14 DAYS and 11 NIGHTS FROM LOS ANGELES -- Manila (3N) Plus Optional Trip to Baguio (1N) Singapore (3N) Hong Kong (4N)
You depart on widebody jet to Manila, en route crossing the International Date Line to this capital of the 7000-plus island archipelago named by the great circumnavigator of the globe Magellan after his sponsor-king Felipe II of Spain (soon thereafter Magellan was killed by an angry local chieftain in 1521.)
A half-day tour where you will notice the ubiquitous, fancifully decorated "jeepneys" (taxi-buses converted from US jeeps) as you visit: spacious Rizal Park and its memorial to nationalist hero Jose Rizal, Intramuros, the old 16th century Spanish walled city including Fort Santiago and the Manila Cathedral; Santo Tomas University; the Malacanang Palace from which President Marcos fled in 1986 into exile; and the American Memorial Cemetery, a somber reminder of the fierce, often brutal struggle here more than a half-century ago.
Day free for shopping and entertainment in Manila's lively night life or optional tours: Corregidor ("The Rock") takes one to Malinta tunnel and this one time heroic bastion and its Pacific War Memorial; afternoon ride through green and scenic countryside to Tagaytay Ridge to view Taal Volcano; evening tour of local food buffet and folkloric music and dancing. Or take choice of: one full day tour to Pagsanjan Rapids, driving through plantations followed by an exciting dugout canoe ride upriver to the spectacular falls and return; or another full day tour to Hidden Valley, driving south of Manila through farmlands to a mysterious huge volcanic crater amidst wild, spectacular scenery of trees, rocks and waterfalls (bring swimsuits for an Edenic experience).
BAGUIO CITY
Two day tour of Baguio City, summer capital of the country and an attractive, popular hill resort in cooler area of mountainous north Luzon.; it is famous for bracing climate, beautiful parks and fine fruits of its central market. City tour includes Mansion House, Imelda, Wright and Mines View parks, Lourdes grotto and city market.
Three day tour by air and motorcoach to Baguio (city tour as above) and then on to Banaue via Halsema Trail, Mt. Data and rugged mountainous Bontoc road to reach the amazing Ifugao Rice Terraces, constructed by hand over innumerable generations by this ancient and ingenious people whose handiwork stretches a total of many thousands of miles -- and for which it has been dubbed the "Eighth Wonder of the World."
Morning flight from Manila to Singapore, the island-state located at the southern tip of the Malay peninsula often called "Instant Asia" for its fascinating mix of ethnic groups, languages, religions, cuisines and festivals, organized in distinct geographical communities and governed by strong Singaporean statutes and traditions of law and order, respect for property and urban tidiness and cleanliness. After transfer to your hotel, rest of day is free.
Once the proverbial sleepy little fishing village, Singapore has blossomed into an efficient, affluent, dynamic metropolis, probably the most modern in the Far East -- and certainly the most immaculate. Its many attractive features are highlighted in this half-day city tour: the city harbor and its famous Merlion statue, the colonial style government buildings, Empress Place (the city's finest neoclassical structure) and its statue of Sir Stamford Raffles, the visionary British founder of the settlement as a British East India Company trading post in 1819, the market area and colorful Sri Mariamman temple. Also visit the Instant Asia Cultural Show, a dance festival and memorable embodiment of ethnic pride and civic harmony.
Day free for sightseeing and shopping in this Asian crossroads where the outlets (open 7 days a week, mid-morning to mid-evening) in Arab Street, Chinatown, Geylang Serai, Little India and Orchard Road range from countless tiny market stalls to giant emporia offering handicrafts such as batiks, carved jade and ivory, Indian silks and Oriental carpets; custom-tailored garments; gold and jewelry of fine workmanship; and world class electronic, photographic and computer equipment.
Time permitting, round off your visit with choice of Singapore tours, including a variety of harbor cruises (by bumboat, junk or luxury cruiser) or visit Mt Faber for panoramic view followed by cable car ride to Sentosa Island, filled with natural beauties and recreational facilities connected by monorail. Fly to Hong Kong, a three and a half hour flight across the South China Sea; rest of day is at leisure.
Hong Kong's skyline is even more skyscraper-studded than Singapore's -- as you'll see this morning from the tram as it makes its way up "the Peak," named officially for the then-young British Queen Victoria after her countrymen took possession in 1841. In the afternoon you visit Repulse Bay's fine beaches and nearby Stanley Market where both tourists and savvy local shoppers hunt for bargains in clothes, fashion accessories, rattan furniture and Chinese handicrafts. Finally comes Aberdeen's amazing "floating village" of junks and sampans belonging to generations of some 12,000 fishing folk, where you may later enjoy a multi-course Chinese banquet in one of the palatial local floating restaurants.
Two free days for your choice of sightseeing, shopping and entertainment. Cultural shows are popular, especially the Sung Dynasty Village in Kowloon recreating Chinese life a millenium ago in a "living museum" and the Middle Kingdom show presenting 5000 years of Chinese history next to Ocean Park on southern Hong Kong island. On your own you can take the famous Star Ferry, one of the cheapest and most scenic short trips in the world, travel throughout the region in the fast, efficient and convenient Mass Transit Railway (MTR underground) and Kowloon-Canton Railway (KCR), follow various walking tour guides to different districts and islands, visit Flagstaff Museum of Tea Ware in Hong Kong Park and shop the antique stores of Central's Hollywood Road, the department stores and boutiques of Causeway Bay, Nathan Road's "Golden Mile" in Kowloon and East Tsimshatsui's grand malls.
Depart for USA, recrossing International Date Line and thereby arrive the same day.
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