Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Family Fun in the Philippines An Island-Hopping Adventure
Philippines - Bohol - Negros - Zaragosa
Begin in Bohol, home to the UNESCO-listed Chocolate Hills. We’ll arrange a day dedicated to exploring these natural wonders, complete with whizzing over them on a zipline and cooing at the adorable tarsiers that call them home.
Then, it’s onto Negros, where white and black sand beaches lead to translucent waters full of clownfish and sea turtles. Spend a day on Apo Island, reached by traditional banca canoe, and discover one of the world’s most incredible snorkelling sites.
Finally, off the coast of Cebu, Zaragosa’s white sands are bordered by coconut trees and glistening waters. Spend your final few days here soaking in both the beautiful views and each other’s company, whether you’d rather treat yourself to a massage at the spa or take on a heated sandcastle-building competition on the beach. Whatever floats your boat – literally…
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Passports packed and SPF at the ready: your family holiday to the Philippines begins today. Bundle the youngsters into the car, head to the airport and speed through security before boarding your overnight flight to Cebu. With a speedy layover, the journey will take around 18 hours, but don’t worry: we’ll provide the little ones with activity packs to keep them entertained, so you can simply sit back and enjoy the ride.
When you land in Cebu the next afternoon, you’ll be whisked away by private transfer to the port, where you’ll make the two-hour boat crossing to Tagbilaran on the island of Bohol. This will be your home for the next four nights, so check in, drop your bags and make a beeline for the beach, returning only to indulge in a sundowner (mocktails for the children, of course) as you soak up the sea views.
Bohol is famous for its UNESCO-listed Chocolate Hills: cone-shaped limestone hills that bloom lush and green in the rainy season and dry to a deep chocolate brown afterwards. As if these feats of nature weren’t enough, the coastline is dotted with blissful beaches, fishing villages and charming churches.
While you’re here, we’ll arrange for you to spend a day discovering the island. Set off to explore the Chocolate Hills, keeping your eyes peeled for ultra-cute tarsiers, teeny-tiny primates that call this region home. Between the hills, enjoy lunch as you cruise peacefully down the Loboc River, before taking any little adventurers to whizz over the spectacular landscape on a zipline.
We’ve left the rest of your time here free for you to enjoy at your own pace, whether you’d rather build sandcastles on the beach or splash about in the pool. Travelling with any amateur Attenboroughs? We can also arrange a family snorkelling trip to discover Balicasag Island’s marvellous marine life, or a visit to the breathtaking Kawasan Falls.
Bid Bohol a fond farewell this morning as you round up the family for the private transfer back to Tagbilaran port. From here, it’s another two-hour boat crossing to Dumaguete, nestled in the southeast of Negros Island.
When you arrive, it’s another private transfer (lucky you) to your hotel, where you’ll be staying for the next three nights. Once you’ve checked in and the youngsters have divvied up the sides of the bed, spend the rest of the day easing into your new surroundings, whether you’d rather work up a sweat playing tag on the sand or simply laze by the pool as the little ones practice their front crawl.
Another day, another island. You’re just a few steps from the beach here, so wake up and wander down to the water to explore the surrounding seabed or nab the perfect sunbathing spot.
On one of the days, we’ll arrange for you to spend the day at the volcanic Apo Island, which can be reached by banca (traditional canoe). Covered with dense vegetation and surrounded by crystal-clear sea, Apo offers some of the world’s most incredible snorkelling, with crocodile fish and Nemo-style clownfish darting through the vibrant reef (cue a chorus of oohs and aahs from the little ones). When you’ve had your fill of exploring the seabed, take a stroll around the peaceful island.
Back at your hotel, while away the hours taking a dip in the pool or lounging on your terrace, or, if you’re up for some more exploring, we can also plan a hike in Twin Lakes National Park, which boasts two crater lakes surrounded by lush forest.
It’s time for the final leg of your Filipino family adventure to begin. After one last breakfast in Negros, head back to the port for the speedy half-hour boat crossing back to Cebu. From here, it’s just a three-hour transfer and a short boat crossing to the idyllic Zaragosa Island. It might sound long, but don’t worry – there’ll be plenty of sights along the way for a pretty epic game of I-Spy…
When you arrive, check into your peaceful home away from home and spend the rest of the day unwinding after your long journey.
Your final two days are all about rest and relaxation – with a hefty helping of family fun, of course. This peaceful haven is yours to enjoy as you please, so after leisurely breakfasts, decide between rejuvenating spa trips followed by yoga and meditation classes or underwater days exploring the exceptional seabed.
You’re also just a hop, skip and a jump from Cebu, so if the children prefer thrill-seeking to taking it easy, simply climb aboard a boat and you’ll be exploring the jungle or swimming with whale sharks in no time.
Come evening, soak up the last rays of sunshine over an expertly mixed cocktail or juice before enjoying tasty dinners consisting of ultra-fresh seafood, fresh fruit and veggies and excited chatter about your family holiday highlights. It doesn’t come much better than this.
It’s sadly time for your family adventure to come to an end. After one last look out over the beach, you’ll be privately transferred by boat and car back to Cebu airport, a four-and-a-half-hour journey.
When you arrive, pick up some final souvenirs and relax in the lounge before boarding your overnight flight home. With another quick layover, the journey will take around 20 hours, and you’ll arrive back in the UK the following day, already dreaming of your next fun-filled family destination.
Suggestions
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
WITH A FEW MORE DAYS... STOP IN HONG KONG
Not quite ready to let the quality time come to an end? Swap secluded sand for bustling cities with a few days in Hong Kong, an exciting city that plays entirely by its own rules. It might have a (well-deserved) reputation as a financial hub, but this region is so much more than this: think out-of-this-world shopping, futuristic art galleries showcasing the work of the world’s best visual artists and traditional eateries offering tasty Chinese fare. And, if you’re in need of a taste of tranquillity while you’re here, a stroll through the city’s parks does the trick.
Why visit Philippines with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Philippines
- Our local Concierges
- The Original Travel app
- Wi-Fi router and e-Sim
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
- 100% carbon absorption
