For: Rick Enrique's Travel Guide
Date: July 22 - 29, 2005
Iloilo, the City of Love beckons
Located in the center of Philippine archipelago, the province
of Iloilo, which comprises the southeastern part of Panay
Island, is the gateway to the flourishing region of Western
Visayas. The capital of the province, Iloilo City is set
in a graceful repose between Iloilo and Batiano rivers,
forming the angle of a nose, thus its old name - "Ilong-Ilong,"
which means nose like. Through the years, the name was shortened
to Iloilo.
Iloilo was my next destination after
Bacolod City. My travel coordinator Greg Flores picked me
up from my hotel after breakfast for our ferryboat ride
to Iloilo city from the Bacolod City pier. We took the Weesman
Express, which has first class accommodations and just as
comfortable as airlines'. There was a large TV screen upfront
and a movie played during the entire trip, which was approximately
one hour, cruising the Guimaras strait. The sea was calm
and therefore the entire boat ride was steady.
Our Iloilo tour coordinator Beth
Garmay was on hand to welcome us at the Iloilo pier. We
were ushered in to an air-conditioned van for a ride to
my hotel, the Sarabia located at the heart of the city.
The hotel delightfully blends the elegance of a manor house
and the allure of the city. Being the only deluxe hotel
in Iloilo, Sarabia has everything that all kinds of travelers'
needs. Weather one is simply vacationing or staying for
business, visitors will find everything they need at the
hotel with unmatched comfort and satisfaction.
After having checked in, my tour
guide Yehleen Camarista and her driver Eric immediately
brought me to a tour of the city. Our destinations were
the 6 districts south of Iloilo City, of which will be featured
in my succeeding columns.
During this time of the year, Iloilo
weather was hot and humid, just like the rest of the Philippines.
If you are not used to this kind of weather, avoid the months
of March till June. June to September however, rain most
of the time. Between the months of October and February
are the best months to visit the Philippines for those who
are not sun worshippers. But for those who love the beaches,
anytime of the year is best.
I remember years ago when I brought
my family for a vacation in the Philippines in the month
of April. My children were all born in Chicago and raised
in California and they found the Philippine weather unbearable.
We rented a condominium in Makati for our stay and let our
relatives plan our tour. What could have been a fun "balikbayan"
tour for my family was turned into a great disappointment.
My children complained every single day, thus we decided
to cut short our vacation.
Lesson number one for parents traveling
with their U.S. born children, don't bring them during summer
time in the Philippines, but choose between the months of
September and February. Lesson number two, don't stay in
a condominium or apartel (apartment-hotel) where they offer
no tours, leaving the planning of your tour to relatives.
Stay in deluxe hotels, which have centralized air conditioning
unit, and tour guides who will help you maximize your time
seeing a lot of places.
Staying and having a good rest in
a hotel for at least 3 days after grueling 16 hours flight
from the U.S. will help acclimatize the U.S. born Filipino
children to the Philippine weather. I guarantee you, your
children will have an enjoyable and memorable stay in the
Philippines, especially if you bring them to places like
the Greenbelt in Makati, where shopping malls and restaurants
are comparable to the best in the world.
While touring Iloilo City, I phoned
a friend, Bong Jardeleza who owns "Mundo Ristorante"
for chitchat. He invited me for dinner at his restaurant.
The restaurant serves Italian and Mediterranean cuisines.
Jardeleza makes his own pasta sauces using herbs and garlic.
He also decorated his restaurants with bright red, green
and yellow colors, which I associate with Mexican or Spanish
settings.
"Mundo Ristorante" is situated
along Iloilo River, and in the evening from its veranda,
one can have a good view of a starlit sky over a calm river.
After dinner, my friend took me to a place where the younger
generations gather for the evening. I will have more of
this in my succeeding columns.
In the meantime, call us at Travel
International Group, Inc. (310) 327-5143 for all your travel
needs or visit us on the web, www.travelinternational.net
You can also email me at rick@travelinternational.net if
you have any questions about the articles in this column.
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for other Asian package go to www.allasiatour.com
6
days Wow Philippines Tours
Day1 LAX
Depart from LAX, crossing the in the International dateline
Day2 Manila
Upon arrive Manila airport, Meet and Greet by our representative
and private transfer to hotel, Check -in at the hotel of
your choice. Rest of the day at leisure
Day3 Manila (B)
Breakfast at Hotel. After breakfast, Half -Day Tour: Charms
of old Manila Take
A step back in time as you discover the " Charms of
Old Manila" The tour begins with a visit to historic
Rizal Park, where the remains of Our country's national
hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, Guarded by unwavering Soldiers, lie
within the cornerstone of the Rizal Monument. Then we Head
to the Walled city of Intramuros built during the Spanish
colonial Period as the center of the Spanish presence in
the Philippines.
The first stop within the walls is Fort Santiago, which
served as headquarters of military might of the Spanish,
American and Japanese Colonizers until gravely damage in
1945 during the last days of World War II. We then proceeds
past the San Agustin Church, the oldest structure in the
country, dating back to 1571 and stop at Casa Manila, a
reconstructed 19th century mansion replete with 16th to
19th century furnishings showcasing Spanish family life
during that period. After a walk along the ramparts themselves,
we find the Baluarte de San Diego, the main cannon battery
directly facing the highlighting Chinese-Philippine life
in the 19th century. The return trip takes you under the
Quiapo Bridge where lies a veritable treasure of authentic
local handicraft products. Rest of the day at Leisure
Stay at the hotel of your choice.
Day4 Manila -Puerto Galera (B)
Breakfast at the Hotel, our tour guide will pick you at
hotel take private transfer to Batangas, then will take
boat ride to Coco beach resort. After check in rest of day
at your own leisure or familiarize yourself to the different
facilities of the resort. Overnight stay at the resort.
Day5 Puerto Galera (B)
Breakfast at the resort
Learn to Scuba dive, snorkel, sail on a raft (optional)
or just simply lay on the beach. Overnight stay at the resort.
Day 6 Puerto Galera-Manila-U.S.A ( B)
Breakfast at the resort, boat transfer out from resort to
Batangas then take private transfer from to Manila airport
take flight back to home with pleasant memories.
The above rates are base on twin
sharing. Round trip international air fare,
Airport/Hotel roundtrip transfer, round trip baat transfer
to the resort,
Daily breakfast. Half day city tour on seat in coach with
English Speaking guide.
Tour package cost: USD 799.00 plus
airport tax $189.00 (per person)
Tour ticket extension surcharge usd 75.00 per person.
Weekend ( Fri, Sat, Sun) surcharge usd 50.00
Extension hotel in Manila: $55.00 per room per night
Guide tipping scale: $9.00 per person per day.
Included in your tour Package:
All of which are stated in the itinerary, however, we reserve
the right to adjust, amend or substitute any part of the
itinerary as a result of weather, security and political
factors. Not excluding factors, which are beyond our control.
Should the passenger opt not to participate in any of the
itinerary, this shall be deemed voluntary abandonment by
the passenger, no refund or compensation of any kind is
due to the passenger.
Not included in your package:
