Individual Trip: Philippines – Manila, Banaue, Rice Terraces, Boracay, 11 days

Day 1: Athens – Manila

Meet at Eleftherios Venizelos Airport and board our flight to Manila, the capital of the Philippines, via an intermediate stop.

Day 2: Manila

Arrival in Manila late in the afternoon and transfer to our hotel for check-in and overnight stay. In the evening, you have the opportunity for an initial introductory walk through the capital.

Day 3: Manila

After breakfast, we set off to get a first taste of the rich cultural and historical contrast between old and new Manila. Manila is one of the oldest cities in the Philippines and one of the most densely populated cities in the world. It is located on the eastern shores of one of the best ports in the country. The city is crossed by the Pasig River, which divides it into north and south. Its name comes from a plant that grows on the banks of this river. There, we will admire Rizal Park, a historic urban park. It is one of the largest parks in Asia and a major tourist attraction. It was named in honor of the national hero Jose Rizal, who was executed there in December 1896. It is preferred by residents for a pleasant stroll, especially on Sundays and national holidays. Next, we will see the historic walled city of Intramuros, which in Spanish means “within the walls.” It is located within the modern city of Manila and was once a major religious, financial, and educational center. The walls were built in the late 16th century by Spanish colonizers to protect the city from foreign invasions. Later, we will visit Fort Santiago. It is one of the most important historical sites in Manila. It has a perimeter of 620 meters and is over 6 meters high. We will continue by seeing the San Agustin Church, located within the historic walled city of Intramuros. In 1993, it was one of the four Philippine churches built during the Spanish colonial period to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage site under the title “Baroque Churches of the Philippines.” We continue to the Makati City area, a financial and commercial center, which gathers all multinational and local businesses, as well as embassies, department stores, luxury hotels, and restaurants.

Day 4: Manila – Banaue

After breakfast, we will depart for Banaue. On our way there, we will admire the historic Dalton Pass. It is a mountain road that connects two provinces of the Philippines. It was a very important road during the Japanese occupation in World War II. It was the only access to the fertile agricultural regions that were a source of food for the army. Ascending, we pass through Bagabag, where we will enjoy wonderful landscapes with mountains and rivers, to reach the Ifugao province, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995. We will be in Banaue late in the afternoon, where we will transfer to our hotel for the night.

Day 5: Rice Terraces and tour of the traditional Bangaan village

After our breakfast at the hotel, we will board a local bus and transfer to a traditional village, from where we will admire the truly breathtaking rice terraces. The rice terraces are plates carved into the mountain by the ancestors of the first inhabitants of the area 2,000 years ago and are considered the eighth wonder of the world. They are irrigated by an ancient water system, and even today, the locals cultivate rice and vegetables. It is said that if one were to place the terraces side by side, they would circle half the globe. Through a nice walk in the village, we will have the opportunity to interact with the locals and visit a traditional home to see the daily tasks performed there by the owners. Overnight stay.

Day 6: Excursion to Sagada and the Bontoc Museum

We enjoy our breakfast at the hotel and set off to visit the picturesque town of Sagada, with its famous hanging coffins that the locals use to bury their dead, provided they were married and have grandchildren.
After lunch, we continue to the Bontoc Museum, which was founded by a Belgian nun. There, we will have the opportunity to admire a collection of authentic handicrafts, ancient objects discovered after excavations, and black-and-white photographs representing each tribe in the area. The museum is built in such a way that it resembles a traditional house. Behind the museum, there is an imitation of a traditional village, where we can see different types of houses, each serving different functions. Visitors can enter each house and learn about the function of each object and piece of furniture. We will also have the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful performance by the various tribes, representing their customs and traditions, which they still practice today. Overnight stay.

Day 7: Banaue – Manila

Today, after our breakfast, we return to Manila for an overnight stay.

Day 8: Manila – Boracay

After our breakfast, we transfer to the airport and fly to Caticlan. Today, we will have the opportunity to sunbathe and swim in one of the most beautiful beaches in the world with turquoise waters. Walk on the fine white sand that stays cool even at noon. Relax under the palm trees that stretch along the entire beach, creating a tropical setting that you will remember forever. Overnight stay at the resort.

Day 9: Boracay

We have our daily breakfast at the beautiful resort where we are staying and enjoy more days and hours of relaxation, carefreeness, and rest in a unique natural environment. Overnight stay.

Day 12: Boracay – Manila – Athens

Breakfast at the resort. We transfer to the airport for our flight to Manila. From there, via an intermediate stop, we depart for Athens.

Day 13: Athens / Thessaloniki

Arrival in Athens.

Travel Notes