Philippines. Electricity. Philippines Destination Guide. Time. Currency. Language

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1 Philippines Philippines Destination Guide The tourist hordes haven t quite infiltrated the Philippines yet, but the word is slowly spreading about Southeast Asia s biggest surprise. Drenched to the proverbial bone with glossy beaches and timeworn rice terraces, Philippine holidays promise an exotic escape set apart from other Asian destinations. More than 7000 islands, with 150 languages and dialects and 350 years of Spanish rule have shaped the Philippines into a melting pot of cultures, cuisines and creeds. One thing that sets the Philippines apart from its neighbours is its weighty Spanish influence, seen in colonial villas and an out and proud Catholic faith. Whether you re relaxing on the white sands of Boracay, checking out the historic sites in Cebu City or on business in Manila, a trip to the Philippines is bound to delight. Electricity 220V 60Hz Time There is no time difference between China and the Philippines. Currency The currency in the Philippines is the Philippine Peso (PHP). Foreign currency may be exchanged at your hotel, and in most of the large department stores, banks and authorized money changing shops. ATMs are widely available throughout the country, and most large stores, restaurants, hotels and resorts accept major credit cards. Language The 2 official languages are Filipino (Tagalog) and English. 20

2 Manila When to go Like most of Asia, the Philippines enjoy humid and tropical weather all year round. Though warm weather is constant, the islands experience three distinct seasons; the wet season, the dry season and the hot season. From May to November the wet season brings heavy rainfall and tropical storms. The dry season also experiences slightly cooler weather and runs from December to February, while the hot season takes place in March through to May. Average temperatures in the Philippines range from 24 to 31 degrees. Airport Departure Tax An airport fee of PHP 750 is levied on all international travellers departing the Philippines (paid in cash locally). Transit passengers and children under 2 are exempt of this fee. Palawan PHILIPPINES Boracay Cebu Bohol 21

3 Cebu & Bohol Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan Shangri-La's Mactan Resort & Spa Cebu & Bohol Panglao Island Nature Resort & Spa The Bellevue Resort Amorita Resort Eskaya Beach Resort & Spa 22 Discover rich history, eclectic culture and gracious hospitality in Cebu, serving as the perfect jumping-off point for more than 167 tropical islands and islets in the region. The second-largest city in the Philippines, Cebu City is also the oldest, dating back to Magellan s arrival in Known as the Queen City of the South, Cebu City boasts several preserved historic landmarks, religious relics and museums including Museo Sugbo, Magellan s Cross and Fort San Pedro. Sitting in the Visayas group, south east of Cebu, lovely Bohol boasts all manner of historical and natural attractions, such as 16th-century churches, fine-sanded beaches with some of the rarest seashells, and the world s smallest monkey, the very cute tarsier. Where to Stay If your holiday is a quick trip to the beach, we recommend staying on Mactan Island as it s only a 15-minute drive from the airport. Staying in Cebu City will give you an insight into local daily life and the opportunity to explore downtown, but it won t give you a beach holiday if that is what you are after. The drive from Cebu City to Mactan Island can take over 1 ½ hrs in traffic each way, so we recommend spending a few days in Cebu City before moving to one of the islands if you are seeking a mixture of culture and beach in your holiday. If you are travelling to Cebu for a diving, we recommend the areas of Lapu Lapu and Malapacua Island. Eat and Drink Our top picks for Cebu are Abaca Restaurant (Mactan Island) and the Pig & Palm (Cebu City). Connecting flights to Cebu (via Chengdu, Hong Kong, Manila or Seoul) with China Eastern, Cathay Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Korea Airways Flight duration approximately 7 hours Private Transfers Cebu Airport to Mactan Island hotels from RMB 160 one-way Cebu Airport to Cebu City hotels from RMB 160 one-way Ferry from Cebu to Bohol from RMB 135 one-way. Ferry is 2hrs.

