Manila

Tailor-made Manila Holidays

Crack open Manila’s unyielding shell and you’ll discover a cultural mecca soaked in colonial heritage. Home to over 20 million people, this sprawling megacity pits cloud-grazing skyscrapers against cramped shanty towns; air-conditioned malls and fast-food chains against the world’s oldest Chinatown and markets heaving with tropical produce. Manila’s roads serve as its traffic-clogged arteries, transporting suited office workers and street hawkers alike in colourful jeepneys painted with bible quotes. By night, 80s power ballads blare from karaoke bars, a Filipino institution that has spawned a new craze: videoke.

To escape the frenzy, enter the thick stone walls of Intramuros. This historical microcosm marks 300 years of Spanish – and for a brief time, British – colonial control, its cobbled streets preserving the ghosts of rulers past. UNESCO-protected San Augustin Church speaks to the country’s deep Catholic faith while Fort Santiago shelters a shrine for the national hero Jose Rizal, who was imprisoned here during the Philippine Revolution. A monument in Rizal Park marks his 1896 execution, surrounded by fountains and lawns where families gather for weekend concerts and old men play endless chess tournaments.

To make sense of this pulsing metropolis, talk to our Philippines team. They can connect you with local guides who can help you explore this bewildering, yet bewitching capital.

Plan your holiday withAlfred&

Your journey will start with one of our UK team – someone like Suzanne, who's travelled extensively in The Philippines. They’ll shape your ideas into the trip of a lifetime. But they won't do it alone. They'll draw on the expertise of our contacts on the ground, connecting you to the people who'll make your holiday one you'll always remember – the free diver who can take you swimming with turtles, the guides who can take you to secret lagoons and hidden beaches, and the locals who can school you in the art of nipa weaving.

Suzanne McLaughlin

Travel Expert for Alfred&

Living in Beijing for four years gave Suzanne the opportunity to travel extensively throughout China, always fuelled by her favourite Jian Bing pancakes! Rock climbing and abseiling in Yangshou was (quite literally) a high point. Her expertise also extends into Southeast Asia, where a fascination with the colourful history has inspired adventures around Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and the Philippines.
Hiroko "Nikki" Takano

Tour guide for Intas, Alfred&'s partners in the Philippines

Nikki Takano hails from Manila and has been working as a tour guide in the Philippines for almost 10 years. She loves showing guests how beautiful and diverse the country is, particularly the Cordillera area. Nikki specialises in guiding tours of this region, which she believes has everything: ancient culture, mountainous scenery and welcoming people.
Lourdes Sultan

Manager of Travel Village Tours, Alfred&’s partner in the Philippines

Lourdes Sultan is from Bohol and has spent most of her life working in the island’s tourism industry. She started her career arranging excursions and guest activities at the Pioneer Resorts in Panglao and in 1992, launched Travel Village Tours with her husband. The company is now one of the top tour operators in Bohol.
Bryan Ocampo

Chief of Operations for Intas, Alfred&'s partner in the Philippines

Bryan Ocampo is a Filipino tourism professional and an advocate of adventure travel in the Philippines. His knowledge and experience in leading trips and exploring the country's cuisine, history, and heritage have strengthened his desire to showcase its best qualities and quirks to people all over the world. Bryan believes that he has the best job in the world and also loves karaoke, a good laugh, wine and his wife, in no particular order.
April Labanon

Bohol tour guide for Travel Village Tours, Alfred&’s partner in the Philippines

April Labanon has been working as a tour consultant and guide on Bohol for over six years but originally hails from Davao City, Mindanao. She specialises in tours of the Balicasag and Pamilacan islands and as freediver, she’s an expert on the area’s marine life. April loves to travel in the holidays to learn more about different cultures.
Rupert Andres

Philippines tour guide

Rupert Andres is from Manila and has been adventure guiding for six years. He leads tours all over the Philippines, from its tropical islands to the rice terraces in the north. Rupert is a natural storyteller and entertainer with a real passion for guiding; he's keen to share his love for Filipino culture with visitors.