Philippines First Time Discovery

On arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, a representative meets you and helps with your transfer. A private, air-conditioned sedan then takes you to your accommodation in Manila's city centre, and each passenger gets a bottled water for the journey. This is a transfer-only service, so no guide travels with you.

The rest of the day is yours. Manila is the largest city in the Philippines and its financial and commercial capital, on the eastern shore of Manila Bay on Luzon, the country's largest island. Filipino heritage mixes with Spanish, Chinese and American influences here. You can see this in the baroque colonial churches, the Buddhist and Taoist temples and the Golden Mosque spread across the city, so any of these makes a good first stop.

Please note: This transfer allows for two bags.

After breakfast, your driver picks you up from your accommodation at 8:45 am for the private, non-guided transfer to Ninoy Aquino International Airport in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle. Your direct flight leaves at around 11:45 am and lands at Godofredo P. Ramos Airport in Caticlan 1 hour 15 minutes later, at 1 pm.

A representative meets you on arrival and starts the shared, door-to-door transfer to Boracay Island, where you travel with other guests in air-conditioned transport. The journey goes by road from Caticlan Airport to Caticlan Jetty Port, then by boat across to Cagban Port on Boracay, then by road again to the lobby of your accommodation, your base for the next three nights. Terminal and environmental fees are covered. Staff help at each transfer point but don't travel with you the whole way, as this is a non-guided service.

Boracay is a small island south of Manila, off the northwest tip of Panay Island in the Western Visayas. It covers the barangays of Manoc-Manoc, Balabag and Yapak in the municipality of Malay, Aklan Province. The island is known as one of the world's top places to relax, so your first afternoon is a good time to settle in.

Today is yours to spend on Boracay. White Beach is the island's best-known stretch of sand and a natural place to start. Puka Beach and Bulabog Beach are also well worth a visit.

You can start the day with a trip to Baling Hai Beach, a quiet little cove just north of Diniwid Beach. It's a relaxed, peaceful spot for swimming, snorkelling and a meal. If you're up for more of an adventure, the Bat Cave is on the western end of the island, reached along several dirt roads. Its mouth is scattered with large boulders, which makes it hard to get into and walk down.

This morning, your driver picks you up at 9:45 am from your accommodation and takes you through each step of the shared transfer to Caticlan Airport. You go by road to Cagban Port, cross by boat to Caticlan Jetty Port on mainland Aklan, then continue by road to Caticlan Airport (Godofredo P. Ramos Airport).

Your direct flight leaves at 12:45 pm and lands at Mactan-Cebu International Airport an hour later, at 1:45 pm. A representative meets you and takes you by private, air-conditioned car to your accommodation in the Mactan area for the night. Cebu is often called the "Queen City of the South." Its capital, Cebu City, is one of the oldest settlements in the Philippines, where centuries-old churches and Spanish-era forts stand alongside malls, cafes and skyscrapers.

If you choose to head into the city this afternoon, Magellan's Cross and the Basilica del Santo Nino are central to the country's Christian heritage. Fort San Pedro, Colon Street and the downtown heritage sites show the island's Spanish and American colonial past. For local flavour, try the busy Carbon Market, or puso (hanging rice) and lechon, the roasted pig that many consider among the best in the Philippines.

The day starts with an 8:40 am pick-up from your accommodation. A private car takes you from Mactan to the port at Cebu City Harbour, and a representative welcomes you there. Your business class ferry leaves at 11:40 am for the 2-hour crossing and arrives at Tagbilaran City Port Terminal at 1:40 pm.

A representative meets you at the port, and a private, air-conditioned car takes you to your accommodation on Panglao Island for the next three nights. Each passenger gets a bottled water, and as on your other transfers, no guide is on board.

Bohol is an island province in the Central Visayas region, made up of the main island and 75 smaller surrounding islands. It is the tenth-largest island in the Philippines, and its capital is Tagbilaran City. Panglao Island, just southwest of Tagbilaran City, is famous for diving and is regularly listed among the top ten dive locations in the world. Its southern beaches are dotted with resorts and dive centres.

Please note: Please be at the terminal or boarding area at least 1 hour before departure. Boarding gates close 30 minutes before departure, and anyone not checked in by then will be refused boarding.

Please note: A valid ID is required for boarding, and passengers under 17 can't travel alone.

Please note: Passengers may only carry hand luggage on board. A porter fee applies to each item of checked baggage.

Please note: A terminal fee is collected when you check in at the port.

Please note: Your driver at Tagbilaran City Port will wait for a maximum of 60 minutes, and the transfer allows for two bags.

Today is free to explore Bohol. The Chocolate Hills are the island's most famous sight: at least 1,268 limestone mounds spread across the municipalities of Carmen, Batuan and Sagbayan.

This unusual geological formation looks like a field of giant molehills. The hills stand 30 to 50 m high and are covered in green grass, which turns brown in the dry season and gives them their chocolate-like look. You can see them by land, or from the air on an ultralight airplane tour.

Your last full day on Bohol is yours to spend as you like. The Philippine tarsier, one of the world's smallest primates, is native to the island. The Philippine Tarsier Foundation has bought 7.4 hectares of land in Corella for a tarsier sanctuary. Back on Panglao, the southern beaches and their dive centres are an easy way to round off your stay.

After breakfast, your driver picks you up from your accommodation at 9:35 am for the private, non-guided transfer to Bohol-Panglao International Airport in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle. Your direct flight leaves at 12:35 pm and lands at Ninoy Aquino International Airport 1 hour 40 minutes later, at 2:15 pm. A representative meets you, and a private, air-conditioned sedan takes you to your accommodation in Manila's city centre, with a bottled water for each passenger.

The rest of the day is free to see more of Manila. Rizal Park, also known as the Luneta, is the city's main attraction. Inside are the Chinese and Japanese Gardens, the National Museum of the Philippines, the National Library of the Philippines, an Orchidarium, an open-air auditorium for cultural performances, and the monument and final resting place of national hero Jose Rizal.

At the northern end of Manila Bay is Intramuros, the old walled Spanish settlement, whose name means "within the walls." Much of it was destroyed during the war. It still holds some of the city's most interesting museums, ruins and churches, including Manila Cathedral, the most important church in the country. Manila was once known as the Pearl of the Orient, and after dark its galleries, nightlife, restaurants and modern shopping malls make for a lively last evening.

After your final breakfast, the day is free until your driver arrives at your accommodation for the private, non-guided transfer to Ninoy Aquino International Airport in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle. This marks the end of your trip.