Just a 90-minute flight away,
Manila is the ideal holiday getaway for
Hongkongers seeking a short respite.
Serviced daily by premium and budget
airlines, Manila is a modern city that
offers diverse dining, entertainment,
pampering and shopping experiences
that are easy on the budget. And,
as the centre of the biggest Catholic
nation in the region, Manila offers a
cultural experience unlike that of the
major cities in neighbouring countries.
The Philippines’ capital has earned
a bad rap as a large, over-crowded city
with horrendous traffic jams. But, with
careful planning and some insider tips,
your two- or three-day getaway could
be spent marvelling at centuries-old
European architecture; delighting
at the array of affordable, quality
goods in several world-class shopping
centres; soaking in the Filipino arts
and music scene; filling yourself with
glorious, gastronomic delights; and
of course, getting treated to Filipino
hospitality.
Here’s an itinerary, already road-
tested by a few Hong Kong mums,
that’s sure to be loads of fun and easy
to coordinate.
Friday
In the early evening, fly from Hong
Kong to Manila, arriving at your
hotel in Ayala Center, in the Makati
Central Business District, around
10pm. If you reckon that the night
is still young, drop your bags at your
hotel and walk to Greenbelt – a world-
class complex of dining and shopping,
set around lush green gardens and
teeming with an eclectic row of bars,
cafes and restaurants. Greenbelt 3,
in particular, is a popular venue for
after-dark socialising, whether you
like salsa dancing, relaxing with a
glass of Spanish wine while someone
else (flamenco) dances, or simply
unwinding with a cup of tea or coffee.
Saturday
Immerse yourself in Philippine history.
In the morning, explore the fine
collections of the National Museum
and National Gallery. Though modest
compared to museums in Europe and
the US, both provide an excellent
introduction to the Philippines’ rich
culture and history.
Then, kick-off your colonial
afternoon experience with lunch
at one of the Filipino-Spanish
restaurants in Intramuros (which
means “walled city” in Spanish). This
top Manila destination was the seat of
power of the Spanish regime from the
1300s to the 1800s. Here you’ll find
two of the oldest and most stunning
churches in the Philippines, as well
as other well-preserved Spanish
colonial architecture. Carlos Celdran’s
insightful and entertaining three-hour
walking tour is highly recommended
if you would like to delve a bit deeper
into the Philippines’ kaleidoscopic
past. Google it and then make sure
you book ahead, as his tours are
popular and often fill up.
Sunday
In the morning, head for the
highlands outside Manila to Tagaytay,
a small city that straddles the
mountains surrounding one of the
active volcanoes in the Philippines,
the Taal Volcano. Here you can take
pleasure in the cooler temperatures
and the stunning views of the lake
and the crater, while savouring a meal
or a cup of coffee in one of the many
restaurants and cafés along the ridge
of the mountain.
Tagaytay is also known for B&Bs
with restaurants offering vegetarian
and organic fare. They don’t have
the panoramic views of the lake and
volcano, but they sure make up for it
with the cosy and quaint ambience
and the fresh, scrumptious gourmet
meals they serve.
On your drive back to Manila
after lunch, don’t forget to stop at the
many fruit stands to sample the fresh
produce of the nearby towns, and
at Rowena’s shop and café, which
is known for Filipino delicacies and
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