4 Experiences Cebu Whale shark adventure Whale sharks, locally known as 'tuki' or 'butanding', are found off the coast of Tan-awan, in Oslob, about 10 kilometres away from the town centre. The whale shark is the largest fish in the world. Don't miss the opportunity to watch, snorkel or dive with the whale sharks and get fascinated by these friendly creatures. Tour departs from Cebu. FROM RMB 2,700 per person Bohol Full Day Countryside Tour Discover the Island of Bohol by taking a convenient 1 hour and 55 minute ride on a fast ferry from Cebu Pier. Tour highlights include: The Chocolate hills, Bilar man-made forest, Baclayon Church and a cruise on the Loboc River. Transportation, buffet lunch and English speaking guide are included. FROM RMB 900 per person Cebu Half Day City Tour Discover the oldest colonial city of the Philippines by experiencing the charm of old Cebu and its most famous landmarks. Tour highlights include: Magellan's Cross, Fort San Pedro, St. Nino Church, Casa Gorordo Museum, the Taoist Temple at Beverly Hills and the final stop will be the handicraft stores for your shopping enjoyment. FROM RMB 380 per person Shangri-La's Mactan Resort & Spa Punta Engaño Road, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu Tucked away on lush tropical landscape and with a crystalline coastline, Shangri-La's Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu is the premier, award-winning deluxe resort property in the Philippines. It is renowned for spacious and well-appointed guestrooms and suites, the variety of dining, entertainment, recreational activities and CHI, The Spa, one of the largest spa villages in Asia. It is an exciting refuge for nature lovers and a favorite among holidaymakers, combining rustic surroundings, modern conveniences and genuine Asian hospitality that are distinctly Shangri-La. Room types start from Deluxe Room up to Presidential Suite - 2 bars - 7 restaurants - 2 pools - Children's pool - Adults only pool - Child minding/babysitting - Gym/fitness centre - Tennis court - Interconnecting rooms - Room service - Laundry service - Free resort activities - Reception - 24 hours - Cable/Satellite TV - Flat screen TV - Tea & coffee facilities - Mini-bar - Hairdryer 23

5 Cebu & Bohol Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan Punta Engaño, Lapu Lapu, Cebu Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan is a sprawling 6-hectare beach resort and spa with contemporary Asian design and unique Filipino touches. Crimson softly embraces you into a warm seclusion, a sense of calm and peace amidst a modern tropical hideaway. Room types start from Deluxe Room up to Beach Casita Property Feature - 2 bars & 4 restaurants - 3 pools including children's pool Room Feature Movenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu Punta Engaño, Lapu Lapu, Cebu Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu is a five-star Mediterranean-inspired hotel. It offers accommodation, dining, wellness, leisure activities and event venues. It is also the home of Ibiza Beach Club, a premier social establishment. Room types start from Deluxe Room up to Ibiza Loft Property Feature - 2 bars & 4 restaurants - Pool including children's pool Room Feature Panglao Island Nature Resort & Spa Bingag, Dauis, Bohol Panglao Island Nature Resort and Spa is ideally situated in one of the city's most popular locales. All rooms exude an atmosphere of total peace and harmony. Relax and unwind after a busy day, at the hotel's hot tub, private beach or outdoor pool. Room types start from Superior Room up to Seaview Bungalow - 2 pools - Gym/fitness centre - Mini-bar - Tea & coffee facilities The Bellevue Resort Barangay Doljo, Panglao Island, Bohol Located on the beach of Panglao Island, The Bellevue Resort gives new meaning to the island getaway concept with its exquisitely designed rooms and thoughtfully planned facilities complementing the beauty of the sea. Room types start from Superior Room up to Bellevue Suite with Jacuzzi - Bar & 2 restaurants - Pool including children's pool - Gym/fitness centre 24

6 Eskaya Beach Resort & Spa Barangay Tawala, Panglao Island, Bohol A sophisticated beach hideaway, where spoiling and pampering is the norm. Eskaya Beach Resort & Spa is nestled amid 40 acres of lush tropical gardens on Panglao Island, Bohol. With just a handful of thatched pool villas, a superb spa and phenomenal diving, this is the place for indulgent privacy and seclusion. Room types start from Deluxe Villa with Private Pool up to Presidential Villa with Infinity Pool - Child minding/babysitting - Flat screen TV - Hairdryer Cebu & Bohol Amorita Resort 1 Ester A. Lim Drive, Barangay Tawala, Bohol Amorita Resort is secluded atop a limestone cliff on the southern edge of Panglao Island. This tranquil seaside retreat marries world-class service with signature Filipino hospitality. The resort overlooks the azure Bohol Sea and elegantly punctuates the vibrant tropical landscape along Alona Beach. Room types start from Junior Suite up to Two Bedroom Suite - Pool including children's pool - Child minding/babysitting Shangri-La's Mactan Resort Crimson Hotel Shangri-La s Mactan Resort & Spa Business Development Manager, Flight Centre Very few hotels in Asia I have stayed, boast a warm family-like welcome, a decadent and abundant selection of restaurant choices and a range of room types to suit either a romantic or family getaway. The hotel gave me a feeling of a home away from home, offering many activities for all ages including an extensive Kids Club and Golf Park, a world-class spa and a wide selection of sea sports, making Shangri-La s Mactan Resort a very unique place to stay. The lush, expansive and manicured gardens affront a boundless, safe, patrolled beach enriched with unique aqua life ready for the ageless and curious explorers. 15 minutes away from Cebu International Airport this exceptional resort is my #1 choice in Cebu and the experience will far outweigh the expense. Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan Travel consultant, Flight Centre Active Travel Located on Mactan Island, 15 minutes away from Cebu airport, the Crimson Hotel combines comfort and contemporary style. As a guest you are spoilt for choice. With an array of facilities including a three-tiered infinity pool, a fitness centre, a private beach and many more, the choice is really yours. After a day in the sun, a great selection of restaurants and bars nearby offer more than just something to fill your tum. Also, no matter you re having a family get-together or on a romantic getaway, the hotel has something for its guests. A total of 6 room types are available. Each Ocean Front Private Pool Villa features a private pool, settle down in the privacy of your very own and bask under the sun in the pool. For family alike Beach Front Casita offers the perfect view of the ocean and close access to the beach. 25

