Intramuros
Built in 1571, Intramuros served as settlement of the Spaniards during their occupation of the country. It covers an area of about 160 acres. It had well-planned streets, churches, museum, plazas and the Governor’s Palace. Be sure to see these places when you visit Intramuros: The Manila Cathedral, St. Augustine Church, San Agustin Museum and Fort Santiago.
Rizal Park
Rizal Park or Luneta as it is popularly known is a very good place for relaxation, fun and picnic. This park is dedicated to Jose Rizal, the Philippines national hero, a doctor, poet who was executed at this site on December 30, 1896 on charges of inciting rebellion. The centerpiece of the park is the 1913 bronze Rizal’s monument where honor guards are on duty everyday. It also has a grand stadium, gardens, plazas, an open-air concert hall, an observatory, playgrounds, an artists’ sanctuary, food kiosks, restaurants and a light-and-sound theatre.
Baywalk
Baywalk is a walking distance from the Rizal Park. Here visitors are treated to different groups of retail establishment and restaurants offering wonderful foods and drinks. Add to that are the presence of chic cafes, open-air bars and food kiosks. A very nice place to have a leisurely walk where a variety of live music performances, festivals and other special events are hosted each day.
Mount Pinatubo
This majestic volcano that erupted in 1991 wreaked havoc in the lives of hundred of thousands of Filipinos. But that was then, today, Mt. Pinatubo is a great place to visit. Here, visitors can take guided hikes on some parts of its slope. It involved either days of hiking or hours of 4×4 travel followed by a 2 hour hard hike. You can also take a refreshing dip in Pinatubo’s 2.5 kilometer crater lake. Also avail are relaxing spa adventures offered by some town establishments around Mount Pinatubo.
