9 Tips For Authentic Travel Experiences

BY  Sibashree Jun 28, 2025

A group of researchers from the University of Santo Tomas has prepared a full-fledged report on how sustainable tourism can be the future of Siquijor. The study, “Conservation of Sustainable Ecotourism on the Island of Siquijor through Sustainable Alternative Livelihoods, Training and Development,” has also factored in the needs of the inhabitants to promote sustainable tourism on the island. Siquijor remains a hidden gem while Bohol and Cebu, its neighbors, get more attention. However, Siquijor has the serene vibe, mystical charm, and natural beauty to be a tourism hotspot. Additionally, it enables you to be part of cultural discovery, adventure, and relaxation. So, you can be an adrenaline junkie or someone who enjoys the company of nature. Siquijor has everything for different types of travelers. Do you also feel like unwinding in Siquijor? Let’s talk about the things to do in Siquijor in this Tour and Travel Guide. However, before that, I want to discuss how to travel to Siquijor. How Do I Travel To Siquijor? Enjoy A Beautiful Ferry Ride Siquijor does not have an airport. You have to reach this island in the heart of the Philippines by ferry. You can take a ferry from Cebu or Dumaguete. Dumaguete is the closest neighbor of Siquijor, and the ferry ride will take around 1 hour. From Cebu, a ferry ride to Siquijor will take 4-5 hours. Are you traveling from Manila? Take a flight to Dumaguete or Cebu and then a ferry ride to Siquijor. Unique Things To Do In Siquijor: What Is Siquijor Famous For? March to May, or the dry season, is the best time to visit Siquijor. The sea remains calm during the dry season. So, water activities, including boat rides, become the most enjoyable in these months. Now, many people project Siquijor as a year-round attraction. However, it experiences heavy rainfall from October to June. Also, the sea becomes tumultuous during these months. However, irrespective of the time of your visit, you will love the following things to do in Siquijor. 1. Plan A Visit To The Cambugahay Falls A beautiful three-tiered waterfall in Lazi! Cambugahay Falls looks stunning with the backdrop and surroundings of lush greenery. Further, it has crystal clear water, gleaming in the Sun. The things to do here are: Swimming Relaxing Soaking in the natural beauty of the island Dipping into the natural pools And? You can live your Instagram dream by swinging from the vine rope hanging above the water. You have to take a short trek through the jungle path to reach the waterfall. 2. Visiting The Old Enchanted Balete Tree: The Spirits Are Waiting When the BBC called Siquijor “A paradise island with a reputation for witchcraft,” we all took note.   But how did it get its name? Let’s decode. Also known as the “Mystical Island,” Siquijor is also home to the Balete Tree. This ancient tree located in Enrique Villanueva town is 400 years old. In local folklore, various spirits and supernatural beings live in this tree. The tree is gigantic in size, and it is surrounded by cool and clear spring water. 3. Enjoying The Turquoise Water And White Sand Beach At Salagdoong Beach Do you want to relax at the beach? Salagdoong Beach will be your go-to destination. White powdery sand and turquoise water make it stand out. Located in Maria, this beach also offers an adventurous experience as you dive from the dramatic cliffs, with heights ranging from 8 to 15 meters. The Sun goes down, and after a day full of adventure, you need to relax. You can take the small local cottages for rent and spend the night watching the Moonlight dancing in the water. 4. Scuba Diving At Siquijor’s Best Dive Spots: Things To Do In Siquijor Siquijor has Paliton Beach, where divers can explore coral reefs, underwater caves, and vibrant marine species such as sea turtles, reef sharks, and tropical fish. Another popular dive spot is Mae’s Rock, where divers can see an abundance of underwater creatures, such as: Nudibranchs Lionfish Macro Critters Are you a beginner? Don’t worry, as the island has many diving schools that will help you start your scuba diving journey. 5. Visiting The Siquijor Butterfly Sanctuary: Things To Do In Siquijor Do you want to learn about the life cycle of butterflies, their role in the ecosystem, and conservation efforts in the region? Visit the Siquijor Butterfly Sanctuary in Lazi. It is also a beautiful place to take photos for your socials and stroll through the peaceful gardens. 6. Exploring The Old Churches And Historical Sites: Being Familiar With The Essence Of Siquijor St. Francis of Assisi Church in the town of Lazi is one of the most prominent historical landmarks of Siquijor. This stunning Spanish-era church was built in 1857, and its coral stone construction still evokes a sense of awe! San Isidro Labrador Church is another attraction here, and it is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines, dating back to the 16th century. 7. Trekking To Mt. Bandilaan National Park: Nature And Mysticism At Its Best Hike to the Bandilaan and enjoy the most thrilling panoramic view of the island and the surrounding ocean. Also, the national park has a natural spring and a sacred grotto. Thus, trekking through this national park feels like a spiritual experience. 8. Be A Part Of The Healing Festival And Know The Island’s Spiritual Heritage In the month of May, Siquijor hosts the Healing Festival. Spiritual guides, herbalists, and local healers gather to share their knowledge in the following sectors: Energy healing Natural remedies Traditional medicine It is your chance to be a part of healing treatments and workshops on ancient practices of the island. 9. A Nighttime Firefly Tour: You Will Not Find This Experience Anywhere Else Picture a scene! You are lying on the beach, and suddenly, fireflies eradicate the darkness and light up the night sky! This is what you will see on a firefly tour in Siquijor. Quiet rivers and mangrove forests on the island are the ideal location. You can take a ride in the banca boat or kayak to spot the fireflies in the trees, around you, and everywhere! 10. Have The Most Amazing Seafood And Beach Experience When in Siquijor, don’t miss: Grilled fish Shellfish Crabs Sinigang na baboy Kinilaw You must also try the local desserts and bring some fresh produce as cherished souvenirs.

