Philippines view spots and places

NRC2 Garden Resort and Hotel

2015-10-12T18:29:00.001-07:00

Along Diversion Road, Purok 17, PhilGo, Mabuhay, General Santos City, Philippines,0918 229 1630

NRC2 Garden Resort Entrance Fees:
DAYTIME SWIMMING:
P 50.00 for adults (person 10 yrs. old and above), P 30.00 for children (person below 10 yrs. old)
NIGHT SWIMMING: P 80.00 for adults (person 10 yrs. old and above) P 50.00 for children (person below 10 yrs. old)
COTTAGE FEES: P 500.00 for Mushroom Cottages
(good for 15-20 persons)
P 500.00 for Big Nipa Cottages
(good for 20-25 persons)
P 250.00 for Small Nipa Cottages
(good for 10-12 persons) P 2,000.00 for Function Room (Pavilion)
(12 m x 7 m room area)

Casa Rafael Business Inn Gensan

2015-10-12T17:50:00.001-07:00

Elpidio Quirino (April 17, 1948 – December 30, 1953) 6th President

2013-08-30T07:19:00.001-07:00

He was the vice president at Roxas time. He became president when the latter died in 1948.

Contributions and Achievements of Elpidio Quirino:
under his term Hukbalahap movement was active
he created Social Security Commission
he also created Integrity Board to monitor graft and corruption
in 1948, Quezon City was the capital of the Philippines
peso and dollar exchange rate at his time was 1 US = P2

Manuel Roxas (May 28, 1946 – April 15, 1948) 5th President

2013-08-30T07:16:00.005-07:00

Roxas was the fifth president of the Philippines overall but he was considered as the third and last president under the Commonwealth and the first of the Third Republic of the Philippines. He only sat in the office for 1 year, 10 months and 18 days.

Contributions and Achievements of Manuel A. Roxas:
was inaugurated as the new and first president of the new Republic because the Philippines was finally free after the WW II
in his time, the country has started reconstruction from war damage and the Philippines started breathing without foreign rule
under his term, the Philippine Rehabilitation Act and Philippine Trade Act laws were accepted by the congress he is in the 100 peso bill.

Sergio Osmeña (August 1, 1944 – May 28, 1946) 4th President

2013-08-30T07:11:00.004-07:00

Sergio Osmeña was the second president of the Commonwealth; he succeeded Quezon after his death.

Contributions and Achievements of Sergio Osmena:
he was 65 when he became president– making him the oldest president to hold office
he was the first Visayan to become president
he joined US Gen. Douglas McArthur in Leyte on October 20, 1944 starting the freedom of the Philippines from the Japanese during World War II
during his time, the Philippine National Bank has been rehabilitated and the country joined the International Monetary Fund on his time, the Bell Trade Act was approved by the US Congress
Sergio Osmena appears on the 50 peso bill

Jose P. Laurel (October 14, 1943 – August 17, 1945) 3rd President

2013-08-30T07:09:00.003-07:00

Laurel was the third to sit at the office during Japanese occupation of World War II. He was the only Filipino president to have been shot outside of combat.

Contributions and Achievements of Jose P. Laurel:
he was considered as the legitimate president of the Philippines
he organized KALIBAPI (Kapisanan sa Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas).
he declared Martial Law in 1944
he and his family developed the establishment of Lyceum of the Philippines

General Emilio Aguinaldo (January 23, 1899 – April 1, 1901) 1st President

2013-08-30T07:04:00.003-07:00

To make it easier for you to master, always remember why Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo was on the 5-peso bill (which is not used anymore, instead his head-profile is on the 5-peso coin) bearing the Philippine flag at the celebration of the Philippine Independence Day, it’s because he was the first president of the Philippines First Republic (a.k.a. Malolos Republic).

Contributions and Achievements of Emilio Aguinaldo:
first president
youngest president – he became the country’s leader at age 28
longest-lived president – he died when he was 94 (wow!)
one of the active leaders of KKK signed the Pact of Biak na Bato
known as the President of the Revolutionary Government
he fought against the Spanish and American to retain our independence.

Manuel L. Quezon (November 15, 1935 – August 1, 1944) 2nd President

2013-08-30T07:04:00.001-07:00

Notable facts about Manuel Luis Quezon is that, he is known as the “Father of National Language” (Ama ng Wikang Pambansa) and he died in Saranac Lake, New York due to tuberculosis. I’ve seen his life-sized wax statue inside the Quezon Memorial Circle, it was well crafted.