7 Boracay Boracay Connecting flights to Caticlan Airport (via Manila) with Phillipines Airlines, Cebu Pacific (Transit in Manila) Flight duration approximately 9 hours Located a one-hour flight south of Manila sits Boracay, a tiny tropical island that is considered by many to be one of the best in the world. This little slice of paradise serves up natural delights in spades, including pristine white sand beaches and water so blue you ll be left speechless. Pair that with all of the fun-in-the-sun activities holidaymakers could wish for and a vibrant nightlife scene that pulsates well into the early hours, and you have a recipe for an unforgettable holiday. The only hard part? Having to leave once your stay comes to an end. Explore Visitors to Boracay simply can t go past a day trip to Ariel s Point. The excursion includes a boat cruise, buffet lunch, beverages and a full day of kayaking, snorkelling and, best of all, a worldfamous cliff diving experience if you dare.if lazy days spent lying on a pristine beach is your idea of a real holiday, Boracay s White Beach will be calling your name. People come from far and wide to laze about on this glorious beach, which boasts a 4-kilometre stretch of snowy white sand and a strip of crystal blue water that is perfect for swimming and snorkelling. Sign up for aquatic activities such as windsurfing and parasailing or simply lie back, relax and order a cocktail or two as you take in the spectacular view. If you can bear to step away from White Beach for a moment, you ll discover a very different side of Boracay with a cultural day trip to Motag Living Museum. Step back in time to see how traditional Filipino people lived, and learn about their farming, craft and cooking methods. The museum offers an interactive and unique experience that both the young and old will enjoy. Eat and Drink Restaurants to try whilst you re in Boracay: Mang Inasal, Sababi D Talipapa, The Pig Out Bistro and Prana. Where to Stay The place to stay in Boracay is the famous White Beach, which is divided into 3 boat stations. Station 1 is where you ll find luxury resorts, a peaceful atmosphere and premier access to the beach itself. Station 2 is known as the vibrant, buzzing heart of the island and is home to high-end resorts, restaurants galore, D Mall and a pumping nightlife. Station 3 is for travellers seeking good value for money. More affordable resorts and bungalows are located here and the atmosphere is far quieter than the other 2 stations. Shopping Get your retail therapy fix in one central location D Mall. Starting from the main road near Station 2 and extending down to White Beach, this vibrant shopping strip is the place to buy clothing, shoes, jewellery, beach gear, handicrafts and souvenirs. This is also the place to stock up on supplies from the supermarket, access ATMs and pharmacies, and grab a bite at one of the many bustling eateries. Boracay like a Local If you ve found yourself in a White Beach daze for days, it s time to venture outside of the tourist areas, take a stroll to the other side of the island and meet the friendly Boracay locals. Look out for the street stalls that begin to appear at around 3pm for unusual local snacks like pig s ear and banana cue, a popular Filipino street food that consists of deep-fried caramelised banana served on a stick. Private Transfers Kalibo airport to Boracay hotels from RMB 855 one-way Transfer time from Kalibo Airport to Boracay is approximately 2 hours Shared land and boat transfers from Caticlan airport from RMB 135 one-way The District Boracay Station 2, Barangay Balabag Room types start from Deluxe Room up to Premier Suite The District Boracay enjoys a prime location and lies within easy access of an endless range of restaurants and nightlife. The resort's contemporary design is minimalist yet uncompromising on elegance and splendor. Property Feature - Bar & 3 restaurants - Pool - Child minding/babysitting - Gym/fitness centre 26

