AAP TRAVEL SETS 2019 CARAVANS
from a motorist’s point of view as AAP Travel, the motor tourism arm of the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP), unveils the caravans and events it has organized for 2019.
A brainchild of former Department of Tourism secretary Mina Gabor, who also heads AAP Travel, the series of caravans is in line with the DOT’s drive tourism program to encourage land travel and spread economic benefits to the countryside.
Gabor said AAP Travel takes pride in its itineraries which are coordinated with local authorities and stakeholders in the communities to ensure road safety, orderly traffic, secure parking and quality board and lodging, especially for big groups.
She noted that the caravans are often hosted by governors, mayors and DOT regional directors and escorted by the police, to give them a taste of local hospitality and culture.
Road adventures unroll on May 25-26 with the Pampanga Caravan which will go around the heritage sites, museums, farm tourism resorts and other tourist spots. Participants will get to feast on mouth-watering all-time favorite dishes in the country’s so-called “Culinary Capital” such as sisig, palabok, halo-halo,
kamaru in notable restaurants. Guests will get to drive their own vehicles in an organized convoy to enable them to admire the roadside sceneries at their own pace.
A fly-drive caravan heads south to Davao on Aug. 23-26 for AAP Travel’s first foray to Mindanao. Caravaners will fly via Philippine Airlines and will be driven around the city’s tropical attractions, highland resorts, farm tourism sites, indigenous tribal domains and indulge in fresh seafood and exotic fruits such as durian, marang, mangosteen and pomelo.
The road trip levels up with the 16-day Marian Pilgrimage Tour of Europe which will swing around key cities in Portugal, Spain, France and Italy which are noted for their religious devotion to the Virgin Mary. Set on Oct. 1227, joiners will fly to Lisbon in Portugal, motor to Fatima, Salamanca, Avila, Loyola, Lourdes, Cote D’Azur, Monaco, Lucca, Florence, Assisi and wind up in Rome, Italy for the return flight to Manila.
The year draws to a close with a Baguio-Benguet tour on Dec. 6-8 where guests will drive their vehicles to enjoy the sights at their own pace.
In recent years, AAP Travel has driven around touristic provinces such as Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Oriental Mindoro, Negros Occidental, Bulacan, Laguna, Quezon, Bohol, Batanes, Iloilo and Guimaras.
Gabor noted that the caravans include popular farm resorts to highlight the emerging farm tourism sector, which is now a sought-after trend by travelers.
Participants will receive Petron Value Card with P1,000 worth of credits from official fuel partner Petron, and get the chance to win surprise gifts during raffles.