Philippines Tour, 13 Days with Turkish Airlines

After check-in and passport formalities, we fly to Manila on Turkish Airlines flight TK84, departing at 02:15. The flight takes about 11 hours.

We land at 18:10 local time. A private vehicle meets us at the airport and takes us to our hotel in the city centre. The rest of the evening is free for dinner and rest.

Hotel: Belmont Hotel Manila (4-star) or similar.

There is no scheduled programme today. The whole day is free for rest and your own plans in Manila.

Hotel: Belmont Hotel Manila (4-star) or similar.

After breakfast at the hotel, we drive about 2 hours to Tagaytay. From the viewing terraces we look at Taal Volcano, which sits on an island inside a lake, and its crater lake. There is time to browse handicraft markets and fruit stalls selling local products. Lunch is at a restaurant with views over Tagaytay.

We then return to Manila for a city tour. It begins in Intramuros, built by the Spanish in the 16th century. We visit San Agustin Church and Fort Santiago, a UNESCO World Heritage site. We take a short walk in Rizal Park, named for the national hero Jose Rizal.

Manila Cathedral, the Manila Bay waterfront, Chinatown and the modern districts are seen as panoramic stops. Lunch is at a local restaurant, then we return to the hotel.

Hotel: Belmont Hotel Manila (4-star) or similar.

After an early breakfast, a private vehicle takes us to Manila Airport. We fly direct to El Nido with AirSWIFT at 11:00. The flight lasts 1 hour 30 minutes and we land at 12:30.

We transfer to the hotel and check in. The rest of the day is free. You can relax by the sea or watch the sunset from the beaches.

Hotel: Lagùn Hotel El Nido (4-star) or similar.

After breakfast we go to the pier for a full-day boat tour. Stops during the day include:

Big Lagoon: turquoise water between large rock formations.

Secret Lagoon: a lagoon hidden among the cliffs.

Shimizu Island: coral reefs suited to snorkelling.

7 Commando Beach: a beach for resting at the end of the day.

Lunch is served on the boat, with fresh seafood and tropical fruit. In the evening we return to El Nido and transfer to the hotel.

Hotel: Lagùn Hotel El Nido (4-star) or similar.

After breakfast we transfer to El Nido Airport. We fly to Bohol (Tagbilaran) with AirSWIFT at 08:45, with a connection in Manila. We arrive in Bohol at 14:30.

A private vehicle meets us at the airport and takes us to the hotel. The rest of the day is free for rest. You can explore around the hotel or spend time on the beach.

Hotel: Modala Beach Resort (4-star) or similar, on Panglao Island.

After breakfast we start a full-day tour of Bohol. The first stop is the Tarsier Sanctuary. We watch tarsiers, one of the smallest primate species in the world, quietly in their natural habitat and learn about them.

We then drive to the Chocolate Hills. About 1,200 limestone hills make up this area, which is a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage status. We take photos from the viewing deck.

Lunch is at a local restaurant. We return to the hotel at the end of the day and the evening is free.

Hotel: Modala Beach Resort (4-star) or similar.

After breakfast we go to the Loboc River for a boat tour with music and an open buffet lunch. Along the river we see tropical vegetation and bamboo villages. Filipino music and dance performances take place during the cruise.

The tour includes photo stops and commentary on local culture. We then return to the hotel.

Hotel: Modala Beach Resort (4-star) or similar.

We leave the hotel very early and take a ferry to Cebu Island. The crossing takes about 2 hours. A private vehicle waits at Cebu port and the city tour begins.

The first stop is Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, known as the oldest church in the Philippines. We then see Magellan's Cross and historic Fort San Pedro. The tour also includes the Taoist Temple and Tops Lookout, which gives a panoramic view of the city.

Dinner is at a local restaurant. We then go to the hotel.

Hotel: Bai Hotel Cebu (4-star) or similar.

After breakfast we go to Cebu Airport. We fly with Philippine Airlines at 11:05 and land at Caticlan Airport at 12:10. The flight takes about 1 hour.

A short ferry ride takes us to Boracay Island, and a private vehicle brings us to the hotel.

Dinner is at a restaurant with sea views on Boracay. For the rest of the day you can walk on the white sand beach or explore the island's nightlife.

Hotel: Coast Boracay (4-star) or similar.

After breakfast we set out by private boat to the bays and beaches around Boracay. Stops at Crystal Cove, Puka Beach and Crocodile Island include time for swimming and photos. Clear water, coral reefs and marine life are the highlights.

Lunch is at a local beachside restaurant. We return to the hotel after the tour and the evening is free. You can watch the sunset from one of the cafes along the shore.

Hotel: Coast Boracay (4-star) or similar.

After breakfast we transfer to Boracay (Caticlan) Airport. We fly with Philippine Airlines at 11:35 and reach Manila at 12:50. The flight takes 1 hour 15 minutes.

Our Istanbul connection leaves late at night, so we take a short break at the Holiday Inn Express Manila Newport City, near the airport. Lunch is served there. At a time set by the guide, we transfer back to the airport.

We fly to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines at 21:35. The night is spent on the plane.

We arrive at Istanbul Airport at 05:45 Turkey time. The tour ends here.