The Tourist Gaze

For my sister’s birthday, our family headed to Vitalis Villas in Ilocos Sur, a Mediterranean-inspired resort perched on a coastal cliff in Santiago, about a 7-hour drive from Metro Manila and 1 hour south of Vigan. Known as the Santorini of the North, Vitalis Villas Ilocos Sur offers a relaxing escape with its whitewashed buildings, infinity pools, and breathtaking ocean views.

Our road trip began with an overnight stay in Vigan, where we explored the historic Calle Crisologo before continuing the next morning to Vitalis Villas. The drive south took about an hour, offering scenic views of the Ilocos countryside.

Vitalis is a beautiful place that mimics the cliffside houses of Santorini. It can be kitschy in places, but well worth a day or two to wind down and imagine yourself on a cruise in the Mediterranean. Here, it’s all about dipping in the infinity pool (or jacuzzi if you booked a room that has one of those), eating in a buffet meal, and lying down in a Mediterranean-inspired room.

We left Metro Manila on a really rainy afternoon, but other than a slight drizzle one morning, the weather has been fine here. In fact, the sun makes the afternoon really romantic. Makes you wish the weekend stretches for a couple of days longer.

But leave we must eventually. Upon checking out, we check out the mini zoo up the hill just in front of the resort’s front gate. The compound has a couple of camels, as well as some donkeys, zebras, llamas, and rams. Here, it’s less Greece than a — I don’t know. I would’ve said African safari, but only the zebras are African. Anyway, we spend a few minutes feeding the animals with corn stalks. And then we start the long drive back home.

Things to Do at Vitalis Villas

• Relax in the Infinity Pool & Jacuzzi – If you booked a villa with a private jacuzzi, you can soak in luxury while admiring the ocean.
• Enjoy Buffet Dining – The resort offers all-inclusive meals, serving a mix of Filipino and international dishes.
• Explore the Mini Zoo – Before leaving, we checked out the small zoo near the resort entrance, home to zebras, llamas, donkeys, rams, and even camels!

Location: Santiago, Ilocos Sur (1 hour from Vigan)
Travel Time from Manila: ~7 hours by car
Check-in: 2:00 PM | Check-out: 12:00 PM
Room Options: Standard rooms, cliffside villas, suites with private jacuzzis
Dining: Buffet meals included in most packages
Best Time to Visit: November–April (dry season, sunny coastal views)