Audley in the PhilippinesRenowned for its splendid beaches, thePhilippines has far more to offer travellerswho are willing to explore further. We willprovide you with a private car and guide andrecommend you venture away from thecoast to visit the spectacular rice terraces ofBanaue, the crater lakes and active volcanoesof southern Luzon and the natural beauty ofBohol. An island hopping itinerary throughthe Visayas island group gives a fantasticoverview of several islands and a chance to get a real flavour of the country. ThePhilippines is not on the main tourist trailfrom the UK, but most of the archipelago is tranquil and secure. The lack of visitorsmakes this a rewarding country for the more intrepid traveller.AccommodationAccommodation options in the Philippinesare limited. In some areas there is just asingle option such as the functionalproperties in northern Luzon giving youaccess to the rice terraces. And at the otherextreme, the luxurious Amanpulo onPamalican island in the Palawan archipelago.Some of our favourites are characterproperties which are somewhere in betweenand we have highlighted a selection of theseon the following pages.Find out more For suggested itineraries and practicalinformation about travel in the Philippines,please see page 147.www.audleytravel.comInteractive maps and features, further suggested itineraries,accommodation, climate informationand articles written by our specialists.Discuss your plans with our Philippinesspecialists 01993 838 155?ManilaMetropolitan Manila is a mix of cultures and styles, frommodern shopping malls to a 16th century walled Spanish city.Banaue rice terracesBuilt by the Ifugao people over 2,000 years ago, these stunning rice terraces are often considered one of the man-made wonders of the world. 21Ati AtihanHeld in the third week ofJanuary in Kalibo, this is the mostfamous of the many festivalsheld across the Philippines. BoracayThe four kilometre long WhiteSand beach makes this thecountry's most famous island.34BoholHome to the Tarsier monkeyand the chocolate hills, Bohol isa fantastic place to base yourselffor a few days. Apo IslandA marine sanctuary and one ofthe best dive sites in the world,Apo island is easily reached ona day trip from Dumaguete. 56Philippines141123456Ati Atihan paradeJeepney, ManilaElderly lady, LuzonWhite Sand beach, Boracay

offerings and incense. Makati is the businessdistrict of the city, but also has some of the bestrestaurants, grandest hotels and largest shoppingcentres. In contrast, Quiapo is home to far smallertraders and houses the best handicraft market.Malate and Ermita are popular for their eclecticvariety of restaurants, clubs, bars, cafes, art andantique shops.MANILAHOTELThis 500-room five star hotel is located in theheart of Metro Manila. It opened in 1912, and has seen a host of famous visitors, fromEisenhower and Nixon to the Beatles. The hotelhas been renovated many times, most recently in2010, and the rooms offer a luxurious place tobase yourself while exploring the city. The hotelhas a swimming pool and a spa, and there is awide range of restaurants, from the Cowrie grill,decorated with cowrie shells, to the Chinese and Japanese restaurants and the Spanishhacienda-style cafe.Banaue rice terracesHeading north from Manila, you come to theCentral Cordillera region which is comprised ofBaguio City and five provinces, of which the bestknown is Ifugao. Baguio City is the main marketand transport hub for the region's diverseindigenous tribes. The rest of this mountainousregion unveils a very different Philippines. Passing traditional villages you will reach tranquilSagada, with limestone caves festooned withhanging coffins. Bontoc is the next main townalong the road, with a fascinating museumdedicated to the local population and Masferre, a famous photographer whose black and whitephotos taken between 1934 and 1956 show aStone Age way of life, traces of which live on inthe present day. The highlight of the region is Banaue and itsamphitheatre of 2,000-year-old rice terraces. Built by the Ifugao tribes and stretching throughthe valley, the grandeur of the landscape carvedout by generations of traditional farmers is one of Asia's most spectacular sights. While in theregion, you will almost certainly meet some of the Ifugao people, often clad in traditional dress,who maintain the ancient irrigation systems andrice paddies.ManilaSet on Manila Bay, the capital of the Philippines is divided into districts, each with somethingdifferent to offer the visitor. They are linked bythe fantastically painted but less fantasticallymaintained 'Jeepney' pick-up trucks that ferrylocals from place to place. Many people stay forjust a day or so before moving on, but there isplenty to explore in the city and its environs.Remnants of the colonial Spanish era are foundright in the heart of Manila in the 'Walled City',Intramuros. Dungeons and old churches sharespace with art galleries, theatres, and a naturepark. Nearby Rizal Park is a great place to visitfirst thing in the morning to see the locals doingtheir Tai Chi. Along the northern bank of the Pasig River,Chinatown is a vivid testament to the long historyof the involvement of the Chinese with theislands, with Chinese tea-houses and shops selling142Banuae rice terracesIntramuros, ManilaCalesa (horse drawn carriage), Intramuros, Manila