Manila & The North
The only trail in Southeast Asia with world-class wine culture: BGC's...
The only trail in Southeast Asia with world-class wine culture: BGC's natural wine bars, then overnight bus to Ifugao rice terraces, Spanish colonial Vigan at sunset, and wine picnic with an active volcano. 60% culture, 40% adventure.
A Wine Memories curated trail · winememories.fi
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Stops
Curated by Wine Memories
- 1⛰️
BGC Wine Bar Crawl
Manila's most modern district has a thriving wine bar scene. Crawl from Alab to Mecha Uma to Tippling Barbers.
adventure $$ - 2🗺️
Intramuros Wine Heritage
Explore the Spanish colonial walled city. San Agustin Church, Fort Santiago, and cobblestone streets. Wine at Barbara's heritage restaurant.
tour $ - 3⛰️
Banaue Rice Terraces Wine Trek
The 2,000-year-old rice terraces carved by the Ifugao people. Trek through the "8th Wonder of the World." Wine at mountain viewpoints.
adventure $ - 4🗺️
Vigan Heritage Wine
The best preserved Spanish colonial town in Asia. Cobblestone streets, kalesa horse carts, ancestral houses. Wine in 200-year-old mansions.
tour $ - 5⛰️
Mayon Volcano Wine Viewpoint
The world's most perfectly shaped volcano. Watch for clear skies - when Mayon reveals herself, toast with wine at the viewpoint.
adventure $ - 6⛰️
La Union Surf Town Wine
The closest surf spot to Manila. Weekend warriors and surf culture. Wine at the beachfront bars after catching waves.
adventure $ - 7🍷
Ifugao Rice Wine Toast
Tapuy - the traditional rice wine of the Ifugao people. Participate in local culture among 2,000-year-old terraces.
cultural $ - 8🍷
Manila Street Food Wine
Filipino street food is underrated. Pork everything, isaw, and balut. Wine after a street food crawl through Makati or Poblacion.
culinary $ - 9⛰️
Taal Volcano Wine Viewpoint
Volcano within a lake within a volcano within a lake. One of the most unique volcanic systems on Earth. Wine overlooking the surreal landscape.
adventure $
Plan the trip
Getting there and around
- Car required
- No
- Nearest airport
- NAIA Manila (4 terminals) - largest in Philippines, hub for all domestic flights
- Drinking and driving
- Manila BGC: drink freely, Grab home. Banaue: no scooters, trails only - drink at homestay terrace. Vigan: walk everywhere. Legazpi: Grab or hotel shuttle if drinking.
- Other airports
-
- Legazpi (LGP) - for Mayon direct (1-hour flight from Manila)
- Laoag - alternative for Vigan region
- Without a car
- Manila: NO CAR NEEDED - traffic nightmare, Grab is better. Buses to Banaue (Ohayami Trans overnight) and Vigan (Partas/Dominion) from Cubao terminal. Banaue: local jeepney/tricycle only. Vigan: walk or tricycle (₱20-100). Internal flight for Legazpi (recommended over 10-12 hour bus).
Where to stay
- Base yourself in
- BGC/Makati for Manila, Banaue town + Batad homestay, Vigan heritage houses, Legazpi
- Why there
- BGC puts you in wine bar territory. Banaue is just a base - Batad homestay IN the terraces is essential. Vigan: stay in heritage house. Legazpi: Mayon-view rooms at The Oriental.
- Booking tip
- Manila BGC: walk-in OK. Banaue: limited options, book 1-2 days ahead weekends. Batad: book through guide on arrival. Vigan: 3-5 days ahead peak. Legazpi: 1 week ahead for Mayon-view rooms.
- Nightly range
- ₱400-8,000/night ($8-160)
Recommended stays
- Shoestring
- Manila: Z Hostel BGC ₱500-700/dorm, rooftop bar. Banaue: Ramon's Native Homestay ₱400-500. Batad: Simon's/Hillside ₱250-400 with meals. Vigan: Budget Inn ₱600-800. Legazpi: Mayon Backpackers ₱700-900/dorm.
- Wanderer
- Manila: Citadines Millennium ₱2,000-2,500, serviced apartment. Banaue: Banaue Hotel ₱1,200-1,500, pool with views. Vigan: Casa Teofila ₱1,800-2,500, colonial mansion. Legazpi: Hotel St. Ellis ₱1,800-2,300, Mayon views.
- Flashpacker
- Manila: Raffles Makati ₱7,000-9,000, luxury near BGC. Banaue Hotel main property ₱3,000-4,000 (heated water!). Vigan: Hotel Luna ₱4,500-6,000, museum-quality antiques, wine cellar. Legazpi: The Oriental ₱4,000-5,500, BEST Mayon views, infinity pool.
What it costs
- Includes
- Accommodation, meals, local transport, 1-2 activities. BGC wine night adds ₱3,000-6,000. Does NOT include inter-city buses/flights.
- Wine prices
- Manila has WORLD-CLASS wine at BGC - Alab has natural wines, rare finds. Provincial wine is LIMITED to non-existent. STRATEGY: Drink well in Manila (your one chance), buy wine at SM Malls or duty-free for provinces, BYOB to Banaue/viewpoints.
- Meals
- Manila street: ₱50-150. BGC restaurants: ₱500-1,200. Provincial carinderias: ₱40-100. Vigan empanadas: ₱35-50. Legazpi Bicol Express: ₱150-250.
