Surfing The Channel

If you’ve come to Manila, Philippines, then it’s likely you have an interest in history, and one of the best ways to find out the stories of this 439 year old city, founded in June of 1571 by three Spanish conquistadors, is to get out of the hotel suites and take a walking tour of sites that have existed for centuries.

On the Old Manila Walks tour , you’ll discover the actual story behind the fusion of so many countries — of Malasia, China, Spain, America, and Japan. Starting out with the original walled city of Manila, the Intramuros walk takes you to the origins of Manila four centuries ago, beginning at the Plaza Roma. You’ll make your way to the Manila Cathedral, then the San Agustin Church and Museum Complex, followed by the Barrio San Luis, and the Intramuros Wall. As part of the tour, there’s an optional fine-dining lunch or dinner in a pre-war home close to Malacanang Palace. The Legarda mansion serves classic Filipino menus here, in a 1930s style setting. The walk lasts approximately three hours.

If the walking tour hasn’t tired you too much the first day, and if you can rouse yourself from the comfortable rooms at the Manila hotels , then you might work your way through Chinatown in Binondo. Here, you’ll start at a 16th century Baroque cathedral, and work your way to a Chinese shrine. You’ll start at Plaza Calderon dela Barca, and continue on to the Basilica de San Lorenzo Ruiz, finally ending at Ongpin Street and the Carvajal Alley Market, simultaneously experiencing the culture, history, and cuisine of Manila.

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