Showing posts with label vigan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vigan. Show all posts

Vigan Tourist Spots: Calesa Tour of Metro Vigan Inn

2 comments

This month of June hasn't been so good to me. I've been sick for weeks already reason why I haven't blogged and sometimes even check my site for a couple of days. As for my come back, let me continue and finish off my Metro Vigan Inn blog series. This will be my third and last installment of my Metro Vigan Inn experience. On my previous blog posts, I've already featured their hotel and in-house cafe and now I'll be covering their very own "Calesa Tour" which is a special tour within the noted spots in the city of Vigan.

By the way, before I start touring you in Vigan virtually, let me give you an idea on how you can avail the Vigan tour of Metro Vigan Inn. Well, aside from directly going there, you may have your reservations at Metro Vigan Inn's online reservation service at www.metroviganinn.com or through their reservation office at (077) 674-0448 and (+63917) 824-3800. You may also want to like and check their Facebook page at ww.facebook.com/Metroviganinn.

Going back, the "Calasa Tour" rates at 700 Pesos per person. It is a 4-hour city Calesa tour which features the UNESCO World Heritage town of Vigan. The tour includes a visit to notable Vigan's churches, gardens, pottery, restaurants and the famous Calle Crisologo. Also, one can upgrade the package to what they called "Sunset Tour", which makes the whole tour lasts for 6 hours by adding up 300 Pesos per person. The Sunset Tour includes a trip to a zoo, a hotel, a museum, a snack at Vigan Empanadaan and lastly, at the Plaza Salcedo where tourists can witness Vigan's version of a Dancing Fountain.

Let the Calesa Tour begin!

Now that you have an idea on how to avail and what to expect, shall we begin the tour?

St. Augustine Parish Church and Its Bell Tower

The St. Augustine Parish Church, one of the oldest churches of Ilocos Sur, was built in 1590. It was named after St. Agustine, the patron saint, by the Augustinian Friars. The church was damaged during WWII but was reconstructed in 1950.

Aside from being a bell tower, Bantay Bell Tower also served as a watchtower during Spanish colonial period. Bantay Bell Tower speaks for its name which means "guard" in our native language. The bell tower had witnessed several uprisings in the past and been guarding the town of Vigan/Ilocos Sur for several decades now.

Outside view of St Augustine Church 
Inside the church
The Bantayan Bell Tower
This is Santorini a Cemetery. View from the Bell Tower

Calle Crisologo

A well known street in Vigan which features Spanish Era ancestral houses. This street is one of the main reason why Vigan is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. People who'll visit Calle Crisologo can expect ancient tile roofs and floorings, balustrades and azoteas in varying Spanish, Mexican, and Chinese architectural styles.

Crossing out one item on my travel bucket list!
The busy street of Calle Crisologo
Old yet so interesting
Selfie time! :)
Bloggers I met on this trip! (and some strangers also visiting Calle Crisologo)
Calle Crisologo by night
Their not ghost... its people who walks right in while I'm shooting in long exposure... oh well.

Hidden Garden and Lilong & Lilang Restaurant

Located in Barangay Bulala Centro, Vigan City, Hidden Garden is a simple garden decorated with lots of beautiful and interesting potteries, figurines and wood carvings. In other words this garden offers amazing landscape design. More over, due to the growing popularity of Hidden Garden, the owner decided to add another part in his garden which is the restaurant. 

Hidden Garden's Lilong & Lilang Restaurant serves authentic Ilocano dishes and their specialty... the Vigan Empanada! It is an Ilocano style tacos with longganisa, papaya, egg and monggo which is seasoned with herb.

Welcome to Hidden Garden!
My most favorite shot in this trip
Selfie and an empanada from Lilong & Lilang Restaurant

Senorita Dulce

Senorita Dulce is one of the recognized place in Vigan where you can buy Vigan's sweet delicacies and "pasalubong". I recommend you to try out their butterscotch as well as their cassavas. Kids and kids alike who have an active sweet tooth will surely enjoy this place!

Welcome to Senorita Dulce!
Pasalubongs you can buy

Hotel Salcedo de Vigan

Presenting Hotel Salcedo de Vigan

Plaza Salcedo

The historical Plaza Salcedo is the central park of Vigan. It was named after to Juan de Salcedo who was a Spanish conqueror and founder of the old Villa Fernandina de Vigan (now called as Vigan City). Plaza Salcedo is also where Gabriela Silang's execution takes place in 1763. But today, Plaza Salcedo is converted to a venue where one can experience and witness a dancing fountain show. It happens every night at 7:30 PM.

