Manila & El Nido

About the destination: Manila is the largest city and the financial and commercial capital of the Philippines. It is located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay on Luzon, the country's largest island. Manila is a modern metropolis with Filipino heritage and Spanish, Chinese and American cultures creating a unique atmosphere. Spread throughout the city there are many temples and places of worship of different religions. Baroque colonial churches, Buddhist and Taoist temples and the beautiful Golden Mosque are an example of the city’s multi-cultural heritage. Rizal Park, also known as the Luneta, is the city’s main attraction. Inside the park there are many important sites to explore such as the Chinese and Japanese Gardens, the National Museum of the Philippines, The National Library of the Philippines, the Planetarium, an Orchidarium, an open-air auditorium for cultural performances, and the monument and final resting place of the country’s hero, José Rizal. At the northern end of Manila Bay lies the old walled Spanish settlement of Manila, Intramuros, meaning within the walls. Sadly much of it was destroyed during the war but it still contains some of the city's most interesting museums, ruins, and churches including the Manila Cathedral, the most important church in the country. Colorful and energetic, Manila is a city full of history, edgy galleries, exciting nightlife, delicious restaurants and modern shopping malls. Once known as the Pearl of the Orient, Manila still is a tourist attraction all by itself.

About the destination: El Nido, officially the Municipality of El Nido (Cuyonon: Banwa i'ang El Nido, Tagalog: Bayan ng El Nido), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Palawan, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 41,606 people.  It is about 420 kilometres (260 mi) south-west of Manila, and about 238 kilometres (148 mi) north-east of Puerto Princesa, Palawan's capital. A managed resource protected area, it is known for its white-sand beaches, coral reefs, limestone cliffs and as the gateway to the Bacuit archipelago. El Nido is currently ranked #4 in Condé Nast Traveler's list of "20 Most Beautiful Beaches in the World." [8] CNNgo has called it the Best Beach and Island destination in the Philippines for its "extraordinary natural splendor and ecosystem. From the towering marble cliffs and lagoons to its 100 white sandy beaches, jungle and mangrove forest, prehistoric caves and waterfalls, El Nido is one of the top tourist destinations in Palawan, which is often referred to as the "Philippines' Last Frontier". In the November–December 2007 issue of the National Geographic Traveler's magazine, Palawan was chosen as one of the best travel destinations in the world, and particularly, it recommended El Nido and the Calamianes Islands. In 2012, CNNGo, the travel news website of the international news agency Cable News Network, declared El Nido as the Philippines' Best Beach and Island destination.