March 5, 2010

Philippines - 10 Fun Things to Do in Metro Manila

The Philippines is a beautiful country with it's many wonderful things to explore. Tourists and travelers from around the globe loves to visit the Philippines regularly to get the chance to see the beauty of this country and get along with the friendly and very welcoming Pinoys.

Manila, being the Philippine Islands' capital is the most visited and the first stop for many tourists where the International airport is located. There are many fascinating places to see in Manila, and surely have lots of things to do. Everyone will definitely enjoy their trip to the Philippines and they'll s certainly be back for more. Though there are so many things one can do in Manila, here are the top ten things one cannot resist to do while in the country's capital:

1. Sightseeing - there are many well-known places such as Manila historical sights. There is the Intramuros, meaning "inside the walls", for it is a walled city. The place has a fort which is built by the Spaniards in the late 1500's during their reign to the Philippines. Though the fort was destroyed during the American-Japanese war in the year 1945, it is now renovated and was now turned into a museum. Another must-see place in Manila is the Luneta Park, or the Rizal Park. This is the monument of the Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. The park was built in honor of Rizal. This is also the place where he was killed the Spaniards in the late 1800's. The park is crowded almost everyday especially during holidays and Sundays where Filipino families gather together to have picnics along the park.

2. Shopping - there are lots of shopping stores in Manila that sell many different kinds of items. One can find almost everything while strolling around the area. There are also easy to find bargain chains located just by the sidewalks like "ukay-ukay", where they sell variety of items with the cheapest prices.

3. Riding on amusement parks - Manila has famous amusement parks that are mostly visited by locals and tourists where children and also adults enjoy the fun rides and have a lively night out. There are the Enchanted Kingdom, the Philippine's version of Disney Land and the Star City where mostly crowded every night with families especially during weekends.

4. Relaxing - there are plenty of places in manila where one can enjoy relaxing activities like the spa, massage centers, and several hotels that offer relaxing services and other pleasant commodities.

5. Enjoy a bubbly night life - Manila has many bars and cafes where you along with your friends can jam and watch band gigs all night long. There is the Jazz Rhythms bar and the all famous Hard Rock Café where one can watch local and foreign bands perform live on stage.

6. Celebrating Christmas - Filipinos celebrate Christmas in a very special way. People attend the evening masses within the nine evenings before the Christmas Eve with the whole family going to the church. Filipinos celebrate Christmas in a very practical way and the most valuable thing for them during Christmas is being their family.

7. Sunbathing - Philippines having its many beaches is being visited mostly by people around the world to do sunbathing. With the country's tropical weathers making it a perfect to tan the skin.

8. Swimming - there are many resorts located around Manila where families can enjoy swimming without going out of town. The resorts are designed with the taste of nature, so one will always feel a nature paradise inside the city.

9. Roller Skating - families together with their children can enjoy roller skating within the many parks of Manila. There are really spacious parks where families can have their quiet family day out and even enjoy picnics and others.

10. Visiting Churches - there are many famous churches in Manila like the Manila Cathedral which are mostly visited by tourists and locals everyday. There are also the San Agustin Church and the Quiapo Church that are well known churches in the Philippines.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pinky_Mcbanon

Additional:

And who could ever forget Edsa Manila? This is the bastion of Filipino democarcy from the hands of the Marcos regime. This is where political miracle, if there is ever such a word, happened in 1986. It was an event that the entire world stand to appreciate in awe! A political struggle that ended peacefully and without bloodshed that toppled more than 20 years of dictatorship. Up to now this place is still being regarded as the seat of peaceful democratic protest against tyranny and political suppression. Come to think of it, it just a long and trafficked highway especially to daily Filipino commuters passing by this route in going to and from their jobs. But to what it has symbolized to the Filipinos and to the rest of the world.....Edsa Manila will forever be remembered for what it stands for...DEMOCRACY.

The Stories of Manila Hotel

If Raffles Hotel is said to be the embodiment of Singapore's rich culture, the Manila Hotel serves as the favorite muse of all hotels in the Philippines. It is described as a "living testimonial of Philippine heritage."

