MANILA is the gateway to the 7,107 islands of the Philippines and is the historical centre of government and industry. The city is a delightful mix of the old and the new from ancient Spanish churches to gleaming high rise structures, quaint street stalls and modern shopping malls, historical landmarks to pulsating clubs and bars. In Manila, every corner is a discovery.

The original city of Manila was called Intramuros and was built by the Spanish in 1571. History echoes within the walls of this fortress complex and a tour of this landmark will provide visitors a deeper understanding of Manila’s rich heritage.

There a two main business districts in Metro Manila, these are the Makati and Ortigas Center. These two areas are characterized by modern high rises, sprawling shopping malls, rows of gourmet restaurants, and entertainment establishments. This tour will take you for a drive through the Cultural Centre of the Philippines grounds by the Manila Bay. Stop at Rizal Park, where the Philippines’ national hero was executed, and then proceed to Fort Santiago – the seat of the Spanish government in the 17th century.  Visit The Manila Cathedral, Casa Manila a replica of a 17th century house, San Agustin Church and its museum. Tour will also include a visit to the business district of Makati City, and a glimpse of what used to be the first.

Bambike is a socio-ecological enterprise based in the Philippines that hand-makes bamboo bicycles with fair-trade labor and sustainable building practices. Our bamboo bike builders (aka Bambuilders) come from Gawad Kalinga, a Philippine-based community development organization for the poor, working to bring an end to poverty. We have programs that include scholarships, sponsoring a preschool teacher, and a weekly feeding program for children, as well as a bamboo nursery for reforestation. Bambike is a company that is interested in helping out people and the planet, dedicated to social and environmental stewardship. Our goal is to do better business and to make the greenest bikes on the planet.

Bambike Revolution Cycles promotes inclusive growth and social welfare for all of our stakeholders. We support the advocacy of Gawad Kalinga, a Philippine-based community development organization that aims to end poverty by restoring the dignity of the poor. This is done at Bambike by employing rural villagers, providing full-time and fair trade work opportunities, and using environmentally responsible manufacturing techniques. Bambike is dedicated to growing the green economy and to sustainable livelihood development.

Tagaytay, located on a ridge 2,250 ft. above sea level, is a leisurely drive to the countryside 60 km. South of Manila, past small coastal villages and towns; rice fields, tropical fruit orchards and coconut plantation. From the heights of Tagaytay, enjoy the breathtaking sight of one of the world’s strangest wonders – Taal Volcano, a volcano within a volcano and lake within a lake.

This 2-hour drive stops briefly at the Las Pinas Church, site of the Bamboo Organ, and the Sarao jeepney factory sees how the Filipino ingenuity and culture take from with this versatile motor vehicle. Enjoy a snack of ice cream on a coconut shell, while enjoying the view of the volcano.

A 2 and a half hours drive from Manila will take you to the town of Alaminos where Hidden Valley is. The valley nestles at the foot of Mt. Makiling, a mystical mountain associated with local myths.

A number  of springs with hot, cold and soda water, lace a forest of huge fruit trees, tropical shrubs and flowering plants. A concrete path connects the pools and leads to the jungle’s interior where a waterfall has cut a gorge down the mountainside.

Drive south of Manila to Pagsanjan, Laguna (approximately 2 hours) on an air-conditioned coach. The fun begins as you board the dugout our dugout canoes that will take you to the falls.  “Shoot the rapids” with expert boatmen traversing the turbulent waters and trying to outdo each other in friendly, frenzied competition. Spend some time at the falls for a swim or a raft ride under the falls. Return to the resort by riding the currents of the rapids with your boatmen skillfully guiding canoe. Lunch at the resort. Return to Manila.

Taal Volcano is a complex volcano located on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. It is the second most active volcano in the Philippines with 33 historical eruptions. All of these eruptions are concentrated on Volcano Island, an island near the middle of Taal Lake.

You will be brought to the most fantastic shopping places in Manila where you need not think twice about buying any item. In Greenhills Shopping Mall, you can find all sorts of bargains. Greenhills combines upscale and mass market shops. One whole floor is devoted to mobile phones, while another is devoted to computer hardware, while another section is pearls galore.

You will have the chance to see some mid-range and upscale shops, both at the Makati commercial center and the mammoth Mall of Asia. Otherwise, there will be more bargain hunting in Divisoria Market, where items are sold in bulk or jaw-dropping prices. You can find almost anything here, from cookware to lingerie to toys. Just beware of pickpockets and snatchers. A few blocks from Divisoria Market is 168 Mall, which is almost like Divisoria Market, but with the advantage of being more orderly and air-conditioned.