Contributions and Achievements of Manuel L. Quezon:
first Senate president elected as President of the Philippines
first president elected through a national election
first president under the Commonwealth
he created National Council of Education
he initiated women’s suffrage in the Philippines during the
Commonwealth he made Tagalog / Filipino as the national language of the Philippines
he appears on the twenty-peso bill
a province, a city, a bridge and a university in Manila were named after him
his body lies within the special monument on Quezon Memorial Circle

Sumaguing Cave - Philippines

2012-04-05T05:54:00.000-07:00

A visit to Sagada will never be complete without venturing to one of the best this place might offer – the Sumaguing Cave. Aptly called as the Big Cave, it is perhaps the most popular and frequently visited place here. Sumaguing Cave has the largest chamber of all connecting caves in town (there are more than 60 known caves underneath Sagada). One needs to trek down a slippery trail from its mouth to see the magnificent formations of stalactites and stalagmites that took thousands of years to shape. These formations were carefully sculpted by nature itself to form contours that were given fancy names such as king and queen’s curtains, giant fudge, pregnant woman,

mickey mouse, alligator, dancing hall and rice terraces.

Inside are underground streams and natural pools with water temperature near freezing point. Be ready to get wet and chill as the adventure includes crossing a waist-deep pool.

The caves are just down hill from the town hall – just an easy 20-30 minute hike away. The entire trail is on paved road.

for more information visit @ http://www.visitsagada.com

Boracay - Philippines

2012-04-05T04:54:00.000-07:00

One of Tripadvisor's top 25 beaches in the world for the year 2012, Boracay surely lives up to its name. From emerald blue waters you've only once seen on postcards, to delectable eats right down to a wicked party scene with spots that stay jumpin' till last three in the morning. While there are hundreds of places to stay, and even more things to do, here are your itinerary's obligatory to-dos and a unique must-stay resort!

Live in the lap of luxury with a top-notch butler service, stunning views from every room in the hotel, and to top it all off, a private jacuzzi on every deck. Things you only once imagined as a perfect getaway all fulfilled in the comforts of Nami Resort in Boracay. Located on Diniwind Beach and perched on a verdant cliff, this resort has its own cozy nook of the beach, far from the throngs of tourists that flock the main beaches of the island. What's most commendable about Nami Resort is their top-notch butler service, which is offered to all guests. Their exemplary attention to detail and a no-task-is-too-mundane attitude makes you feel like you've made a wonderful choice, and you want to keep coming back.
Puka Beach is not accessible via the breakwaters, so you can't walk from White Beach to Puka even if you tried. You could rent a kayak and make your way there if you want to, but you can also take a tricycle (their form of a tuk-tuk) there from wherever you are.

Unlike White Beach, where, before the mid-year monsoon, the water is an emerald blue, extremely calm and you can walk far into the sea and still stand tall, Puka Beach is a lot rougher.
Waves will throw you around, much to the delight of the local kids and adult water babies alike. For P100, enjoy a fresh buko (or local coconut) to satiate your dry throat post-sunbathing.

Ariel's Point is something else you have to check out. Located an hour away by boat from the main isle of Boracay, Ariel's Point is the spot to cliff dive. You'll gather on Station 1 on White Beach on the morning of your cliff diving expedition and be taken on board a small ferry to the cliff diving spot.

Once there, you'll see multiple signs that say ‘cliff diving is at your own risk', and indeed it is. There are no signs to show you how to cliff dive, though there will be lifeguards who will be on kayaks for the first few dives.

You can jump from as low as 1 metre, up to a whopping 15 metres, where you'll be in air for what seems like a whole eternity. While it's definitely not for the faint-hearted, it's also something you must do once in your life.

Crown Regency Hotel and Towers - Cebu - Philippines

2012-04-05T04:36:00.000-07:00

The world's first and only amusement ride of its kind, the Edge Coaster goes around the edge of the building while riders are locked onto a rail seat.

The Crown Regency Hotel and Towers is the tallest hotel tower in the Philippines, where tourists and locals alike can visit and have some one-of-a-kind activities in the Sky Experience Adventure (S.E.A).

From fine dining to absolute entertainment, the S.E.A features the world's first Edge Coaster and the country's first & only Sky Walk Extreme. There's also a 4D theatre and dining outlets such as the Club 36 Gentlemen's Bar and Sparkz Restobar.