8 Shangri-La's Boracay Resort & Spa Barangay Yapak, Boracay Island Room types start from Deluxe Room up to Presidential Villa - 3 bars - 4 restaurants - 3 pools - Children's pool - Adults only pool - Child minding/babysitting - Gym/fitness centre - Tennis court - Room service - Laundry service - Free resort activities - Reception - 24 hours Boracay Set in a 12.5-hectare tropical forest at the northern tip of Boracay. This secluded sanctuary, away from the main beach, houses some of the Philippine s most indulgent accommodations with 219 rooms, suites, and villas. The resort offers comprehensive leisure facilities including two private beaches, four restaurants and three bars, and a sprawling CHI, The Spa village. - Cable/Satellite TV - Flat screen TV - Tea & coffee facilities - Mini-bar - Hairdryer - ipod docking station - Stand alone villa Discovery Shores Boracay Station 1, Balabag, Malay Room types start from Junior Suite up to Two Bedroom Suite Premier The Lind Boracay Station 1, Balabag, Boracay Island Centrally located on White Beach, the award-winning Discovery Shores Boracay is the preferred choice of leisure travelers looking for world-class service. Consistently listed in Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards, Discovery Shores Boracay is a proud member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts' vibrant Lifestyle collection. The Lind Boracay is a five-star hotel situated towards the end of White Beach s Station 1 and boasts of 119 stylish rooms, three restaurants and bars, and a full service spa. It is luxury by design that is drawn from passion. - Bar & 2 restaurants - Pool including children's pool Room types start from Garden Room up to Presidential Suite - 1 bars & 3 restaurants - 4 pools including children's pool 27

9 Palawan Palawan Voted Condé Naste Traveller s Best Island in the world in 2014, Palawan is a stretch of 1780 magnificent coral-fringed islands boasting unique flora and fauna in a pristine environment of jungles and mountains. A wonderful destination for adventure seekers, Palawan offers world-class diving, snorkelling and jungle trekking, while also catering to pleasure seekers with a series of high-end resorts that can predominantly be found at the northern end of Palawan at El Nido. With over 50 beaches, hidden caves and enchanting waters to explore, El Nido entices visitors to really settle in and enjoy true island-style living. Connecting flights to Coron (via Manila) with Phillipines Airlines, Cebu Pacific Flight duration approximately 10 hours Connecting flights to El Nido (via Manila) with Phillipines Airlines, Cebu Pacific Flight duration approximately 6 hrs 30 minutes Explore A not-to-be-missed highlight of Palawan includes the magnificent seascapes of the Bacuit Archipelago, where you can take a local banca and discover the stunning white sand beaches, tranquil lagoons and awe-inspiring limestone cliffs (some shaped like crocodiles, helicopters and dinosaurs). The World War II wrecks and coral reef around Coron offer divers the opportunity to explore in relatively shallow and warm waters, with good visibility. The gorgeous Kayangan Lake is a must see, as well as a trip to Coral garden for snorkelling. Where to Stay We recommend staying at a property either on/off Busuanga Island or El Nido when visiting Palawan. El Nido Resorts Miniloc Island El Nido Resorts Pangulasian Island El Nido Resorts Lagen Island El Nido Resorts Apulit Island Club Paradise Palawan Club Paradise Palawan Dimakya Island, Coron Club Paradise Palawan has a natural, simple and homey feel, giving you a sense of peace. It is an ideal retreat for family getaways, rooms offer views of the island s lush greenery and clear waters. Room types start from Hillside Cottage up to Beachfront Cottage - Pool including children's pool 28

10 Pangulasian Island Resort - El Nido Pangulasian Island, El Nido Pangulasian Island is El Nido Resorts luxury island hideaway in Bacuit Bay, El Nido. The resort is set fronting a pristine beach and against a backdrop of tropical forest. Also known as the Island of the Sun, Pangulasian has breathtaking views of both the sunrise and sunset. Room types start from Canopy Villa up to Kalaw Villa - 2 bars & 1 restaurant - Pool Palawan Lagen Island Resort - El Nido Lagen Island, El Nido Miniloc Island Resort - El Nido Lagen Island Resort is an ideal destination for those seeking a relaxing holiday in a private and tranquil haven. Nestled between a lush forest and a calm, shallow lagoon. Facilities such as a swimming pool and spa affords guests a pleasant and relaxing holiday on a private island that still offers the modern conveniences they are used to back home. Room types start from Forest Room up to Forest Suite - Pool Miniloc Island, El Nido Miniloc Island Resort is the perfect holiday destination for the young and the young at heart in search of a fun and vibrant holiday. The resort is tucked within a beautiful cove surrounded by towering limestone cliffs. It is a gateway to popular activity sites. Room types start from Garden Cottage up to Deluxe Seaview Room - Free resort activities - Mini-bar - Hairdryer - Stand alone villa Apulit Island Resort - El Nido Apulit Island, Taytay Apulit Island Resort offers an idyllic getaway for those in search of a tropical paradise. It is nestled within a pristine cove surrounded by a tropical forest. The sprawling resort offers a wide expanse of white-sand beach lined with coconut trees reminiscent of a tropical island paradise. Room types start from Water Cottage up to Loft Water Cottage - Pool - Free resort activities - Mini-bar - Stand alone villa 29