Philippines : Attractions and Sightseeing

Manila

Modern Manila is a teeming metropolis, with huge tower blocks crowding those few examples of colonial architecture that survived the bombing of the city during WWII. Many people use it only as a base for further travel, but the more persistent will discover its friendliness and charm.

Perhaps because Manila is such an overwhelming place, most foreign visitors don't stay long. However, there are attractions for those prepared to overlook Manila's flaws - from vibrant markets and historic buildings to museums celebrating every aspect of the Philippines' unique cultural mix.

Hotels Manila

G Hotel Manila by Waterfront   Experience a stunning first-class hotel where the rich heritage and warm hospitality of the Philippines all come to ebullient life. A combination of style and comfort, G Hotel Manila by Waterfront features exquisitely designed guest rooms that offer both the luxury of 4-star accommodation and the warm familiar feel of home. This ultra-modern building features a residential chic theme with its black and white interiors. Keep fit and strengthen the muscles or pamper yourself and soothe the mind. G Hotel Manila is home to one of the best fitness and wellness centres in the city. If it's a place in the sun you're looking for, bask in our open-air swimming pool beside a tropical garden and bar.

Banaue (Hotels Banaue)

The spectacular rice terraces around Banaue, in north Luzon, have been described (like a lot of other places) as the eighth wonder of the world. Carved out of the hillside by Ifugao tribes people 2000 to 3000 years ago, these remarkable terraces stretch like stepping stones to the sky - some reaching an altitude of 1500m (4920ft).

Palawan : Nature's Last Stand (Hotels Palawan)

Palawan, an island province southwest of Metro Manila, is revered as one of the Philippines' and Asia 's most haunting and final frontiers.

Palawan, the country's last environmental frontier, is blessed with 1780 islands and islets most of which have irregular coastlines that make excellent harbors. Thick forests covering these steep sloped mountains assure adequate watersheds for rivers and streams. Palawan is surrounded by a coral shelf that abounds with varied and colorful marine life, hence the island province has been declared a nature sanctuary. The province boasts of extraordinary scenic wonders like El Nido, St. Paul Underground River, Tabon Caves and Honda Bay Islands.

Puerto Princesa is the capital of Palawan.

Boracay Beaches

The famous white beaches of the island of Boracay, off the northwestern tip of Panay, regularly appears in those 'Best Beaches of the World' lists that travel rags are so fond of compiling. Despite the write-ups, unchecked tourist development has at times caused waste-disposal problems.

It might be a good idea to check up on beach conditions before you leave. Environmental tests in 1997 found the water off Boracay to be contaminated and unsafe to swim in. Follow-up tests declared the waters to be within acceptable pollution limits and Boracay's beaches certainly look pristine.

Hotels Boracay

Asya Boracay Hotel   ASYA is Boracay's newest and most stylish (with AAA rating) resort . The verdant surroundings transport one into the quintessential Asian tropical paradise, where lush greens quietly greet you with every step, and plush exterior furnishings create a distinctive sense of intimate luxury. Each of the thirty-one spacious rooms boasts of tastefully selected pieces, from the artworks to the furniture; and as if in anticipation of the needs of the guest, guests are given the option of checking-in in the comfort of your room as you enjoy a wide array of chilled drinks from its one-time complimentary mini-bar. ASYA also has its own in-house Restaurant, TRAVIESA (Euro-Asian Cuisine), gazebo, swimming pool, courtyard garden, business center and conference room equipped with audio-visual system. And as if this isn't enough indulgence already, Asya provides you with free WI-FI connection in all these areas as well! A destination in itself, visit and experience ASYA, your oasis in the heart of Boracay...

Cebu

Basilica Minore de Santo Nino
The oldest religious relic in the Philippines, an icon of the infant Jesus, is housed in the basilica, having miraculously survived fire and other catastrophes through the years since the image of Christ was first presented by Magellan to Queen Juana in 1521. The church itself was originally built in 1565, but was rebuilt in 1602 after a fire.

Fort San Pedro
located at Cebu City’s wharf area, was the nucleus of the first Spanish settlement in the country. It began as a single triangular bastion, built in 1565, and was not completed for another 200 years. Over the centuries the fort has been put to several uses, including a watch-tower to counter pirate attacks in the 1700s, a prison for local rebels during the Philippine revolution, a US army barracks, and during world war II a prison camp. Today the fort has been turned into a museum-park, giving visitors to Cebu a glimpse of the island’s history.

Jumalon Museum
Located in the Basak district, this private museum created by late lepidopterist, Professor Julian Jumalon, houses his unusual collection of mosaics, made up of butterfly wings. The garden of Jumalon’s home continues to be a haven for thousands of butterflies, and the ‘lepido mosaics’ are displayed in the salon.

Casa Gorordo Museum
originally the home of the first Filipino Bishop of Cebu. It is now restored and serves as a re-creation of a typical Filipino home of the late 19th century, furnished with religious relics, paintings, antique furniture and household items. The museum also showcases some contemporary art exhibits.

