Five Amazing Dive Sites in Bohol for Beginners

Dive sites in Bohol, particularly near Panglao Island where many resorts are located, are perfect for beginners because of their shallow depths, beautiful coral walls, and gentle slopes. Here are 5 spots where newbies can practice their diving skills and experience plunging down a wreckage, fish sanctuaries, and a site known as the "Hole in the Wall".

1. Balicasag Fish Sanctuary
Located southeast of Bohol is Balicasag Island, home to a stretch of great dive sites that include Balicasag Fish Sanctuary. Established by the local community as a protected marine area, the sanctuary features a number of various fish species such as silver jack, bigeye trevally, midnight snappers, and sweetlips. Here, beginners can measure their buoyancy control for wall diving, since the site has a depth of 3 to 35 meters. The area is also ideal for snorkeling since the reefs are shallow.

2. Arco Point
Another easy dive site for newbies is Arco Point, which is situated just 12 minutes by boat from the southern portion of Panglao Island. This amazing dive site is called by many as “Hole in the Wall” because it features a small cave composed of soft and hard corals. Surrounding the cave are snake eels, cuttlefish, mantis shrimps, mackerels, and the giant frogfish. Since the wall is made up of fragile coral, passing through the hole is discouraged especially for inexperienced divers. The better way is to dive around it since the depth of the site is only from 4 to 27 meters.

3. Habagat Wreck
Also located south of Panglao Island is Habagat Wreck. This dive site ranging from 8- to 35-meters deep is an exciting spot for beginners because they can easily reach the wreck that sunk around year 2000. To put their fundamental diving skills to the test, there's an S-shaped wall and a slope a few feet from the wreckage. The area is also great for underwater photography, since the S-shaped wall has an overhang of colorful corals.

4. Doljo Point
Just minutes from various Panglao Island accommodations like the Bohol Bee Farm, Doljo Point offers a range of beautiful marine life such as big sea fans, bucket sponges, leather corals, manta rays, and barracudas. This dive spot is ideal for beginners learning to control diving into deeper depths because it can go as far as 40 meters. On some occasions, whale sharks may appear at lower levels.

5. Crystal Sanctuary
If there's one diving spot in Bohol advisable for newbies, it has to be Crystal Sanctuary. Its shallow depth of 3 to 25 meters makes it easy for those divers feeling out their equipment for the first time. In addition, the sanctuary has imposed restrictions to keep them on the safe distance. The Crystal Sanctuary is the closest dive spot from Alona Beach and other Panglao Island resorts.

Journey to Wellness is Just a Click Away at Nurture Wellness Village in Tagaytay

Tagaytay City, PHILIPPINES – Nurture Wellness Village, an eco-tourism resort in Tagaytay City, has integrated a direct online booking engine that will make securing its accommodations more convenient for guests. Featuring a quick reservation process, this easy-to-use booking system, which yields instant confirmation, makes the journey to wellness just a click away.

Visitors can do the reservation themselves on http://www.nurturewellnessvillage.com by clicking the 'BOOK WEEKDAYS for Instant Confirmation' button. This will launch the booking engine that is powered by DirectWithHotels. The process only takes 4 simple steps and a few minutes to complete, eliminating the hassle of constant communication with third parties.

After a minimal 10% prepayment payable via credit card, instant confirmation is guaranteed, complete with an email notification. This amount will be deducted from the total cost of stay, which is settled upon check-in at the Tagaytay eco-tourism resort.

Nurture Wellness Village's online system warrants a worry-free booking experience with the following benefits:

Transparent details – Guests will get to check and book available rooms at the best rates. Nightly rates of each accommodation and the total cost per room, already inclusive of taxes and fees, are shown.

User-friendly interface – For easier navigation and referencing, the booking engine is equipped with a bookmarking button, modification option, print feature, and an up-to-date currency converter. These enhancements permit guests to enjoy a smooth and intuitive reservation process.

Safe and secure booking – All transactions made using this channel are protected by Trustwave and VeriSign, 2 of the most trusted information security providers on the Internet. This feature protects individuals from fraud and safeguards the privacy of all information shared within the system.

