Tourism Press Release

Tourism Press Release is an independently run press release website that publishes tourist articles, travel tips, and hotel press releases, all for the use of independent business and leisure travelers throughout the world.

Monday, February 19, 2007

Discover the Philippine tarsier on your island resort vacation!

Not too many nature-lovers the world over know the world’s smallest primate may be found on one tropical island paradise, along with dozens of similarly rare flora and fauna. The Philippine island of Bohol in its Visayas region is rapidly gaining ground and popularity for its various nature-themed activities, including swimming with whale sharks and nature-trail hiking in its virgin forests, but few more popular than searching Bohol’s rainforests for the elusive Philippine tarsier.

The Philippine tarsier is one of the world’s smallest known primates. A nocturnal animal, the tarsier lives live in and around tree trunks, roots of bamboo and other plants, and in coast and valley valleys. Somewhat prolific in Bohol’s forests by Philippine standards, but a few hundred short of endangered species status, the tarsier is a close relative of the lemur, despite the incorrect assumption that tarsiers are monkeys.

There are three types of Philippine tarsiers. The tarsier fraterculus is found exclusively on Bohol island; the other two, tarsier carbonarius and tarsier philippensis, are found on Mindanao island and Samar and Leyte islands, respectively.

Most well-known for the disproportionate size of its eyes in comparison to the rest of its body, its eye sockets are actually larger than those of its brain or stomach. It also has gray fur and a tail with a tuft at its end. It can rotate its head 180 degrees, and catch its pretty using sharp teeth and dexterous hands. The tarsier actually takes its name from its unusually long ankle bones, known as tarsius. These long bones act as shock absorbers, allowing the tarsier to leap from tree to tree in frog-like movements.

Many Bohol resorts include packages that give Guests the opportunities for nature treks and discoveries that feature the Philippine tarsier. One particular resort, the Flushing Meadows Resort & Playground in Panglao Island, is an ideal venue given its proximity to many of the island’s attractions. Flushing Meadows Resort & Playground is a 20-minute drive from Tagbilaran City’s airport and pier.

Built along a marine sanctuary and surrounded by beautiful coral and rocks, Flushing Meadows is the country’s established vantage point for dancing dolphins and whales. Further information regarding facilities and location, as well as directions and a map to the property can be found in the official hotel website, http://www.flushingmeadows.com.ph, which now offers instantly confirmed rooms at the best rates online.

Discover the Philippine tarsier, up close and personal, on an eco-friendly, unforgettable Bohol vacation! Book a room with the Flushing Meadows Resort and Playground today.

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Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Why April is a great time to stay in Cebu

WHY APRIL IS A GREAT TIME TO VISIT CEBU

April is traditionally a great time to swing by the Philippine ecological and cultural paradise of Cebu. With four holidays penciled into this month and a capital that just bustles with activities and celebrations for locals and tourists, Cebu is an ideal getaway for the harried traveler seeking a rewarding yet refreshing Asian experience.

Every third of April, Cebuanos come together to celebrate the ‘Tres de Abril,’ which is Spanish for, well, April 3. During Tres de Abril, Cebuanos commemorate the victory of early Cebuano forces, led by legendary Cebuano fighter Leon Kilat, over invading Spanish troops. It was truly a triumph to be remembered: the victory earned Cebu the distinction of being the first major island outside of main Philippine island Luzon, to repel Spaniard rule.

On April 9, Cebu joins the rest of the Philippines in celebrating the Araw ng Kagitingan, or Day of Valor. On this day, Filipinos take time to remember the Fall of Bataan. While province-wide Cebu does not generally celebrate the holiday, veterans in Cebu City often participate in semi-elaborate re-stagings of this momentous battle.

In the second week of April, Cebu celebrates Holy Week along with the rest of the Catholic community throughout the world. Specifically, Bantayan Island past Cebu’s coast is known for its ‘Semana Santa sa Bantayan’ (Holy Week in Bantayan). Tourists and inhabitants' relatives and friends stand witness to a series of solemn religious rites and local celebrations.

Every April 27, Lapu-Lapu City near Cebu City comes alive with the commemoration of the battle of Mactan in ‘Kadaugan sa Mactan,’ which means ‘Victory in Mactan.’ A reenactment of the victory of Cebuano chieftain Lapu-Lapu and his men over the Spanish forces led by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, Kadaugan sa Mactan features the restaging of the battle on the Mactan beach, including the planting of the Cross of Magellan to mark where the Portuguese-born explorer was slain, and the baptism of the Cebuano natives beforehand.

Foreigners seeking to witness any of these festivals, then spend some time enjoying the rest of Cebu, including their white sandy beaches, awesome historic landmarks, and spectacular natural attractions – need to make sure they book quality Cebu City accommodations. While most travel agencies can provide assistance with booking a good Cebu hotel, many tourists seeking to save money and book in security and comfort are looking for official hotel websites to book at.

Three of the more popular Cebu hotels – the perfectly located Cebu Midtown Hotel, the high-end Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, and the budget-friendly Westpoint Inn – have user-friendly websites that can issue guaranteed room reservations at the hotels’ best rates on the Internet. Even Cebu resorts are getting in on the act: the popular Costabella Tropical Beach Resort now has its own website that offers instant confirmation with every guaranteed booking.

Join tens of thousands of tourists throughout the years and experience the Spanish-Asian fusion of culture only Cebu can provide. Book a Cebu hotel room today!

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Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Families give new Bohol resort high marks

Families visiting the ecological paradise of Panglao have long sought a resort in Bohol that offers first-class amenities and facilities to meet their needs. More than a year ago, the Flushing Meadows Resort and Playground, a Bohol resort that sought precisely to address those concerns, opened to much fanfare. After more than a year in operation, this resort in Bohol has built for itself a rock-solid reputation, in its slightly more-than-a-year in operation.

Truly a family place, the Flushing Meadows Resort and Playground has something for everyone. Children will enjoy the Kid’s Fishing Pool, the playground, the fine white sandy beaches and the clear waters; teenagers usually converge at the Infinity Pool or the Aqua Sports and Diving Center; and adults are usually enthralled by this Bohol resort’s location, as the complex stands majestically on a little cliff, overlooking miles of blue beautiful ocean. Even senior citizens are pampered at the Flushing Meadows, with wheelchair services to ensure they don’t miss out on the fun.

Named after the popular New York park that now plays host to the US Open grand slam tennis tournament, this 50-room Asian-inspired Bohol resort lives up to its moniker with an international-standard tennis court, and a host of other amenities, including car rentals, laundry and dry cleaning services, foreign exchange, medical services, and a souvenir shop. The Aces and Champions Bar and Restaurant, known for delicious continental cuisine also offers a la carte dishes and room service.

Each of the 48 comfortable rooms and suites in this resort in Bohol are exquisitely designed with the comfort of guests in mind. Each spacious room, designed in a delightful tropical manner, comes with air-conditioning, cable television, mini-bar, hot and cold showers, private toilet and bath facilities, telephone, and complementary coffee- and tea-making facilities. All rooms of this Bohol resort – from superior rooms to the presidential suite - have balconies with spacious seating areas.A tour desk is available to assist guests who would like to experience Bohol’s natural attractions, including the Chocolate Hills and diving for whale sharks.

Guests based outside the Philippines can now book rooms direct with the Flushing Meadows Resort in Bohol via its official hotel website, www.flushingmeadows.com, which offers instantly confirmed rooms at the best rates online.

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