It is still prime road trip season for the majority of Manila’s citizens. The call of the open road and pristine beaches proves to be irresistible to families stuck in the metropolis. Most popular summer destinations tend to get very congested during the weekends. Good thing that there are still plenty of places to visit which offer their own attractions that don’t come with the lines and crowds at usual summer haunts.
Columbian Autocar Corporation, the distributor of Kia vehicles in the Philippines, encourages Kia owners to explore the outdoors, share and mark their photos on the Kia Motors Philippines facebook page with #MyKiaPH.
To join #MyKiaPH, you can contribute by sharing the epic photos from your latest escapade or the nifty hacks to get your car’s seats organized for a good night’s sleep. With the #MyKiaPH community you can take inspiration from other Kia owners’ journeys and motivate others to move out of their comfort zones and conquer new territories aboard their trusty Kia.
Handle the Hills of Amadeo in Sorento
Tagaytay City in Cavite is infamous for its traffic during the summer. Instead, drive a Kia Sorento to visit the adjacent municipality of Amadeo, nicknamed “the coffee capital of the Philippines”, to experience the same cool climate. Visit Café Amadeo for a cup of their signature Pahimis blend coffee and a serving of hot suman and other kakanin as well as other café staples. After enjoying your hot meal, cool down by taking a dip in the refreshing waters of nearby Balite falls.
The Kia Sorento’s 200 horsepower 2.2L diesel engine makes driving up the hills of upland Cavite easy and fun. The torque of the Sorento engine will happily eat up the steady gradient without the driver having to press heavily on the accelerator. Big and powerful as it may be, the Sorento has enough finesse to handle the sweeping bends and tight side-roads of your chosen route to Amadeo. The tuned suspension and balanced weight distribution make traversing both smooth tarmac and gravel roads equally enjoyable.
Picanto Tour in Manila
The Capital has lots to offer for air-conditioned indoor spaces where families can spend time together and keep cool while everyone else hits the road on their excursions.
Instead of the usual trip to the mall, enjoy the cobblestoned streets of Intramuros or visit the National Museum. With the Picanto’s efficient 29.23km/l* gas consumption, one can ride the down from the Quirino Grandstand across Luneta Park, marvel at the array of collectibles at Yexel’s Toy Museum inside Manila Ocean Park, and visit the Metropolitan Museum of Manila beside the Manila Bay. Finish off by crossing Roxas Boulevard to the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex to visit the CCP Museum with fuel to spare.
A trip like this is also where the Kia Picanto shines as Kia’s perfect city car. Its relatively short 2.4m wheelbase is suited to maneuvering the tight streets of the city. With the Picanto’s compact 1.595m x 3.595m footprint, it’s easy to find a parking spot on your tour of the city.
Cruising in your Grand Carnival to Tarlac
Most people consider Tarlac as a stopover on their way to other destinations in the north like La Union or Baguio. The province has plenty to offer tourists that are willing to spend the time to discover its hidden gems.
With the Grand Carnival as your carrier, adrenaline junkies can fit biking, hiking and other outdoor gear in its spacious cargo room and sinking rear seats for increased capacity as you and your friends try white river rafting or the challenging trek of the ANZAP (ASEAN New Zealand Forestation Project) Waterfalls to marvel at the majesty of a 200-foot wall of water. Set aside a whole day to explore the entire 78-hectares of Tarlac Recreational Park, best explored on a mountain bike.
Avail of the optional leather seats so cleaning all that muck off can easily be wiped down. After a day of pushing your body to its limits, grab a cold drink from the cooling glove box and enjoy the plush ride of the Carnival on your trip back to the city.
