Begin the day with a drive to the picturesque city of Tagaytay. Located on a ridge 685 metres (2,250ft) above sea level, it offers stunning panoramic views of Taal Lake and Volcano. Then a visit to the Palace in the Sky, the country retreat of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos, presents breathtaking views of the lake and volcano.
We’ll stop for a brief lunch in one of the local restaurants to sample cuisine and delicacies popular to the region. During lunch admire the famous panoramic views. Then prepare for the trip back to Metro Manila.
Our sightseeing tour of Manila starts with a visit to the American War Memorial and Cemetery. Experience the hustle and bustle of Makati, as we make our way to the country’s capital city Manila via the scenic Roxas Boulevard. Pass through Rizal Park on the way to the walled city of Intramuros. Then travel back in time down cobbled stone streets to the San Agustin Church with the final stop being at Fort Santiago.
Angono’s claim to fame is as the home to many famous visual artists including the legendary national artist Carlos ‘Botong’ Francisco. Stop at the Nemiranda Arthouse, a gallery operated by renowned painter Nemi Miranda, who has won various awards and distinctions both locally and abroad. Also see the Blanco Family Museum and the residence of the late Carlos ‘Botong’ Francisco.
You will also have the rare opportunity to visit the Angono Caves where ancient petroglyphs dating back to 3000BC were discovered. A cultural heritage site, this pre-historic work of art offers a glimpse into the life of ancient Filipinos. Time permitting; we will shop for native crafts and souvenirs at the Tiendesitas.
Meeting point: Pick-up from Makati and Manila Bay area hotels from 8.45am, returning at 5.15pm.
The Villa Escudero Plantation is 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 cart drawn by carabao (a water buffalo native to the Philippines) 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 artefacts, 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.
Meeting point: Pick-up from Makati and Manila Bay area hotels from 8.45am, returning at 5.15pm.
Discover the majestic Pagsanjan Falls and see a little bit of heaven on Earth. Take a scenic boat ride on a native dugout canoe (banca). As the boat is skilfully manoeuvred upstream by two boatmen, the landscape diversifies with beautiful boulders, steep gorges and lush tropical vegetation.
Return downstream by “shooting the rapids” as expert boatmen steer past huge boulders in churning waters at top speeds. With its booming waters cascading down the cliff 275 metres (900ft) below, this is truly an exhilarating, spine-tingling, adrenaline-pumping ride.
Meeting point: Pick-up from Makati and Manila Bay area hotels from 8.45am, returning at 5.15pm.
What is now a modern freeport and tourism zone was America’s largest naval facility in the Pacific region until the eruption of the Mount Pinatubo in 1991. But such was the violence of the volcanic eruption that the US Navy pulled out and abandoned the Subic Naval Base.
Witness the aftermath brought by Mount Pinatubo’s eruption (considered the strongest volcanic eruption in the last century) while passing through the provinces of Bulacan and Pampanga. Then visit a JEST Camp (Jungle Environmental Survival Training Camp) where indigenous people called Aetas demonstrate survival skills in a tropical rain forest. Experience a Zoobic safari with its ride-through tiger enclosure (the only one of its kind in the Philippines.) There is an option to stop by duty free shops inside the Freeport Zone before the return trip to Manila.
Meeting point: Pick-up from Makati and Manila Bay area hotels from 8.45am, returning at 5.15pm.
The verdant valley between Mounts Makiling and Banahaw boasts some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Philippines. These two sacred mountains have been for many years been a major staple for local myths and legends, while in the natural worlds, the area is home to an impressive collection of rare orchids and other exotic flora. Mount Makiling is considered a potentially active volcano while Mount Banahaw is classified as an active volcano. Several naturally heated volcanic water pools are available for those want to take a refreshing dip so bring your swim suit.
Meeting point: Pick-up from Makati and Manila Bay area hotels from 8.45am, returning at 5.15pm.
Located on the edge of a 30km (19 mile) wide caldera, Tagaytay City is about an hour and half outside of Manila. The volcanic crater was created more than 100,000 years ago and the city provides breathtaking panoramic views of Taal Lake. You will enjoy a peaceful picnic on the lake shore before taking quick boat ride to Volcano Island. Riding on horseback over solidified black lava flows, you will reach the spectacular vantage point overlooking Crater Lake – a stunning ‘lake within a lake’ – and Vulcan Point.
Meeting point: Pick-up from Makati and Manila Bay area hotels from 8.45am, returning at 5.15pm.
Experience the hospitality that Filipinos are known for as you partake in a sumptuous feast of exotic local dishes and delicacies in a traditional “barrio fiesta” atmosphere. The highlight of the evening is a special presentation of folk dances performed by graceful maidens and dashing lads in authentic native costumes. These symbolic ceremonial dances of the northern mountain tribes offer romantic Spanish-influenced reels, as well as the expressive tribal dances of the Muslim south. Enjoy a showcase of Filipino soul presented through dance. Towards the end of the evening, you will have an opportunity to show that you too can perform as guests are invited to participate.