Apart from that, there's the Vivo Gamezone where there's an unlimited access to a rainbow-coloured playroom for the younger ones, as well as the Sky Observatory with coin-operated telescopes and binoculars for a glimpse the city and nightscape.

Tower 1, Crown Regency Hotel and Towers, Fuente Towers, Fuente Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City, 6000 Philippines, +63 32 418 8888, www.skyexperienceadventure.com

Another place to take it all in while you're in Cebu -- minus the crowds and buzz - is Tops. Situated 2,000 feet above sea level on the hills of Busay, Tops is an excellent sight-seeing spot, offering some breath-taking views of Metro Cebu and the islands of Mactan and Olango.

Tops, Busay Hills, Nivel Hills, Lahug, Cebu City, Philippines 6000

Loboc River-Bohol Philippines

2012-04-05T03:44:00.000-07:00

For a truly scenic dining experience, opt for one of the many floating restaurants along the Loboc River, where you can dine and take in the sights at the same time.
Try the sumptuous buffet spreads on the floating restaurants that cruise the scenic Loboc River. You'll dine while taking in the view as well as the folk music provided by local musicians.

On land, the place for good (and organic) local food is Buzz Cafe at Bohol Bee Farm. Besides a hearty meal, you can also go on a farm tour, enjoy the spa or even get hands on with some of the activities there; definitely something for the whole family. There's also a resort if you wish to spend the night.

Loboc River Cruise and Floating Restaurant, Sitio Ubos, Loboc 6316, Philippines

Bohol's Hinagdanan Cave

2012-03-12T15:59:00.000-07:00

Aside from the famed Chocolate Hills, the white beaches, dive sites and the tarsier, Bohol is known for many caves, some historic like the Dagohoy cave yet the most popular of them and the most accessible is the underground Hinagdanan Cave located in Dauis.

My parents being Bol-anon (my mother’s roots hailed from Panglao Island), the cave is our favorite stop on every trip. Years back, the area where the cave was located was devoid of houses, open and bare, except for
intermittent trees. With an adventuresome spirit, I often swam in the cave’s pool and explored its crevices.

Come October 27, 2007 and with six kids in tow, with my brother Bong, my mom, relatives and a visitor from Pagadian, we visited the site. It looks different, with shops situated near the entrance of the cave selling souvenir and gift items to visiting tourists. Adjacent to the cave’s area is a resort. The place has been developed and has become a tourist spot.

The entrance of the cave is still narrow and steep and only one person at a time can enter. Yet the stairs have improved. The once wooden rickety handle of the stairs have been replaced with rounded steel bars and the stairs are wider. It is easier to go down them but one have to be careful for the steps are slippery due to the humidity of the cave and the wet kids running up and down the stairs in a swimming spree.

Entering the cave, one has to wink twice in order to accustom your eyes to the dark. It is not that dark inside anymore for a light has been added near the stairs and two holes aboveground gives a streak of light towards the upper left side of the cave. Initially though, one feels blinded by the dark when coming directly from outside.

The large underground cavern has a pond, looking dark yet alluring. As far as I remember, the pond is deep and the water icy cool and fresh.

But the water near its outlet is a bit salty especially during high tide when sea water enters. As a kid I was not fearful of its depth for I know how to swim. Later, I learned that the deepest portion is 10 feet deep.

Looking around the cave one can see stalactites hanging from the ceiling and protruding stalagmites on the ground. You can hear bats squeaking above yet I can barely see one because of the dark. The smell inside is also musty and may be due to the bat’s excrements. After taking pictures of the walls, one discovers drawings on it.

Mabinay Philippines Caves & Natural Springs

2012-03-12T15:47:00.000-07:00

Mabinay Caves & Natural Springs in Mabinay Negros Oriental Philippines

Oriental Negros’ answer to those who want to spelunking is the town of Mabinay in the central portion of Negros Island. Mabinay, which is 87 kilometers from Dumaguete City, is bounded in the north by the municipality of Ayungon, the city of Bais in the south, the municipalities of Bindoy and Manjuyod in the east and the provinces of Negros Occidental in the west.

Mabinay boasts of 22 caves and is place where the second and ninth longest cave in

the Philippines can be found, the Odloman and the Cayaso caves. Odloman is 8,870 meters long while the Cayaso cave is 2,222 meters long.

