Philippines Heritage & Empire: Exclusive Historical Journey

Day 1

Arrival in the Capital: The Soul of Manila

Your journey begins with a seamless VIP arrival at Manila’s international gateway, where a private luxury SUV whisks you to The Peninsula Manila, an icon of Filipino hospitality. After a refined lunch at Lusso by Margarita Forés, the afternoon is a gentle introduction to the capital. 

Walk through the hallowed grounds of Rizal Park and the National Museum Complex to explore the country’s anthropology and colonial treasures that are housed in grand neoclassical halls. As the sun dips below the horizon, enjoy rooftop cocktails at Encima Roofdeck before a private welcome dinner.

Overnight: Manila

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 2

Intramuros: Within the Walls of Empire

Step into the 16th century within the heavy stone gates of Intramuros. Your private historian guide will peel back the layers of Fort Santiago and the San Agustin Church. Immerse in the scent of old incense and the sight of intricate trompe-l'oeil ceilings as it transport you to the Spanish era. 

After a curated Spanish-Filipino lunch at the Casa Manila Patio, you’ll head to the Ayala Museum in Makati. This is a journey through the "Gold of Ancestors," a shimmering testament to the archipelago's wealth long before the first galleon arrived. The day ends with a fine-dining experience at Blackbird, set within a beautifully restored 1930s aviation terminal.

Overnight: Manila

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3

Corregidor: Echoes of War and Resilience

A private boat carries you across the mouth of Manila Bay to Corregidor. This tadpole-shaped island served as the final line of defense during World War II. You’ll walk through the haunting, hollowed-out shells of the Mile-Long Barracks and enter the Malinta Tunnel. See how the echoes of history feel almost tangible. After a gourmet boxed lunch on the island, return to the mainland for a quiet evening at the hotel. Reflect on the resilience that defines the Filipino spirit or take a well-deserved spa night.

Overnight: Manila

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 4

Vigan: A Living Spanish Colonial Town

Today you head to the northern reaches of Luzon, to the UNESCO-listed town of Vigan. After your flight, check into Hotel Luna, a heritage boutique hotel with interiors full of museum-grade art that hangs in every corridor. As twilight falls, the cobblestones of Calle Crisologo glow under warm lamps. Experience the street the traditional way through a private kalesa (horse-drawn carriage) ride, before a dinner of soulful Ilocano specialties at Kusina Felicitas.

Overnight: Vigan

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 5

Earthquake Baroque & Ilocos Coast

The journey continues along the Ilocos coast to witness "Earthquake Baroque" architecture. These massive structures are designed to withstand the temperamental earth. Next, you'll visit the Santa Maria Church as it stands like a sentinel on its hill. After, see the iconic Paoay Church famous for its enormous, swirling buttresses that look like something out of a dream. Return to Vigan for leisure at your iconic hotel before the private dining experience.

Overnight: Vigan

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 6

Into the Cordilleras: The Ifugao Highlands

Today, we transition from the stone of the Spanish era to the emerald mountains of the Ifugao. Take the Mountain Charter, a private turboprop charter that will fly you closer to the Cordilleras, landing at a private airfield to significantly bypass the mountain hairpins.

Arrive in Banaue (Bah-NAH-weh) and check into an exclusive lodge, the Banaue Glass Cabin. Here, your window looks out over a landscape carved by hand two millennia ago. Take the rest of the day exploring the grounds or a downtime at your lodge sipping tsokolate de batirol, a traditional hot chocolate, as you soak in the unbelievable beauty of Banaue.

Overnight: Ifugao

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 7

Batad: The Rice Terraces of the Ancestors

Today is about the "Eighth Wonder of the World." You will descend into the Batad Rice Terraces, an amphitheater of emerald green that defies gravity. Led by an Ifugao guide, you’ll learn the secrets of the muyong (sacred forests) and the irrigation systems that have functioned for thousands of years. 

The highlight of the day is a private visit with an Ifugao family, where you will witness a demonstration of the Hudhud Chants, an intangible heritage of humanity that tells the story of the earth and the ancestors.

Overnight: Ifugao

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 8

Southbound to Cebu: Where East Met West

Fly south to Cebu, the place where the East first met the West. check into the luxurious Shangri-La Mactan. The evening is yours to enjoy. Perhaps a sunset harbor cruise as the sea air begins to cool the tropical heat of the city.

Overnight: Cebu

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 9

Cebu & Mactan: Faith, Conquest, and Identity

Your final full day explores the milestones of the Spanish era in the South. Stand before Magellan’s Cross. See where the first seeds of Christianity were planted, and visit the Basilica del Santo Niño, which houses a statue gifted by Magellan in 1521. After a feast of Cebu’s world-famous lechon at Rico's, spend the afternoon at the Mactan Shrine. Immerse in the kind of history that honors the local chieftain Lapu-Lapu. Your journey concludes with a grand farewell dinner at BOCA, a celebration of the fusion of island flavors and colonial history.

Overnight: Cebu

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 10

Departure 

Enjoy a final, leisurely breakfast before your departure. Your concierge will handle all luggage and fast-track services for your luxury transfer to Mactan International Airport, ensuring your journey home is as seamless as your arrival.

Meals included: Breakfast