a warm bath back home, which they say is absolutely divine.

 

The majority of dives are conducted by boat, usually a very short trip from where the scuba diver’s resort is.  For the ultimate experience, live aboard dive vessels are available and which will take divers to areas seldom and is never visited by scuba divers. 

 

Among the Philippines best sites are found in the province of La Union in the town of Sand Fernando, which has some interesting wrecks.  Subic Bay in Zambales has also a number of real good wrecks in the bay, which can be safely penetrated.  Donsol in the province of Sorsogon in the Bicol region, which is on the southern most tip of Luzon has a majestic view of the whale sharks.  Anilao in Batangas has some really good critter dives and all sites are easily accessible by dive boat.  Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro has among the best dive sites in the Philippines.  Busuanga on Coron Bay in Palawan has a wreck divers’ paradise, said to rival Chuuk Lagoon in Micronesia.  The Honda Bay, also in Palawan has numerous islands and reefs waiting to be explored. Of course Boracay Island, which has a good reefs perfect for beginners.  The Apo Reef in Mindoro has world class diving with vertical drop off to 80 meters with sharks and big pelagic.  Moalboal in Cebu has great resorts right on the water with good healthy reefs.  Malapascua Island in Cebu is getting popular for its Thresher Sharks.  The Tubbataha Reefs, on Sulu Sea has awesome reefs in pristine conditions and which is only accessible by boat.

 

Diving in the Philippines is everything or even more of what you want your diving to be.  Your expectations will not only be met, but you will see endless possibilities in your diving experience.

 

Call us at Travel International (310) 327-5143 and let us know your preference in your diving holiday in the Philippines.  We’ll book your flight, plan your itinerary for an unforgettable discovery of the Philippines’ exotic underwater world.

322

August 15th, 2008 at 12:58 am

To make it easier and more convenient for our valued clients and future travelers looking for places to go, we have launched our new user-friendly website, www.travelinternational.net .

 

The website designs cater to today's better informed, more demanding and sophisticated travelers.  It responds to the need of business as well as leisure travelers in this age of super highway information technology, providing them with direct access and endless travel information.

 

While also providing traditional packages, Travel International distinguishes itself from most other tour operators with its "designer-like" approach to building itineraries for both, groups and individuals.

 

Unlike many of the mass market tour companies, Travel International is committed to delivering the specific expectation of each traveler that it handles. It has only the best, most qualified and knowledgeable Destination Specialists to handle each and every tour package they assemble.

 

Whether it is a brief or basic stay in the Philippines or it is the most complex eco or cultural and historical adventure anywhere else in the world, travelers are assured of unmatched attention to details that will meet their expectations in the destinations of their choice.  

 

This new phenomena introduced a myriad of challenges for professionals providing tour products. However, Travel International believes that while people may gather their own information on potential travel plans, they still require expert direction and guidance to ensure that the programs selected will deliver their expectation.  Destination Specialists of Travel International will be on hand to provide these services.

 

Travelers who are sure of where to go, what they want to see and what they want to do in their selected destinations may purchase their tickets and tour packages from the website.

 

Travelers can also purchase from the website travel insurance, which is highly recommended nowadays, when many airlines are going out of business, not to mention the fact that air traffic is getting heavier all the time.  Buying travel insurance is one important aspect of one’s travel and which is oftentimes overlooked and never considered.

 

Travel insurance prices, which generally cost 4 to 7 percent of the price of pre-paid ticket, vary widely. Seniors may have to pay more. Buyers should always read the fine print, but Travel International staff will guide you in your purchase. 

 

With travel insurance, travelers may receive higher compensation for cancelled flights to cover expenses for better hotel rooms and other flights, lost luggage, and other unexpected inconveniences during turbulent times.

 

If you have any questions, call us at Travel International, (310) 327-5143. While we have our user-friendly website, we are still on hand to answer all your calls and inquiries.

399