Mabinay is also home to a natural spring where local and foreign tourists can take a dip for free. Tourists, who want to explore the caves in the town, can first drop by the spring, which is just a minute away from the town proper. Legend says that the spring was named after a young woman named Binay, who lived in the area. Binay was said to have grieved for a lost love and then suddenly disappeared. People believed that she was swallowed by the earth. In the place where she disappeared, came a spring, thus the people named it after her.

After a dip in the cool waters of the Mabinay spring, spelunking enthusiasts can then proceed to the different caves in the town.

The Philippines’ second longest cave, the Odloman cave, which is 8,870 meters long, has a vertical range of 82 meters. It has large galleries, many small corridors, active streams and interesting obstacles. The Casayo cave, meanwhile, the ninth longest cave in the country measuring 2,222 meters long has a subterranean river flowing beneath its main chamber. It also has stalagmites and stalactites in its different chambers and has stones that glitter.

The Panligawan cave has a big gaping hole upfront and requires a descent. It is a short one but has a skylight in the middle. The nearby Pandalian Cave is also short and cavernous like the Panligawan Cave. Another famous cave in the town is the Crystal Cave, called as such because of many stalactites and stalagmites that have formed into pillars or columns, which appear to shroud some sections. The Crystal Cave has a length of 209 meters and a depth of 5 meters.

We have an exciting tour package for you to enjoy the outdoors of Mabinay in Negros Oriental. When you head northwest passing through sugar plantations and rice fields up to the mountaintop town of Mabinay. In our package tour, foreign and local tourists and visitors will have a chance to visit the beautiful different caves. Since Mabinay is the home of numerous and beautiful caves which range from easy basic caves to advance. You will have a chance to experience and see the centuries-old stalactites amid calcite formations and underground spring water. Take a refreshing dip at the Mabinay Springs to cap off the day.

Inclusions in the Caves & Natural Springs Package Tour

Land transfers (4×4), lunch, snacks, refreshments, guide fee, caving helmet, and light equipment, kayak
Mabinay 3 Caves Tour: 8 hours with side trip to Mabinay springs
Mabinay Caving & Canyoning Adventure: 14 hours with side trip to Mabinay springs

visit @ etravelpilipinas.com

Palawan Underground River or St. Paul Subterranean River

2012-03-12T15:33:00.000-07:00

Longest Navigable Underground River in the World

This is the most famous cave in the Philippines. The longest underground river was discovered a few years back in Mexico somewhere in the Yucatan. St. Paul Underground River in Palawan, Philippines may not be the longest underground river in the world anymore, but it is still the world’s longest navigable underground river. The navigable part of the river inside the cave of the 4000-acre St. Paul Subterranean River stretches 15 kilometers in length (5 miles). St. Paul Cave is the 3rd deepest cave in the country.

Odloman Cave in Mabinay - Negros Oriental

2012-03-12T15:30:00.000-07:00

On the second slot is the Odloman Cave in Mabinay, Negros Oriental. This cave is 8.9 km. long. Five entrances have been connected and the system comprises a mix of large and small galleries with some active streamway. This cave is the 6th deepest in the country.

Sumaging-Latipan-Lomyang Crystal Cave in Sagada - Mt.Province

2012-03-12T15:27:00.000-07:00

On the third place, we have Sumaging-Latipan-Lomyang Crystal Cave in Sagada, Mt.Province. In terms of vertical range it is the deepest reaching 163 meters from its mouth. In terms of length, it is the fifth longest cave in the Philippines. Six entrances lead to a complex mix of active and fossil cave remarkable for its large passages and impressive gours. The system is partially accessible to tourists and a sump connected to Lokohong Cave.

Odessa Tumbali Cave in Peñablanca - Cagayan

2012-03-12T15:22:00.000-07:00

On the fifth spot-Odessa Tumbali Cave in Peñablanca, Cagayan. At 12.6 kilometers, it is the third longest cave in the Philippines. It is active and provides excellent wet sport caving. It has superb formations and passage shapes, canals and lakes for swimming, photography and cave diving opportunities, and varied fauna. Acknowledged to be a perfect cave system, it has five known entrance

Jackpot Cave in Cagayan - Philippines

2012-03-12T15:20:00.000-07:00

On the fifth spot is the Jackpot Cave also in Peñablanca, Cagayan. It is the second deepest cave in the Philippines at 115 meters. The cave has a walking size passage, shafts and drops of varying depths that provide for a lot of rope works. Meandering streams and pools of varying size abound inside the cave.