- Per person
- ₱2,500-5,000/day ($50-100)
- Ways to spend less
-
- BGC wine crawl: split bottles instead of by-glass (saves 20-30%)
- Overnight buses save hotel nights (Manila->Banaue, Manila->Vigan)
- Book Legazpi flight 2-4 weeks ahead for ₱2,000-3,000 vs ₱4,500 last-minute
- Batad homestays include meals - ₱250-400 covers dinner + breakfast + bed
- Chocolate Hills viewpoint is free after 17:00 (guards leave)
- Transport
- Manila->Banaue bus: ₱500-700. Manila->Vigan bus: ₱600-800. Manila->Legazpi flight: ₱2,000-4,500. Grab Manila: ₱80-250. Tricycles provincial: ₱10-50.
Booking and timing
- Lead time
- Alab wine bar: 3-7 days ESSENTIAL. Buses: 1-2 days ahead. Banaue guides: same-day OK. Legazpi flights: 2-4 weeks for best prices.
- Walk-ins accepted
- Yes
- Peak season
- Banaue: Holy Week (Easter) packed with domestic tourists. Vigan: same. Christmas/NY: Manila empties, provinces fill up. Book 2+ weeks ahead for holidays.
- Rainy season
- Banaue Aug-Sep: trails become mudslides - avoid. Legazpi Jun-Oct: Mayon often cloud-covered. Manila: always humid, afternoon storms Jun-Nov.
Where to eat
- Wine bars
-
- Alab BGC - Mark Teves' natural wine temple, book 3-7 days ahead
- Wine Republic High Street - accessible pricing, large selection
- Tippling Barbers BGC - speakeasy vibe, cocktails + wine
- Hotel Luna Vigan - limited but decent Spanish/French selection
- BYOB everywhere else - buy at SM Malls (Rustan's supermarket) or Manila duty-free
- Street food
-
- Manila: Larsian BBQ (₱25-40/stick), balut (₱20-30 - rite of passage), halo-halo at Razon's (₱80-150)
- Vigan empanadas on Plaza Burgos (₱35-50) - THE signature dish
- Banaue: rice terrace vegetables, chicken adobo, rice wine (tapuy) at homestays
- Restaurants
-
- Alab BGC - THE wine destination (₱400-900/glass, ₱2,000-8,000/bottle, book ahead)
- Mecha Uma BGC - Japanese sake + wine, izakaya plates (₱350-700/glass)
- Wine Republic BGC - casual entry point (₱300-500/glass)
- Barbara's Heritage (Intramuros) - Filipino food + cultural dance show (₱500-800)
- Hotel Luna (Vigan) - 1850s mansion, wine cellar tour (₱400-600/glass)
If your time is short
- Do not miss
-
- Alab wine bar experience - book 3-7 days ahead, best wine in Philippines
- Batad overnight homestay - THE rice terrace experience, not just a day trip
- Vigan at sunset - kalesa ride on Calle Crisologo with gas lanterns glowing
- Cagsawa sunrise with Mayon - pack wine picnic, arrive 06:00
- If you only have one day
- Manila only: Intramuros morning (Fort Santiago 08:00, San Agustin, lunch at Barbara's) -> BGC afternoon/wine at Alab (book ahead!) -> High Street dinner
- If it rains
- Manila: BGC mall shopping, Alab, Ayala Museum (₱425). Banaue: Banaue Museum (₱30), accept treks are off. Vigan: museums, ancestral houses, wine at Hotel Luna. Legazpi: Legazpi City Museum, The Oriental spa.
- Skip if time is short
-
- Manila nightlife outside BGC - traffic makes club-hopping painful
- Banaue town itself - it's just a base, Batad is the destination
- Most Vigan museums - small and skipable except Syquia Mansion
- Mayon summit attempt - it's closed and dangerous (active volcano)
Mistakes to avoid
-
- Don't take regular taxis from NAIA - ONLY yellow airport taxis or Grab (scams common)
- Don't walk Manila at night with phone out - snatch theft in Ermita/Malate
- Don't skip Alab booking - 25 seats, books out especially weekends
- Don't attempt Batad trek without guide - trails confusing, fees support community
- Don't expect hot water or WiFi in Batad village - authentic homestay life
- Don't wear flip-flops on Batad trek - hiking boots essential (steep, muddy)
- Don't bring wine in glass bottles to mountains - plastic or wrap VERY well
- Don't plan only 1 day for Mayon - clouds obscure it 50% of time, need 2-3 days
- Don't eat Bicol Express at dinner first time - it's SPICY, try at lunch with backup plan
Worth stopping for
-
- BGC Alab: Counter seat with wine bottles and chef working (ask permission)
- Intramuros: San Agustin Church 07:00-08:00 (side light through stained glass)
- Batad: THE SHOT is amphitheater from viewpoint saddle at sunrise (05:30-06:30). Include Ifugao farmers (ask permission, ₱50-100 tip). Wine/rice wine on homestay terrace with terraces behind.
- Vigan: Calle Crisologo at dusk (18:00-19:00) with kalesa and gas lanterns. Low ISO, tripod for lantern glow.
- Mayon: Cagsawa ruins + perfect cone (06:00-08:00). Composition: ruins foreground, volcano fills background. Include wine glass on ruined wall for wine shot.