Beaches
Numerous islets and beaches are connected to, or easily accessed from, the Cebu metropolitan area as day trips. Mactan Island is linked to Cebu City by a bridge and is the site of hundreds of beach resorts, most of which offer full scuba services and watersports facilities. Olango Island offers pristine white sandy beaches, while Kansatik, southeast of Olango, features an underwater mountain festooned with coral, sponges and colourful fish. Olango is also a paradise for bird watchers. A short drive north of Cebu City is Sagod, offering caves, beautiful beaches and some excellent dive spots. Capitancillo Islet, a little further northeast of Sagod, sits at the centre of a coral reef that extends for about two miles (three km). Calanggaman Islet, in the same area, features black coral and caves. Gato Islet has lagoons, coral reefs and a sea-snake breeding ground. On the southwestern shore of Cebu Island is Moalboal, another world-renowned dive destination, and Badian Island nearby has more underwater attractions and a five-star beach resort. Sun seekers also relish Argao, about two hours drive from Cebu City, where the beaches of Kawit, Mahawak and Mahayahay are picture-perfect.
 

Hotels Cebu

Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino   This grand hotel is one of the Philippines’ most famous landmarks and presents a wealth of facilities in an excellent location 30 minutes from the international airport. A combination of elegance and style, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino features exquisitely designed guest rooms. Lull yourself to sleep and leave the world behind in the comfort of a home away from home. Wake to a new day just waiting to be enjoyed. Laze around the crystal clear waters of the hotel swimming pool and relax to the soothing sound of the waterfalls while enjoying refreshing drinks and light snacks at the pool bar. For more excitement as night falls, the Casino Filipino is Asia's first theme casino that reflects Cebu's famous and historic old Filipino town plaza. Enjoy playing under a glittering starlit skyscape promising endless fun and outstanding entertainment.

Davao

Davao City is located deep in the heart of the Philippines' exotic south, in the southeastern portion of Mindanao Island. It is a highly urbanized city that serves as the major economic, financial, and educational centre of the entire island. The city which falls nominally under the province of Davao del Sur Province, is bounded on the north by Davao and Compostela Valley provinces, on the east by Davao Gulf, on the south by Davao del Sur, and on the west by North Cotabato province.

Davao serves as the gateway to the island of Mindanao, being serviced by several national as well as international air and sea carriers. The brand new Davao International Airport (the busiest on the island) now handles international flights to Singapore and Indonesia. The seaport meanwhile handles a sizable traffic of goods bound for Japan, China, the USA and the Middle East.

Considered one of the largest cities in the world in terms of land area, Davao now boasts of a population of about 1.2 million. People from all over the country have come here to explore all the possibilities that this city has to offer. In addition, the city and region also have a number of indigenous tribes that add colour and uniqueness to the area; like the Bagobo, Manobo, Mandaya, and Bilaan tribes.

To this day, Davao City continues to straddle two worlds - the new and the old. Part of it is a flourishing metropolis of business districts, mechanized farms and cosmopolitan villages where "instant millionaires" live. And the other part is a rural landscape of hills that roll down into fertile valleys, dominated by the Mount Apo, the grandfather of all Philippine mountains.

There are lots of things for travellers to do. Tourists can try climbing Mount Apo, the country's tallest peak; nature trekking or hiking at Eden Nature Park; exploring the numerous pineapple, banana and other fruit plantations of which the region is known for; kayaking, sailing or just lazing around at any of the numerous beach resorts, including white sand resorts on nearby Samal Island. A must-see is the Philippine Eagle Centre in Malagos which artificially breeds the Philippine Eagle in captivity. For the more adventurous, there's white-water rafting and rappelling on the Davao River. Then there's Kadayawan sa Davao, a grand fiesta that happens every third week of August. Come to this fiesta and see indigenous tribes dancing to ancient rhythms, horse-fighting shows, floral float displays, and other fun-filled activities.

Madayaw na pag abot! (WELCOME to Davao)

Marco Polo Hotel Davao   Davao's tallest building and a well-known city landmark, this luxury 5-star hotel is situated in the heart of the city’s business and commercial district, a 20-minute drive from the airport. Here at The Marco Polo Davao we pride ourselves on offering a tranquil, luxurious experience. Relax by the hotel pool with a drink or snack at the pool terrace and enjoy stunning views of Mount Apo, also visible from the privacy of your stunning room. A stay here is not complete without sampling the exquisite food. Setting new standards in cuisine, Marco Polo Davao's 2 enticing restaurants offer the finest Cantonese dining experience coupled with an array of international buffet options at Cafe Marco. For guests wanting to maintain a fitness regime, Marco Polo Davao Fitness Centre features a state-of-the-art gymnasium, massage rooms, saunas, and a juice bar.

Hotels Davao

Other Attractions

General Santos City is located in Southern Mindanao, in the Republic of the Philippines. The city, called "GenSan" by the locals is famous for it's bountiful tuna catch, it is the tuna fishing capital of the Philippines.
Tuna, the tasty pink-fleshed oceandwelling fish, is one of the world’s most important commercial fish and many nations pay homage to it via festivals. There are a number of yearly tuna festivals around the world – notably the festivals in Sicily in Italy and in Pingtung in Taiwan – but the biggest and best known of them all is held at General Santos City in South Cotabato.

Countless spectacular sights are scattered throughout the archipelago, including the strange Chocolate Hills of Bohol in the Visayas; the volcanic crater Lake Taal, southwest of Manila; and the burial caves of Sagada, 18km (11mi) from Bontoc. There are also 5,000 uninhabited islands to explore.