Destination: Philippines

LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL ITINERARY INFORMATION

Itinerary: Manila Plus One

ONE TO TWO WEEKS

Check out the capital for a few days, then head to an easily accessible destination like Boracay (600km round trip from Manila) or Puerto Galera (250km round trip from Manila). This route takes about a week; add the Cordillera of Luzon (600km round trip from Manila) and it will take about two weeks.



Many visitors to the Philippines use Manila simply as a jumping-off point to the more popular tourist destinations like Boracay or Puerto Galera, but the capital has plenty to offer and has ample sights to keep you occupied for a day or two. If you have only a week or so to spend in the country, start off your visit with two days in Manila doing a one-day tour of historic sights, such as Intramuros, and another day for modern Manila as embodied by Makati City and other centres of contemporary urban development.

Having experienced a little of Philippine life in the big city, you could then head for one of the aforementioned destinations. Boracay is a popular choice and has both the natural attractions and nightlife to keep most visitors entertained. A similar destination is Puerto Galera, with its meandering coastline, innumerable coves and towering cliffs covered in lush vegetation.

With two weeks, you could do one of the Manila-and-Boracay or Manila-and-Puerto Galera itineraries, perhaps adding a day to each of the stops, and then swing up to the north for a look at what has been called ‘the eighth wonder of the world’: the ancient rice terraces of Banaue. If you’ve still got time while up in the Cordillera, you could tack on a journey to nearby (as the crow flies, at least) Sagada. With its cool climate and relaxed atmosphere, Sagada is a good place to chill out before returning to ‘the real world’.