The province of Ilocos Norte has recommended at least nine fresh road trip destinations for tourists and adventure seekers to explore this Holy Week and the summer season.

These destinations include the “Currilights” and the coastal road of Currimao, Ar-aroo Picnic Grove and Darna Falls of Dumalneg, the Ilocos Norte-Abra Road of Nueva Era, Mount Lammin of Piddig and Carasi, Abang Falls of Bangui, Caunayan Bay of Pagudpud, and the Upper Dam of Vintar.

Located about 459 kilometers from Manila, the town of Currimao is one of the smallest in Ilocos Norte and home to rich cultural treasures such as the Tabacalera and Spanish lighthouse ruins, both just a few meters from the seawall. Its 2.8-kilometer seawall boulevard and fisherman’s wharf have been enticing visitors to experience enchanting beauty from dusk until dawn, as well as the “Currilights,” the 220 lampposts that look like mini-lighthouses that illuminate the town’s coastal villages. The best time to visit the place is before sunset.

The tranquil view of Ar-aroo Picnic Grove and Darna Falls of Dumalneg, located 73 km. northeast of this city, has been a favorite among tourists wanting to enjoy lush scenery and swim at the cold and crystal clear Bolo River for a minimal entrance fee of PHP20. The place boasts spacious camping grounds, comfort rooms, electricity, parking, and security run by the municipal government and the Isneg tribal community.

The Ilocos Norte-Abra road of Nueva Era is an emerging road trip destination for motorists due to its scenic view of pine trees upon reaching 953 meters above sea level, the highest point within the boundary of Ilocos Norte and Abra.

Mount Lammin of Piddig and Carasi, on the other hand, is home to the largest Arabica coffee plantation and rocky mountain cafe. It entails a 24-km trail run-hike and takes four hours to ascend the peak and three hours to descend.

Since the establishment of a concrete road leading to a pilot national convergence program for coffee plantations, Mount Lammin, located in the villages of Estancia and Dupitac, has started to attract visitors mostly composed of young adventurers who love to take selfies and groufies. Others, stay there for overnight camping.

Bangui’s Abang Falls is located along the mountainsides of Barangay Lanao with a 24-multiple layered basin. With the support of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the local government unit of Bangui, the place has been rehabilitated to allow visitors to enjoy swimming within the first and second levels while improving its access road for eco-adventure trail seekers.

Other emerging road trip destinations are the Caunayan Bay of Pagudpud known as the “Little Batanes of North,” and the Upper Dam of Vintar in Barangay Visaya, which offers a majestic view of the mountain and a refreshing dip at the cold Bislak River.

According to provincial tourism officer Aian Raquel, Ilocos Norte continues to entice more visitors with its improved roads and tourism support facilities.

“It’s quite a busy and extraordinary summer season for us — we have our provincial fiesta, Holy Week, and Palarong Pambansa,” Raquel said in a recent media interview.

The Ilocos Norte Tourism Office has hired some 400 additional tourism workers deployed in key tourism sites to better serve and assist visitors.

Last year, more than 500,000 tourists visited Ilocos Norte during the Holy Week alone, according to an official tally. (PNA)