Planning Our First Overseas Family Trip: What Is Needed

This past few months, I’ve been busy organizing our family’s trip to Bohol. Our flight was one of those affected with the temporary closure of Boracay and we decided to spend our vacation there instead.

I’ve been searching for our accommodation and different activities we can do while in Bohol. I never knew it’s so stressful to plan! I have friends who are hardcore travelers — DIY style. I don’t know how they do it.

But I see this as practice for our next trip, our first overseas trip that is. We’ve been meaning to visit my sisters and their families in Japan and if all goes well, hopefully we can finally do so next year.

And being the typical planner-girl me, I’ve been preparing for that as early as now.

Here are the stuff that still needs to be ticked off my list:

• Apply and renew our passports – This is what I’ve been most stressed about, given how crazy it is to secure an appointment. Good thing I still have 2 kids under the age of 7 so at least we’re still eligible for the courtesy lane.
• Secure our Visas – Our relatives are the one inviting us so most of the papers needed would be coming from them but we still need to have our important documents on hand like my ITRs, COEs and bank records.
• Our Itinerary – I imagine most of the activities we’ll do there would be planned by my sisters but I’d still need to list down the stuff the kids (ehem, and me) would be dying to do and try out.
• Travel Insurance – There’s a myriad of unexpected things that can happen while we’re away and it’s always a comforting knowledge to know that we’ll have a reliable travel health insurance in the Philippines to keep us secure. One thing to not worry about, I must say.
• Cash On Hand – Japan is an expensive country to travel and to be able to make the most of our trip there, we need to be able to save as much funds as we can.

There’s still a lot of thing that needs to be done before our trip. But the things on this list I think are our topmost priority.

I’m actually scheduling our passport appointment next week and been reading as much as I can on travel insurance policies. Better to be prepared than sorry on our first family trip abroad!

Only the Best for Us Moms at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila

Shower the queen of our hearts with all the best things they deserve. Marco Polo Ortigas Manila brings special treats, only for her.

Create meaningful journeys through an unforgettable staycation. Book a stay on 12 May with rates starting at 7,300 and enjoy benefits such as a buffet breakfast for two (2) adults and two (2) kids aged six (6) years old and below.

Have lunch or dinner buffet at Cucina during your stay and Mom dines on us when accompanied by two (2) full paying adults. Let her and the family go on a culinary journey, featuring live action stations of different cuisines featuring Japanese, Asian, Indian, and Italian. Enjoy the finest meats at the carving station, and top the experience with selections from the sumptuous dessert station.

Enjoy Cantonese fare with a special set menu at the award-winning Lung Hin, available only for this special day. Featured dishes are Steamed Live Garoupa with Supreme Soy Sauce, Braised Australian Abalone (six heads) with Dong Po Pork in Oyster Sauce, and Wok Fried Fresh Scallops with Squid and Broccoli. Special Longevity Peach Buns are included in the special set.

Give her a special cake baked with love with the limited edition dark chocolate raspberry moist cake. This sweet treat has raspberry buttercream and chocolate ganache to savour.

Complete the indulgence with the Pure Bliss package at Flow Spa. Give Mom the relaxing me-time which includes a Salt and Aloe Vera Body Scrub, Aromatherapy Massage, and Algotherm Facial, a 2 hour and 30 minute pampering session for 5,100.

To know more about Twice in a Row Five-Star Award Winner, Marco Polo Ortigas Manila, visit http://www.marcopolohotels.com. Follow the Hotel in Facebook at facebook.com/MarcoPoloOrtigasManila or @MarcoPoloManila on Twitter or Instagram.

Fun Day at the Sta. Elena Fun Farm

Planning for a last summer hurrah for your restless kiddos? You might want to consider visiting the Fun Farm at Sta. Elena in Cabuyao, Laguna.

When I learned that my daughter’s school included Sta. Elena Fun Farm in their educational field trip itinerary, I immediately signed her up.

I wanted Cesca to breathe some fresh air and experience something different from our usual weekend mall outings. It’s always been a concern for me that children nowadays are glued to their tablets, not really mobile and active.

Buri Resort and Spa – Not Your Usual Puerto Galera Experience

Summer is indeed here. And what’s the perfect time to plan a beach getaway but now?

Though I have long accepted the fact that it may take some time before we can haul our kid army to the beach, it sure didn’t stop me from daydreaming of having our dose of vitamin sea soon.

Enter the relaxing experience I had at Buri Resort and Spa in Puerto Galera.

Mommy Travels: Luljetta’s Hanging Gardens and Spa, Antipolo

This is the second part of our Antipolo day trip last May. Picture heavy post ahead 🙂

After spending the first part of the day being all artsy-fartsy in Pinto Museum, we then head off to My Pot Restaurant where we over-indulged in Filipino food (buffet-style nonetheless!) for only 125 pesos!

My good friend, Jon of Jontotheworld.com, wrote more about our foodtrip (and Antipolo adventure) on his blog.

With our tummies full, we’re all ready for the Luljetta’s Hanging Garden and Spa experience.

Luljetta’s Hanging Gardens and Spa (Source)