A Design Landmark Reimagined as a Retreat
The back windows of Tourists, a renovated 46-room motor lodge that opened in North Adams, Mass., in 2018, overlook 80 acres of Berkshires forest land. Now, a foot trail winds through those woods, connecting the hotel to two neighboring houses in the town’s Blackinton Historic District, a former mill community. Both accommodations — one sleeps […]
For July 4, Here Are 6 Beach Destinations to Enjoy the Sun and Surf
Perhaps you already have a favorite beach — one where already you know how to nab a free parking space, where the best shady spot is and when the soft-serve truck makes its rounds. If you’re looking to mix it up this July 4, or throughout the summer, here are six beach destinations around the […]
5 Places to Visit in Baltimore, Maryland, With John Waters
The 1998 John Waters film “Pecker” ends with an unlikely crowd carousing in a seedy basement bar/impromptu photo gallery in Baltimore. Strippers and one busty, enthusiastic art collector dance on tables as a talking Virgin Mary icon watches. It’s a jubilant, chaotic and naughty party open to anyone with a sense of humor, just the […]
Getting Off the Beaten Path at 5 National Parks
In case you haven’t heard, national parks in the United States have been busy in recent years. Record-breaking busy. But one way to enjoy the bounty of a national park without unwelcome company is to get into the backcountry on a day hike. “In the backcountry, you get away from the crowds and the infrastructure,” […]
Lessee cannot deny the title of the landlord
Dear PAO, I own a piece of land in Pasig City, where I built two houses. In 2018, one of the two houses was rented to Julia on a monthly basis. A contract of lease was signed covering the transaction. She was religiously paying her obligations for two years until she missed them. The total […]
How to Choose the Right Organized Tour
Tour companies that offer multiday trips arrange most everything for you: lodging, sightseeing, food and transportation. But group size, style of travel and budget are among the considerations travelers should assess before picking a tour. Read on for tips. Big group or small Start your research by thinking about how many people you want to […]
America’s Divided Summer Economy Is Coming to an Airport or Hotel Near You
The travel industry is in the midst of another hot summer as Americans hit the road and make for the airport to take advantage of slightly cheaper flights and gas. But the 2024 vacation outlook isn’t all sunny: Like the rest of the American consumer experience this year, it is sharply divided. Many richer consumers […]
Legality of 'paluwagan'
Dear PAO, My co-workers were talking over lunch about setting up a “paluwagan” system among us. I have second thoughts because I hear stories about how they never got their money back. Is “paluwagan” legal? Angie Dear Angie, Paluwagan is an informal system of “savings and/or lending” based on the trust of each member of […]
How to Handle Crowded Airports and Roads This Fourth of July
Whether they’re driving or flying, people traveling for the upcoming holiday weekend are expected to break records in what is already one of the busiest years yet for travel. The Fourth of July holiday usually marks the peak for summer travel, and this summer is already showing signs of surpassing the past two record-setting summers. […]
Permanent validity of certificates of live birth, death and marriage
Dear PAO, My mother asked me to check her documents for her passport application, and I noticed that she wanted to present a birth certificate that was still issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO). I know that the NSO changed its name to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) over a decade ago, and I […]