There is a well-known Japanese practice called “Shirin-Yoku” or “Forest Bathing” in English. Essentially, it is the act of taking in the forest with all our senses. To see the beautiful rays of sunlight breaking through the treetops, to smell the calm of unique flowers and plants carried on the wind, to feel the gentle grassy fields below your feet, to listen to the swaying flowers and leaves, and to taste the fruits and berries of nature. It is, in a way, a kind of unity, of becoming a part of the forest and the forest a part of oneself. This experience of forest bathing can be recreated in the finest farm resorts that the south has to offer.
Of course, that is a very philosophical explanation of the practice, but, simply put, you could understand it as natural therapy. It is the therapeutic act of momentarily retreating to nature. It is a kind of escape–to breathe, destress, relax, and rejuvenate oneself by being in a natural space as opposed to an artificial one (such as our workspaces, city streets, and public spaces, among many others).
And with how demanding work and business can be today, we are sometimes left in want of a change of pace. That a day spent resting at home may not always relinquish feelings of burnout, demotivation, and stress–compelling us to take a break away from it all and reconnect with nature, our families, and ourselves.
Nature gives us a unique form of refuge that allows us to heal, learn, and rediscover ourselves.
Nature gives us a unique form of refuge that allows us to heal, learn, and rediscover ourselves.
One of the beauties of residing in a tropical country is the fact that the Philippines is abundant with nature sanctuaries. In the North and South Luzon alone one can find hundreds of spots to find refuge in, even areas that are not entirely developed.
A popular niche one could explore are beautiful farm stays, resorts and villas that offer different amenities and activities such as kayaking, fishing, and biking among so many other. Some are as simple as staycations in nature while others giving you the opportunity to keep active like playing sports, swimming, or hiking. These are perfect spots that would definitely provide you the much needed natural therapy to keep healthy.
With Vista Alabang’s strategic location in the South, retreating to nature has never been more convenient than with Brittany’s luxury development in Daang Hari. You have immediate access to major roads and highways that you could take to popular farms spots for the perfect escapade.
The Farm at San Benito is a luxurious medical wellness resort in Batangas.
The Farm at San Benito in Lipa City, Batangas is an eco-luxury holistic medical wellness resort that is roughly 80-minutes away from Vista Alabang. With the resort’s 48-hectare development, it is the perfect location to rejuvenate and spend quality time with your family amid the dense green jungle. The resort has a majestic view of mountains with a perfect open space for fresh air that gives off immense positive energy, peace, and healing.
Of course, the natural element of the resort is just part of the experience. You not only get to bask in a rich environment, but the Farm at San Benito offers holistic treatments by licensed medical professionals, therapists, and service provides to make your stay at the resort every more luxurious and comfortable. They provide special offers and health programs such holistic health assessments, spas, nutrient-rich vegan meals, mindful movement activities, and preventive health programs.
Today, the Farm at San Benito is a COVID-free safe haven that allows you to rest and relax amid the stressfulness of the pandemic.
You can easily travel to the farm resort from your luxury house in Portofino by entering the Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway and travelling down the South Luzon Expressway to the STAR Tollway/Calabarzon Expressway then entering Lipa City.
Resort Location: 119 Barangay Tipakan 4217 Lipa City, Batangas
Contact Number: +63 918 884 8080 / +63 917 572 2325
Website: https://www.thefarmatsanbenito.com/
The Preziosa Botanic Park and Farm Resort is a multi-faceted farm resort featuring several activities in nature.
Located in Cavite, the Preziosa Botanic Park and Farm Resort a farm resort that offers its visitors with three major features: 1. The Farm, 2. The Akela Campsite, and 3. The Villas. In the Farm, visitors get to view the local vegetation and domesticated animals, here you could get the opportunity to harvest a wide range of crops such as cassava, gabi, ube, pandan, and many more. You also get to meet animals such as goats and lambs.
The Akela Campsite, on one hand, is a vast open leisure area that is perfect for the best camping experience with family and friends. It includes various amenities such as a rope course, rappelling area, cooking sites, a mess hall, and 24-hour power supply.
The Villas, on the other hand, are units that visitors may book to enjoy a serene and simple staycation at the farm resort. The Villas feature three main interior and exterior home styles that exude a different cultural vibe: Modern Thai, Japanese, and Classic Balinese.
The Pavilion, aside from the three main features of the farm resort, is the main cultivating area for visitors. Inside the structure is an indoor café, a guest lounge, and two function halls.
Portofino homeowners may find their way to this gem farm resort through the South Luzon Expressway heading towards the Santa Rosa – Tagaytay Road. From here, you will take the Tgaytay – Nasugbu Highway and taking Luksuhin – Mangas road to Luksuhin-Sulsugin Road which would take you to the farm resort. The trip from Vista Alabang to the Preziosa takes roughly 80-minutes.
Resort Location: Barangay Sulsugin, Alfonso, Cavite
Contact Number: 02 8723-90-64 / +63 929 492 2180 / +63 927 560 9808
Website: https://www.preziosa.com.ph/
The Ybonita Farm is a tranquil rural escape located in Calatagan, Batangas.
