Your Travel Specialist On: Pursuing Paradise In The Philippines

By MAUREEN JONES (Star Patcher)

When anyone mentions the Philippines, I think of my first visit to Manila where I bought six handbags for Christmas gifts and when I got them home, they were too nice to give away so I kept them all for myself. This is a wonderful country for shopping, very reasonably priced, and an amazing selection. I bought lovely tablecloths, napkins, Christmas ornaments which are gems, leather goods, and fashion of all kinds. You see things you wouldn’t find anywhere else in the world.

Of the hundreds of companies we deal with around the world, there was only two I could find which offered a packaged tour of the Philippines. You can save as much as 40% when you do book a package rather than us putting together what we call an FIT, or Foreign Independent Travel itinerary for you. People go to other parts of Asia, rather than the Philippines, but it is worth visiting. You could do it in conjunction with a visit to Indonesia, or Malaysia.

I had heard a lot about Corregidor, and Bataan from my father who was in the military, and most American visitors want to go see the American Memorial Park honoring those who lost their lives in World War 11. This was the worst battle in the war. General Douglas McArthur lived at the Peninsula Hotel while he was based there during the war. Manila was the second most damaged city in World War 11 after Warsaw.

I would definitely spend a few days in Manila, the capital. There are several lovely hotels in the city but we usually stay at the Peninsula. We get a free breakfast, a room upgrade, early check in, late check out, afternoon tea, and other amenities because we are part of the Signature Travel Network which does nine billion in sales around the world and 1000 hotels on our list always take care of our VIP clients.

Manila’s hot list: Fort Santiago, the National Museum, Ride in a Jeepney, eat at a jolly jeep food cart, and have tea at the Peninsula Hotel.

There are over 7,000 islands in this country. It is one of the largest archipelagos in the world. Palawan is the gem of the Philippines, stretching 280 miles long at the cusp of the Sulu Sea and the South China Sea. The balmy waters of Tubbataha Reef National Park have long been one of the world’s most sought after diving spots, teeming with colorful marine life. Snorkelers like me find solace in palawan’s protected area of El Nido toward the northern end of the island. Guided excursions through El Nido municipality traverse its signature karst limestone cliffs rising from the water, isolated beaches and clear water lagoons scattered across Bacuit Bay. Our guide cooked lunch of fresh fish on the back of the boat which we enjoyed on a secluded beach.

The food is excellent, and I love the music and the national dress for all the different islands. It is a catholic country, and the cathedrals and churches have a lot of history. It is said that Manila is the most heavily populated city in the world, so traffic can be a challenge.

I loved seeing the terraced rice paddies and experience the hill tribes culture.

Go on our website - www.allhorizonstvl.com – and learn about three offers that we recommend.

Northern Philippines Adventure, eight nights Offer 1223977, or Amanpulo Island Destinations, 5 nights offer No. 1225439, or you can take a cruise to the a few of the many islands, such as Boracay, and Cebu, offer M13565.

This is the path less traveled, if you want something different.

--Maureen Jones

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Maureen Jones is president of All Horizons Travel at 160 Main St., Los Altos. Members of her staff are experts in business travel, cruises, and all types of leisure.