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The Philippines on a Sampler Platter Series: Preparing the Menu
Menu of Experiences: Travel Philippines
I always make a point of promoting the Philippines while traveling and meeting fellow travelers along the way. Emma, a friend that I met while backpacking across Europe, decided to come pay a visit. I realized that she had little time to see everything, but I wanted her to see the best of the country while catering to her own liking and “travel style”.
So I made up a “menu of experiences”. I sent Emma an A-Z of what she can do in the Philippines complete with pictures. All she had to do was pick out those places that caught her interest. Sounds easy and simple, but my next task was to see how all those places and activities can be turned into a connected and balanced itinerary. Luckily, most of her picks centered on the Visayas Region. Better yet, our friends were more than happy to join us either the whole way or just a portion of it.
The Itinerary
We decided to start the journey in Clark, Pampanga. The first stop? Mt. Pinatubo! This is something that I haven’t done before and has been always been a part of my bucket list. Emma enjoyed the authenticity of such an experience. With this, she experienced her first 4×4 jeep ride through the rocky landscape of Mt. Pinatubo. We headed there on a cloudy Wednesday, which meant that it wasn’t too hot nor energy-draining for a long trek. It was perfect for someone who had to get used to a “constant state of sweating”, as Emma put it.
Our hike to Mt. Pinatubo was followed shortly by a flight to Kalibo. The next stop? Boracay, of course. The moment Emma saw the famous white beach, she exclaimed, “How does this exist in the Philippines? It’s amazing!” After a few action-packed days of parasailing, ATV riding, swimming, and partying, we flew out to the Queen City of the South, Cebu. Our main agenda was to swim with the whalesharks in Oslob. Since we had time to spare after that, Emma hopped on a motorcycle (In a bikini! Think she could pull that off in Canada?) as we headed to Tumalog Falls for a leisurely lunch by the waterfalls. By then, she already had a taste of well-loved Filipino meals like sisig, lechon, and adobong kangkong. Props to her for being adventurous, food and activity-wise!
From the hustle and bustle of Boracay and Cebu, Emma opted for somewhere more peaceful so we headed on to our next destination, Bohol. Aside from seeing tiny tarsiers up close, taking in the Chocolate Hills, and binging like crazy on a $10 dollar river cruise buffet, Emma enjoyed the serenity of Panglao Beach. She said that she had always wanted to have a massage by the beach. Well, wish granted! We ended our stay with a scrumptious meal in Bohol Bee Farm. Everyone thought it was an amazing dinner and worth every peso.
Since I had just arrived from a 2-month trip across Australia, it was great to say hello to my family and friends during a quick stop in Manila. Soon enough, we were on yet another plane ride to Cagayan De Oro, where we were met with Filipino hospitality by our friend, Jess. In contrast to Emma’s love for sightseeing, tanning, and chilling by the beach, CDO forced her to face (and conquer) her fears! We started off with one of Asia’s longest ziplines in Dahilayan, Bukidnon. We then set out on an adrenaline-filled adventure atMapawa Park where we had to hike, swim, jump into the water from a 25-foot cliff, and rapel down a waterfall. Lastly, we rafted through the white water rapids of Bugsay.
Next was for Emma to appreciate the underwater riches of the Philippines. We bid goodbye to her temporarily as she flew solo to Puerto Princesa andCoron in Palawan. She hopped from island to island, from lakes to seas, and from hot to cold waters.
Finally, Emma spent her last few days in the capital of the Philippines, Manila. Here, she had her fill of shopping and bargaining, and endless pampering with massages, nail spas, hair spas, and facials (for a steal!). She also got to experience the vibrant party scene of Thrilla Manila with me and my friends, who all gave her a warm welcome.
The Verdict
Even with all these, there were still a lot of places that Emma didn’t get to see. Fortunately, she enjoyed her Filipino sampler platter so much that she wants to come back for more!
After fixing the ins and outs of this trip and all the nitty gritty details, I realized how lucky I am to be residing in such a pristine place where a lot of hidden treasures could be discovered (and for an affordable price)!
