Recent Releases: Pacific Holidays Offers Incredible Price To Asia From $1,535 With Air On Tropical 'Two Philippine Islands' Tour
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Pacific Holidays Offers Incredible Price To Asia From $1,535 With Air On Tropical 'Two Philippine Islands' Tour
NEW YORK, NY (May 28, 2009) - Recognizing the complexities of travel in the current economy, Asia specialist Pacific Holidays is now offering unprecedented value to the tropical islands of the Philippines with air-inclusive two- and three-island packages starting at $1,535 - the price one may have paid for airfare alone in the beginning of 2008. Asia's hidden gem, with its humble elegance and deep-rooted cultural history, is about to become a lot more accessible - providing Americans with a truly unique option for an island getaway they'll be talking about for years.
The six-night Two Philippine Islands tour features Manila, the country's cosmopolitan capital city (pictured left), as well as its oldest city, Cebu, where the Portuguese explorer Magellan first planted "Magellan's Cross" on behalf of Spain and the Catholic Church, introducing the indigenous locals to Christianity, which the overwhelming majority of Filipinos now follow devoutly.
Travelers with a bit more time can expand their vacation to include the paradisiacal island of Boracay, known equally for its pristine white sand beaches and its nightly party scene. The Three Philippine Islands program is available from an additional $260 per person.
Packages include roundtrip airfare from San Francisco or Los Angeles (New York's JFK available from an additional $65 per person), hotel accommodations, roundtrip airport transfers and breakfast daily with half-day tours in each city.
Upon arrival in Manila, guests will enjoy an introductory tour of the city which will include the sights of Rizal Park which overlooks Manila Bay and houses a monument to Dr. Jose Rizal. A great scholar, humanitarian and devout Catholic, Rizal became the country's national hero for his crucial role in exposing the hypocrisy and tyranny of Spanish rule, paving the way for his people's freedom.
Guests will also tour the historic walled city of Intramuros where travelers can experience the history and architecture of the preserved Spanish colonial city. An optional visit to the scenic Pagsanjan Falls (pictured right) or tour of the World War II ruins at Corregidor is available, or visitors can take advantage of the stylish local and designer clothing, jewelry and other items with an indulgent shopping spree.
In Cebu, the Philippines oldest city known throughout Asia as the "Queen City of the South," guests will visit the symbol of the city, Magellan's Cross, and tour Fort San Pedro, a Spanish-commissioned military defense structure which continued to play a pivotal role in the late 19th century during the Philippine Revolution.
The 16th century Basilica del Santo Niño (pictured left) lies in the heart of Cebu City at the exact site where a sculpture of the Black Baby Jesus, left behind after Magellan's first expedition, was recovered by Spanish conquistadors in a burnt wooden box which survived destruction by miracle, foretelling of the Filipino adoption of Catholicism on a massive scale soon to follow. After exiting the church, travelers can stroll through the public market for some unique shopping and dining experiences.
For those participating in the expanded nine-night Three Philippines Islands program, Boracay (pictured right) is one of the worlds most secret and exotic beach vacation paradises, now rising in prominence among international travelers due to its selection to the "hot" lists of media outfits such as Travel + Leisure, Yahoo!, AOL and AskMen.com. Guests will be pampered in beachside massage huts where, thanks to the favorable exchange rate, an hour-long massage cost the equivalent of US$8, encouraging travelers to indulge in several per day.
For adventure seekers, boating, kayaking, wind surfing, kite boarding, hiking, scuba diving and more are available, however, the island earns its true reputation once the sun goes down and the bars, lounges and nightspots that line the beach become filled with an atmosphere and vibe that is uniquely Boracay.
The Two Philippine Islands Tour starts at $1,535 per person, based on double occupancy now through March 31, 2010. Hotels include the Bayview Park Hotel in Manila and the Tambuli Beach Club West in Cebu. Travelers can upgrade to the deluxe Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Manila and Shangri-La Mactan Resort & Spa in Cebu from an additional $330 per person.
The Chi Spa at Shangri-La Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu is known for its holistic and tranquil treatments.
The Three Philippine Islands Tour starts at $1,795 per person, based on double occupancy now through March 31, 2010, with accommodations at the elegant Boracay Regency. The deluxe hotel upgrade package including Discovery Shores Boracay, as well as the Sofitel Philippine Plaza and Shangri-La Mactan Resort & Spa, starts at an additional $655 per person for the three island program.
A junior suite at Discovery Shores Boracay is stocked with casual elegance and modern gadgets and furnishings including an iPod docking station.
Pricing varies by departure date and is based on air transportation from LAX or SFO. Airfare is available at all major gateways throughout the U.S. and can be added to the package for an additional cost (including New York from an addition $65 per person). Single supplements start at $420.
For guests traveling over the weekend, a $50 surcharge applies in each direction. Air taxes and fuel surcharges are not included in the package price and will cost an additional $250-$450. Rates do not apply during Christmas, New Years, trade fairs, conventions and special events, and can be changed at any time.
For more information or to book, contact Pacific Holidays at 800-355-8025 or visit www.pacificholidaysinc.com.
Philippine Department of Tourism
The Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) is one of the Executive Departments of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines responsible for the promotion of travel to the Philippines, tourism investments, and enhancement and preservation of tourism products in the country. Field offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco provide the following services free of charge on a selective basis: dissemination of tourism information, maps, brochures and posters; lending out of videos, CDs and other tourism-related materials; recommendations on places to visit; endorsement of relevant entities; and assistance to those traveling to the Philippines. These offices also engage in a number of promotional activities: presentations to travel organizations, travel trade shows, media inserts and joint marketing arrangements.
The Philippine Department of Tourism is headquartered in Manila, Philippines, with offices in Chicago, New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. For more information, contact the Philippine Department of Tourism in Chicago at 312-782-2475 or visit www.experiencephilippines.ph.
Kahn Travel Communications (KTC) is the appointed publicist for the Philippine Department of Tourism, covering North America. Media may contact KTC at (516) 594-4100, or via e-mail at j.kahn@ktcpr.com.
Media Contact:
Josh Kahn/Kelly Graham
Tel: (516) 594-4100
J.Kahn@KTCpr.com or K.Graham@KTCpr.com |
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