10 Highest Mountain Peaks in the Philippines

2011-12-26T00:32:00.002-08:00

Mt. Apo – Davao One of the most visited tourist spots and the highest mountain in the Philippines. Located between Davao City and in North Cotabato. A dormant volcano and the home the world largest eagle “the Philippine Eagle”, the country’s national bird and home with more than 270 bird species. Mt. Apo is also abundant with fruits like “The King of the Fruits – Durian”.
Elevation : 2,956 meters

Mt. Dulang-Dulang – Bukidnon
Located in Bukidnon, the second highest peak in the Philippines, actually its only 18 meters short to Mt. Apo. Mt. Dulang-Dulang or “Mt. D2” named by the Filipino mountaineers, is abundant with wild life animals like monkey, wild boars, flying lemurs, and other wild animals.
Bukidnon is well-known for its cosmic and vast of pineapple plantations which are among the largest in the world.
Elevation : 2,938 meters

Mt. Pulag – Benguet
Home-grown of the Dwarf Bamboo, and a family of species of the four cloud rats which can only be found in that area. Mt. Pulag is located in Cordillera Range, Benguet and part of Cordillera Autonomous Region. The 3rd highest peak in the Philippines.
Elevation : 2,922 Meters
Mt. Kitanglad – Bukidnon
A dormant or inactive volcano located in Kitanglad Mountain Range in Bukidnon province on Mindanao Island. Kitanglad is derived from the word “tanglad” or lemon grass, and “kita” from the word tagalog means visible. This Mt. Kitanglad has been acknowledged by the ASEAN Heritage Park in year 2009.
Elevation : 2,899 meters

Mt. Tabayoc – Benguet
Mt. Tabayoc is a mountain range in Northern Luzon in Cordillera Range, Benguet. This Philippine spots is known to some of the country’s most remarkable and popular caves making the place one of the most visited.
Elevation : 2,842 meters

Mt. Kalatungan – Bukidnon
It is an active volcano, the Mt. Kalatungan in Bukidnon, Southern Philippines. Mount Kalatungan is also known as “Catatungan”. This tourist spots is a typhoon free area that’s why there are two world’s largest pineapple companies producing and exporting in this area location. Mount Kalatungan is the 6th highest mountain in the Philippines.
Elevation : 2,824 meters

Mt. Ragang – Lanao del Sur
It is an active volcano and the highest mountain range of Piapayungan Range in Lanao Del Sur. It is where place you can locate the Philippine Largest Waterfalls the “Maria Cristina Falls”, the Major source of electricity in the region. Mt. Ragang is also known as “Mt. Piapayungan and Blue Mountain”. It is only 9 meter short to Mt. Kalatungan that making it the 7th highest mountain peak in the Philippines.
Elevation : 2,815 meters

Mt. Maagnaw – Bukidnon
Located in Kitanglad Mountain Range in Bukidnon. This Philippine spots consist of the most fertile soils which makes the place conducts worthy to farmers. In Kitanglad Mountain Range in Bukidnon covers three of the ten highest peaks in the Philippines. The Mt. Dulang-Dulang the 2nd highest peak, Mt. Kitanglad the 4th highest peak and the Mt. Maagnaw the 8th highest peak in the Philippines.
Elevation : 2,742 meters

Mt. Singakalsa – Benguet
The 3rd highest point in Luzon, the Mount Singakalsa or known as Mt. Timbak is located in Cordilleras Range in Atok, Benguet. At the summit of Mt. Timbak, there are 3 crosses in what is named as “mini-calvary”. In the very most peak you can overlook the best view of Benguet’s tourist spots the Mt. Pulag, Mt. Tabayoc and as well as the Halsema highroad zigzag to the town of Atok.
Elevation : 2,717 meters

Mt. Amuyao – Benguet
Climbing at the northeastern authority of the Cordellera’s Range is the highest point of Mountain Province the tropical wet forest of Mount Amuyao. The mountain standpoint is very visible and easily to be spotted along the highway to Banue. At the Peak you can witness the beauty of wild flowers, wild orchids, and a display of wild Flora.
Elevation : 2,689 meters