Dancing Fountain show of Vigan
Yes, kids and kids at heart are allowed to play in the water

Baluarte

Baluarte is a 80 hectares wide zoo owned by the city's governor, Gov. Chavit Singson. Though Baluarte constuction is still on-going, people can still visit the place and take note: it's free of admission and use of facilities like their picnic area and comfort rooms. Bringing your own food inside is also allowed. It is open daily from 7am to 6pm and for inquiries you may reach them at 6377-722-7186.

Forgot the name of this animal. By the way that's Soshi and Carol :)
Alice feeding the deers!
Posing with these cockatoos

Marsha's Delicacies

Just like Senorita Dulce, Marsha's Delicacies is a dessert shop slash food & drink shop slash snack place slash "pasalubong" center in Vigan. It is where you can avail Vigan's famous garlic longanisa and also the "putok-batok" bagnet meats!

Just some of the things you can buy
Tables and chairs may be empty... but look at the line in the cashier

There you have it guys! Hope you enjoyed your virtual access to Vigan's some notable spots. So what are you waiting for? Tag along your friends & family and visit Vigan now and experience it yourself! 


This is a sponsored post. I accept partnership proposals as long as they are relevant to travel, outdoors, food and tourism. For advertising inquiries, please use the contact form on the Contact Me page of this site or directly send me an e-mail at aremgelogo@gmail.com

Metro Vigan Cafe: A taste of Asian Ilocandia Cuisine

2 comments

My Vigan experience will not be completed if I hadn't tasted Vigan's very own delicacies and cuisines. That's is why I'm really thankful to the management of Metro Vigan Inn and the people behind Powercom for inviting Geejay Travel Log to this wonderful visit, tour and food trip to Vigan. Well, this serves as my second entry of my Metro Vigan Inn blog series. After my feature blog post of their hotel, click here, now I'll be featuring their newly launched in-house restaurant which they called Metro Vigan Cafe.

To give you a short background, Metro Vigan Cafe is just right inside the vicinity of Metro Vigan Inn. It is an in-house restaurant specially made both to the guest of the inn and as well as to other people (non-guests) who are looking for cuisines having a twist or taste of Vigan. Have you tasted Kare Kareng Bagnet? How about Sinanglao and Poki Poki? Not yet? Well, these are just some of the cuisines awaiting for you when you pick Metro Vigan Cafe. Metro Vigan Cafe specialized in Asian Ilocandia Cuisine!

Welcome to Metro Vigan Cafe!
Are you ready for some virtual food trip? Just keep on scrolling that mouse ball and be enticed on the dishes Metro Vigan Inn prepared for us. By the way, I posted all the dishes we ate during our whole stay. So this will be a load of images!

Appetizer

SISIG CRISPY BAGNET (148 Pesos)
A heart and tasty appetizer with a twist of crisp and crunch here and there chopped crispy bagnet with secret spices top with egg, garnish with mayo for creamy and crispy texture every byte.

Sisig ala Bagnet. Anyone?
POKI POKI (128 Pesos)
Scrambled egg mixed with eggplant a cheap appetizer that will definitely condition your appetite.

ehem hahaha...
SPRING ROLL LONGANIZA (128 Pesos)
Instead of usual pork wrapped inside the spring roll. we use a house made longaniza to give new subtle taste.

Dipping it to Sukang Vigan makes it extra special

Soup

SINANGLAO (188 Pesos)
This hot and hearty soup upon serving taste just as delicious as the Sinanglao soup that you came to love.

It looks like Sinigang but it does taste like "Papaitan"
BULALO (288 Pesos)
Cooked with enough time, patience and with its original taste, one won't make bulalo a less favorite yours.

Served in big chunks. Worth to try!

Entree

STEAMED MALAGA (300 Pesos)
This classic Ilocano fish is steamed on top of fresh tomatoes, onions and ginger, to give a unique and taste flavor.

My fellow bloggers really like this dish
HITO AT TALONG (198 Pesos)
Pan fried cat fish and grilled eggplants. stewed in smoked coconut milk.

Since I love anything with Gata, this is one of my favorite dish!
METRO VIGAN CHICKEN (Whole 319 Pesos & Half 188 Pesos)
Simplicity is beauty. this original chicken of ours will already satisfy your starving stomach with its unique spices.