Built by the Americans near the turn of the 20th century, the Manila Hotel has stood witness to important events in Philippine history including the Philippine Commonwealth, the Second World War, the Restoration of the Philippine Republic, Martial Law, People Power, Restoration of Democracy, attempts of Coup d' etat, Impeachment of an incumbent president and so much more. Despite the wear and tear of time, Manila Hotel is still surviving and fighting for its existence in Philippine landscape and history.

The doors of the Manila Hotel were first opened in 1912. It used to host the festivities during the inauguration of the Philippine Commonwealth government. But when the Japanese occupied the Philippines in the 1940s, the hotel became the headquarters of the Imperial Army. When the time of the Liberation came, Manila was bombed by the Americans in order to attack the Japanese forces seeking refuge in the capital. It was a miracle that this hotel survived this bombing and was later rebuilt in its finest stature.

Up to the present time, it holds important political events and inaugurations of notable people in the Philippines. Foreign leaders and Heads of State like Prince Charles stayed in this hotel, as well as entertainers Sammy Davis Jr. and The Beatles. It had also been a home to authors Ernest Hemingway and James Michener, Time publisher Henry Luce, and actors John Wayne and Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

Among the notable personalities that stayed in this hotel, there is one that truly made a mark: Gen. Douglas MacArthur, who played an important role in liberating the Philippines from the Japanese invasion. General MacArthur stayed in the hotel for a time before the War broke in the 1940s. The same room that Gen. MacArthur stayed in was preserved until now in its original condition. This room was even named after the brave general who became dear to the Filipinos' hearts.

The hotel's major renovation and reconstruction was done during the time of the Marcos dictatorship. It was reopened in 1977 with an even grander and more glamorous appeal. This time can be considered the hotel's peak of glory. It was during this era when the Manila Hotel won many international awards and gain recognitions from all around the globe.

If Manila Hotel could only tell stories of what it had been through for the past century, publishers will surely not ran out of books to publish. But even without speaking, the architecture, the style and the design of the Manila Hotel could already testify to what it had experienced. And as a symbol of Philippine culture at its finest, Manila Hotel will never cease to tell its stories to the coming generations.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelvin_Kong

March 4, 2010

Vibrant and Cosmopolitan City of Manila

The City of Manila is the thriving capital of the Philippines. The city is also part of Metro Manila together with the other 17 cities and municipalities. The city is the second most populous city in the world, next to Quezon City which is its neighbor. The whole metropolitan area is the second most populous in Southeast Asia. Metro Manila is home to around 14 million people, and the city of Manila is home to 1.6 million people. Manila is nearest Hong Kong which is around 950 kilometers and the city is around 2,400 kilometers northeast of Singapore. The city is located in the west coast of Luzon and the city is surrounded by the fertile plains. There are around 897 barangays in the city and the city is also subdivided into six Congressional Districts.

Manila is a famous player too based on some records. It was said that the city was famous during the Manila-Acapulco trade and this trade lasted for three centuries. In this trade, goods from as far as Mexico were brought to the Southeast including Manila. As a city, Manila is often described as fascinating and a cosmopolitan city and rightfully so. The city of Manila is a lively place that commands an excellent view of the world-famous Manila Bay and its sunset. First time visitors of the city should not miss the well-known Manila bay sunset; a beautiful scene as if straight from the postcards. Another label that can be said of the city is historic- and rightfully so since the city traces a long history in the hands of many colonizers. The city blends the cultures and flavors of its colonizers to bring up a unique Manila experience for the first time travelers and the visitors.

Intramuros: Walled City and Heart of Manila

Intramuros was considered as one of the world's best preserved medieval cities. The interested travelers and tourists will see here some dungeons and old churches and these buildings share space with art galleries and parks in the area. Just south of the walled city is the Rizal Park. This is considered as the country's most significant park. This is also known as Luneta, which stands in Stands in Spanish as 'crescent-shaped'. This is a 53-hectare park and this was the site where the national hero of the Philippines was executed by the Spaniards. Monument in memory of Jose Rizal stands in the park and there is also a towering flagpole to the west of the monument. The park is also the location of Kilometer Zero for road distances on Luzon and the rest of the country.

