LiNGER - Enriching Life Through Travel

The Philippines

Paradisiacal beaches, incredible coral reefs and the welcoming spirit of Bayanihan - LiNGER longer in the Philippines







LiNGER - Enriching Life Through Travel    El Nido, Philippines


    Sabbaticals & Experiential Holidays in the Philippines

    The Philippines combines the familiar and the fantastical against a backdrop of some of the most spectacular scenery on earth. Verdant mountains traversed by rice terraces stretch across the North, punctuated by smoking, active volcanoes whose craters cradle milky blue lakes. Rounded, symmetrical grassy mounts undulate satisfyingly across the countryside, as though painted by a young child. Along the coast, towering, jagged limestone karsts jut into the sky, draped in greenery, hiding clear turquoise lagoons and white sand beaches in their midst.

    The spectacle is amplified underwater, with colours, corals and creatures which defy the bounds of imagination just below the surface. Marine life abounds: Neon-lipped giant clams flinch in the current, vivid nudibranchs slide along anemones, rays and turtles glide around huge ferns. Diving here is world class, as is snorkelling, with thriving reefs awaiting a step beyond the shore.

    Local life feels uniquely accessible: years of Spanish dominance resulted in a Catholic culture with vibrant street parades. Subsequent arrivals of Americans led to English being widely spoken forming a bridge across the myriad of local languages. At the heart of Filipino culture is a warm and hospitable spirit known as “Bayanihan”, making the Philippines renowned for its friendliness and open arms to visitors.


    Best Off the Beaten Path experiences in the Philippines

    • Discover a completely hidden beach to claim as your ultimate secluded paradise. Hop between unvisited, pink-shelled shores and frond-shaded white sands on a boat trip from Bohol, marvelling at the towering shards of karsts along the way
    • Experience the magical luminous display of thousands of fireflies. Take a kayak at night to watch the glittering insects dancing among the stillness of the mangroves of the Abatan River on Bohol island
    • Hike the rippling valleys of the Unesco-listed Ifuago rice terraces. Enjoy the hospitality of a village family who invites you into their home to sample a freshly prepared, tasty local speciality, or join farmers to have a try at planting or harvesting
    • Experience indigenous culture, unchanged for centuries, with the Tagbanwa people on Coron Island. A local guide will show you the traditional way of life of this community, farming and hunting with blowguns
    • Trek the rugged landscapes of Samar Island to discover enchanting waterfalls and secret lagoons tucked away in the heart of the jungle
    • Experience local life by trying your hand at weaving on a manual, wooden loom in Argao, Cebu, the same way ladies have done here for generations. Hop across to Jessie’s house to watch her bake local ‘torta’ cakes in an oven fired by coconut husks.
    •  Whalesharks are found in Donsol, Luzon. Dive with these gentle giants here, avoiding other spots where the practise is commercialised and exploitative
    • Dive among shimmering spirals of shoals of sardines in Moalboal



      Wildlife in the Philippines

      The tiny tarsier, a pocket-sized ‘Gizmo’-like creature with endearingly large eyes, is endemic to The Philippines. Spot this delightful yet rare and threatened species at the Tarsier Sanctuary in Corella.  

      The absolute highlights of Filipino wildlife lie beneath its crystalline waters. Its coral reefs harbour an astonishing array of species. Pods of dolphins, including the acrobatic spinner dolphin, glide through the archipelago’s aquatic realms. Gentle giants of the ocean, including whale sharks and migratory humpback whales, also grace the depths.






          When to go to the Philippines

          Temperatures most of the year are between 25-30 °C. October to April is the dry season, with the coolest periods (22-28°C) between December and February. May to August are humid, and September often sees a lot of rain.


          How to get to the Philippines

          A direct flight from London Heathrow to the capital Manila takes about 13 hours. From the USA, there are direct flights from Los Angeles, San Fransisco and JFK.






              Who will love the Philippines?

              The Philippines’ unrivalled blend of natural beauty, warm hospitality, and cultural richness makes it a destination that appeals to a diverse spectrum of travellers, each finding their own slice of paradise in this tropical haven.

              • Honeymooners
              • Adventure seekers
              • Active Travellers
              • Solo Travellers
              • Nature Enthusiasts
              • Families with children ideally from 7 yrs (for hiking and swimming)

              Where to stay in the Philippines

              Exclusive private island resorts are plentiful, offering luxurious accommodation on pristine, white sand beaches. In some areas, such as the north of Luzon around the rice terraces, options are more basic but compensated for by the landscapes. A good number of charming, boutique inns in colonial houses dot the archipelago.





                How to plan a trip to the Philippines

                Our experienced team will guide you through a number of ideas based on how you would like to experience The Philippines.

                No matter how long you wish to travel, we’ll ensure your trip is carefully pieced together to suit your interests, pace of travel and budget.

                Contact us to start planning a holiday or sabbatical to The Philippines.








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                  Images courtesy of: Palawan-CrisTagupa-Unsplash; Kayangan-GiulianoGabella-Unsplash; ChocolateHills-RolandHechanova-Unsplash; ElNido-JarnoColijn-Unsplash; ChocolateHillsWalking-JamieMatocinos-Unsplash; Kayaks-JulesBassoleil-Unsplash; Beach-ChrisTagopu-Unsplash; Tarsier-pikist; Canoe-RolandsVarsbergs-Unsplash; turtle-GiachensWorld-Unsplash; RiceTerraces-pikist


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