BY  sagnika May 10, 2023

Avelo Airlines is a super low-cost U.S carrier that is headquartered in Houston, Texas. It was previously used to charter flights as Xtra Airways and Casino Express Airlines. It rebranded as Avelo Airlines on the 8th of April in the year 2021. The airline's first scheduled flight was under the name of Avelo on the 28th of April in the year 2021. Keep reading till the end to find out more information on Avelo Airlines reviews! Avelo Flight Amenities Image Source: johnnyjet.com Avelo focuses on getting its passengers from point A to point B. The in-flight amenities that they provide are the bare minimum. They do not provide WiFi or even any video streaming capabilities. Avelo needs to provide official information on its website about any drinks and food. It depends on the flight - but one may or may not get a complimentary bottles of water and snack. For most of their flights, there aren't any drink or food options available - even for purchasing. Tip: Is Avelo Airlines safe? Well, this low cost airline is as safe as they can get. One other such safe airline is Norse Atlantic Airways. Avelo Seat Specifications Image Source: thepointsguy.global.ssl.fastly.net With the Boeing 737 fleet, one can surely expect a standard form of experience no matter in which Avelo route a person is flying. For packing as many seats as possible, one can expect minimal legroom space, and very narrow seats onboard. It is also worth mentioning, roughly a third of the cabin is known to boast extra seats for legroom. According to Avelo airlines reviews, their Standard Economy has a 29-inch pitch and a 17-inch width. They also provide extra legroom which is about 31 to 37 inches. Their Boeing 737-700 has a hundred and forty-seven seats. While their larger air vessel (737-800) has 189 seats. Avelo Fees Image Source: thepointsguy.global.ssl.fastly.net All of the travelers who opt for Avelo Airlines are entitled to one free personal item, such as a small backpack or a purse. They must fit under a traveler's seat. You need to remember that the personal item you will bring falls under the 35 x 22 x 24 cm specifications. Additionally, travelers can bring up to a single carry-on for forty to fifty dollars. It is also a cheap way to pay for a carry-on while the person is still in the process of booking. Avelo airlines reviews state that: If you would like to bring a larger bag, it would cost the same Avelo baggage fees as a carry-on bag. The checked bag must at least weigh under fifty pounds and should not be over sixty-two inches - in its combined height, width, and length - including the wheels and handles. Any other checked bags over this weight and size are applicable for an additional fees. An overweight bag can cost fifty dollars. If it is an oversized bag, it will also cost fifty dollars. Hence, if the load is both overweight and oversized, it will cost hundred dollars in total. Other Fees Some of the other forms of fees that Avelo Airline charges are: Reservation Center Booking Their airline allows one to book flights or even modify the booking through their official application. It is also to be noted that any form of changes or cancellations is subject to a non-refundable $20 processing fee. Seat Assignment Image Source: thepointsguy.global.ssl.fastly.net This fee starts at eleven dollars, which allows the traveler to select their seat preference or have one seat assigned for them to check-in. If you need a window/aisle seat, or do not want to get separated from your friends and family, you could try paying for these modification fees. Keep reading just a bit more to read about avelo airlines review! Read More: Myenvoyair Review – Registration, Login And Benefits Modification Fees Image Source: thepointsguy.global.ssl.fastly.net In spite of being a super low-cost carrier, Avelo is known to offer a very generous policy. That is, if someone needs to modify their flight. It can be done for free until 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time. For that, they have to call Avelo’s Customer Support Center for modifying their booking. Then they’ll be charged a $20 fee per traveler. They are also eligible for receiving a full refund to the original payment method if they end up canceling their flight within 24 hours of booking. Avelo Airlines Reviews Here are a few avelo air reviews left by people who used their services: I had my doubts after seeing bad reviews, but both flights were seamless. They left on time and arrived early, even though it was spring break. The smaller airport at Wilmington was easier and quicker to navigate. – S Lane My experience with Avelo Airlines was one my family and I would never forget. We had a great time flying from Orlando to new haven. But coming back to Orlando my family and I were surprised when the flight attendant recognized my daughter for her upcoming birthday on November 28th. She had the passengers flicker their lights to congratulate her which was very special as this was our first time flying in years. I was one happy mama and proud as well. – Terrica Lewis Flew on Tuesday before Thanksgiving. No problems at all. I have to admit I do not like that we not even offered a drink. So you need