Travelers begin their luxury journey through the Philippines in the capital, with a walking tour of historic Intramuros. The original 16th century walls of this fortified old city still stand, and the area’s period buildings make for a fascinating walk through time.
In the evening, enjoy a romantic dinner in a local restaurant before retreating for the night to a five-star hotel in Manila.
Travel south to the historic Las Piñas Church and discover the remarkable 19th-century bamboo pipe organ there, before stopping at the Sarao Jeepney Factory for a look at how these iconic local taxis are manufactured. Next, we’ll stop to enjoy breathtaking views of Taal Volcano then stop for lunch at Antonio’s Grill and sample authentic Filipino cuisine.
After lunch, we stop at Taal Heritage Town for a glimpse at some beautifully preserved colonial houses. In the evening, it’s back to Manila.
Today we drive 9 hours to Banaue, a picturesque municipality famous for its UNESCO-protected rice terraces. On the way, we stop in Pampanga for a gastronomic treat courtesy of Chef Claude Tayag.
This renowned chef/artist/author serves up an exclusive meal of innovative Pampanga cuisine. We spend the evening in Banaue tonight.
To really experience the beauty and majesty of the rice fields, we take a leisurely hike through the paddies of Bangaan and Hapao and take in these steeply terraced valleys from the Viewpoint. After a full day of exploring the area on foot, retreat to your hotel and enjoy dinner with unbeatable mountain views.
Today, we travel to the small town of Sagada in the Mountain Province of the Philippines. On the way, we visit the area’s caves and the famous Hanging Coffins. For the adventurous, there’s cave exploring and spelunking at Sumaguing Cave, full of fascinating limestone formations.
In the morning we begin our trip to Baguio City, taking in the beautiful mountain scenery on the way. Baguio’s cool mountain air has made it a popular getaway for Filipinos for centuries, and it’s full of village charm, despite its size. We visit the city markets and head to artist Benedict Cabrera’s Gallery to appreciate work by the Philippines’ greatest contributor to modern art. Tonight, we check into a luxury Baguio hotel.
Today we drive 6 hours and explore the heritage zone of Vigan by calesa - horse drawn carriage. Vigan is a perfectly preserved colonial Spanish town and a World Heritage Site, with largely intact architectural influences from the Philippines, China and Europe. Pick up a memento at a pottery boutique and enjoy authentic Ilocano cuisine in a local restaurant. In the evening, enjoy a luxurious night’s sleep at our hotel.
Our next adventure is a trip to Laoag taking in the sand dunes of Suba just outside the city. We visit the breathtaking baroque Church of Saint Augustine, a UNESCO-protected monument from the early 18th century, Burgos Lighthouse, the oldest working lighthouse in Asia and several more architectural and natural sites of note around Paoay, one of the northernmost coastal towns in the Philippines. At night, it’s back to your hotel in Vigan.
Today we fly to the island of Boracay, renowned for its white-sand beaches and clear blue waters. To fully appreciate the natural beauty of Boracay, travelers are free to spend the day idling on the beach, ideally at a luxury resort such as Shangri-La Boracay.
Today, you can work up an appetite sailing on a local paraw (catamaran) before stopping off at Puka Beach for a picnic lunch. After that, enjoy a tricycle ride to White Beach, a two-mile stretch of pristine powder-fine sand with an array of beach bars, restaurants and shops to browse. After enjoying sunset drinks and a stroll along the water’s edge, spend the night back at The Shangri-La.
The waters surrounding Boracay are filled with small islands and islets. Today we island-hop to various remote beaches and hidden bays to really relax into beach life. After a day of snorkeling around local reefs and paddling in the tropical waters, it’s back to the Shangri-La for a five-star meal in luxurious surrounds.
Enjoy doing what beach holidays are all about: nothing at all. Boracay is known worldwide as one of the planet's best beach islands, so make the most of your time here by enjoying some serious beach contemplation time. For those of you who like to add a little more spice to your day, there are plenty of fun things to do on and off the beach in Boracay, from thrilling water sports like jet skiing, to zorbing down a grassy hill. The choice is yours!
In the morning, fly to Manila and connect to your flight back home.