We’ll talk about each of our stops in our next posts, but for now, here’s a visual summary of what we did (and how much fun we had!). Click click click!
Video made by my dear friend, Kay Dulay
I think that’s a great way to make an itinerary! Most of the time kasi, when we make recommendations we refer the experiences WE enjoyed. I like that this puts the traveler friend first, tailor-fitting the itinerary to the person’s personality (and sometimes pushing her off her comfort zone). 🙂
Dani! I agree, I actually had fun making her choose from a Menu of Experiences. There really is so much to see and do in the Philippines 🙂
Heard a lot about Bukidnon!! Need to plan that.
Oh do come visit, perfect snuggle weather with amazing view and awesome things to do!
One day I will repel down a waterfall in Mapawa Park!!!
Go for it! Got scared at first but really a liberating experience!
Been living in the PH for 27 years now and I still haven’t been to a lot of the places you mentioned. I’m not very outdoor-sy!
Aaaawww, it’s okay! You just need to take baby steps, you’ll get there! 🙂
As in any place, you can never “do it all”. How wonderful there’s always an excuse to go back again!
You got that one right! No matter how much you think you’ve explored a place, there will always be wonderful hidden spots and experiences left to come back for! Or even if you really have done it all, going back will always be different because of so many factors like the company you’re with, the time of the year, etc. Happy travels!
You sure had a lot of fun in a day. I love to sample the different food when I travel.
Hmnnn.. actually took us about 10 days more or less but even then too short still because of the fun we’ve had! More reason to come back and explore more then!
I love the video compilation you made of your adventures! The energy is so infectious it looked like a blast! I like how much you were able to fit into the itinerary – you literally covered everything from hiking trips and plane rides all the way to salons and night life. Even if you weren’t able to fit everything it sounds like the trip of a lifetime
Hahaha we did have a lot of crazy crazy fun, best travel companions ever, albeit the very hectic schedule! 🙂 We literally slept so little so we could explore more!
It’s so awesome when you see foreigners enjoying the country. We just really get a lot of bad press – with good reason though. So much fun reading this! 😀
Very true, what a shame! So we really should do our part to improve that image, tourism wise at least! Thanks for reading my travel blog 🙂
Very nice video which captured your friendship and happiness as you were travelling. She really made the most of her time here, experiencing most of the best places in our country. – Fred
Thank you very much Fred! Yes and hope to bring more friends over to the Philippines soon!
The more that I see posts about the Philippines, the more excited I am about visiting one day soon! 🙂
Oh wow, you should come visit very soon though! Let me know so I can give your more insider tips about the Philippines!
That’s so true! Even Filipinos living here find that there is a wealth of things to see that it’s difficult to go visit every beautiful spot. The Philippines is truly blessed.
Very very true! The Philippines really has a lot to offer for global tourism, got so much natural wonders, warm people, and amazing experiences in every nook and cranny of the archipelago. #tourismph #travelph
What a lovely idea, putting together a sampler platter. That itinerary sounds awesome and you still got to fit in a lot of activities! Love the video too. I seriously need to get to the Philippines.
Oh you really should, come around soon!
What a memorable and awesome experience she must have had with you. Good job on making her trip enjoyable.
I have a friend in Manila, and I hope to visit there one day too~ Can I contact you guys when I’m visiting?
Hello, feel free, do leave me a message I would be happy to help 🙂
i want to visit the philippines ones day. I’m jotting a few ideas down for my future travels
That’s awesome to hear! Let me know if you need more tips for the Philippines!
Yes, all these places mentioned are paradise just not include Manila in your itinerary or else you’ll spend most of your time in the middle of the streets caught up in the heavy traffic.
Aaawww well yeah there’s Manila traffic, but then Manila does have its own share of wonders too yeah? 🙂
This is an epic itinerary of places to visit. Maybe next time you can try other places like Batanes, Siargao and Camiguin.