Promo access – By using the resort's online system, guests will enjoy exclusive access to special promos, deals, and packages.

A pioneer in the Philippine spa industry, Nurture Wellness Village takes pride in its distinctive brand of eco-therapy. Here, guests can expect a delightful selection of local and foreign holistic services provided by trained therapists and wellness butlers. The resort offers accommodations that are cradled in a lush tropical garden. Among these is the Ifugao Spa Suite that is inspired by “ulog” or native huts in the Mountain Province. To get even closer to nature, guests can try Glamping — a more glamorous take on camping.

To know more about this eco-tourism resort in Tagaytay and experience firsthand an efficient booking process, interested parties may visit Nurture Wellness Village's website at http://www.nurturewellnessvillage.com.


Nurture Wellness Village
Pulong Sagingan, Barangay Maitim II
West Tagaytay City, Philippines

Phone Numbers: +63 2 7109786; +63 46 5126273

About DirectWithHotels
DirectWithHotels is in the business of making selling online simple and more profitable for hotels. Since 2005, we’ve helped over 1000 Hotel Partners (and counting) in 50 countries worldwide increase their direct bookings online. We attract visitors and drive traffic direct to their hotel websites with tactical online marketing, convert these visitors into bookers with a top-performing booking engine, and manage increasing reservations with an easy-to-use web interface. All this at a fixed, performance-based fee of just 10% for every direct booking.

Eco-Friendly Accommodations Offer Guilt-Free Holidays in Palawan, Philippines

To answer the call of preserving the biodiversity of Palawan, the Philippines' Last Frontier, hospitality service providers put up eco-friendly accommodations in Puerto Princesa and other parts of the province. These are the type of hotels and resorts that strive to be more environmentally friendly through the efficient use of energy, water, and materials while providing quality services. Some of these practices include the use of solar panels, motion sensors for lighting, rainwater harvesting, natural ventilation, and waterless urinals. The immediate goal of these eco-friendly accommodations is to minimize, if not completely abandon, the use of conventional resources. But in the long-term, the aim is to raise a new generation of eco-conscious travelers. By opting to book a room in these types of properties, you get the chance to enjoy a fun holiday and develop a deeper appreciation for nature.

A good example of a 'green' resort is Astoria Hotels and Resorts’ latest addition to its list of luxury properties, the Astoria Palawan. This beach resort in Puerto Princesa utilizes sustainable building materials, practices, and methods that are meant to make the guests' experience unique and keep the natural resources pristine.

For instance, it has its own state-of the-art sewage treatment plant that not only allows the resort to cut down on its water consumption, but also makes sure that waste is properly disposed. A retention pond was built close to the resort to catch the overflow of a nearby creek; it supplies irrigation to the mango trees in the area and can also be used for recreational fishing. To create Astoria's combination of rustic and modern design, ecological materials, raw concrete, and stones in the area were used for the structural components and interior partition walls.

All these coincide with the local government’s efforts and initiatives to protect the environment through green technology and improving energy efficiency. Hotel entrepreneurs guarantee travelers that these processes will not in any way affect the high level of comfort, relaxation, and luxury that is expected of such tourist destinations. In fact, guests will be amazed to find themselves staying in a beachresort in Puerto Princesa that is implementing low or zero carbon footprint such as the aforementioned Astoria.

Astoria Palawan Resort boasts 40 luxurious guestrooms that combine contemporary and traditional elements that make a charming and relaxing atmosphere for all types of travelers. All rooms have either a king size bed or queen size beds, individual climate control air-conditioning, LCD television, DVD player, and Wi-Fi Internet access. Moreover, this accommodation in Puerto Princesa has a restaurant facing the Sulu Sea, an infinity pool, and recreational pavilion.

4 Budget-Conscious Tips for Travelers Staying in Astoria Plaza, Ortigas, Pasig

Without a doubt, the best travel experiences are not determined solely by budget. For instance, a successful budget-friendly vacation in Astoria Plaza Hotel in Ortigas Center, Pasig City is definitely possible and manageable for anyone. It is all about planning. The better you organize your stay, the more value you enjoy, and the less expenses you incur. To start the savings from rolling in, just follow these tips:

1. Look at available promos first. Before making a reservation, check for current deals that you can grab for better value. There is no shortage of bargains offered by the hotel to guests, so make sure you visit the promo page first to see what deals are available. Depending on the time of the year, you are likely to find packages with high-value inclusions and rooms at discounted rates.

