Bernard Supetran
Team Out of Town Hub (www.OutofTownBlog.com) – As part of its effort in the reboot of tourism in Calabarzon, the Department of Tourism is developed “Center for Fun” circuits in the region in keeping with its continuing theme of “fun” over the past decade.
The initiative, which is part of the DOT’s national Tourism Recovery and Response Plan (TRRP), incorporates faith, food, farm, and adventure elements in the destinations.
DOT Calabarzon acting regional director Marites Castro says the Center for Fun program streamlines development efforts to promote attractions and establishments which are ready to receive guests and are compliant with Covid-19 safety protocols.
She said the DOT regional office and tour operators recently simulated a tour of the proposed destinations in upland Cavite, most of which are farm- and nature-themed sites that have dining, recreation, or accommodation facilities.
She added said that the program is highlighting the region’s rich culinary traditions in line with the advocacy of Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco on food tourism and the development of alternative destinations.
Below are some of the DOT-accredited Centers for Fun in Cavite you can check out:
Sonya’s Garden
A vegetable and flower farm in Alfonso that is regarded as a trailblazing and pioneer in farm tourism during its infancy stage. A favorite site for intimate events, the sprawling property has several naturally-ventilated dining halls, a bakeshop, Old World-themed guest houses, and a river day resort 6 km away.
Queen’s Strawberry Farm
With the sought-after fruit as the main produce, this farm in Alfonso takes pride in its extensive menu of the strawberry-themed restaurant, chic boutique lodging, an array of family-oriented recreation, and an infinity of Instagrammable nooks.
EMV Flower Farm
Situated in Indang, it is a vast garden that occasionally grows a variety of chrysanthemums or Malaysian mums and sunflowers. with four family-style pyramid log cabins, swimming pools, a coffee shop, and a pavilion for special events.
Bounty Harvest Farm
A one-hectare orchard in Indang’s interiors that grows vegetables, herbs, spices, and fruit-bearing trees. Recognized by the Department of Agriculture as a Learning Site for Agriculture, you
can buy healthy agricultural produce here, dine al fresco with Pinoy comfort food, or immerse in agrarian living by staying at the bahay Kubo-style cottages.
Cavite State University (CvSU)
Formerly the Don Severino Agricultural College, this educational institution in Indang is tapping into farm-themed educational tours through its Agri Eco-Tourism Park, which boasts thousands of endemic plants and tree species. It also produces the premium Aguinaldo Blend, which is roasted and blended with Cavite Barako, Robusta, and arabica beans.
Asiong’s Caviteno Restaurant
Tucked in the interior barangay of Bucal in Silang town, this 62-year al fresco resto gives diners a taste of provincial heirloom and artisanal dishes which have been eclipsed by the province’s rapid gentrification.
Shambala Silang
Shut yourself from the outside world in this secluded garden yoga retreat, slow food dining outlet, and art gallery museum rolled into one. Its centerpiece attraction is a recreated Banaue Rice Terraces with matching authentic Ifugao tribal huts brought down from the Cordillera mountains where visitors can stay overnight.
Yoki’s Farm
Founded in 1996 in Mendez town, it is an orchidarium, hydroponics farm, museum, and zoo rolled into one. Touting itself as the South’s Hidden Treasure, it hosts exotic animals, birds, zebras, and ostriches, among others, sourced from overseas. It also has a newly-opened bed and breakfast for overnight stays, The Farm Table, a farm-to-table restaurant.
Paradizoo
A theme park of the Zoomanity Group in Mendez, this 10-hectare property has farm animals, a vegetable and flower garden, and offers educational nature-oriented recreational activities.
To add a good measure of faith and spirituality to the tours, guests can swing by the historic churches, such as those in Bacoor, Imus, Kawit, Tanza, Naic, Maragondon, Indang, Silang, and Cavite City.
The tourism agency also has a roster of accredited establishments to choose from to match it with their chosen destinations in Cavite. The list includes Luntiang Republika in Alfonso, Teofely’s Farm and The Weekend Farmer in Silang, Terraverde Farm in Maragondon, and Farmer’s Table at Nurture Wellness Village in Tagaytay City.
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Read:
- Summer Cleanse At The Farm
- Cavite Coffee Farm Tour
- DOT Touts ‘Future Farms’ As New And Sustainable Tourist Attractions
