It’s that time of the year again when students are so caught up in the heat of schoolwork, and just need that breather we all call the semestral break.
Whether or not your university offers a long one, it’s always a smart move to gather up a couple of ideas with your family and close friends for the upcoming quick vacation, since it’s valuable time you’re definitely going to want to make the most of.
From things to do, people to see, and things to prepare, here are the top destinations and must-haves you need to take note of, and maybe even cross out of your list for next month.
Top sem break destinations
Any beach in the Philippines
The Philippines overflows with beaches left and right that are top destinations for vacation go-to’s. No doubt that a trip to famous locations with beautiful beaches will make up for those late school nights doing work. Think drinks by the shore, volleyball games on the sand, a great sunset view, and even working on that tan you’ve lost the past few months.
Nearby ones are in Batangas such as Tali and Punta Fuego, and if you’re planning on spending even more, then look into Boracay, Palawan, Quezon or Balesin, as well.
Anywhere abroad
Those short plane rides out of the country are the best, since you get the experience of a whole new culture without having to go too far or spend as much as you might need to if you were going to America or the like.
From food, to different fashion trends and even different festivities, it’s always great to travel abroad. Common destinations Filipinos visit are Hong Kong and Singapore. A trip to either of these two countries may need a little planning, especially financially, so start searching for airline promos ASAP!
Out-of-town road trips
Thinking of taking a short trip with great company? How about getting on a car and driving up north to the likes of Subic, or even all the way to Tagaytay down south? These ideal vacation places, just a two- to three-hour drive away, make it fun to explore all the different activities in store, such as swimming with the dolphins in Ocean Adventure, or having a meal overlooking the beautiful Taal Lake. Go for the day, or if you know someone who has a place, think of making plans for an entire weekend.
Wakeboarding parks (Clark, Nuvali, Camarines Sur)
One of the upcoming sports today is wakeboarding, which isn’t as difficult after several tries. Different parks have been opened to the public to enjoy and discover, such as Camsur Complex in Camarines Sur, Lago de Oro in Batangas, Deca Wake Park Clark in Clark, Pampanga, and more.
Local festivals
This country is known for different festivals that provinces hold. One upcoming one this Oct. 18-20 is the famous Masskara Festival in Bacolod. Some of the activities to look forward to this year vary from street dance competitions, to light shows, firework displays and an electric dance parade.
Music festivals
All over the world, the number of different sorts of music festivals has grown these past few years. This generation just can’t get enough of music. The Philippines has been having its fair share of events left and right, and many production companies plan to hold even more in the next few months. One of the upcoming festivals is Soul Surf, which will be held in La Union this Oct. 24-27. Local artists such as The Bloomfields, Franco, DJ Euric, and more, as well as well-known international artists such as RAC, Panic City and Classixx will perform in this much-anticipated event.
Top sem break must-haves
Alcohol
What’s a vacation without a little drinking in moderation? After all those months of studying and late nights cramming papers, this is the time to let go and enjoy with a group of friends during the break. Be it by the beach or out of town with the gang, there’s always room for a little fun.
Cameras
Memories, sadly, cannot last forever, which is why it’s always good to document the great ones. Nowadays, we find the youth capturing everything now that technology has advanced so greatly with camera phones that have increased convenience, as well. SLRs will always come in handy for those breathtaking destinations, as well as the common digital camera.
Try making things fun by getting a toy camera such as a Holga or Diana if you want to experiment on film, or even invest on a Go-Pro for capturing active fun—diving, hiking and what not.
Money
With all your ambitions to travel and enjoy, you’re going to need to have some cash—maybe even a lot of cash. So, save up and start making baon throughout these last few weeks of the first semester in order to really enjoy your sem break vacation. You’re always going to need money with you no matter what, for meals, gas money, shopping adventures—the list goes on.
Travel bag
Clothes, shoes and all that need to be put in a safe place where they won’t get lost, and where you can actually find what you need when you open it. Organize your trip with a bag big enough to carry everything you need when traveling to your sem break destination. Don’t forget to choose one that will still have some space for things you want to bring home as well!
Friends
What’s a vacation without good company? Friends are usually the top essentials, since they’re the ones who have gone through the past few months with you, suffering, stress and all. Who better to plan trips with than your closest friends, who have been looking forward to this break with you since forever.
Good reads
Nothing to work on for class—no reports due, no projects, no readings, no videos—means so much time to catch up on books you’ve been dying to read. It’s time to grab your list of literature that you’ve been putting on hold for a while now and curl up, since you have time to read through it all.
Sleep
All those late nights and sleep deprivation have been catching up on you, and by now you’re probably getting mistaken for a cast member of “The Walking Dead.” Catch up on some zzz’s because now’s the time you can stay in bed without having to do anything.
Car
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to travel around and go on road trips. However, you will need a ride. Always make sure you plan a way to get to where you want to go, and assign one of your friends to use his or her car. You can always split the gas money to make things fair.
Beach accessories
You’re headed to the beach? That’s great! Now it’s time to put the essentials in your travel bag: shades, bikinis or trunks, sunblock, flip-flops—the whole package! Don’t miss out on anything in order to have a worry free trip.
TV shows
There’s nothing like kicking back and watching marathons of your favorite television shows. From DVDs to a hard drive full of shows, this is definitely one of those simple things that will make you feel relaxed and happy at the same.