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With the noise of the world and everyday life, one can truly surmise that sometimes, silence is luxury. In recent times, travel media outlets have reported trends where travellers are seeking quieter, personalized escapes. This month, we talk about some of these trends, and some destinations where one can do this in the Philippines:

Photo courtesy of Banwa Private Island

Quietcation

True vacation for many travellers isn’t necessarily an escape to paradise, or a trip to the stars, but true luxury is actually taking a break from work, waking up without an alarm, reading a book under the shade of a tree, or taking the time to reflect on ourselves. Enter Banwa Private Island in Roxas, Palawan, a small sanctuary in the off-beaten side of Palawan where exclusivity is more than their selling point as the property sees to it that guests are well-catered; Banwa Private Island only has 6 villas, allowing the guests to have total privacy, almost creating an illusion that the island is reserved for their own private vacation. The island truly allows the guests to decompress, engage with nature in a way that respects its natural state, and swim, unwind, and savor unforgettable dining experiences under sunlit skies and star-filled nights.

The Joy of the Analog

While it is ironic, more and more social media contents are telling us to lessen our doom-scrolling. In an age where heads bent down, fingers mindlessly scrolling, eyes continuously full is the usual sight whether we’re commuting, at a restaurant, or at home, there are those purveying the analog life to go back to life undisturbed. To reset or to have quietcations, it is recommended to turn off our notifications and really use those PTOs. Why not catch up on your reading? Currently trending is Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary, and Rachel Reid’s Heated Rivalry. Or pursue that sketching hobby, and/or catch up on some board games such as Dominion, Jaipur, or the ever trending Cards Against Humanity. We also recommend going to destinations where mobile phone signals may have patchy connections, but connection with nature and with one another instead can create better bonds–take for example Mount Purro Nature and Reserve in Rizal Province where guests can trek, swim in a nearby river, and plant native trees or fruit seedlings.

Leave it to the Experts

Let’s be honest, planning a holiday can sometimes be a cause of frustration especially if it’s not a solo trip; and when one’s finally on said holiday, coordinations are to be made with accommodations, transportations, and etc. More and more travellers are foregoing this DIY kind of travel, and instead leaving it to the hands of the trusty travel experts. While not a new concept, booking with travel experts eliminates the stress of arrangements and decision fatigue. Booking with travel advisors also creates an element of surprise as not all in social media can be done, and experts are able to recommend unexplored sites. Lastly, having a contact person in a destination brings comfort in knowing that someone is there to assist in one’s travels.

Photo courtesy of TEN KNOTS DEVELOPMENT CORP/EL NIDO RESORTS

Hushpitality

With combined silence (hush), and hospitality comes the new trend of Hushpitality–  a concept centered on the sensory well-being of an individual, allowing for a full experience of calm. In the quiet islands of Lagen and Pangulasian in El Nido, Palawan, one will be nestled within tropical forests, surrounded by limestone cliffs and turquoise waters that glisten. In these islands, connection to nature is the focus as the eco-sanctuaries offer lush vegetation and hikes where one can meet wildlife unique to Palawan. These experiences allow the senses to be more harmonious, the flora and the sea creating a delight in the eyes, the sand and wellness activities letting touch take the center stage, the rooms creating a retreat for the ears as it creates a barrier from obstructive noise, and the sumptuous meals that’s truly a feast for the taste buds. It’s the kind of hospitality that speaks softly, but makes you feel at home.

Photo courtesy of Nawa Wellness/Araw Hospitality

Wellness

Wellness is almost always included in “reset” kinds of travel, which comes to no surprise as the busyness of life often entails that we forget self-care. Wellness journeys are sometimes synonymous to spas, massages, or the like, but physical activities such as yoga and pilates, and meditation are also parts of wellness, since being-well should mean being healthy holistically and not just physically. The Farm at San Benito in Lipa City, Batangas, Nawa Wellness in Calatagan, Batangas, and Nurture Wellness Village in Tagaytay City, Cavite are some of the properties that offer wellness retreats–offering more than getaway as it’s a journey back to balance, renewal, and our best selves.