Philippines Fun Quiz...

Think you know the Philippines?

Here's a short fun quiz that will test your knowledge!

Enjoy - and share with your friends...

Tweet this Quiz to Your Friends...

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Yes, You Can Cruise in the Philippines

We're often asked if there are any cruises that sail in the Philippines.

Whilst there are several cruise lines that visit parts of the Philippines during a longer itinerary, there is just one small ship cruise that starts and ends in the country, operated by Discovery Fleet.

The itinerary has a number of guaranteed sailings, and the cruise is designed to suit both divers and non-divers, with each day planned to suit both.

Seadoors sundeck

You can view the itinerary and sailing dates on the Cruises page of our website here.

At Philippine Trails we add any hotel stays required either before and/or after the cruise, and assist you in every way, from the moment you arrive into the Philippines, to your departure, including accommodation and transfers.

The ship, Discovery Palawan, or its sister ship, Discovery Adventure, can also be chartered entirely for small group diving expeditions. We will be happy to assist and quote.

We can also offer Liveaboards that sail from Cebu aboard the ship, Seadoors. Information on that can be found here...

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Apulit Island - A luxurious Escape in Palawan, Philippines

Apulit Island Resort - Aerial View (Photo courtesy of El Nido Resorts)

Apulit Island Resort has a total of thirty Water Cottages and twenty Deluxe water Cottages, each one constructed in traditional Filipino style combined with modern design.

The rooms are enhanced with custom-made furniture. The cottages are built on stilts and offer unobstructed views of Palawan's azure Taytay Bay, surrounding islands, and dramatic limestone cliffs.

There are direct flights to Palawan from either Manila or Cebu, and you can fly into Puerto Princesa, or El Nido's Lio Airport.

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All Philippines Luxury Resorts on our Website...

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Book a luxury holiday to Apulit island with Philippine Trails, and we'll look after all the arrangements and transfers, including accommodation in Manila (or Cebu) either before and/or after your holiday, should that be necessary. Tweet this...

See many more pictures of Apulit Island Resort HERE >>

Ticao Island - Enjoy Diving, Horse-Riding, or Simply Relax...

Horse Riding at Ticao Island

Part of the Masbate province, Ticao Island is a great base from which to enjoy either Diving or Horse-Riding.

You can hire a horse on an hourly basis or “Own A Horse” for the entire duration of your stay.

This allows you unlimited horseback riding and also are able to groom and care for your horse with the assistance of a personal guide.

Ticao Island Diving

Ticao Island Resort is close to a number of dive sites. Some, like the Manta Bowl, is the cleaning and feeding station of the Oceanic Manta.

The surrounding waters are plankton rich with a constant current, which attracts Thresher Sharks, Hammerheads, Whale Sharks, and Tiger Sharks.

Ticao Island Resort’s Dive Centre is SSI Accredited and its diving tutors have PADI and/or SSI certifications.

Courses offered include:

PADI Discover Scuba Diving/ SSI Try Scuba Diving (3 hours)
PADI or SSI Open Water Diver Course (3 to 4 days)
PADI or SSI Advanced Open Water Diver Course (2 days)
PADI Rescue Diver Course/SSI Respond Right Course (4 days)
SSI Dive Guide Course
PADI or SSI Dive Master Course

Accommodation on Ticao Island

There are nine air conditioned Cabanas along the white sandy beach, all made using native materials.

They are close to the restaurant and bar, as well as the diving/activity centre.

Read more about Ticao Island HERE >>

Images © Nigel Sutherland

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Historic Buildings of Negros Occidental, Philippines...

The Ruins, Talisay

In an area that is known as "the Sugarbowl of the Philippines", (producing more than half of the country's output), there are many structural reminders of this region's past, when sugar-barons led an affluent lifestyle from the industry.

Twenty-nine of these historic buildings can be found in Silay City. Indeed, Silay has been declared a "Museum City", sharing this description with only one other Philippines City - Vigan, in Ilocos Sur, north Luzon.

