The age of social media has undoubtedly made everyone more conscious of being derivatives of each other. The desire to stand out, to venture the “roads less traveled” and be seen doing it, has never been greater. Yet, how often are the roads we all travel merely confined to the 600 or so square kilometers of the Metro Manila region?
While no one’s fault, as the grind to build a life for oneself oftentimes outweighs the fleeting need to escape every now and then, it does become challenging to take on the “roads less traveled” when the said roads to travel are fully lined up with rush hour traffic. To truly stand out, one might take on a country road trip that’s filled with roads literally less traveled (yet still with the occasional sighting of slow drivers) and stops along the way that will prove refreshing for the soul.
As luck would have it, we were able to travel down to Misibis Bay in Albay. It was no easy feat, but ultimately prove its worth with the many unique and eye-opening places to visit. Needless to say, the roughly 14-hour and 500-kilometer drive gave a lot of leeway to spot these locations that dotted the road that’s certainly not traveled by many a city-dweller.
Here are 10 spots to visit in the south on your road trip to Albay:
MJD Urban Escape Farm
Adults these days are always pressing on the younger generations to get off their devices, most especially when the whole family’s out for a meal or a stroll around the mall. A more fitting motivator would perhaps be to take the gang to a truly outdoor setting, where everyone can feel the grass between their toes.
Located in Lucena City in the expansive Quezon Province, the MJD Urban Escape Farm provides just as its name implies: a provincial escape. As both a farm and a restaurant, the spot is able to serve organic vegetables with the shortest amount of time between harvest and platter. With vibrant views, an open park/garden area, and facilities that could host outdoor sporting activities like volleyball, you won’t even bother to think about what’s going on in the world of your devices.
MJD Urban Escape Farm is in Barangay Bocohan, Lucena, Quezon. For more information, follow MJD Urban Escape on Facebook.
Perez Park
While in Lucena, you can also take a short trip down to the city’s most recognizable spot, Perez Park. Established in the 1920s, the space pays tribute to former governor Don Filemon Perez, whose stone monument stands at the center of the park
Perez Park sees most of its action during city festivals, such as Niyoyugan and Pasayan sa Lucena, but it also stands out as a place to kick back and realign yourself on a typical day. How often can you say you found stillness while sitting on a park bench while grabbing a bite of some street food? Not often enough. Similarly, the more adventurous person can explore the sunken-ish gardens of the park and take in all the history that can be found etched into the different stone carvings and monuments. If these spots could talk…
Perez Park is along Quezon Avenue, Barangay 10, Lucena, Quezon.
Daph’s Seafood Restaurant
Formerly a bed and breakfast joint, Daph’s Seafood Restaurant is located along the Pan-Philippine Highway going through Plaridel. It’s an easy, roadside pitstop for any adventurer or group of travelers making their way to Bicol. You can get a serene view of Lopez Bay while knocking back plates of calamares, barbecue or seafood bilao meals, crispy pata, kare-kare—you get the picture. Depending on your time of departure, Daph’s serves as a rewarding first stop to grab a full breakfast or lunch, while providing ample space to stretch your legs on the first leg of your journey. It could also even serve as a breather before the last stretch of your return-trip from Bicol.
Daph’s Seafood Restaurant is along the Pan-Philippine Highway, Barangay Tanauan, Plaridel, Quezon. It is open daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, follow Daph’s Seafood Restaurant on Facebook.
Dampa sa Gumaca
If you’re looking for a more al fresco dining experience, then just head further down the Pan-Philippine Highway from Daph’s to arrive at Dampa sa Gumaca, not far from the entrance to Barangay Rizal. The 24-hour spot gives off strong “bahay kubo built for a whole community” vibes, as you can order their fiesta-sized pork and seafood meals. Given the large and open dining areas, its visuals are best served by bringing the whole family or friend group (or office, if you’re into that) together on the trip. Definitely one way to make the journey seem like the party on Instagram, well before you even arrive at your actual destination.
Dampa sa Gumaca is along the Pan-Philippine Highway, Barangay Rizal, Gumaca, Quezon. It is open 24 hours daily. For more information, follow Dampa sa Gumaca on Facebook.
Our Lady of Peñafrancia Shrine and Porta Mariae
Of course, what travel list is complete without a literal pilgrimage site. On your trip through Bicol, you’ll pass through Naga City, also referred to as the “Pilgrim City,” where you’ll find the shrine to Our Lady of Peñafrancia, one of the biggest Marian pilgrimage sites in the world (as per the Asian Catholic Initiative). Similarly, you’ll find the monument Porta Mariae, an arch built to commemorate 300 years of religious devotion to lady of Peñafrancia. It stands glorious in front of the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral and it’s difficult to not be swept up in the arch’s towering awe. Without a doubt one of the must-see religious sights in the Bicol Region.