to make sure that you carry on a beverage of your choice and any snacks as there is nothing on the plane. The plane was not full so the stewardess offered people to move to another seat so they could stretch out. It was very expensive but I assume that it was because of Holiday travel. I would fly again, as very pleased with this airline – C Crum No complaints. Super cheap. Direct flight. No delays. As you should expect, ones to pay for checked bags. Absolutely going to fly them again. Old plane, but Newport News airport is easy, and everyone was nice. – Lynn Stravino Editor's Two Cents My most memorable flight was the one I took on an Avelo. Raleigh to New Haven, CT last summer. When I boarded the aircraft, I discovered that it was one of our flight attendants' first flights following training. It was a neat moment when everyone clapped after the announcement. Our captain is Captain Taco, the lead flight attendant may have mentioned during the welcome announcement. A few of us exchanged the "Did I just hear that?" look, so I wasn't the only one who heard that. Immediately following takeoff, as soon as we leveled off, a man two rows in front of me experienced a medical issue and passed out. The woman two rows ahead of him had to be a doctor because she sprang to her feet, put him down, and put on an oxygen mask. We were able to safely arrive in Raleigh after he eventually turned around a few seconds later and the flight crew moved the rows around him to make room. The woman in front of me asked the pilot if he truly was Captain Taco, to which he replied "No," before the man was taken off by EMTs and we were permitted to disembark. Then she inquired as to his true name. His reply? "A complete mystery." 10 out of 10. would take off once more. At first, I was very cautious. When I discovered that the $69 price excluded the required seat selection, they gave me major Spirit Airline vibes. I therefore had the worst expectations possible in the days before my trip. Fortunately, the entire journey from Palm Beach to Connecticut was extremely enjoyable. A few things to note: it was a little unsettling that no staff members appeared at the gate until roughly 30 minutes before boarding. However, the personnel was really kind and pleasant. Although they had overhead covering, the plane was being boarded outside. The cost of a seat is determined by how comfortable it is; more legroom, window or aisle seating, and overall location on the aircraft will cost you more. There is no infotainment of any kind on this very basic aircraft. They did, however, provide a small bottle of water and some shortbread cookies as snacks. It was the same process to disembark as it was to board: descend the stairs, pass beneath a makeshift canopy, and enter the airport. Nothing fancy at all, but it was still a fun experience. My total round-trip airfare came to $72.74 (tax included), plus $31 for the seat ($16 & $15), a $15 promotional fee, and $65.26 in additional fees. Thus, the $69 round-trip ticket that was advertised came to $154. Every other airline I researched was *promoted* at $290+. The round-trip cost would increase by $84 if I chose to upgrade to a more expensive non-emergency row seat. A few other things to consider are how small the airplanes are. Thus, stay away from Avelo Air if small aircraft frighten you. Bring portable batteries for your devices because there is no power in the seats. Would I Take an Avelo Again? Yes, I would. Given the competitive pricing, I might even think about purchasing one of the more expensive seats. To Wrap It Up! After reading all of the Avelo Airlines reviews it is clear that they are best in service. If you are contemplating on whether or not to choose their service then by all means go ahead with them! That was all for information regarding Avelo Airlines. Thank you for reading up till here. I hope you found the information useful. Let me know in the comments your thoughts on the same. Read Also: Everything About Breeze Airways: Breeze Airways Reviews, Features, And More! Hopper Flights Review- Login, Services, And Travel Experiences Aainflight Review- Login, Services And Travel Experiences

BY  Abdul Aziz Jul 28, 2023

Traveling alone can be a liberating and transformative experience. It allows you to explore the world on your terms, embrace new cultures, and discover your inner self. However, some essential preparations are necessary to make the most of your solo adventure. In this article, we will present some crucial tips for solo globetrotters to ensure a safe, enjoyable, and enriching journey. So, let's begin! Relax With A Spa Day Or Wellness Indulge in the ultimate self-care by treating yourself to a blissful spa day. Unwind with rejuvenating massages, facials, and pampering treatments that rejuvenate both body and mind. Embrace wellness activities like yoga or meditation to find inner peace and harmony during your solo journey. Take a moment to cherish the serenity of your surroundings, and don't forget to bring along your favorite self-pleasure devices like real whizzinator XXX to enhance the relaxation experience. It's the perfect way to recharge and nurture yourself while creating lasting memories of