Mt. Pinatubo - Philippines

2011-12-26T00:10:00.001-08:00

The Philippines is the best tropical country for a number of reasons. First of all, the Philippines boasts of variety. This is a country that offers almost all you could possibly think of. Here is where you could be at the heart of beautiful mountain ranges or at the very deep amongst the legendary giants of the blue sea: the whale sharks of Donsol. You could go up to mountain provinces or to hot white sand beaches. You could even trek to craters and isolated islands all to yourself. Diving here is
extremely beautiful with the many creatures you could only encounter here in the Philippines. There are a lot of things you could do and see here in the Philippines. But out of this endless list of beautiful things to do, I would like to talk about one famous attraction in the Philippines you have to see and visit. I swear on my life that you have to visit this way before visiting any other place in the Philippines. Oh I know you’ll thank me later on.

The place is called Mt. Pinatubo. It’s actually an inactive volcano that people visit here in Tarlac, Philippines. People rent 4x4s and ride them up the mountain to the crater. The crater is what people always travel for. You could actually swim in it too. As the pictures could tell, this really is a wonder. When I went there it seemed as though I was in one of those Land Before Time Movies and I would almost imagine dinosaurs grazing the land.
It’s so beautiful that I can’t really explain it much in words. I know too that pictures, no matter how beautiful they may seem, won’t be able to give justice to the true beauty of Mt. Pinatubo. You could also do a lot of things in the crater. People offer kayaking, boating and swimming. This is truly one of the best places to see in the Philippines and in the world.

I’ve been there myself and I can vouch for the sheer beauty of the place. It makes you think twice whether God was actually a fine arts major.

Palawan Island - Philippines

2011-12-25T23:53:00.002-08:00

Palawan is an island province of the Philippines located in the MIMAROPA region.
Its capital is Puerto Princesa City, and it is the largest province in the country in terms of total area of jurisdiction.
The islands of Palawan stretch from Mindoro to Borneo in the southwest.
It lies between the South China Sea in the northwest and Sulu Sea in the southeast.
The province is named after its largest island, Palawan Island,

measuring 450 kilometers (280 mi) long, and 50 kilometers (31 mi)
Palawan may be traced back 22,000 years ago, as confirmed by the discovery of bone fragments of the Tabon Man in the municipality of Quezon. Although the origin of the cave dwellers is not yet established, anthropologists believe they came from Borneo. Known as the Cradle of Philippine Civilization, the Tabon Caves consist of a series of chambers where scholars and anthropologists discovered the remains of the Tabon Man along with his tools and a number of artifacts.
Palawan is the most well preserved major island group in the Philippines. It is also the largest province in the Philippines in terms of land area. The rain forest, caves, coral reefs, mangroves, beaches and clear blue waters are its best assets. One has to go around the islands of Palawan to see how its people and the local government’s conservation efforts have born fruit.

With over 1,700 islands and islets and almost 2,000 kilometers of coastline, Palawan is known as having one of the most beautiful seascapes in the world. Sprawled beneath the seas are nearly 11,000 square kilometers of coral reefs. Palawan was proclaimed as a fish and wildlife sanctuary in 1967 and to this day, this group of islands is probably the most protected province in the whole Philippines.

El Nido Resorts Lagen Island is a tropical hideaway set in a cove and fringed by a lush forest. The most luxurious resort in the area, El Nido Resorts Lagen Island provides facilities and services that discerning leisure travelers require.

Lagen Island Resort has a total of 51 rooms with a variety of accommodation types to choose from. There are water cottages built on stilts on both sides of its cove, Beachfront Cottages with a view of the entire cove and of the sunset, Forest Rooms and Forest Suites built on the fringes of a tropical forest.

All cottages, rooms and suites have floors made of antique wood, furnishing made of old wood from old Filipino houses and a full-height sliding glass doors that open up to a private verandah, and depending on the room, affords guests with views of the cove, the cliffs, the bay or the sunset. Each cottage, room and suite is air-conditioned and has a private toilet and shower with bath amenities and a hair dryer, a mini-bar, stereo system with CD player, and IDD telephone.

The 10 Best Places to Retire in 2012

2011-12-25T23:15:00.000-08:00

Better weather, affordable housing, and plenty of interesting things to do are just a few reasons people move to a new place when they retire. Whether you want to spend your golden years watching the sun set over the water or taking on a second career, we've identified an ideal place. Using data from Onboard Informatics, U.S. News selected 10 key attributes that many people look for in a retirement spot, along with a city that excels in meeting each need. Here are 10 excellent places to retire in 2012.

