Best of the Philippines

Arrive in Manila, the sprawling capital of the Philippines, where you'll be met your local guide. Your Philippines experience begins today with a guided city tour, starting with a visit to historic Rizal Park, where the remains of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal are buried. From here you'll head to the old walled city of Intramuros, built during the days of Spanish colonial rule. Here you'll visit Fort Santiago, which served as the Spanish military headquarters, before heading to San Augustin Church, the oldest remaining building in the Philippines, which dates back to 1571. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before heading to Casa manila, a reconstructed 19^th century mansion. The final stop on the tour will be the newly opened Bahay Tsinoy, a museum dedicated to the Philippine's Chinese history. At the end of the tour you'll head to your city centre hotel.

Stay: Manila Hotel or Traders Hotel (Superior)

Lunch included

Check out of your chosen hotel and transfer to Banaue, around 216 miles from Manila, and home to the iconic, 2,000 year-old Ifugao Rice Terraces. Check into your accommodation and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

The following morning you'll head out with your guide to enjoy a tour of the rice terraces, which are commonly referred to as the "eighth wonder of the world'. Located around 1,500 metres above sea level, in the mountains of the Philippine Cordilleras, these breathtaking emerald-green terraces are fed by an ancient irrigation system, which takes water from the jungle-clad hills above and provide one of the most spectacular sights in the Philippines.

The next day you'll head to the village of Bangaan, a traditional Ifugau tribal settlement not far from Banaue where you'll learn about the day-to-day lives of the villagers and their age-old farming techniques. You'll also visit a local school and a typical house on what's certain to be a fascinating and memorable day.

Stay: Banaue Hotel (Superior)

Breakfast included

Check out of your hotel this morning and return by road to Manila where you'll have the rest of the day free to relax or further explore the city at your own pace.

Stay: Manila Hotel or Traders Hotel (Superior)

Breakfast included

Transfer to the airport this morning and board a flight to Puerto Princesa on the island of Palawan, around an hour and a half from Manila. On arrival you'll be met by your local guide to begin a tour of the city, starting with a visit to the Crocodile Farm Institute, a joint project with the Japanese government to preserve the endangered crocodile population. From here you'll head to Iwahig Penal Colony, a unique "prison without walls", where inmates are free to mingle with tourists, selling hand-made souvenirs and other curios, before visiting Rurungan sa Tubod, a foundation that empowers and creates an alternative livelihood for women from the most poverty stricken areas of the island through traditional weaving techniques. The last stop on your tour is the sprawling Mitra Ranch, from where you'll get wonderful views of Puerto Princesa and Honda Bay.

The next day you'll enjoy a guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, home to the St Paul's Underground River, which is one of the longest underground rivers in the world. Tour the river on small outrigger canoes, marveling at spectacular rock formations and cathedral-like chambers that date back millions of years. After lunch you'll have the chance to take a dip in the river, so make sure you pack your swimwear.

You final day on Palawan sees you embark on an island-hopping tour of Honda Bay, visiting Bat, Luli, Marina and Pandan Islands, with the chance to swim, snorkel, or simply relax.

Stay: Aziza Hotel or Hotel Centro (Superior)

Breakfast & lunch included*

Lunch included on days 7 and 8 only

Transfer to Puerto Princesa Airport this morning and board a flight to Cebu. You'll be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel, spending the rest of the day at leisure.

The following day you'll enjoy a tour of Cebu, taking in the city's historical sites and landmarks, beginning at Fort San Pedro, the oldest triangular fortress in the country, which dates back to 1565. Next you'll visit Magellan's Cross, a Catholic cross planted by Portuguese and Spanish explorers in 1521, before heading to Basilica Minore del Santo Nino, built in 1565 by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, which now houses the statuette of Santo Nino. Continue your tour with a visit to the Casa Gorordo Museum, the former house of the Bishop of Cebu, before finishing the day at the Taoist Temple, where you'll enjoy views across the city of Cebu and Mactan.

Your final day in Cebu will be spent touring the scenic countryside of Bohol, which offers a wonderful combination of nature, history and culture in one destination. Throughout the day you'll visit a number of fascinating sites, including the Blood Compact Shrine, which commemorates the 1^st Treaty of Friendship between the easy and west, and the ruins of the old Baclayon Church. Head through the lush mahogany forests and the green farmlands of Batuan and Bilar, where you'll visit a butterfly farm, en route to the magnificent Chocolate Hills. From there you'll make your way to Loboc where you'll embark on a river cruise with barbecue lunch, enjoying the scenery of rolling hills, coconut trees and nipa palms lining the riverbank. After the cruise you'll head back to Tagbilaran, where you'll visit the Phil Tarsier Research Centre and Sanctuary for the chance to see tarsiers in their natural habitat. After the tour you'll head back to Cebu.

Stay: Be Resort or Maribago Beach Resort (Superior)

Breakfast & lunch included*

Lunch included on days 10 and 11 only

After breakfast on day 12 you'll transfer to Mactan Airport for a flight to Caticlan in the province of Alan. Here you'll be met and transferred to your accommodation on the tiny island of Boracay, your home for the final three nights of your holiday. Check into your hotel and prepare yourself for three days of peace, tranquility and relaxation on one of the Philippine's most idyllic island hideaways, the perfect end to an exciting adventure.

Stay: Borocay Garden Hotel or Borocay Regency (Superior)

Breakfast included

Transfer back to Caticlan Airport and board a flight back to the capital. The following morning you'll transfer to Manila's international airport in time for your flight home.

Stay: Manila Hotel or Traders Hotel (Superior)

Breakfast included