Take an hour and a half drive south of Manila to Nurture Wellness Village in Tagaytay city and rejuvenate with a customized Filipino massage using a fusion of Asian therapies to prevent and cure common ailments like colds, sprain, fever and fatigue. Skilled therapists instinctively follow the source of physical imbalance and lovingly massage your body back to health using herbs and specialized techniques. You will also have an option among Mutya Natural face, Hele Foot Spa and Pawi Hand & Foot Massage. The combination of the therapy will take about two hours. Enjoy a sumptuous and healthful plated lunch after your relaxation and rest.

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Corregidor Island is rich in history both in the story and historical sites. For those who love to learn about the story of the island, we have the perfect tours for you.

48 kilometers west of Manila one can find Corregidor Island, a small rocky island, strategically located at the entrance of Manila Bay. When the Japanese invaded the Philippines in December 1941, the military force, under the command of Gen. Douglas MacArthur, carried out a delaying action at Bataan. At this time, Corregidor became the headquarters of the Allied forces and also the seat of the Philippine Commonwealth government.

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About two hours drive south of Metro Manila is a Philippine heritage experience like never before. Walk through the museum that houses one of the country’s largest private collections of world antiquities. Enjoy the Philippine Experience  Show and watch the country’s cultural legacy come to life.

Paddle a native bamboo raft on still waters of the river. Explore its lush surroundings and see many resident bird species along the way. Or take a dip in our pool and relax.

Visit the Escudero Private Museum, one of the largest museums in the country. Various artifacts have been collected from all over the world. Next stop would be the Labasin Waterfalls Restaurant, one of the centerpieces of Villa Escudero. Enjoy its traditional Filipino buffet lunch, kamayan style, while soaking your feet in the shallow running water.

Please be reminded though that buffet lunch at the Waterfalls is highly weather-dependent and may be transferred at any time for the safety of our guests.

After lunch, the Philippine Experience Show showcases the country’s rich culture that has been preserved by traditional  dances and music. If your time permits, you may very well enjoy its newly opened swimming pools, this includes one pool for the children, an infinity pool and an adult only pool located above. Only those wearing proper swimming attire will be allowed to use the pool, the adult pool is only for those 18 and above.

El Nido, A first class municipality and managed resource protected area in the province of Palawan in the Philippines. It is about 420 kilometres southwest of Manila, and about 238 kilometres northeast of Puerto Princesa, Palawan’s capital. According to CNN Go, it is the Best Beach and Island destination in the Philippines for its “extraordinary natural splendor and ecosystem.”

Situated in Bacuit Bay, El Nido, covering a land area of 465.1 square kilometres in the northernmost tip of mainland Palawan, is bordered by the Linapacan Strait in the north, the Sulu Sea in the east, and the South China Sea in the west. It is composed of 45 islands and islets, each has its own unique geological formations. The highest peak is at Cadlao Island, towering up to 640 metres above sea level.

Bohol is situated in the heart of southern Philippines, Bohol is a throbbing island-province with rolling terrains of hills, crystal springs, verdant rivers and beaches. While natural beauty is the heart of the land, its very soul is its rich history, replete with ancestral homes and centuries-old churches.

The country’s tenth largest island, Bohol is situated at the heart of Visayas. West of Bohol is Cebu, and to the east is Leyte. Along its coastline are the numerous isles of Panglao, Pamilacan, Cabilao, Jao, Mahanay and Lapinin, which are excellent dive spots.

However, beneath the rustic charms of Bohol lies a thousand and one adventures just waiting to unfold. The site of the 1565 blood compact between Rajah Sikatunaand Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, Bohol’s history is evident in the province’s relaxed, laid-back pace, with rich cultural heritage.

The Chocolate Hills is but one of the many natural wonders to be found in Bohol. The province is the home of the world’s smallest monkey, the tarsier. The size of a fist, the tarsier lives on hills of Corella, some ten kilometers from Tagbilaran. Other exotic flora and fauna can be found amongst the forest of Bohol.

Bohol’s various mountainous and water formations also serve as a natural playground for the adventurous tourist. One can cruise the rivers, hike up the hills, swim the deep waters, or just stroll down the avenues. Bohol is just waiting to surprise you.

Cebu is sometimes called the Queen City of the South. Historic Cebu was where the Portuguese Captain Ferdinand Magellan planted the Cross of Christianity in 1521. Strategically lying at the center of the Visayas, Cebu has been a popular entry point among merchants through the centuries. Its channel is deep enough to accommodate the flow of goods through international cargo sea vessels, and the Mactan island serves as protection from winds and current. The last three decades saw the blossoming of Cebu into a booming tourist destination. Touted as the ultimate playground, many leisure enclaves, as well as world class resorts have risen throughout the province, taking full advantage of the enviable sun-and-sand-and mountain location.

Sheltered by the other Visayan islands of Negros, Panay, Leyte, Samarand Bohol, this thin sliver of land is blessed year-round with clement, tropical weather – all the better to enjoy its pristine, sun drenched beaches, washed by the balmy blue waters of the Cebu and Tanon Straits. A plethora of neighboring islets fringed with coral and white sand shores add appeal to an island-hopping vacation.