Oh for sure we will, just had to squeeze whatever we could with our budget and very hectic schedule 🙂
so emma got to pick what she wants to do without a care of their locations? wow, what if her picks ended up all far away from each other, how would planning the itinerary turn out? anyway, it sounded really fun!
Hahaha well good thing most that she did pick were relatively near each other. Otherwise, we could have given her a heads up as well if it was too impossible 🙂
I havent been in Pinatubo. I wanted to try their off road advebture but I vanr coz I have allergies on dust and smoke
Oh wow that’s unfortunate though you can still check with maybe your doctor if there’s a work around. Let me know how things turn out
Wow! great places to see in the Philippines and what a way to promote them. Puerto Princesa is my next destination just to see the underground river.
Go to El Nido also, you will love it.
I went to Boracay years (and years!) ago when there was very little there, it remains one of my favourite beaches! I’d love to go back to The Philippines as I didn’t get to see many other places – thanks for the recommendations in this post!
I am glad you liked it. THere’s more to see now, come back 🙂
It sounds like you had a ton of fun activities and places to do. I would love to visit the Philippines one day. It looks like it would offer beautiful scenery.
One of the things I like the most about traveling is trying new foods. Sounds like you guys had a great day.
Food is a big part of traveling. I like trying local cuisines and different food that are unique to the area. ALthough, I must say, I have to learn to be more adventurous when it comes to food. I don’t eat insects and exotic ones.
I had trouble reading this post, but only because I really want to go to the Philippines and I am tempted by these places you mentioned! And you are so awesome for giving your friend so many itinerary options! I sometimes wish someone would just do that for me!
Come over and I might just help you out too 🙂 I’m sure if I went to Canada, she would do the same for me
Wow, that’s a great itinerary you have for someone who likes to know more about the Philippines in a short period of time. Mt. Pinatubo is a great site for those who love hiking and seeing incredibly beautiful views. Boracay, Cebu, and Bohol are all places that have significant impression to foreigners as well.
Wow you have been to so many places in Philippines. It takes a few more trips to covers all the beautiful beaches and cities in the Philippine. I like your video its awesome!
There’s more less touristy areas that I intend to visit . Thank you for appreciating.
Sound like a really great trip. Love the picture and the video. So much fun!
Thank you Jonathan. I am glad that I was able to show you how fun it is here.
What a great post – and now I need to add another location to my travel wish list!
I am glad I was able to inspire you to do that. Start thinking off the travel wish list then 🙂 Happy travels
I would like to visit Philippines. We won 4 night stay at Shangri-La Hotel but couldn’t make it because the ticket plane is so pricey 🙁
Awww, that’s sad, that just means wait for a promo. We often go on promos with the airlines. You’ll be able to get a cheap one too
I would love to visit Philippines they have an nice culture and such a many place to visit. if i have a choice i would love to stayed there for good.
We really have accommodating people and we have lots of natural wonders to visit. I love it here 🙂
Great idea! I’m not much of a traveler myself but my husband is at heart and we’re bound to go where he wants to visit, specially the beautiful ones here in the PH, will list the down these wonderful place you’ve mentioned!
Hope you and your husband could eventually visit and travel the Philippines.
How long was she here? I’m so jealous because you got to explore our country even more than I did. I’d better take notes for when friends from overseas plan to come here, just like how you did with Emma 🙂
Phya, she was here for a month 🙂 Message me if you need help with anything 🙂
What I love most about your article is your title and the unique way you presented the “menu of experiences.”
Thank you very much. I appreciate that you liked the title ☺
It’s a great itinerary. The favorite is Bohol. We usually stay at Bohol Bee Farm too because we love their blue marlin steak and lasagna. 🙂
Iove the food in Bohol Bee farm whenever my friends ask me, I tell them that its a must eat. Super loved it.
What an awesome place and beautiful photos. I have not yet visited this place but would love to see it some time soon.
