Welcome to Out of Town Travel Blog – The Philippines’ first Travel Blog and Listed in the World’s Top 50 Travel Blogs.

out of town travel blog logo
Out-of-town travel blog logo

Out of Town Blog is a travel, food, and lifestyle online magazine. This travel blog started as a site where the publisher shares his travel experiences, photographs, and travel tips with his friends, relatives, and online readers. Today, the Out of Town Blog showcases travel tales, food reviews, hotel guides and reviews, travel destination guides, and other travel-related inputs from various contributors worldwide.

Milestones:

2020

2019

  • Best Travel Blog Award from the Department of Tourism – MIMAROPA

2018

  • Picture Perfect Featured Photographer – The Travel Guide by www.mb.com.ph
  • Best Travel Blogs 2018: Top Influencers to Follow by www.creditdonkey.com
  • Rank #19 – The Top 50 Travel Blogs (2nd Quarter: 2018) www.theexpeditioner.com

2017

  • The Top 25 Travel Blogs Ranked For 2017 by www.outsidepursuits.com
  • Interviewed: 30 Experts Share their Top tips on getting to Sleep on a Plane – www.central-london-apartments.com/
  • Published: Outside Looking In on Going Places – goingplaces.ph
  • 60 Of The Best Travel Blogs To Follow in 2017 by www.globehunters.com
  • Ranked #45 Top 100 travel blogs to follow in 2017 www.asherfergusson.com
  • Top Filipino Travel Bloggers 2017 www.blog.homeaway.com.ph
  • Rank #25 – The Top 50 Travel Blogs (1st Quarter: 2017) www.theexpeditioner.com
  • Rank #18 – The Top 50 Travel Blogs (4th Quarter: 2016) www.theexpeditioner.com

2016

  • The Ultimate Travel Blogs List by www.zakynthosinsider.com/travel-blogs
  • Ranked #13 in The Top 47 Best Travel Blogs to Follow 2016 by (www.wealthygorilla.com)
  • Top Filipino Bloggers of 2016 by (HomeAway)
  • Listed in The Top 47 Best Travel Blogs to Follow 2016 (wealthygorilla.com)
  • Listed in Top Filipino Travel Bloggers Of 2016 (homeaway.com.ph)
  • Listed in the Top 25 Travel Bloggers in the World (blogtrepreneur.com)
  • Rank #7 – The Top 50 Travel Blogs (2nd Quarter: 2016)
  • Rank #6 – The Top 50 Travel Blogs (1st Quarter: 2016)
  • Rank #18 -Top 50 Blog Ranking (June 2016)
  • Listed: Top 25 Travel Blogs Of 2015 by Ninja Outreach

2015

  • Featured by Tripadvisor: 12 Travel Bloggers and their Favorite Destinations – www.Holidaylettings.co.uk
  • Ranked #9 The Top 50 Travel Blogs (3rd Quarter: 2015) – www.theexpeditioner.com
  • Ranked #19 100 Pinoy Blogs that Matter July 2015 – www.100pinoyblogs.com
  • Ranked #8 World’s Top 50 Travel Bloggers (March – May 2015) – www.Travelocafe.com
  • Ranked #20 100 Pinoy Blogs that Matter June 2015 – www.100pinoyblogs.com
  • Ranked #86 Top 100 Travel Blogs Worldwide / Alexa Rank June 2015 – www.nomadicsamuel.com
  • Ranked #78 The top 100 travel blogs as ranked by SimilarWeb June 2015 – www.nomadicsamuel.com
  • Listed #2 Top 40 Filipino Travel Blogs You Should Follow (2015)
  • Ranked #2 Top 20 Travel and Leisure Blogs for June 2015 by www.blogmeter.org
  • Ranked #21 Top 100 Pinoy blogs for June 2015 by www.blogmeter.org
  • Ranked #3 Top 20 Travel and Leisure Blogs for May 2015 by www.blogmeter.org
  • Ranked #15 Top 100 Pinoy Blogs for May 2015 by www.blogmeter.org
  • Ranked #3 Top 20 Travel and Leisure Blogs for April 2015 by www.blogmeter.org
  • Ranked #12 Top 100 Pinoy Blogs for April 2015 by www.blogmeter.org
  • Ranked #14 Top 100 Solo Men Travel Blogs 2015 by www.lashworldtour.com
  • Best Asian Travel Blog – 2015 Best Asian Travel Blog by www.godesti.com
  • Best Travel Blog – Top 10 Best Group Travel Sites and Blogs by www.ooaworld.com
  • Featured on TravelNow Magazine
  • Listed! 10 Pinoy Travelers Share Their Budget Secrets by www.MoneyMax.ph
  • Interviewed: Palaui Becoming Tourist Destination by www.ManilaTimes.net

2014

2013

  • Listed #5 in the Top 10 Travel and Leisure Blogs – 3rd Quarter 2013
  • Listed #77 in 100 Pinoy Blogs That Matter November 2013 Edition
  • Listed #85 in 100 Pinoy Blogs That Matter October 2013 Edition
  • Listed #75 in 100 Pinoy Blogs That Matter August 2013 Edition
  • Listed in the Top 10 Pinoy Travel Bloggers you should follow on Instagram
  • Mentioned in Aroundtheworldin80jobs.com’s Why Visit the Philippines post
  • Judge – 2013 Mindanao Blog Awards
  • Judge – IloIlo Zombee Run Photo Contest
  • Finalist – Nuffnang The N Factor – Blogger of the Year

2012

  • TV Interview – Una ka Bai GMA TV-5 Davao
  • TV Interview – Good News Pilipinas GMA 7
  • Proud Sponsor of WordCamp Philippines 2012
  • Mentioned in Vagobond.com’s Vagabond Travel Museum – The Philippines
  • Mentioned in Thebackpackchronicles.com’s Jomalig Island Feature post
  • Mentioned in Philippinetravelogue.com’s Falling In Love at the EL Nido Resorts Apulit Island post

Awards and Citations: 

About the Publisher

Melo Villareal (Ermelo Villareal Jr.) was born in 1979 in Quezon Province, the sixth-largest province in the exotic archipelagic country of the Philippines. Melo began his career in accountancy in 1999 after receiving his diploma in accountancy and law. He worked for multinational companies as an accountant for three years before leaving the corporate world at the age of 23. In search of a more fulfilling occupation, he has since worked as a freelance travel photojournalist for several local and international travel publications.

Batanes melo villareal
January 2005 Batanes visit

Armed with his insatiable passion for photography, His journeys have taken him to more than 500 islands in the Philippines, from the Batanes group of islands to Palawan and the remote jungles of Babuyanes to the indigenous rituals of Bukidnon. He now specializes in travel photography, with work dedicated to celebrating the living remnants of the vanishing past. His aim is to immortalize, through his art, the undeniable impeded disappearance of rituals, festivals, indigenous cultures, local heritage sites, and breathtaking landscapes that are frequently taken for granted.

2003 Whitewater Rafting in Kalinga
2003 Whitewater Rafting in Kalinga

He wants his artistry to inspire people from all walks of life, but more so to young people who may come from challenging backgrounds or circumstances. Photography has provided a canvas for his creativity, a medium for expression, and a wonderful opportunity to influence and inspire others through work that is nothing short of a masterpiece. Contact info: email: melovillareal<@>gmail.com : Mobile: +63918-9855219