Our Lady of Peñafrancia Shrine is along Peñafrancia Avenue, Barangay Peñafrancia, Naga City, Camarines Sur.
Casa Soriano
Strangely hidden behind a Hino Motors branch in Naga City, Casa Soriano is an especially lowkey restaurant that serves classic Filipino dishes, crafted from heirloom recipes passed down from generation to generation—home is in the name, after all. Family is immediately what comes to mind when walking around the garden-like grounds of the establishment. The site was previously home (literally) to a group of houses that they’ve since converted into recreational and function rooms, cabanas, and a couple of dining areas. While serving filling comfort food with the likes of Tokwa’t Baboy, Tuna Pasta, and Baby Back Ribs (yes, that’s our comfort food), the homey restaurant also treats you to Bicol classics like laing and pinangat, with all the bang worth your buck for a quaint and unassuming dining spot.
Casa Soriano is along the National Highway, Barangay Concepcion Grande, Naga City, Camarines Sur. It is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, follow Casa Soriano on Facebook.
Ocampo Deer Farm
Ever desired to go on a nature trip to discover what hidden gems the Philippines has in store? Well, deer reader, the Ocampo Deer Farm in Camarines Sur is not far out of reach from where you’re currently lying down and scrolling on your phone. “Oh deer, I didn’t know we had those animals in the Philippines.” That’s right, you can cancel your trip to Nara Park in Japan and check out the local sanctuary of deers at the foot of Mount Isarog. Admission is free to feed and interact with the herds of relatively friendly and playful deer from outside a fence.
Ocampo Deer Farm is in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Ocampo, Camarines Sur. It is open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, follow Ocampo Deer Farm on Facebook.
CamSur Watersports Complex
Feeling board? Pun intended. CamSur Watersports Complex, or CWC for short (or “C-Dub,” if you’re cool), is a wakeboarding park situated between Naga City and Naga Airport. There’s few water-bound thrills greater than being pulled by a cable as you hurtle on top of the water. With more refreshing water than most wake parks in the Philippines, CWC may even tempt you to go the extra mile and risk falling off ramps, doing tricks and whatnot. Wakeboarding does seem like one of the more extreme and difficult watersports to learn but, in actuality, is one of the simplest to master. However, if one-upping your friends and family isn’t your thing, the park also has a golf course and driving range, for those looking for a more calming past time, and a mountain bike path, for those looking for a thrilling escape.
CamSur Watersports Complex within the Provincial Capitol Complex, Barangay Cadlan, Pili, Camarines Sur. It is open from Friday to Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and from Sunday to Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, follow CamSur Watersports Complex on Facebook.
Cagsawa Ruins
Should you want to ruin your trip to Albay, in a manner of speaking, you should check out the Cagsawa Ruins west of Legazpi City. Here, you’ll get a picturesque view of Mayon Volcano coupled with a site that literally commemorates its destructive power. You’ll find a 16th-century bell tower still standing, the lone survivor of the eruption of 1814, as well as the Cagsawa branch of the National Museum and an ATV trail where you can ride motor vehicles to explore the area and get closer to the volcano. You’d be hard-pressed to find a site with more natural power on the island of Luzon.
Cagsawa Ruins is in Daraga, Albay.
Seventy-Six Farm
A popular tourist destination in Albay is the Seventy-Six Farm between the municipality of Santo Domingo and Legazpi City. The reason it became a must-see attraction heard about from that far away by the citizens of the Metro? Obviously, for the simple reason that, oftentimes, it’s just cool as heck to see odd, little animals wander around a colorful setting. Maybe it’s the little kid in all of us, or maybe it’s the life-sized statue of Iron Man and Tinkerbell looming over you as you try to enjoy your picnic on a wooden table. Whether you want to post scenic pictures of the sun setting over Mayon Volcano or make an out-of-context photo dump of fish, chickens, and other colorful birds blissfully roaming around the grounds, we’d say the Seventy-Six Farm is the spot to hit up for those peculiar, IG-worthy vibes.
Seventy-Six Farm is in Barangay Bigaa, Legazpi City, Albay. It is open daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, follow Seventy-Six Farm on Facebook.
*This story originally appeared on Spot.ph. Minor edits have been made by the Preview.ph editors.
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