The Ybonita Farm and Villas is a 2.9 hectare farmland that features a lush green outdoor space that exudes a tranquil and positive natural vibe. You get the unfiltered, unbarred experience with nature amid the crow of roosters in the morning, the goats, horses, and geese, the excellent meals and a perfect view of the sunset from the estate.
It is a simple yet exquisite villa featuring its Yvatan-inspired architectural home. It is the perfect farm resort for families to unwind in the richness of nature.
It takes a whopping 3 to 4 hours to get the Ybonita Farm and Villas from Portofino, especially since the estate is located at the tip of Calatagan. You will take the same usual route of the South Luzon Expressway to the Santa Rosa – Tagaytay Road then the Tagaytay – Nasugbu Highway. From there you’ll take the Palico-Balayan – Batangas Road to the Balibago – Balayan Highway. Here, you’ll travel down and take the Calatagan – Lian Highway that would lead you to the farm resort.
Although the travel is astonishingly long, it is definitely worth it.
Resort Location: 4215 Calatagan, Philippines
Contact Number: +63 0929 134 7224
Website: https://www.facebook.com/ybonitafarmandvillas/
The Arca Country Farm features meek rustic cottages located in Amedeo, Cavite where families could have a serene escape from the city life.
The Arca Country Farm features meek rustic cottages located in Amedeo, Cavite where families could have a serene escape from the city life.
Located in Cavite, the Arca Country Farm is a close-to-nature space graced by its iconic wooden light colored cottages. The space provides its visitors with a calming sense of peace and quiet, slowing down time and allowing its visitors to relax and enjoy the simple cool temperature of the locale.
The cottages can accommodate 1 to 4 guests, enough to welcome a small family with either its queen size beds, bunker beds, and/or sofa bed. The cottages are furnished with a kitchen, refrigerator, and television. Exterior to the cottage is a patio where you could rest and relax or have a grill outside.
Guests may also roam the farm resort and visit its different spaces such as the plant nursery, greenhouses, gazebo where recreational games may be found, and see the different animals in the farm. Here, guests may also learn some tips from the owners on how to plan their own produce.
The farm resort is roughly 60-minutes away from the luxury houses and lots in Vista Alabang. You can travel down Daang Hari road toward Governor’s Drive. From there you will take Crisanto M. De Los Reyes Avenue which will lead you to the Arca Farm in Brgy. Dagatan.
Resort Location: Barangay Dagatan 4119 Amadeo, Cavite
Contact Number: +63 917 856 8710
Website: https://www.facebook.com/arcacountryfarm/
The Den is located in Alitagtag, Batangas with exquisite amenities such as a pavilion, pool, and jacuzzi.
The Den one of the best farm resorts in Batangas is the large estate with numerous activities to make the stay in nature a lot more enjoyable and exquisite. The resort offers a wide range of entertainment activities that is perfect for the family to make each minute meaningful. You could enjoy various entertainment amenities such as ping pong, pool, board games, a fire pit, pool, and jacuzzi.
All bookable units are furnished with their own pantry, refrigerator, dishes and silverware, stove, and rice cooker.
The farm resort is also the perfect location for numerous activities such as family trips, birthday celebrations, team buildings, retreats, and even weddings. All of them done amid the beauty of nature. For the Den features not only an exquisite vibrancy and comfort across its cottages, but also curated the charm of its cottages to match the warmth of nature through its bahay kubo-inspired houses. It is one of the perfect farm resorts for you and your family.
You may travel from your luxury house in Portofino to Alitagtag, Batangas by taking the South Luzon Expressway heading towards STAR Tollway/Calabarzon Expressway. From here, you’ll travel down President Jose P. Laurel Highway to the National Highway. The whole travel will take approximately 120-minutes.
The specific location of the farm resort will be provided by the owners.
Resort Location: Alitagtag, Batangas
Website: https://www.facebook.com/thedenvacationhouse/ / https://www.instagram.com/thedenvacationhouse/
The Caliraya Ecoville is a 20-hectare facility located in Cavinti, Laguna and is renowned for is offer of wide range of activities and experience with nature.
The Caliraya Ecoville is one of the premier agri-tourism centers in Laguna that promotes a close-to-nature lifestyle fused with amenities and activities that strengthen familial and friend ties. It features an astonishingly wide range of amenities and activities such as farming, team building courses, kayaking, swimming pools, hiking, biking, indoor sports, and many more.
It is a haven for families and friends looking to escape the business of the concrete cities, offering visitors plenty of activities to make the stay ever more enjoyable. For visitors are provided the option to make their stay very much unique whether through tent accommodations, a stay at the ecohotel ideal for couples and families, or at the ecodorm which may larger groups of up to 8 pax.
Indeed, if you’re in search for a vast space to not only retreat to but to also experience nature with those you love, then Caliraya Ecoville is a perfect spot for you.
Travelling from Portofino to Caliraya Ecoville takes roughly 2 to 3 hours via the South Luzon Expressway. From SLEX, you will exit Calamba thru the Bucal By-pass road and exiting to Los Banos. From there you will travel down Sta. Cruz and Pagsanjan before traversing up the hill of Caliraya to the farm resort.
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