Rizal Park is also home to many points and places of interest that the traveler will surely like:
? Chinese and Japanese Gardens
? Department of Tourism Building
? National Museum of the Philippines
? The National Library of the Philippines
? Planetarium
? Orchidarium
? Butterfly Pavilion
? Relief Map of the Philippines
? Fountain area
? Children's lagoon
? Chess Plaza
? Quirino Grandstand
The city is highly urban and a fast-developing city, but still the city of Manila has a number of open public places. The list of open public places and parks include:
? Rajah Sulayman Park
? Mehan Garden
? Paco Park
? Remedios Circle
? Manila Zoological and Botanical Garden
? Malakanyang Garden
And just recently, Manila Ocean Park opened in the city. The city of Manila is also home to the seat of power- the Malaca?ang Palace. This is the official residence of the chief executive of the country. Travelers and tourists will not be lost and feel tired in the city since Manila also offers a wide range of hotel accommodations, from deluxe hotels to the high-end five star hotels. A number of these accommodations are situated in Roxas Boulevard, near world-renowned Manila Bay. Other well-known hotels in the city are located in the districts of Malate and Manila. One popular hotel in the city of Manila is the Manila Hotel.

Source: http://www.owntravel.com/city-guides/4295-vibrant-and-cosmopolitan-city-of-manila.html

Makati City Overview

Makati is a city within the capital city of Manila in the Philippines. It is the central business district of Manila and home to various international corporations, there are lots of upscale hotels in the area too. The streets are better policed than other areas of the Philippines, and cleaner. Taxis rarely try to over charge customers because there are traffic police that make regular inspections and charge heavy fines to offending drivers.

Makati has a high skyline, there are countless skyscrapers which are home to businesses, condominiums, and hotels. The Fort area in the East of Makati is the latest area to show massive development. There are many new high rise building being built, a lot of these are to house the growing number of people living in the area due to the ever expanding companies. The global downturn in the economy doesn't seem to of put developers off which is proof that Makati is the the business hot bed of the Philippine.

Compared to the rest of the country, Makati is expensive to live in. There is even a marked difference in prices compared to other areas of Manila. However the extreme traffic in the daytime makes living in other areas too time consuming for most people. Trying to travel on EDSA, a main road through Manila is often a very frustrating experience even outside traditional rush hour times. For expats Makati is often their only option, but the excellent range of accommodations makes for a comfortable living experience.

Makati is also home to many excellent restaurants and bars. The Greenbelt complex is home to restaurants sell quality world cuisine at affordable prices. It is also home to many top brand stores and has other great facilities like a beautiful garden area and cinemas. Living next to Greenbelt in Makati is a prime location as it is in the middle of the central business district and close to the great amenities.

condo Makati

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Mat_Mayer

Budget Travel Guide - How to Feel at Home With Manila and Its Hotels

The Philippines is generally one of the most hospitable and friendly countries in Asia. With Metro Manila as the country's prime metropolitan area that includes the city of Manila (the national capital of the country) and as an urban melting pot of different traditions and people, one cannot help but wonder if one is capable of feeling at home in this city given the differences of culture and character most especially for tourists or visitors. However, if people are given a chance to stay in a place where it seems strangely similar to their taste or their native land, then they will definitely feel at home.

To begin your journey to a new place, the first thing to consider would be finding a hotel to stay in Metro Manila depending on the nature of your trip. Whether for business or leisure, there are surely a lot of good lodging options that will suit your requirements, financial aspects and environment included. Below is a run-down of 3 major cities or places in Metro Manila with an overview of what kind of hotels and lodges to expect.

Manila

With Manila Bay as a common view for most hotels in this area, it is a come-on for most tourists who are fond of seascape sights. But if you're into the old España, then the Intramuros area would be a perfect place for anyone who enjoys old Spanish architecture and ambience. It is considered as one of the most famous tourist spots in the area and so it influences most of the design and style of the hotels and lodges there. To feel at home in this part of the country, one should always remember that this is a place where history is treasured a lot. Surrounding the area are museums, parks, and schools that dates back to as early as 1600s which only proves that this city definitely gives homage to the country's rich Spanish background.

