ILOCOS PROVINCE

Vigan House Vigan Calle Crisologo Paoay Church Vigan Ilocos Sur Vigan Cathedral Calesa in Vigan

ILOCOS PROVINCE Home of the historic town of Vigan The provinces which hug the northwestern slopes of northern Luzon are Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur. Nowhere is Spanish influence more evident than in these two provinces. More and more visitors are discovering the beauty and charm of Laoag, the capital of Ilocos Norte. Laoag boasts of an international airport and a number of world-class resorts, one of which has a sprawling 18-hole golf course. Paoay, Currimao, Batac, Dingras and Sarrat are the other places of interest in Ilocos Norte. The churches of Ilocos Norte stand out over all the province's attractions. These include the Cathedral of Saint William, the Paoay Church and the Church of Sta. Monica. Spanish influences are even more pronounced in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. Spanish houses built in the 16th century still line the streets of the old city. A trip to the Ayala Museum will provide the visitor with details on the province's glorious past. Coming from or going to Baguio or Ilocos, the traveler passes through La Union. This province is a favorite destination for beach lovers and the jump-off point for scuba diving in Lingayen Gulf. GOING TO VIGAN Vigan's tourist potential is based on its cultural heritage composed of more than 180 ancestral houses, administrative and religious structures, public squares and other historical landmarks within the poblacion, and built during the 18th and 19th centuries. Being the only surviving colonial town in the entire Philippines, Vigan is being developed as a primary tourist destination in Region I. Getting There: By Land The 405 km stretch from Manila to Vigan is a comfortable seven hour ride along the scenic Ilocos Highway. Partas Bus Co., Dominion and the Philippine Rabbit Bus Line regularly ply the Manila-Vigan route. By Air Laoag International Airport is serviced thrice a week by Philippine Airlines to and from Manila. Public transportation is available for trips from Laoag City to Vigan which is 80 kilometers or 1 1/2 hour drive away. Getting Around One can move around Vigan on a "calesa" tour or tricycle. Minibuses and jeepneys provide transportation from Vigan to other municipalities and neighboring provinces.

Source: lakbaypilipinas.com