Silay City's best known historic buildings include the following:

The Balay Negrense, (also known as Victor Gaston Ancestral House)

The Balay Negrense is a museum featuring a splendid collection of furniture and artefacts which show how a late 19th-century Negrense sugar baron would live. This house was the first to be opened as a museum in the province.

Hofileña Heritage House

Still occupied, Hofileña Heritage House has all the features of a Spanish dwelling. With many fascinating artefacts on show, there are also a number of rooms full of paintings and drawings created by famous Filipino artists.

The Pink House, Silay City

Bernardino Jalandoni Ancestral House is known colloquially simply as the “The Pink House”, and is one of the largest ancestral houses in Silay. It was the first heritage house to be opened in Silay.

San Diego Pro-Cathedral

Also in Silay City, the San Diego Pro-Cathedral is the only pro-cathedral outside Manila. It was designed by Italian architect, Antonio Bernasconi, and built in 1920. Its dome resembles that of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

The Ruins, Talisay (pictured top)

Outside of Silay, in Talisay, can be found "The Ruins". The stark image of these Ruins is a breathtaking sight. Formerly a ten bedroom Italianate mansion, it was built by sugar baron, Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson, in the early 20th century, as a memorial to his wife, who had died during pregnancy.

The building was intentionally set on fire during World War II by Filipino guerrillas to prevent Japanese forces using it as an HQ.

The walls and foundations remain solid, and the structure is now listed as being amongst the World's 12 most fascinating ruins, and is a magnet for tourists.

This region of the Philippines makes for a fascinating tour, especially if combined with Iloilo, and Panay, just across the strait of water that divides them. See more HERE >>

Images © Nigel Sutherland

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Looking for a Philippines Tour or Holiday?

Are you looking for a holiday in the Philippines?

We now have compiled a selection of our popular Philippines tours and holidays on a page on our website HERE >>

The Philippine Island Tours that we offer mainly range from 7 days up to 21 days, but all can be altered to suit the number of days you wish to stay in the country.

How Long Can I Stay in the Philippines?

Most visitors to the Philippines can stay up to a maximum of 30 days without requiring a visa.

Shorter Holidays

We also arrange short Breaks and Holidays in the Philippines. Simply let us know the length of your stay,

Whatever kind of Philippines Holiday you are looking for, contact us to make the arrangements, and remember, there are a wide range of activities that can be included.

View our recommended tours HERE >>

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Tagaytay - the Perfect Base for Golf in the Philippines

Tagaytay is a highly recommended base for enjoying some of the best Golfing available in the Philippines.

A great selection of nearby Golf Courses

The surrounding areas of Taal, Cavite and Batangas have some top rated Golf Courses, all within easy reach of each other.

Golf courses include:

Sherwood Hills Golf Club "One of the best Golf Courses in 206 countries" - Golf Digest

Eagle Ridge Golf Club (with its FOUR Golf Courses)

• Isao Aoki Course

• Andy Dye Course

• Nick Faldo Course

• Greg Norman Course

Taal Splendido Golf Club

Royale Tagaytay Golf Club

Summit Point Golf Club

Mt. Malarayat Golf Club

Royale Tagaytay Golf Club

Residents and guests dining at Royale Tagaytay

Tee-off on one of the four courses at Eagle Ridge

Tee-off at Sherwood Hills. Caddies and Umbrella Girls assist

Lucy McFadden - Planner of Philippine Trails clients' Golfing Itineraries

One of Sherwood Hills Golf Club's majestic fairways

Fountain at Sherwood Hills Golf Club

On the green at Sherwood Hills Golf Club

Villa accommodation at Sherwood Hills Golf Club

Aerial view of Splendido Golf Club, Tagaytay

So avoid the Manila traffic, and make the picturesque region of Tagaytay the base for your Philippines Golfing Vacation

Philippine Trails can arrange your Golfing Holiday to the Philippines, including airport meet-and-greet, transfers, accommodation, and all Golfing Arrangements.

See more on our website HERE >>