tranquility. Attend A Live Music Performance Or Theater Show Immerse yourself in the vibrant local culture by attending a live music performance or captivating theater show. Whether it's a lively concert or an intimate theater production, the energy and creativity of the performers will leave you enthralled. As you enjoy the artistic expressions, you'll also have the chance to connect with other attendees, fostering new friendships and shared experiences. Embrace the magic of the moment, relishing the independence of solo travel while being part of a more significant communal celebration of the arts. Attend Cultural Events Or Festivals Take part in cultural events and gatherings to get to know the soul of the place. Get involved in their cultural activities and celebrations that show who they are. Talk to the friendly people who live there. They are often eager to tell tourists about their culture and traditions. These events give you a great chance to learn about the local way of life, making your trip more than just a viewing tour and a deep cultural exchange that opens your mind. Wander Through Local Markets And Shops Discover the authentic essence of the place by meandering through bustling local markets and charming shops. Stroll along colorful stalls, sampling exotic fruits, spices, and regional delicacies. Engage in friendly haggling with vendors to find unique souvenirs and handicrafts with special memories of your solo adventure. The immersive experience of exploring these markets allows you to connect with the daily life of the locals, learning about their customs and traditions while finding joy in the simple pleasure of discovering hidden gems. Take A Scenic Hike Or Nature Walk Escape the hustle and bustle of city life and venture into the tranquil beauty of nature. Embark on a scenic hike or leisurely nature walk, immersing yourself in the breathtaking landscapes, diverse flora, and fauna. The peacefulness of nature is perfect for self-reflection and meditation, letting you feel like you are one with your surroundings. On a soul-enriching solo trip, take pictures of the beautiful views, enjoy the quiet, and let the soothing sounds of nature be your music. Share Your Travel Plan With Your Trusted Family    Share your travel plan with your trusted family. It is one of the things that you must do. Provide all the travel plan details to your family members and give them copies of essentials like ID and other important papers required for your tour and travel. It ensures taking safety measures on your side.  If you find yourself stuck in any problem, your family members can rescue you. If you find yourself in serious problems, then your family members can act to your rescue.  They can do it best only if you share your travel's nitty gritty with them. It is one of the most important requirements to put you in a safe place.  Avoid Reckless Behavior And Use Common Sense You are going alone in different places. It means you will be encountering different cultures. You can learn from different cultures, transforming you as an individual. But working on your behavioral aspects as it is can ensure your safe travel there.  If your behavior is good, you can easily get help and cooperation from a diverse group of local people. Research on the behavioral traits and local culture of that particular place. It can help you adjust yourself to the new settings easily.  Do Your Safety Research Also, conduct your research on your safety in the new place. It is a must in the new place.  While traveling in a group or in sol, you must have all the safety measures depending on the location you visit. Research the safety measures properly, and you will easily prepare a list of things you do not have.   Add them this time. You might have needed a few safety measures in your previous travel. So get them while you are moving around this time. Also, procure adequate knowledge of the organizations that govern the place. Look at their safety guidelines; you can manage your solo tours less easily.  Get Travel Insurance   If you are a regular traveler, then you must have travel insurance. It has many benefits, so travelers buy such insurance to safeguard themselves from problems. Travel insurance aims to save your travel costs if you have a delay in travel or damage to your luggage.  If you face any severe accident, travel insurance can protect you by compensating against the expensive bills and treatment costs. Life is brimmed with uncertainties, so you must have insurance against any accidents and their consequences.   While selecting travel insurance, look for the benefits they offer against the insurance coverage. Try to find out the best only then select the ones that fulfill your needs best. It is one of the ways to be on the safer side. Last Words Solo travel is a remarkable way to learn about the world and yourself. With these must-do activities, your solo expedition is bound to be an extraordinary and transformative one. So, on your next globetrotting adventure, embrace the joy of solo travel and create memories that will stay with you forever. Read Also: 5 Reasons To Consider Solo Travel A Traveler’s Guide To Lutsen The Best Tips To Travel Around The World