Pleasant year-round weather: Flagstaff, Ariz.

Flagstaff's high altitude and low humidity generally lead to a pleasant four-season climate throughout most of the year. To select a place with great year-round weather, we used National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data to find places with the most sunny days. Among the sunniest cities, we looked for places where the temperature seldom rises above 90 degrees. The sun shines in Flagstaff an average of 78 percent of the year, according to NOAA data, but unlike most other sunny climates, the temperature only rises above 90 degrees an average of three days per year. Flagstaff can receive a significant amount of snow in the winter, but the prolific sunshine often quickly melts accumulation. "There is a lot of sunshine and no extremes of temperature," says Karen Haskins, 71, a retiree who moved to Flagstaff from Amherst, N.H., in 2007. "Summer and early fall are really pleasant. Winters are cold and you do get snow, but because of the intensity of the sun, it melts quickly."

Affordable mountain town: Boone, N.C.

Pricey Aspen and Vail may be beyond your budget, but that doesn't mean you can't spend your retirement years appreciating spectacular mountain views or making runs on the slopes. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Boone boasts three nearby ski resorts as well as trails for cross country skiing, winter hiking, and snowshoeing. Residents of this small town of 14,000 also have access to one of the country's most scenic roads, the Blue Ridge Parkway. A bonus: Boone provides residents with a free local bus service, AppalCART, and access to many of the amenities at Appalachian State University. In 2010, the median home sale price was $215,250.

Water views on a budget: Traverse City, Mich.

Dream of retiring to a lake house? The Traverse City area offers more than 180 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and 149 large lakes measuring 10 acres or more. Residents can climb the high sand dunes and lounge on the freshwater beaches at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, or take a ferry out to the Manitou Islands. There are also plenty of opportunities for boating on the twin Grand Traverse Bays. Housing prices in this lakeside city average a reasonable $155,715.

Greenest place to retire: Walnut Creek, Calif.

Retirees make up more than a quarter of the population of Walnut Creek, which combines the amenities of a city with abundant access to the wilderness. Downtown is filled with high-end shops, fine dining, and organic eateries, as well as the Lesher Center for the Arts. The city also has 22 city parks and 2,704 acres of open space. "There's a great amount of open space available," says Joe Stadum, a resident of Walnut Creek's large 55-and-older gated community, Rossmoor. He enjoys hiking with the Rossmoor Trails Club, which counts more than 200 members. "You can drive or ride your bicycle or run and hike. It's a great asset." Residents may choose to drive up to the summit of 3,849-foot Mount Diablo or travel to nearby San Francisco. But life in the Bay Area doesn't come cheap. The median home price is $411,000.

A college town for retirees: Ithaca, N.Y.

College towns like Ithaca can be an ideal place to retire. For a median home price of just $176,500, retirees can take classes at Cornell University or Ithaca College and attend speeches, concerts, and sporting events. They can also spend their days hiking to the more than 100 waterfalls and gorges within 10 miles of downtown or sampling the wares of the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail. Don Wilson, 65, a retired cardiologist from Rockford, Ill., bicycles throughout the Finger Lakes region three times a week. "The rural roads in the Finger Lakes region have so little traffic that you can ride three or four abreast on a bicycle in continuous conversation, learning from each other," he says. Wilson has also developed an interest in paleontology, and is taking a course on the subject at Cornell University and conducting research on fossils at the Museum of the Earth. "I think that university towns tend to attract interesting organizations, like the Museum of the Earth, and interesting people who may or may not be connected with the college."

Place to launch a second career: Lincoln, Neb.

Clague Hodgson, 65, retired early from a faculty position at the Creighton University School of Medicine and founded his own biotech company, Nature Technology Corporation, in 1998. His Lincoln-based business now employs eight people who investigate the use of DNA as a medicine. Hodgson says the city's low unemployment rate and proximity to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln make it an excellent place to launch a second career. "The University of Nebraska Technology Park really takes a lot of the weight off your shoulders," he says. "For an entrepreneur, remaining affiliated with the university is a good source of information, the library is very helpful, and occasionally we collaborate with researchers there." Nebraska's state capitol had an unemployment rate of just 3.5 percent in 2010, among the lowest in the country. According to Onboard Informatics data, the city has added more than 15,000 jobs since 2000, many of which are in fields known to hire older workers, including government, higher education, and healthcare.

