ILOCOS SUR'S TOURIST SPOTS AND HISTORICAL PLACES
1.Calle Crisologo, Vigan
1.Calle Crisologo, Vigan
The most famous and major tourist magnet in Vigan, Calle Crisologo is full of Spanish-styled houses that gives people of this generation a glimpse of the Spanish era. This street also features the prosperous lifestyle of the said era because of the Manila-Acapulco trade.
2. Baluarte
There are two good reasons why you should visit Baluarte, also known as the Fortress: first, because of its mini-zoo that serves as the home of many endemic animals in the Philippines and second, is that it is actually owned by Mr. Chavit Singson, a well-known politician in the country.
More Photos: Baluarte ni Chavit Singson in Vigan, Ilocos Sur
3. Bantay Bell Tower
More Photos: Baluarte ni Chavit Singson in Vigan, Ilocos Sur
3. Bantay Bell Tower
Sitting on top of a hill, the historical Bantay Belfry is not only a must-see sight in Ilocos because of its historic and cultural significance but also because of the panoramic view of the entire Ilocos Sur when one goes to its top part
4. Cabagugao Beach
4. Cabagugao Beach
Cabugao Beach Resort is one of the goto beaches in the North. Though far, the beach is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy activities like surfing and diving. It is situated 45 minutes away from the Laoag International Airport with complete amenities like fully air-conditined guestroms, private hot and cold showers, cabana bar and grill, conference or function rooms, beach huts, laundry service and many more.
5. Pinsal Falls
5. Pinsal Falls
Pinsal Falls is also known as the “Twin Falls” where it has a height of 85 feet surrounded with nature’s beauty perfect for swimming and going on a picnic. It is located in the town of Santa Maria Ilocos Sur. It has been featured by different travel shows and it was even featured on the famous movie “Panday” by the late Fernando Poe Jr. because of its beauty. Legend has it hat the natural pools found in the site are believed to be the footprint of a giant named Angelo when he was searching for his wife, Aran.
http://www.wayph.com/top-10-tourist-spots-in-ilocos/3/
6. Sta. Maria Church
http://www.wayph.com/top-10-tourist-spots-in-ilocos/3/
6. Sta. Maria Church
The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption (Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion), commonly known as the Santa Maria Church is the parish church of Santa Maria in Ilocos Sur province, Philippines. The church was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Siteon December 11, 1993 as part of the Baroque Churches of the Philippines, a collection of four Baroque Spanish-era churches.[2]
The Santa Maria Church is an attraction to both tourists and Catholics in 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 of bricks and mortar. It was built on top of a hill not only as a lookout and a citadel but as a religious center during the early administration of the region by both the friars and soldiers of Spain.
7. Pikkang Falls
The Santa Maria Church is an attraction to both tourists and Catholics in 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 of bricks and mortar. It was built on top of a hill not only as a lookout and a citadel but as a religious center during the early administration of the region by both the friars and soldiers of Spain.
7. Pikkang Falls
Pikkang Falls is located in Barangay Malamin, San Juan, Ilocos Sur it is on the Eastern part of the town San Juan (Lapog). Bounded on the west by Barangay Cacandongan on the East by the Ilocos and Abra Mountain Ranges on the south by Barangay Barbar and on the north by Municipality of Cabugao.
8. Tirad Pass
8. Tirad Pass
Mount Tirad is a 1,154-metre (3,786 ft) mountain peak near Cervantes, Ilocos Sur, Philippines. It ranks as the 3rd highest mountain in Ilocos Sur and the 446th highest mountain in the Philippines.
Tirad Pass on the mountain holds a significant place in Philippine history, having been the site of the 1899 battle of Tirad Pass.
9. Bessang Pass
Tirad Pass on the mountain holds a significant place in Philippine history, having been the site of the 1899 battle of Tirad Pass.
9. Bessang Pass
The Bessang Pass Natural Monument is a protected area and memorial that commemorates the victory on 14 June 1945 by Filipino soldiers serving the U.S. Army Forces in the Philippines Northern Luzon (USAFIP-NL) over the Imperial Japanese Armyin the Battle of Bessang Pass which led to Japan's eventual surrender and end to World War II in the Philippines. It covers an area of 693.32 hectares (1,713.2 acres) and a buffer zone of 427.79 hectares (1,057.1 acres) in the municipality of Cervantes inIlocos Sur. The mountain pass was initially a component of the Tirad Pass National Park, declared in 1938 through Proclamation No. 294 by then President Manuel Luis Quezon. On 10 August 1954, it was established as the Bessang Pass National Shrine with an area of 304 hectares (750 acres) by virtue of Proclamation No. 55 signed by President Ramon Magsaysay. The national shrine was finally declared and reclassified as a natural monument under the National Integrated Protected Areas System in April 2000 through Proclamation No. 284 by President Joseph Estrada.
10. Santiago Cove
10. Santiago Cove
Santiago Cove is dubbed as the "Boracay of Ilocos Sur" because of its white sands
10. Sangbay Falls
10. Sangbay Falls
Baluarte, Salcedo, Ilocos Sur
11. Plaza Salcedo
11. Plaza Salcedo
Plaza Salcedo, named after the Spanish conqueror, Juan de Salcedo who subdued the early native settlement in Vigan and established upon it Villa Fernandina for the monarchs of Spain in 1572. With this, Juan de Salcedo founded the third of many Hispanic settlements in the Philippines.
It was in Plaza Salcedo where Gabriela Silang was executed by public hanging in 1763.
12. Vigan Cathedral
It was in Plaza Salcedo where Gabriela Silang was executed by public hanging in 1763.
12. Vigan Cathedral
Vigan Cathedral, canonically known as the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines. It serves as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site declaration for the Historic Town of Vigan in 1999.
13. Hidden Garden
13. Hidden Garden
Vigan’s so called Hidden Garden is not really hidden at all. Well, it is way out from the city center, and one needs to either ride a tricycle or hire a calesa to access it, so I guess it is partly hidden in a way.
The sprawling garden started out as a personal venture for retired engineer, Francis Flores. It started to really blossom and guests started to pour in. Eventually, he opened the place to the public in 1991 and it became one of the usual stops with the calesa tours in Vigan.
Hidden Garden is really intended for people with green thumbs. Here, one can find all sorts of ornamental plants for one’s landscaping needs. Yes, they are for sale. Every mom who has a small patch of ground would definitely love this place. And while I’m not really interested in horticulture, I find their collection of bonsais to be really nice. Believe it or not, I even attended a free workshop once on how to grow them—or hinder them from growing, to be more precise.
- See more at: http://www.lakadpilipinas.com/2014/09/hidden-garden-vigan-restaurant.html#sthash.t41wumcE.dpuf
The sprawling garden started out as a personal venture for retired engineer, Francis Flores. It started to really blossom and guests started to pour in. Eventually, he opened the place to the public in 1991 and it became one of the usual stops with the calesa tours in Vigan.
Hidden Garden is really intended for people with green thumbs. Here, one can find all sorts of ornamental plants for one’s landscaping needs. Yes, they are for sale. Every mom who has a small patch of ground would definitely love this place. And while I’m not really interested in horticulture, I find their collection of bonsais to be really nice. Believe it or not, I even attended a free workshop once on how to grow them—or hinder them from growing, to be more precise.
- See more at: http://www.lakadpilipinas.com/2014/09/hidden-garden-vigan-restaurant.html#sthash.t41wumcE.dpuf