Take an exhilarating trip to the idyllic town of Angono, located in the eastern part of Metro Manila. Its location between the hills of Antipolo and the famous Laguna de Bay make for a beautiful setting. The town’s claim to fame is as the home to many famous visual artists including the legendary National Artist Carlos “Botong” Francisco. Stop at the Nemiranda Arthouse, an art gallery operated by renowned painter Nemi Miranda, who has won various awards and distinctions both locally and abroad. Also see the Blanco Family Museum and the residence of the late Carlos “Botong” Francisco.
You will also have the rare opportunity to visit the Angono Caves where ancient petroglyphs dating back to 3000 B.C. were discovered. A cultural heritage site, this pre-historic work of art offers a glimpse into the life of ancient Filipinos. Time permitting, we will shop for native crafts and souvenirs at the Tiendesitas.
Visit the site where one of the most celebrated battles during World War II took place. Guarding the entrance to Manila Bay, lies Corregidor Island. This tadpole-shaped island, nicknamed “the Rock,” provided the first line of defense for the Filipino and American soldiers from the invading Japanese forces during the WWII.
Relive history by partaking in the Malinta Tunnel Light and Sound Show which chronicles the events that shaped the center of American operations during the war. Then visit the Mile Long Barracks that served as the quarters of some 2,000 US officials including General Douglas MacArthur. We’ll take a quick detour to the Spanish Lighthouse which offers a spectacular view of Manila Bay and the South China Sea. Additional sights include the batteries displaying the various guns from the time and the Pacific War Memorial, one of only two memorials built by the US government to mark the war.
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.
Unveil the history of the city that has evolved to become metro Manila´s most modern city as well as the Philippine´s premier business and financial center. Our first stop is the Nielson Tower along Ayala Avenue. Proceeding to the Museo ng Makati, we will see the city’s glorious past is in full display through paintings, murals, film-showings, stage presentations, lectures, workshops and exhibits. The museum itself is housed in an old structure built in 1918 that served as the first town hall of the then municipality of Makati.
We will also stop at the Saints Peter and Paul Parish, the first and oldest church in Makati. Built in 1620 its intricate design and Spanish type architecture make it a notable structure. Nearby, we will stop at the parish church of Our Lady of Guadalupe built by the Agustinian friars in 1629. Often referred to as the “Guadalupe Ruins,” the original church was of Doric structure with massive buttresses to support its vault of hewn stones taken from the still visible but extinct Guadalupe Quarry.
From Guadalupe, we will proceed to the American Cemetery and Memorial. Our tour ends at the Ayala Center where guests have the option to take an optional tour of the Ayala Museum, or spend the rest of their time exploring the Ayala Center – a commercial complex at par with the world´s best!
Join Gray Line as we visit a living museum of Philippine customs and traditions of the 18th to early 20th century. Now enjoy the restored Historical Principalia, noble class mansions, House of Stone, Bahay na Bato, and wooden stilt houses that were once old and decaying architectural pieces of a bygone era and slowly fading into the background of modern urban life.
After being slowly and carefully reconstructed, these historical buildings make up a picturesque setting reminiscent of a Juan Luna or Amorsolo paintings, set against a backdrop of majestic mountains, expansive rice fields and a running river that flows to the sea. Walking along village cobblestone streets or riding one of the caruajes (horse-drawn carriages) commands a feeling of nostalgia and wonder, romance and appreciation of simple living at its best.
At Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, the legacy of our forefathers and the beautiful Filipino traditions live on. It is a step back into the past, reliving the age-old traditions and practices distinct to our culture, without leaving the luxury and comforts of the modern world. A showcase of Filipino talent, ingenuity and craftsmanship, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar takes pride in the past... And keeps its hope for the future.
Embark on a full day excursion to the town of Pagsanjan, Laguna located two and a half hours south of Manila. Your destination is the majestic Pagsanjan Falls. Take a scenic boat ride on a native dugout canoe (banca.) As the boat is skillfully maneuvered upstream by two boatmen, the landscape diversifies with beautiful boulders, steep gorges and lush tropical vegetation.
Return downstream by “shooting the rapids” as expert boatmen steer past huge boulders in churning waters at top speeds. With its booming waters cascading down the cliff 900 feet below, this is truly an exhilarating, spine-tingling, adrenaline-pumping ride.
Behind the modern exterior of the Philippines’ most progressive city is an interesting story waiting to be told. Discover Makati with visits to three of the city’s major museums. Begin the day at the impressive Makati Museum which showcases the city’s recent history. Then make a stopover at the famous Neilson Tower situated in the heart of the modern business district.
Next, explore the Ayala Museum with its dioramas depicting the most important events in Philippine history. The tour also includes a drive-by of the Saints Peter and Paul Parish, the oldest church in Makati, as well as the Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe. At the end of the day you can choose to return to your hotel or stay at the Ayala Center to experience best shopping in town!