Tastes like Sincerity's fried chicken
CRISPY PATA (458 Pesos)
Deep fried pig trotters and knuckles that comes with a soy-vinegar dip.

Do I have to comment on this????
PINAPUTOK NA TILAPIA (158 Pesos)
Stuffed with fresh tomatoes, onions and ginger, this steamed tilapia will surely make your tummy burst and comeback for more.

I'm not a fan of tilapia so I didn't try it. Sorry.
CRISPY BAGNET (258 Pesos)
A classic Ilocano dish, deep fried pork belly crisp to perfection.

Crispy sken, juicy meat... just perfect!
KALDERETANG PATO (228 Pesos)
House specialty braised duck and tomato stew with secret herbs and spices. a must try


KARE KARE BAGNET (258 Pesos)
A Filipino favorite vegetable dish paired with crispy and freshly cooked bagnet.

My most favorite dish served by Metro Vigan Cafe. Very recommendable!

Vegetables

PINAKBET NA BAGNET (198 Pesos)
The Ilocanoes favorite vegetable garnished with crispy bagnet chunks will make this dish truly delightful.

CHOPSUEY (168 Pesos)
Believed to be Chinese origin and one of Filipinos favorites, this starch chicken dish with meaty meat and vegetables will surely leave you satisfied.


Rice & Noodles

METRO VIGAN FRIED RICE (Small 98 Pesos Med 168 Pesos Large 208 Pesos)
Vigan chorizo combined with Chinese chorizo are used as base to twist this Chinese classic to an original metro Vigan cafe dish.

METRO VIGAN PANCIT CANTON (Small 98 Pesos Med 168 Pesos Large 208 Pesos XL 298 Pesos)
A colorful noodle meal with ingredients of vegetable and/or chicken/squid balls that is not only delicious to the eyes, but the mouth and the stomach as well.


And that's the end of your Metro Vigan Cafe virtual food trip ala Geejay Travel Log. So, who's craving for some Ilocandia cuisines? If so, book a flight or grab a bus ticket now going to Ilocos (Vigan) and visit Metro Vigan Inn and Cafe to taste it yourself!

Contact Metro Vigan Inn & Cafe!

Reservations can be made through Metro Vigan Inn's online reservation service at www.metroviganinn.com or through their reservation office at (077) 674-0448 and (+63917) 824-3800. Check their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Metroviganinn

Metro Vigan Inn
Bayubay Norte, San Vicente, Ilocus Sur


This is a sponsored post. I accept partnership proposals as long as they are relevant to travel, outdoors, food and tourism. For advertising inquiries, please use the contact form on the Contact Me page of this site or directly send me an e-mail at aremgelogo@gmail.com

Metro Vigan Inn: A Quality Budget Hotel in Vigan

0 comments

Vigan is one of the many cities in the Philippines which is considered to be rich in culture. It holds different sites and structures showcasing the era of Spanish colonialism in the country.  People who'll visit the place can expect unique architectures that combine Oriental building designs along with colonial European architecture. By having said that, tourists and travelers like myself never forget to include Vigan to a bucket list of a must visit spots in the Philippines. That's why I am very grateful when Metro Vigan Inn & Cafe (in collaboration with Powercom) invited me to a sponsored trip to this wonderful and historical place.

Since the trip lasted for 2 days, I decided to have a series of blog post regarding the trip. First off will be non other than about -- the Metro Vigan Inn.

How to get there (in Vigan)?
The 408 km stretch from Manila to Vigan City is a comfortable eight-hour ride along the scenic Manila-Ilocos Highway. Air-conditioned Partas Bus, Dominion Bus, Aniceto Bus and Viron Transit ply the Manila-Vigan route regularly. -- as per Vigan City website.

Outside view of Metro Vigan Inn
Metro Vigan Inn is now making its name in Vigan when it comes to clean, quality and budget-friendly accommodation. I find the place ideal for both local and foreign tourists and travelers (backpackers) who are looking for low-cost rooms equipped with complete hotel facilities like controlled air conditioning, LED cable TV, Private bathroom with hot and cold shower, free WI-FI, and more.

Metro Vigan Inn is comprises of twenty one (21) spacious and well-resourced rooms ensured with serene and cozy atmosphere of Vigan. Like what I describe above, it is equipped with modern facilities specially designed for their patrons. Vacationers and travelers will surely have a comfortable and memorable experience during their stay at Metro Vigan Inn.

