If you had a foreign friend visit Manila, where would you take him/her?.?

Question

Give me a one or two day itinerary for a first timer to Manila. Calabarzon region included (include any province nearby that doesnt take more than three hours to reach).

Answer 1

Day 1 , Morning:

A trip around the city to show the historical and cultural landmarks. A quick tour to Intramuros for cultural immersion, pass through Luneta, drive through The Cultural Center Complex, and onwards to Greenbelt for lunch.

This schedule will provide the guest a glimpse of the city, from its history to the vibrant economy that it is today. The lunch in Greenbelt will show the guest the first-world set up of the Makati CBD.

Day 1 , Afternoon

Drive to Tagaytay. Stop by fruit stalls for photo opportunities. View the Taal Volcano (the world's smallest active volcano) from the ridge. Drive down to Talisay town for local color. Go back to Tagaytay and have coffee or cocktails in the restaurants along the ridge. Dinner at either Sonya's, Antonio's or Buon Giorno. Stay overnight in Tagaytay.

Day 2: Morning

From Tagaytay, drive through the Sta Rosa Road to go to the SLEX. Exit in Calamba. Take the guest to a trip around the lake, talking about the hot springs of Los Banos along the way. First stop is Pagsanjan. Option to book a "shoot the rapids" banca ride. Or settle for a leisurely merienda along the river banks, in one of the hotels (Like Rapids, or La Corona). Lunch in Pagsanjan. If at the Rapids Hotel, suggest "sinigang na kanduli" (broth) and/or "binagoongang baboy" (pork in shrimp paste).

Day 2 : Afternoon

Depending on the interest of the guest, there are several options for stops: I suggest to take just 2 of these options so that the guest is back in his hotel in Manila for dinner.

Option 1 : Lumban, for "barong" etc clothing material, and onwards to Lake Caliraya. The view of the lake at this time would be gorgeous.

2. Move on to Paete, and browse at the wood carving done by Baldemor, or the "taka" (paper mache) products that look deceivingly like carved wood. If you feel like there is time, go to the Paete Church, a very old church with a very interesting structure and belfry.

3. Go to Mabitac. This is the last town of Laguna on the way to Rizal. The church is interesting, as it is high on a hill. Take the steps, or drive up to the top. The view from the back of the church is beautiful.

4. Stop at Angono. This is a small town of artists. And the Blanco family of artists. The guest can visit the artists' homes. Or view some of their work in a restaurant owned by one of the artists. It is called "Balaw Balaw". Food is good, and the guest may even opt for some exotic cuisine. The set-up of the restaurant itself is a good topic for conversation.

Drive onwards, going back to Manila via Pasig. Drive through C5 for a pass-through of the Libis/Eastwood area.

End of tour.

Answer 2

Hoookay...
1. tour Manila.
2. Visit one of those humongous malls.
3. Visit Tagaytay, Taal lake and volcano.
4. Pagsanjan falls.
5. If time permits, go to a warm spring resort in Los Banos.

Enjoy.

Answer 3

Taal lake, Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine, Clownz, Metro bar, Comedy Bars.

Answer 4

If a friend was American, Bataan (my province) was a nice place. The Death March, Mt Samat and it overlooked Corregidor Is.

If British or any sports fanatic, the Training Soccer Field in Siniloan, Laguna is where I would bring him in.

Answer 5

Any 4 or 5 Star Hotels. All of my foreign companions are Chinese and Taiwanese nationals, and they are all business-minded, that's why they need to stay at a hotel. Most of them cannot speak English, and I'm their translator.

Answer 6

Intramuros...
Manila Baywalk...
National Museum of the Philippines...
SM malls (especially at Mall of Asia)...
Paco Park...

Answer 7

I'd take them to Nurture Spa in Tagaytay and then Sonia's Garden in Cavite for a healthy dinner :D

Answer 8

Burgos Street and the Edsa complex!

Answer 9

After touring the Luneta park, I would bring them to Baguio and Sagada...

Answer 10

i am into our culture, the arts & history so when my american trainer in my previous company asked me to make an itinerary for them, i gladly obliged. below are the places where i toured them:

* intramuros - a haven of history & culture of our country, something that proudly attests to the rich heritage that our forbears had bestowed on us.

* fort santiago - definitely historical & worth visiting.

* manila cathedral - an architectural feat in itself.

* san agustin church - one of the oldest churches in the philippines & the only building left intact after the destruction of Intramuros during the battle of manila (1945); also houses the legacies of miguel lopez de legazpi.

* cultural center of the philippines - the premiere institution for culture & the arts in the country. we had a great time strolling through its corridors & scrutinizing paintings and other exhibits & my american friends marveled at how creative, how talented & gifted filipinos are.

that’s it for a one day itinerary as limited time prohibited us from going to more places thus we chose those that are basically just near each other. also, we relished our experience in each place thus it took quite sometime for us before we moved on to our next stop.

the next day, i brought my friends to corregidor (my first time to be there then). this island fortress is historical because filipino & american soldiers bravely held their ground here against the overwhelming number of invading japanese forces during WW II. for a filipino like me, it was eye-opening as it transported me to that time where we showed tremendous bravery & courage & proved that ordinary people could be heroes in their loyalty to and love for their country. the reenactment at the malinta tunnel of what transpired in corregidor during WW II was especially moving for me. it was also significant to my american friends & it made us realize how interconnected we are as a people.