Today you travel 100 kilometers Southwest of Cebu Island passing trough interesting countryside of centuries old stone churches; colorful markets; roadside crafts, and panoramic vistas from mountain peaks. Midway, make a short stop at Carcar to enjoy local delicacies and interact with friendly folks.
Continue the drive up the mountains and down to the Southwestern coast. Notice the town of Barili, famous for its refreshing carabao milk and its intricate basket weaving industry. Then you reach the town of Dumanjug, known for its juicy grilled native chicken and sweetened banana delicacies. You then enter Moalboal, a diver’s paradise, where both the beginner and the more adventurous come for a real diving experience. The white coral sandy coastline with many beach houses, resorts and islets visible from a far, speak of the town’s reputation as the best dive spot in Cebu. Badian is the next town and it comes into view after crossing a land bridge with nipa palms along the road.
Past the town center, you stop at a clearing marked by an imposing church. Here you start your half hour trek to Kawasan Falls. Take in the thrill! Climb to the waterfall's second level, plunge into its cool waters or balance yourself in a bamboo raft under gushing waters. Have your picnic lunch under the trees and then have time to relax amidst nature’s bounty and power before making your trip back to the city in the mid afternoon.
Sit back, relax and enjoy a picturesque drive up to the city of Tagaytay. Located on a ridge 2,200 feet above sea level, the city offers a panoramic view of Taal Lake and Volcano. Savor this awe-inspiring vista from atop the Palace in the Sky, one of the rest houses of former President Ferdinand Marcos. On the way up, visit San Jose Church in Las Pinas to see the world famous Las Pinas Bamboo Organ. Built in the 19th century by Spanish priest Fr. Diego Cera, the organ is made up of over 800 bamboo pipes.
We’ll then visit a local "jeepney" assembly plant for an inside look at how these popular modes of transport, unique to the Philippines, are built. Time permitting, we’ll stop by a pineapple or coffee plantation to sample the local produce or by one of the local wood carving shops dotting the roadside.
A day trip to Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is like travelling back in time. Set on a 400-hectare land in Bagac, Bataan, Las Casas is a heritage resort that showcases the Filipino cultural heritage and traditions through the restoration of old, historic houses. There are about 34 houses dating from 18th and 19th centuries that have been transported from their original sites in provinces and cities in Luzon, to this heritage resort.
The restoration work on each house was done by craftsmen who painstakingly reconstructed houses by keeping true to its original designs and woodwork. The heritage resort exudes an old village ambiance that comes complete with a plaza that features sculptures depicting rustic scenes of the olden days.
It also has, apart from accommodation facilities, a swimming pool, restaurants, souvenir shops, a watersports rental shop, and an entertainment and game room featuring local Filipino games. In essence, the tour offers a glimpse of how the older generations of Filipinos lived during the Spanish era through its architecture and lifestyle.
The tour provides one with the opportunity to be as close as he can be with Mt. Pinatubo, whose eruption in 1991 was deemed as the most powerful volcanic explosion of the century so far. Its eruption marked the end of its 600 years of lying dormant; it spewed tons of ash and rock, emitting gaseous discharges up to 40 kilometers high, and altered weather patterns worldwide.
Early pick up and drive about an hour and a half to Pampanga where your local guide will meet you. Upon arrival, transfer to a 4x4 vehicle for a 2-hour ride to the jump off point where you will begin your trek to the summit of the volcano (trekking will take approximately two hours). At the summit, enjoy the magnificent view of this once dormant volcano. Mt. PInatubo's eruption in 1991 altered the global climate and caused mudflows to cascade down its slopes, destroying everything along its path and leaving behind a labyrinth of towering lahar cliffs. The crater lake within the mouth of the volcano has a halcyon shade of blue that contrasts with the black, strombolic fury it exhibited years ago. After lunch, end the tour with a brief visit at San Guillermo Church in Bacolor, Pampanga, and see how the lahar flow half-buried this church during the eruption.
Our tour begins with a morning drive past such sites as the Mall of Asia complex, the Coconut Palace, the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Rizal Park on the way to the old walled city of Intramuros. Our first stop will be Casa Manila, a reconstructed Spanish home dating back to the mid-1800s.
This colonial museum contains furniture and artwork ranging from the 17th century to the early 20th century, showcasing the lifestyle of upper class Filipinos at the turn of the century. The next stop will be San Agustin Church and Museum. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, the church’s walls have stood as a silent witness to Philippine history. Next to the church is the museum which features a rich collection of Spanish vestments and religious artwork.