Welcome sign at MV Inn
Back view of the hotel

Room Rates (As of June 2014)

Room Type
Rate/Room/Night
STANDARD DOUBLE
1 Double Size Bed good for 2 pax
Php 1,300
SUPERIOR DOUBLE
1 Double Size Bed good for 2 pax
Php 1,500
SUPERIOR TWIN
2 Single Size Bed good for 2 pax
Php 1,500
SUPERIOR TRIPLE
3 Single Size Bed good for 3 pax
Php 1,900
DELUXE TWIN
2 Full Size Bed good for 2-4 pax
Php 1,700 for 2 pax
+250 per additional person
BACKPACKERS ROOM
3 Double Deck good for 6pax
Php 600 per person

  • All rooms are inclusive of complimentary breakfast.
  • Rates are subject to change without prior notice.
  • Rates are quoted based on the minimum capacity per room. Extra bed/person/breakfast charge will apply
  • Peak season surcharge applies (Holidays, Convention Period, Holy Week).
  • Complimentary accommodation for 2 children aged 10 years and below sharing a bed with parents/adult.
  • Standard check in time is 2PM and check out time is 12NN the next day

Now, just continue to scroll down and let me tour you on each room Metro Vigan Inn offers to their guests!

Our first stop will be the Standard Double Room also called as the "Garage Room". This room is perfect for visitors who travel with cars. As you can see on the photo below and as the name implies, Garage Room has its own parking lot just in front of the actual room.

The Garage room of Metro Vigan Inn
Inside the Standard Double/Garage Room
Next is the Superior Double Room. This is almost the same as the Standard Double Room but with a much cozier interiors and merely more spacious. Furniture are more polished and classy compared to the standard ones. I definitely wouldn't mind spending a couple of bucks upgrading from Standard to Superior Double Room.

Feeling sleepy now? Cozy huh?
Now lets jump to the Superior Triple Room of Metro Vigan Inn. Along with the author behind A Not So Popular Kid, Renz, this has been my room during my stay in Vigan. Room 207 to be exact. Lol.

As we went inside the room, we all went "wow". The room has an inviting vibe and indeed clean. Who would have thought that for the price of 1,900 pesos, one can experience this kind of room? The room is pretty spacious for 3 persons. The beds were also quite big for one person and its really comfortable to sleep with. Vacationers will surely have a comfy sleep even after a long drive to Vigan just like what I've experienced.

The only issue we encountered was the ventilation of the room. Aside from that, everything were perfect.

The room will only cost you 1,900 pesos
Lets move on the my favorite room among Metro Vigan Inn's rooms -- the Deluxe Twin Room. All I can say is that with those big beds on the room, I don't see any reason why a vacationer will have problems on their sleep. It seems like comfy to the highest level! Not to mention that these rooms has an old style windows which reflects the old window houses in Vigan decades ago. The room is mixed of an old and modern design.

Now you know why this is my favorite room
Another Deluxe Twin Room
Last on list is the Backpackers Room. This is a dormitory type room that is ideal for large group as it can accommodate up to 6 persons. It has 3 double deck beds and just like every room, it possess a relaxing vibe. You and your "barkada" will surely enjoy your stay here while talking and sharing your Vigan experience.

Me and my friends will surely enjoy the room
Not only Metro Vigan Inn offers quality budget accommodations, it also serves authentic Asian Ilocandia cuisines as they have recently launched an in-house restaurant, the Metro Vigan Cafe. Click here to read my foodtrip at Metro Vigan Cafe.

If you think that's all the points that makes Metro Vigan Inn special among other hotels in Vigan.Well, Metro Vigan Inn still have something to offer and that is, a road trip to Vigan! Yes, you read it right. They also offer Vigan tour to their guests on different tourist/historic spots of the city. Just stay tune on Geejay Travel Log about my Vigan tour with Metro Vigan Inn!

Contact Metro Vigan Inn!

Reservations can be made through Metro Vigan Inn's online reservation service at www.metroviganinn.com or through their reservation office at (077) 674-0448 and (+63917) 824-3800. Check their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Metroviganinn

Metro Vigan Inn
Bayubay Norte, San Vicente, Ilocus Sur


This is a sponsored post. I accept partnership proposals as long as they are relevant to travel, outdoors, food and tourism. For advertising inquiries, please use the contact form on the Contact Me page of this site or directly send me an e-mail at aremgelogo@gmail.com