Delightful Phillipiness

Upon arrival in Manila, you will be greeted and taken to your hotel by our agent. Overnight in a Manila hotel.

Begin the journey at Makati's business sector, which includes Fort Bonifacio and the American Cemetery, then continue to the capital city of Manila. Arrive to Rizal Park, named for Dr. Jose Rizal, the country's national hero. Proceed to the old Walled City of Intramuros after a quick photo break. Explore the cobblestone walkways of San Agustin Church, the country's oldest stone church, and examine its extensive collection of ecclesiastical icons, vestments, and other religious items. Across from it is Casa Manila, a replica of a nineteenth-century house furnished with Oriental and European furnishings, as well as Philippine antiques. Proceed to Fort Santiago, Manila's primary line of defence against seaborne attackers. The stone fort protects the city's entry from Manila Bay and has witnessed several sad events throughout Philippine history. Drive from the Fort to Quiapo, Manila's core neighbourhood, which is sometimes referred to as the city's heart due to its market, Black Nazarene pilgrimage church, jeepney stations, and bazaars. Then make your way to the Chinese Cemetery, where mausoleums are as large and intricate as mansions and where fusions of Buddhist and Christian religions are abundant. Take some time to browse before returning to the hotel. Overnight in a Manila hotel. (L, B)

Today, you will be taken from your accommodation to the Domestic Airport in Manila in preparation for your trip to Bohol. Take a shared transfer to the beach resort upon arrival in Bohol. The remainder of the day is at your pleasure. Overnight in a Bohol hotel. (B)

This morning, depart on a day excursion to discover the beauties of Bohol. The first visit is the Philippine Tarsier Foundation in Corella, which serves as a haven for the world's tiniest primate, the tarsier. Observe these unique, nocturnal creatures in their native environment and be impressed at their agility as they move around, hopping from tree to tree and swivelling their heads nearly 360 degrees. Then travel to Baclayon, stopping briefly at the ancient Blood Compact site, where Spain's Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna, an indigenous chieftain, cemented their partnership with a symbolic drink. Having recently lost only its bell tower and portico to a powerful earthquake, the church retains a museum with a great collection of religious art, clerical costumes, and Latin-inscribed church music librettos on animal skins. Continue the excursion by travelling through Bilar man-made forest, a dense thicket of tall mahogany trees growing on the outskirts of the roadway leading to the country's geological marvel, the Chocolate Hills. Stop at the drop-off spot to take in the vista of the changing colours of the hills. The hill grasses turn a rich brown in the summer, like chocolate candy drops, therefore the name 'Chocolate Hills'. By late afternoon, return to the hotel. Overnight in a Bohol hotel. (B,L)

This morning, check out of the hotel and head to the Manila airport, where you'll catch the journey home with a lifetime's worth of memories. (B)