Going Places Archives - Page 16 of 36

Survey: 77% willing to travel domestically even without vaccine

By Joanne Rae Ramirez This lady gives news as refreshing as she is, and as she looks. And being a trained economist, she gives news grounded on facts, not pinned on clouds. Secretary Berna Romulo Puyat during Boracay’s soft reopening after rehabilitation in October 2018. Photo by Joanne Rae Ramirez…

Under the Durban sun

As one sets foot in South Africa—with its abundance of breathtaking scenery, awe-inspiring nature and wildlife, and rich history and cultural diversity—one’s life is bound to be altered somehow. Perhaps it is this “rainbow nation’s” palpable energy that stirs the soul and captivates the hearts of many who seek an…

Spellbound by Venice, Burano and Bellagio

Beyond the edifices of Rome, the quaint medieval villages and grand artistry of the Tuscan region, Italy has islands that in themselves are floating edifices and chiseled art masterpieces, or both. EDITOR'S NOTE: This travel piece on Italy, one of the world's most visited countries, was first published in the Oct.-Nov. 2019…

Forbes names the Philippines as one of post-COVID era’s rising stars in travel

Despite the plethora of bad news that seems to be happening all at once the world over, positive developments, like rays of light piercing through a darkened room, still manage to come through even in trickles. In a recent online article by Jared Rahanan for Forbes magazine, as people slowly…

No strangers in paradise

Having lived in the Bahamas for several years now, this former Manila-based communications practitioner has become WFH-proficient even before the global lockdown began. Instead of writing, a passion she’s cultivated at a young age, she’s found new obsessions while sheltering-in-place: painting and learning to play the ukulele. Even her weekly…

Rising stars in the East

Despite being on par with Western Europe in terms of attractions, there are two elements that have further enriched and sometimes changed the fortunes of certain towns and cities in Eastern and Central Europe, including Prague, Budapest, Cesky Krumlov and even Berlin: the direct and sometimes lingering effects of World War II…

Quarantined in paradise–how foreign travel vloggers enjoyed their extended stay in the Philippines

As the country welcomes millions of tourists every year, it’s inevitable that there were foreigners who ended up getting stranded here during the lockdown. But there's always a silver lining to every situation, as some of them chose to stick by the country. It's been said often enough, the COVID-19…

Get a faith lift in the Holy Land

Being part of a pilgrimage to the Holy Land gives depth even to the sightseeing. You witness, not just see, the significance of all the photogenic sites — you are retracing the life of Jesus Christ, in the very land He walked on. PeopleAsia editor-in-chief JOANNE RAE RAMIREZ visits the…

Virtual Visita Iglesia in the time of the coronavirus

By Joanne Rae Ramirez The Visita Iglesia is a time-honored tradition among Filipino Catholics. The year 2020 must be the one year after the war that the faithful were not just unable, but barred by law, from visiting churches. Visita Iglesia, which means “Church” visit, was evidently influenced by the…

What’s new in New Zealand?

When it comes to top-10 travel lists, it is just impossible to keep New Zealand away. Just this year, New Zealand has taken three spots in TIME Magazine's second annual World's Greatest Places list and scored six spots in Lonely Planet's Ultimate Eatlist. Each of these unique experiences highlights a…