2. Pick a room rate plan with breakfast included. You might think you are saving up by choosing to get accommodation on a room-only rate, but if you really look at it, a rate plan with breakfast proves to be more money-savvy. A complimentary breakfast can get you a long way. You savor a big meal in the morning, which leaves you fuller for a longer time. This means you can enjoy a smaller lunch, and because you did not have to pay extra for breakfast, maybe you can even afford to splurge a little for dinner.

3. Check out prices ahead of time. For many travelers, comparing Ortigas hotel rates is a common practice, but most forget checking out the prices of everything else. To save the most money on a destination, take the time to research all relevant costs before deciding to go there. The expenses do not end with booking a hotel. There are restaurants to eat at, admission fees to pay for at the gates of attractions, transportation costs, and other essentials to complete a fun vacation.

4. Shop off the beaten path. Naturally, no vacation is complete without getting souvenirs. It gets trickier if you also have to buy a lot for your family, friends, and officemates. But don't worry. This is perfectly manageable, even on a budget. The secret is in buying trinkets at local street markets instead of the bigger malls and on the entrance of big tourist spots. Walk around and look at the small stalls and shops near your Ortigas hotel to score cheaper but definitely more authentic finds. Have fun!

Explore Makassar, Indonesia From Continent Centrepoint Panakkukang Hotel

You will never run out of things to do outside of Continent Centrepoint Panakkukang - Makassar Hotel in Makassar, Indonesia (or any other accommodation at the capital of South Sulawes province). As a tourist destination, the port city exudes so much color and character that there is hardly any end to discoveries for travelers.

Take a single step outside of your accommodation and you are instantly transported to a new world dominated by strong aromas, loud honking horns, and overall pandemonium — but of the best possible sort. If you are ready to get to know the place, put on some sunscreen and visit a few of these beautiful sights outside of your hotel:

1. Taman Anggrek Clara Bundt – Channel your inner Alfred Wallace and explore the natural wonders of the city. Begin by taking a lovely walk at Taman Anggrek Clara Bundt, located at Jl. Mochtar Lufti 15. It is a local park and garden that features exotic hybrids, a lovely fruit orchard, and expansive shell collection.

2. Monumen Mandala – If you passed by Jakarta, you have probably seen the popular Monas or National Monument. Makassar has a smaller version of this known as Monumen Mandala, found on Jl. Jendral Sudirman. The towering monument is a celebration of the Irian Jaya liberation, which is now known as Papua.

3. Pelabuhan Paotere – See Bugis sailing ships rest and enjoy what is probably the most atmospheric part of the city. Pelabuhan Paotere is along Paotere Harbour, a very popular attraction in this port city. To get here from the city center, take a 15-minute becak ride to reach the dock. Also, don't miss going around the fish market nearby to see where the fantastic seafood warungs or food stalls get their main ingredients.

4. Fort Rotterdam – A reminder of the Dutch occupation, Fort Rotterdam is Makassar's most popular tourist attraction. It used to be a Gowanese fort that guards the harbor back around 1545. Now it is one of the best-preserved examples of Dutch architecture in the city that stands on Jl. Pasar Ikan, after it was rebuilt in 1667 when the Treaty of Bungaya was signed. Two museums are currently housed inside the fort, the more popular being Museum Negeri La Galigo. Some of the exhibits found here include a selection of costumes, Tana Toraja rice bowls and kitchen tools, and musical instruments.

Visit these places if you happen to be staying at Continent Centrepoint Panakkukang - Makassar. Soak in the beauty of the city and let it enrich you as a traveler.

Langkawi Seaview Hotel Presents Everything Traveler's Look For in a Hotel

Langkawi Seaview Hotel proves to be a top accommodation of choice in Langkawi, Malaysia by providing all the things that travelers need to feel great comfort.