Another one of the most remembered sights in Manila would be its famous bay sunset, so never leave home without taking a glimpse of it; it will definitely complete your journey to this country's famous capital.

Makati

If you miss the urban lifestyle of the city, then Makati is a perfect place to visit. With the high-rise office buildings, it seems a city-dweller like you have never left home. High-rise buildings here spell out high lifestyle and so are the hotels in the area that range from 3-stars to 5-stars. Modern structures are not unusual in this part of the metro. It is bold and even futuristic, obviously displaying its fondness for progress. However, whichever hotel you choose, you can never feel left out in such a place most especially if you're looking at the Makati skyline from your hotel terrace, a common view if you want to experience how the future is going in this leading business district of Metro Manila.

Ortigas


Not to be intimidated by Makati, Ortigas as another financial district in Metro Manila has its own personality. Most dwellings found here are a fusion of hotels and condominiums, giving one the option to feel like a tourist or a resident. Malls surround your favorite hotels here; it can only mean that shopping is a way of life in this city. Spending your travel money on shopping items has never been this much fun since malls and department stores are practically located not far from each other. Thus, making shops more accessible if you're hit with a shopping bug. Ortigas is also a place where night life is part of the young urban class' life. Bars and restaurants are a common place in this location and it only means that people here knows how to appreciate good food and entertainment.

Final Word

The metropolitan Manila may be a strange place for most tourists, maybe because it is where you will find a strange mix of the old and the new. If you were the kind of person who is uneasy with the past while working your way to the future, then this travel destination would be a place hard to interpret. You may blame its sentimental attachment to its history but it's basically a place where you can switch on and off from past to present and even the future. Ah, whichever you feel most at home with.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelvin_Kong

Your Resource Guide to Finding Luxury Hotels

You can use a guide to luxury hotels, when seeking just the right place to stay on holiday.

Because they all have their own themes, as well as their own fantastic accommodations, you will be able to choose based on your priorities for your upcoming vacation. Depending on what you want may dictate where you are going.

Spacious suites with balconies and breathtaking views are available, if that is what you desire. Other than that, you will usually have a fitness center, Jacuzzi spas, movie rentals, and indoor and outdoor pools. But if you craze something more, something very different, you can find that, too.

A villa is always very nice. Do you like golf, or going on safari? Some hotels have wedding chapels, as well. You might want to stay at a golf resort in Sun City, South Africa. Or maybe you would like to be surrounded by antiques and contemporary art in Mykonos, Greece. You can enjoy wonderful shopping during your stay in Shanghai. Or maybe you are leaning more towards a boutique hotel that offers a bit of adventure in Sydney, Australia. Or you can shop in Paris at a spa hotel. Of course, there is nothing like the exciting lights of the casinos in Las Vegas. The casino hotels of Sin city certainly know how to spoil you. And do not forget New York City for the lights on Broadway. Enjoy some of the very best theatre in the world.

If you need a conference hotel for business, you will find it in Athens, Greece, where there are views of the mountains, as well as the countryside, with spa facilities and swimming pools. Or you may prefer Guangzhou, China, where you can play tennis after your conference, and there is a health club, as well. Or perhaps you also need banquet facilities and would like a conference hotel in Washington, D. C.

If you are getting away with the children, there are children's programs at a Boston landmark hotel, surrounded by boutiques, restaurants, and art galleries. Or Newport Beach offers the beach resort atmosphere in a 100% smoke free environment. Or maybe they would like to climb the red rock mountains that are believed to be vortexes in Sedona, Arizona, while you enjoy discovering your spiritual self.

So if you like comfort, pampering, shopping, or golfing, whatever your desire, there are so many luxury hotels to choose from. Maybe you will try a new one every year.

Next, now that you have gained some knowledge about choosing Luxury Hotels don't you think it's time to join a travel club that will enable you to stay in these magnificent properties at deep discounts? Or maybe you want to take your family on an All Inclusive Vacation. No worries the primo club covers that too!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bruce_A._Hoover
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