After lunch, the tour will proceed to Makati City, the country´s premier financial district. We will drive past Saints Peter and Paul Parish. Built in 1620, this is Makati´s first and oldest church. Then we will make our way to the church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, built by Augustinian friars in 1629 and often referred to as the “Guadalupe Ruins”. Next stop is the the Neilson Tower, which was the country´s first commercial airport and is now the Filipinas Heritage Library. Finally, visit the Ayala Museum in the heart of the Ayala Center commercial complex. “The Diorama Experience”is a wonderful permanent exhibit with over 60 handcrafted dioramas that chronicle the rich tapestry of Philippine history. Afterwards, we can return you to your hotel or feel free to stay at the Ayala Center for a wonderful shopping experience.
Drive through the City of Mandaue, known as the furniture capital of Cebu. Visit Maple and Pine Classics, which showcases quality wood and cane furniture, exported world-wide. Next stop is a Fashion Accessories store that offers costume jewelry, gift items, and home novelties made of local materials.
Drive to Mactan Island to see how export quality guitars are made at the famous Alegre Guitars. Continue the tour and visit a high end fashion accessory shop named Avatar, a pioneer business that has garnered numerous awards and recognition for design excellence. Finally, take a relaxing drive up north to Liloan and see how native bamboo is used by local craftsmen to make baskets, and the interesting “nipa hut,” the traditional Filipino house using palm leaves as roofing, bamboo slats for the walls and bamboo poles for the basic structure. Return to hotel early in the afternoon.
Embark on a spiritual journey and visit five miraculous Marian shrines of Baguio such as Our Lady of Lourdes, located atop a hill which can be accessed by climbing 225 steps from the base, or by driving though a narrow, sheer and meandering road.
Within the shrine is also a grotto where candles are lit up and prayers are said for various intentions. Located 7 kilometers from Asin Road is the Shrine of the Brown Madonna, whose altar is located in a niche in a cave that was carved out of a mountain side. Its centrepiece is a 7-foot figure of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with an image of the Santo Nino sitting beside her. In a parish at La Trinidad, the centuries-old image of Our Lady of Covadonga, which has its origins in Spain, can be found enshrined in a glass compartment. Our Lady of Atonement, otherwise known as the Baguio Cathedral, with its distinctive pink façade and red-coloured spires, is visible from Session Road and is accessible via 100-step stone staircase. One other shrine that Will be visited and is of spiritual significance to Marian devotees is Our Lady of Bleeding Heart, located in Loakan Road.
This convenient, refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of city life is your chance to recharge your batteries. Enjoy a variety of fun filled activities in the rural setting of the Escudero Coconut Plantation. About a two hour drive south of Metro Manila, this quaint, historic villa is set amidst a pastoral grove inside a coconut plantation, a picturesque showcase of old plantation life. Guests will tour the plantation on board a carabao drawn cart while serenaded by a native band.
This resort villa also has its own museum which houses the family’s vast collection of historic, religious and cultural artifacts, some dating back to pre-Hispanic times. The highlight of the day is sitting down to a sumptuous lunch served beneath a man made dam. Feel free to immerse your feet in the cool rushing waters from a nearby lagoon. A swim in Villa Escudero’s spring-fed pools will complete this memorable visit.
Explora El Nido, un municipio filipino en la isla Palawan conocido por sus playas de arenas blancas, sus arrecifes de coral y también por ser la principal entrada al archipiélago de Bacuit, formado por un grupo de islas repletas de empinados acantilados de roca caliza y relieve cárstico. El tour por el Nido incluye las lagunas, playas y santuarios más importantes de la zona.
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Vigan and Snake Island - Located near Pangulasian Island, it is also referred to as, "Snake Island," because of the fine natural sand spit (s-shaped sandbar) that "snakes" off its shores. The sand spit is clearly visible only when the tide is low. On both sides of the sand spit are shallow swimming areas. Climbing the hill of the nearby island provide a glimpse of an awe inspiring seascape and a bird's eye view of Bacuit Bay.
Cadugnon Point and Cave - It is an important anthropological site, where jewellery and pottery dating back to the Sung Dynasty (960-1279 BC) were yielded. The anthropologists believe that the cave dwellers were from Borneo, and travelled across the ancient land bridge that connected Palawan from Borneo. A small opening hidden among the rocks near the beach reveals a cathedral like cave inhabited by sea sparrows. Inside you’ll see spectacular rock formations and a way to climb a small limestone hill.
Pinasil Island and Cathedral Cave - The Island has a cathedral-like cavern accessible by dinghy and kayak. Its cool interior is lit at certain times of the day by sunlight coming through an opening at its peak. This one of important sites for the busyadors or the birds' nest gatherers.