Go ahead. You will definitely enjoy ☺
You are a great planner! Good that you were able to help a friend from another part of the world to see how beautiful our country is. 🙂
I always enjoy talking to my friends about the Philippines. In fact, while on tour some of them redirects and end up here. I love it. And they do enjoy it too.
Woowww
By the end of your post I was tired and thrilled.
We are planning our second trip to Philippines. We already visited Boracay and Bohol, so your travel itinerary gave me great tips for new destinations.
Cheers, and maybe see you soon, in one of the Philippines paradise islands!
Nat
There are more less known and less touristy ones. Leave me a message if you plan to visit… I can help you out ☺
Your friend is indeed blessed to be able to explore Philippines with the help of a local like yourself. I agree that PH has wonderful and beautiful secrets worth discovering, even as backyard tourists 🙂
I go out every weekend to explore even the near ones and each time it surprises me. Plus I find myself still having a long list of places to visit ☺
I know what you mean, traveling seems so easy, just buy a ticket and go!? I wish! It takes me so much time to plan the ideal itinerary to fit in the short period of time and to see everything I want.. traveling is a lot of work
There’s always too much to explore and no time to see it ☺
I have been reading so much about the Philippines lately. What a great itinerary for a trip (so much variety).
That’s what I was hoping… a sampler platter so that she experiences a little of everything☺
This post made me more excited on me and my hubby’s December escapade. Philippines is such a beautiful country with so many amazing places to visit. Can’t wait to see them all soon 🙂
Goodluck let me know how it goes ☺
Trekking is a big thing for me so Mt. Pinatubo sounds sick!!
Definitely a must do trek! Do it! 🙂
It’s almost impossible to see every single thing when you visit a place. But now she has an excuse to come back! Great video
This is Genius! i also promote ph here where i stay, i cooked adobo and shared it with different cultures, i bought some spanish bread and pandecoco also shared it, i share everything even dried mango fruits! <3
mt pinatubo trek! my friends have been asking me to try that with them. still haven’t gotten around to that. haha! i really should do that soon.
My husband went to the Phiippines on his first overseas trip when he was quite young. It made quite an impression on him. I hope someday we get to travel there together. Thanks for all the tips on what to do. It looks fantastic.
Wow, you travel like I do. Squeeze as much as humanly possible into alloted time! Way to go! Massage by the beach, yes please.
Wow, what an amazing time you both must have had.
Great idea with the ‘menu’. Love that 🙂
There is so much I’d love to see and do there myself. When I eventually make it I may have to pick your brain for all the best bits. Great post!
There’s nothing better for a visitor to be able to enjoy a country with a local! I hope Emma was thrilled! 🙂
Absolutely love the idea of a “menu of experiences”…I need to start doing that when I have guests come to town to help decide what we’ll do!
HAHA! This is quite a fancy itinerary. Loved the video too 😉
Bookmarking this for my SEA trip next year.
That’s a pretty cool sampler! Not sure if I would have left Borocay though! One of my favorite places in the Philippines!
Ahhhhh those places sounds amazing to me. I’ve visited some of them but the rest are on my buckelist. Every time I cam to visit Philippines I always try to visit as many as I can. Therés’s just too many BEAUTIFUL places in PH. Safe travels and Enjoy! Cheers!
Kim- kimkaylan.com
I’m starting to become more familiar with the hot spots of the Philippines the more I read about it and it’s moving quickly up the list of places I’d like to travel around!
I’m from the Philippines and haven’t travelled there as much as you did. Thanks for the suggestions! Xx
Wow! Awesome itinerary and so cool to see Coron is on the list: I love that place for the shipwreck diving!
GREAT title – a sampler platter Love!! I have not been to the Philippines but I so want to go. It looks like a really beautiful place for an adventure!
Pretty happy to see the response to this and the video! 😉
Hmmm, that only means we should make more, right Kay?
We are in the Philippines now and are LOVING it!! That sounds like an amazing itinerary! We didn’t get a chance to see everything on that list but have been to a few and you definitely put together one amazing trip!