Earlier this month, I had the incredible opportunity to travel through the Philippines as a guest of the Philippines Tourism Board — and what a whirlwind it was! From the moment I touched down in Manila to the final sunset over the islands, every moment was packed with discovery, insight, and connection.
Continually expanding my destination knowledge and supplier connections, this wasn’t a vacation — it was a full-on immersion into what makes the Philippines a truly exceptional destination for travelers.
4 Islands. 4 Flights. 4 Hotel Stays. Endless Inspiration.
Over nine days, we explored Boracay, Cebu, Coron (Palawan), and Manila. Along the way, I stayed in four different hotels — each one with its own style and charm — and toured a half-dozen more properties to get a feel for what’s available at every budget and interest level.
From Crimson Resort & Spa Boracay’s pristine beachfront, to the tranquil jungle surroundings of The Funny Lion in Coron, I got a true taste of the diversity and quality of accommodations in the Philippines.
But this trip wasn’t all sandals and sunsets. Here’s a snapshot of what we packed in:
- 4 hosted hotel stays + 6+ site inspections
- 4 domestic flights, experiencing the various airports in the major cities of Cebu and Manila to the smaller airports in Boracay and Coron.
- 2 island-hopping tours (Boracay & Coron)
- Countless hosted meals featuring regional cuisine including endless amounts of fresh seafood, locally grown and sourced vegetables, and copious amounts of rice! Fun fact: Did you know the average Filipino consumes up to 150 kg of rice per year!
- A full-day trade show in Manila with 14 local suppliers, including Destination Management companies, Tour Operators and hotel chain sales staff.
Island Hopping & Cultural Immersion
We dove right into island life with an island-hopping adventure in Boracay, where we snorkeled at Coral Garden, explored Crystal Cove, and relaxed on Puka Beach. In Coron, our tour took us to Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, Skeleton Wreck, and Siete Pecados Marine Park — each more stunning than the last, and some of them award winning for the “most beautiful places or most instagrammable places in the world”.
Between island excursions, we explored historic Cebu, including Magellan’s Cross, Casa Gorordo Museum, and Fort San Pedro, all adding layers of cultural context to this multifaceted country.
Making Connections That Benefit My Clients
One of the most valuable parts of this trip was the B2B (Business to Business) trade event in Manila, where I met one-on-one with 14 local hotels, tour operators, and service providers. These weren’t just casual chats — they were meaningful discussions about how to elevate guest experience, ensure seamless logistics, and deliver standout service.
Here are a few standouts:
- 🏨 Crimson Resort & Spa Boracay – Exceptional beachfront luxury perfect for honeymoons and upscale retreats
- 🛶 Island tour partners in Coron & Boracay – Reliable and safety-focused, offering curated adventures
- 🚐 Transfer providers and regional DMCs – Ready to deliver smooth, personalized in-country travel
- Banwa Private Island in Palawan where you can arrive by helicopter to enjoy one or all six villas located on 6.5-hectare private island. Complete with a 9-hole golf course, tennis, pickleball courts and full spa services. Each villa comes with your own private butler! Your stay includes full board (all meals & non-alcoholic beverages) as well as all on island activities, one included massage service as well as yoga and Pilates classes.
Thanks to these relationships, I now have trusted partners across the Philippines — people I know by name and can rely on when planning trips for my clients.
Why This Matters to You
Instagram shows the beauty — but what it doesn’t show is the work behind crafting seamless, magical trips. I’ve walked the beaches, inspected the rooms, and had dinner with the very teams who will care for you when you travel.
This means when you book your Philippines adventure with me, you get:
- First-hand expertise on what to do and where to stay
- Personalized recommendations based on real experience
- Access to top-tier, in-destination experts and exclusive partnerships
Let’s Plan Your Dream Trip to the Philippines
Whether you’re dreaming of an island-hopping honeymoon, a family adventure with cultural depth, or just an escape to somewhere truly special — I’ve got the insider knowledge to make it happen.
DM me or email kathylynne@fentontravel.ca to start planning your unforgettable Philippines journey.