Best mix of affordability and amenities: Pittsburgh, Pa.

Pittsburgh has a low cost of living coupled with a wide variety of amenities that retirees will need as they age. The median home sale price was $97,900 in 2010, which is unusual for a city with a large university and top-notch hospitals. Senior citizens age 65 and older with proper identification are entitled to ride Port Authority buses and trains for free. You'll just have to decide whether you want season tickets to the ballet, symphony, or Steelers games, assuming all three won't fit into your retirement budget.

Best place for affordable housing: Port Charlotte, Fla.

Port Charlotte home prices were battered by the housing bust, which could mean bargains for retirees new to the area. The median home sale price was a shockingly low $59,950 in 2010. And many of these homes are located along canals and waterways. "There are a tremendous number of houses on the water, and everybody's got their boats in their backyard," says retiree Chris Zwirner, 78. "All the people who live on water essentially have access to the Gulf of Mexico, and from there you can go around the world." The Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park spans 42,000 acres, including 70 miles of shoreline along the Charlotte Harbor. An added bonus: Florida has no state income tax.

Best place for single retirees: Pittsfield, Mass.

Dating is increasingly becoming a part of the retirement years. And Pittsfield is the only metro area where the majority of the 55-and-older population (52 percent) is single, according to Census Bureau data. Carol Scott, 60, an event planner who has been widowed for three years, likes to connect with new people online and has arranged five in-person dates so far this year. "I usually like to meet for a coffee or a drink," she says. "If we find we enjoy each other's company, perhaps it runs over into dinner." But even if you move to Pittsfield, we can't guarantee that dating will be easy. There are nearly twice as many single women (14,237) age 55 and older as single men (7,869). "A lot of my women friends are single," says Scott. "And while I have met some very nice people, I have not met someone I am interested in pursuing."

Best place for recreation and culture: Santa Fe, N.M.

At more than 400 years old, Santa Fe is the country's oldest state capitol. The city is known for its unique culture and art galleries, including the New Mexico Museum of Art and Institute of American Indian Arts. "Santa Fe has a charter that is unlike other cities," says Karen Ralston, 67, a retired director of marketing for a publisher. She moved to Santa Fe in 2006. "The cultural mix that we get here — the Anglo culture and the Indian culture and the Hispanic culture — blends very beautifully here. We really love that mix," she says. An art history minor in college, Ralston rediscovered that interest by volunteering at the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum and the Center for Contemporary Arts. The creations of artists worldwide are also celebrated at a variety of annual festivals and markets, such as the Native Treasures Indian Arts Festival and the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market.

Palmanova Castle - Italy

2011-12-10T19:08:00.001-08:00

Founded in 1593 as a stronghold of the Venetian Republic, this UNESCO World Heritage town was built in a unique, 18-sided octadecagon shape. When viewed from above, the fortress community looks like a delicately made paper snowflake, with streets radiating out of the structure like sunbeams. Tucked into a valley with a lagoon running into the Adriatic Sea, the land surrounding Palmanova yields high-quality Chardonnay, while the local waters are stocked with mullet, sea bass, and other delicious fish. In town, look out for the symbol of a leafy bough, or a frasca, hanging outside of restaurants to pinpoint ones serving regionally sourced food, such as the classic Venetian dish baccalà, made with dry-salted cod. At night, the city's earth-and-stone defensive works are lit up like a movie set.

Sintra Castle - Portugal

2011-12-10T19:06:00.001-08:00

Sintra is like the one-stop shop for castle lovers, with not one, not two, but three gorgeous castles. This medieval stronghold town is so beautiful it was called Glorious Eden by the British poet Lord Byron. The town's focal point, Sintra National Palace, is distinctive for its whimsical interiors: columns twisted like barley, an Arab-style courtyard situated around pretty fountains, and glazed tile work known as azulejos. Beyond the town's fortress walls—but still within walking
distance—Pena National Palace, with its cupolas, minarets, and lookout towers in cherry, lemon, and white hues, stands on a hilltop overlooking a green forest. On another nearby hill, a once-proud Moorish castle lingers in romantic ruins. In between, the old town of Sintra has a mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and art nouveau homes, not to mention many stone-wall shops selling authentic antiques, wine, and paintings—all of this framed by a lushly forested seaside national park.