Philippines Bucket List: Island thrills and Chocolate Hills!

This is the moment when dreams become reality. Bags packed, favourite playlist on repeat and off you go on your plane to the Philippines! Countless stars twinkle in the sky with the promise that this adventure is gonna be next level! Island vibes, white beaches, crystal-clear water – and it's all a flight away. You lean back, close your eyes and dream one last time about everything to come... because it's about to get real!

Bristling with excitement, your legs bounce up and down as you let your gaze wander over the clouds. Your plane starts to descend, and you discover the many green spots between the blue sea.
It's happening! Your adventure starts NOW! As soon as you step foot on Mactan Island, the excitement kicks in. Waterfalls, whale sharks, beach days? Oh yeah! Off to the city: 'Cebu, I'm ready!'
You quickly drop your bags at your accommodation and head out – there's plenty of time to laze around later! Your rumbling stomach leads you straight to Lantaw Floating Native Restaurant, where you taste the freshest seafood you've ever eaten and soak up the breathtaking view (that's totally free)!
Stuffed and happy, you then lie in your cosy hotel bed, looking forward to all the adventures that await you along your journey. Sweet dreams!

Good morning, Mactan! You've barely gotten out of bed, and you already know exactly what you want to do today. After fuelling up on a hearty breakfast, there's nothing keeping you at the hotel, and the beach is calling your name! With your towel over your shoulder, you stroll purposefully to the nearest shore. Mactan is surrounded by white, sandy coasts, and the only thing that outshines them is its turquoise waters, home to a beautiful undersea world of colourful corals and dazzling fish that you can explore from above. And if you want an even closer look, just grab some snorkelling gear (optional, payable on site), dive in and lose yourself beneath the waves as schools of small fish swim all around you and 'Under the Sea' rings in your ears. When you finish your underwater discovery tour, there's still enough time to explore Lapu-Lapu City's historic Old Town. So, how about a selfie with the monument to the national hero for whom the city was named name?

It's time for some island-hopping! You jet over to the pier in Cebu, hop on the ferry and cruise to your next stop: the natural paradise of Bohol. Let's go! Still mesmerised by hypnotising blues of the ocean, it happens: dolphins! They jump out of the water right next to the boat as if to welcome you to the island, and the vibes are on whole other level. Shortly thereafter, Bohol appears before you – a bright green island jewel in the middle of the blue. From the pier, it's off to your accommodation on Panglao, the small sister island, which is connected to Bohol by two bridges.
You check in and immediately get to exploring your beach paradise. Both Bohol and Panglao boast fantastic sandy shores. And where better to enjoy the sunset than right by the waves?!