Exploreing the Philippines

Exploring the Philippines

A trip from LAX to , Manila, Puerto Galera, Cebu, Boracay Island,  and Bohol Philippines on 3/01/08 to 3/26/08. (Dates can vary) Staying in 4 stare hotels.

I need some help on planning a trip to the Philippines . I will need airfare to manila from lax and hotel and transplantation to all destinations with the exception being Bohol because I have a friend there that owns some property where I can stay. I will stay there for only 7 days; I don’t want to over stay my welcome. 

I need some Ideas on what to do and what to see when there. I plain on doing a lot of snorkeling and maybe some scuba diving too if I find a group to do it in. I want to see the sites safely so any guided tours are most welcome.

 I am a single guy and will be traveling alone however I do know some people over there in the cities I have listed above. I will also need some free time (not scheduled) to take out a few ladies, that my friends want me to meet. So some ideas on where to take a nice young lady for a proper date are also welcome. Right know the dates will be in Bohol and one in Cebu but I would like to know about the other spots too.

Below is all the research that I have done so far. You will find links to some of the activities I am considering as well some hotels that I may wish to stay at.

PHILIPPINES TRIP

Transportation by Air:

      As of November 9, 2007, the airfare for round trip travel for one person from Los

Angeles (LAX) to Manila (MNL) vary from $1000.00 ($800.00 ticket plus $205.00 in

taxes and fees) to slightly more than $2400.00 (total).  Typical flight itineraries require a

flight change in Taipei , Taiwan , with a total travel time of approximately 22:00 hours, as

represented below.  More than 200 other flights are available at Orbitz.com (using airport

codes LAX and MNL.

Departure:

Change Airline. Time between flights: 4hr 50min

 (Total Duration: 21:50) This flight arrives two days later.

Return:

Change Airline. Time between flights: 6hr 0min

Manila –Four Star Hotel Accommodations and Activities:

Renaissance Makati City Hotel Manila

Richmonde Hotel

Intercontinental Manila

Discovery Suites

Manila is a very busy city with many recreational options.  Clickable links to detailed

information is provided below.

Intramuros

Fort Santiago.

Rizal Park or Luneta Park

National Museum of the Philippines

Chinatown

Malacanang Palace

Manila Baywalk

Manila Bay Sunset

Shopping in Manila

Paco Park

Manila American Cemetery & Memorial

Quipo Church

Manila Cathedral

San Agustin Church

San Agustin Museum

Greenbelt Park

Coconut Palace

Manila Zoo

Cultural Center of the Philippines

Puerto Galera – Only One 2-Star Hotel Available:

Days Hotel Batangas

            Two or three hour ride via private minivan or car available from MNL or from

hotel to Batangas and short boat ride to Puerto Galera for a very nominal fee by U.S.

standards (Exact fees unavailable.) This is standard for island-to-island

transportation throughout the Philippine Islands, because the U.S. dollar goes very

far there for local goods and services. Exact prices and distances vary depending on

the order of islands you choose to visit.

            Plenty of water-related activities such as snorkeling and SCUBA diving is

Available in Puerto Galera.  There is also a luxurious golf club (Ponderosa). Mangyan

Village tours, Jungle Trekking, and site seeing at the Tamaraw Water Falls .  More

detailed information and schedules are available at the hotels.

Bohol – Activities (No Accommodation Information Requested):

            Activities available in Bohol include visiting ancient caves and whale-watching

tours.  Some of the best SCUBA sites in the Philippines are available in Bohol , with links

to detailed information on them available below:

http://www.philippines-travel-guide.com/bohol-diving.html

Cebu – Only One 4-Star Hotel Available:

Marriott Cebu City

      Cebu offers many historic tourist attractions including Magellan’s Markers, Fort

San Pedro, The Tops, and Olango Wildlife Sanctuary.  Cebu also is known for some of

the most beautiful beaches, cliffside views, and SCUBA diving in the Philippines . 

Detailed information on these attractions and others is available through this link below:

http://www.itravelphilippines.net/philippines-tourist-destinations/cebu.html

Boracay – Only One 4-Star Hotel Available:

Mandala Spa & Villas Boracay (Link Below)

Rate: $290.00/day (Every Day of the Week)

http://www.orbitz.com/App/shared/pagedef/results/hotelDetails.jsp?z=f9f4&r=9d&z=f9f6&r=9f&lastPage=interstitial#selectedTab

            The waters surrounding Boracay are among the calmest and clearest in the

Philippines .  In addition to SCUBA activities, windsurfing. Sailing, kayaking,

canoeing, horseback riding, and numerous tours and shopping sites are also readily