Philippines Tour, 13 Days Across Five Islands

Overnight flight from Istanbul

The tour begins at 10:15 at the M2 counter in the International Terminal of Istanbul Airport, where we complete passport and baggage formalities together.

The Singapore Airlines flight departs at 13:15. The direct leg runs around 11 hours and tonight is spent in the air.

Flight details: Singapore Airlines SQ 391, Istanbul (IST) 13:15, Singapore (SIN) 04:45 the following day.

Accommodation: Overnight on the plane.

Manila's colonial streets

We reach the connection point at 04:45 and continue at 09:05 to Manila, the capital of the Philippines, landing at 12:50 local time. Entry to the Philippines is visa-free, a passport stamp is all that is needed.

We are met at the airport and taken to the hotel by private vehicle. After a short rest and lunch at a local restaurant, the Manila historic city tour begins.

Intramuros is the oldest settlement in the city, a walled quarter from the Spanish colonial period. Inside it stands San Agustin Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest stone church in the country. Fort Santiago is a military fort from the same era and Manila Cathedral is the principal Catholic building of the city. After Rizal Park, named for the independence hero Jose Rizal, we move on to Binondo, the oldest Chinatown anywhere, established in 1594. The tour closes with a panoramic drive along Manila Bay.

Flight details: Singapore Airlines, Singapore (SIN) 09:05, Manila (MNL) 12:50.

Meals: Lunch included.

Accommodation: City Garden Grand Makati, 5-star, Manila.

Tagaytay's volcanic views

After breakfast a two-hour drive takes us up to Tagaytay, known for its cool climate and volcanic ground, and the best known escape from Manila.

Taal is one of the smallest active volcanoes on earth. It stands on an island inside a lake, and the crater itself holds water again. From the viewing terraces we take in the panorama over the crater lake and stop for photographs.

At the local markets we see what Tagaytay is known for: pineapples, coffee and organic produce. Lunch is at a restaurant overlooking the crater lake.

We return to Manila in the afternoon, and the rest of the day is free.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch with a view over Tagaytay included.

Accommodation: City Garden Grand Makati, 5-star, Manila.

Arrival in El Nido

After an early breakfast a private vehicle takes us to Clark Airport.

A domestic flight carries us to El Nido, at the northern end of Palawan Island.

We check into the hotel on arrival. The rest of the day is free, for the beach or for the sunset along the El Nido shore.

Flight details: AirSWIFT, Clark 11:20, El Nido 12:55, direct, 1 hour 35 minutes.

Accommodation: Charlie's El Nido Resort, 4-star.

El Nido's hidden lagoons

Today is given over to the lagoons. After breakfast we head to the harbour for a full-day boat tour.

The Big Lagoon is a clear turquoise inlet hidden between towering limestone cliffs, entered by boat. The Small Lagoon is reached through a narrow gap by kayak, and the swimming stop is here. The Secret Lagoon earns its name: the way in is a narrow opening in the rock.

At Shimizu Island the reef is good for snorkelling. The day closes on the sand at 7 Commando Beach.

Lunch is served on the boat, built around fresh seafood and tropical fruit. We return to El Nido in the late afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch on the boat included.

Accommodation: Charlie's El Nido Resort, 4-star.

A free day in El Nido

After breakfast the day is free, set aside for the sea, the sand and your own pace.

Optional activities are available for those who want them: kayaking in the lagoons, snorkelling over the reefs, island tours on different routes, and spa treatments using Filipino massage techniques. None of these are part of the tour package.

The day also suits simply resting on the beach or walking the shoreline.

Meals: Breakfast included.

Accommodation: Charlie's El Nido Resort, 4-star.

Domestic flight to Bohol

After breakfast we transfer to El Nido Airport.

A domestic flight takes us across to Bohol Island, landing at Tagbilaran.

Lunch is at a local restaurant on arrival, followed by the transfer to the hotel and check-in.

Flight details: AirSwift T6 5610, El Nido (ENI) 13:25, Tagbilaran, Bohol (TAG) 15:10, direct, 1 hour 45 minutes.

Meals: Lunch included.

Accommodation: Bellevue Resort, 4-star, Bohol.

Chocolate Hills and tarsiers

After breakfast we set out across the natural sites of Bohol.

The Chocolate Hills are the island's signature view, some 1,200 limestone mounds that turn brown in the dry season and take their name from it. The site is on the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list. We stop at the viewing terrace for the panorama.

At the Tarsier sanctuary we see one of the smallest primates in the world in its own habitat. The visit is quiet and controlled, with a briefing on the species and its habitat.

The Loboc River cruise fills the third part of the day, moving between tropical vegetation and the bamboo villages along the bank. A buffet lunch is served on board, with local music and traditional dance during the trip.

We return to the hotel afterwards.

Meals: Breakfast and buffet lunch on the Loboc River included.

Accommodation: Bellevue Resort, 4-star, Bohol.

Ferry across to Cebu

We leave the hotel early and cross to Cebu Island by fast ferry, a journey of around 2 hours.

A private vehicle meets us at the port of Cebu for a half-day city tour. The Basilica Minore del Santo Niño dates from 1565 and is the oldest church in the Philippines. Magellan's Cross stands beside it, raised in 1521 and taken as the symbol of the country's conversion to Christianity. Fort San Pedro is a fort from the Spanish period.

The Taoist Temple serves the Chinese community of Cebu. The tour ends at Tops Lookout, the hill that gives the panorama over the city.

Dinner is at a local restaurant, followed by the transfer to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

Accommodation: Waterfront Cebu Hotel, 4-star.

On to Boracay

After breakfast we transfer to Cebu Airport and fly on to Caticlan.

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

Dinner is at one of the beachfront restaurants on Boracay. The rest of the day is free for the white sand beaches or for the evening life along the shore.

Flight details: Philippine Airlines, Cebu 10:40, Caticlan 11:50, direct, 1 hour 10 minutes.

Meals: Breakfast and a beachfront dinner included.

Accommodation: Astoria Current, 4-star, Boracay.

Boracay's coves

After breakfast a private boat takes us out to the coves and beaches around Boracay.

Crystal Cove comes first, known for clear water and hidden caves. Puka Beach is a quiet stretch named for the white Puka shells along it. Crocodile Island is the reef stop, and the underwater life is at its richest here.

Lunch is at a local restaurant on the beach.

We return to the hotel after the tour. The evening is free, and the beach cafes are the place to watch the sun go down.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch on the beach included.

Accommodation: Astoria Current, 4-star, Boracay.

The journey home begins

After breakfast we pack and transfer to Caticlan Airport. The domestic flight takes around an hour and brings us to Manila.

We arrive in Manila around midday. Because the connecting flight is in the evening, lunch and a break follow in the Newport City area.

We meet again at the time set by our guide and transfer to Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The evening departure starts the journey home, and the night is spent in the air.

Flight details: Philippine Airlines, Caticlan to Manila, around 1 hour. Then Singapore Airlines SQ 921, departing Manila (MNL) at 19:00.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch in Newport City, Manila included.

Accommodation: Overnight on the plane.

Five islands, one journey's end

Singapore Airlines flight SQ 392 departs at 01:50 and turns towards Istanbul. The long-haul leg runs around 11 hours.

We land at Istanbul Airport at 08:25 local time.

The five-island route, from the colonial streets of Manila to the lagoons of El Nido, from the Chocolate Hills and tarsiers of Bohol to the historic centre of Cebu and the white sand of Boracay, comes to an end here.