Excellent rooms and suites
Whatever their reason for visiting, travelers would always prefer to stay in stylish and well-furnished guestrooms at the end of the day. Langkawi Seaview Hotel, in fact, boasts of 143 spacious rooms and suites with deluxe wooden flooring, a private bath, floor-to-ceiling glass panels, and balconies that offer spectacular sea views. All rooms have air-conditioning, ASTRO TV, an IDD phone, and mini-bar, and coffee/tea maker. Also, Wi-Fi Internet access is complimentary throughout the hotel, so you can check in with loved ones and work even while on vacation.

Can't-miss dining experience
While there are many establishments in the area that can soothe gastro cravings, guests can experience a range of contemporary local and international cuisines at the hotel's very own restaurant. Located in the lobby, The Kingfisher Cafe has a pleasing and casual ambience, and serves an affordable breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between. It is an ideal place for various functions, for the whole family, romantic dates, or corporate dining. The cafe has a Halal certificate.

Well-equipped events facilities
Aside from corporate dining, visitors can also hold important meetings and seminars at this accommodation in Langkawi's 7 fully equipped events facilities. There's an LCD projector, PA system, cordless microphones, whiteboard, screen, pens, and writing pads. There's also a computer and printer, scanner, wireless Internet, fax and photostat service, and a DVD player. Drinking water and sweet treats will also be provided during events.

Conveniences for leisure and more
More than the great restaurant and efficient meeting rooms, guests can also enjoy onsite features for leisure: an indoor swimming pool with a jacuzzi, and spa service.

Easy access to many attractions
Another great thing about the hotel is its address: close to some of Langkawi's popular shopping complexes. These include Lagenda Park and Beach, Langkawi Fair Shopping Centre, Kuah Shopping Area, Dataran Helang (Eagle Square), and Teow Soon Huat Duty Free Shopping Centre. Kuah Jetty is just 5 minutes away, while the Langkawi International Airport is a 25-minute drive from Langkawi Seaview Hotel.

The Best Possible Venue for Business-Slash-Leisure Travelers in Boracay

Crown Regency Resort & Convention Center is one of the best destinations for a comfortable and carefree time in Boracay Island, Philippines. This accommodation presents travelers with all the features for work-related affairs as well as the needs for pleasure and amusement. Whether you're a businessman trying to squeeze in some family time, or friends seeking awareness for a start-up brand through partying, staying here will make these goals easier to achieve.

A comfort-filled experience
After a long day meeting up with prospective partners or a night out with colleagues, you have the luxury of 400 guestrooms that offer a city vibe and modern comforts. These are all equipped with essential, top-of-the-line amenities that will create the feeling of a personal safe haven throughout. Each room has a flat-screen TV, mini-bar, and shower to help you get in the mood for a good night's sleep.

Giving all you need and more
Everything you wish to fulfill during your time here will never be too challenging thanks to an array of premier facilities. This resort in Boracay boasts of a well-equipped convention center that can seat up to 1,200 persons, perfect for conferences and summits. There's also an adventure park with team-building facilities for corporate attendees, buddies, and families. If traveling with kids, they will definitely enjoy the Boracay Oceanarium, 1,800 sq m wave pool, kiddie pool, marine aquarium, and mermaid performances. For your dining pleasure, Wang Shan Lo Chinese Restaurant offers buffet meals from 11 am to 9 pm, while Fabulous Fifties Cafe serves a pleasant setting for your caffeine and snack fix. There is also a lobby lounge, spa, garden, and aviary. Hotel services includeround-trip transfers, 24-hour room service, wake-up calls, foreign currency exchange, plus laundry and pressing.

Easy access to the island's finest spots
The resort in Boracay is located in Station 2, the island's main commercial area, which is just a 5-minute walk from White Beach, where most events and happenings take place. This holiday retreat's accessible address puts you within just minutes from D'Mall, Boracay's main entertainment and shopping area. Sites like Balabag Lake, Bulabog Beach, Ilig-Iligan Beach, Puka Shell Beach, Boracay Butterfly Gardens, Crocodile Island, and Holy Rosary Parish, are just some of the notable places you can check out with great assistance from Crown Regency Resort and Convention Center.