METRO MANILA AND ENVIRONS

The capital of the Philippines –its hearth and soul-is Manila. It sets the archipelago’s rhythm and is a pulsating hub that bends the Oriental with the Occidental, the quaint with the modern, the mundane with the extraordinary.

At the heart of Manila’s history is Intramuros.It features the grand Manila Cathedral with its detailed stone carvings and stained glass mosaics; Fort Santiago, the site of torture chambers and dungeons; and the favorite wedding spot, the San Agustin Church.

Greater Manila, made up of 14 cities and 3 towns , is where the country’s most prestigious business addresses and the trendiest leisure establishments are found .Fashionable hotels, restaurants, discos , music bars , boutiques, and specialty shops converge around the sleek Ayala and Ortigas Centers.

Other major cities include Quezon City , also an entertainment hub as well as a government center; Marikina City, the shoe center of the Philippines ; Parañaque City, known for its dry goods and seafood markets and restaurants; and Las Piñas City, which houses the world’s only bamboo organ at St. Joseph’s Parish Church.

Calabarzon, comprised of the five provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon , is only a few hours away from Manila. The area boasts of great destinations and the leisure activities for day trips or overnight gateways as well as export processing centers.

MUSEUMS. The u-shaped government belt within Luneta features the National Museum, the Museum of Filipino People, and the Department of Tourism building , future address of the Museum for Natural Sciences.

TOURIST BELT. A stone’s throw away from Rizal Park are the Ermita and Malate districts, known as Manila’s Tourist Belt. Ermita is antique and the art galleries, curio and souvenir shops while Malate is cozy cafe’s , music lounges , and performance theaters.

SUNSET BOULEVARD. Roxas Boulevard , which extends from the Paranque City to Manila , is the bay area from where one can have a view of the famed Manila sunset. It is also lined with posh hotels, casinos and lively nightspots. The Baywalk, a promenade along the boulevard, features bars and restaurants with nightly entertainment.

FOOD TRIP. Metro Manila is one big gastronomic adventure . Fusion cuisine as authentic fare abounds in centers and hubs as well as long side streets and off the beaten track. To name a few ,The Ilustrado Restaurant in Intramuros serves Spanish provincial cuisine ; the old Malate district is a favorite watering hole ; while authentic Chinese cuisine can be had at Binondo..

TAAL VOLCANO. This enchanting volcano within a lake is the smallest in the world .witness the splendor of the volcano with a panoramic view from the Tagaytay ridge.

METRO MANILA AND ENVIRONS

The capital of the Philippines –its hearth and soul-is Manila. It sets the archipelago’s rhythm and is a pulsating hub that bends the Oriental with the Occidental, the quaint with the modern, the mundane with the extraordinary.

At the heart of Manila’s history is Intramuros.It features the grand Manila Cathedral with its detailed stone carvings and stained glass mosaics; Fort Santiago, the site of torture chambers and dungeons; and the favorite wedding spot, the San Agustin Church.

Greater Manila, made up of 14 cities and 3 towns , is where the country’s most prestigious business addresses and the trendiest leisure establishments are found .Fashionable hotels, restaurants, discos , music bars , boutiques, and specialty shops converge around the sleek Ayala and Ortigas Centers.

Other major cities include Quezon City , also an entertainment hub as well as a government center; Marikina City, the shoe center of the Philippines ; Parañaque City, known for its dry goods and seafood markets and restaurants; and Las Piñas City, which houses the world’s only bamboo organ at St. Joseph’s Parish Church.

Calabarzon, comprised of the five provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon , is only a few hours away from Manila. The area boasts of great destinations and the leisure activities for day trips or overnight gateways as well as export processing centers.

MUSEUMS. The u-shaped government belt within Luneta features the National Museum, the Museum of Filipino People, and the Department of Tourism building , future address of the Museum for Natural Sciences.

TOURIST BELT. A stone’s throw away from Rizal Park are the Ermita and Malate districts, known as Manila’s Tourist Belt. Ermita is antique and the art galleries, curio and souvenir shops while Malate is cozy cafe’s , music lounges , and performance theaters.

SUNSET BOULEVARD. Roxas Boulevard , which extends from the Paranque City to Manila , is the bay area from where one can have a view of the famed Manila sunset. It is also lined with posh hotels, casinos and lively nightspots. The Baywalk, a promenade along the boulevard, features bars and restaurants with nightly entertainment.

FOOD TRIP. Metro Manila is one big gastronomic adventure . Fusion cuisine as authentic fare abounds in centers and hubs as well as long side streets and off the beaten track. To name a few ,The Ilustrado Restaurant in Intramuros serves Spanish provincial cuisine ; the old Malate district is a favorite watering hole ; while authentic Chinese cuisine can be had at Binondo..

TAAL VOLCANO. This enchanting volcano within a lake is the smallest in the world .witness the splendor of the volcano with a panoramic view from the Tagaytay ridge.