"A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are built for." – John Shedd

PRIVATE TOUR
Tour code: OPTILOCTY
Duration: 9 hours
Pick up: 8 AM

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Highlights: GarinFarm Pilgrimage Resort, Miagao Church, Molo Church, Molo Mansion, Megaworld’s Iloilo Business Park, Iloilo Convention Center, Festive Walk Iloilo, Brandy Museum by Emperador Inc., Museo Iloilo, Old Iloilo Provincial Jail, Casa Mariquit, Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral & Belfry, Original Biscocho Haus, Lunch at Netong's Original Special La Paz Batchoy

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Explore Iloilo, a province and city where the past and present meet. Visit Spanish colonial mansions, meditate in a UNESCO World Heritage Site church, hear never to be forgotten stories from bygone eras, check out the city’s vibrant CBD, and feast on widely celebrated, über-delicious local eats. Get ready to explore Iloilo, “The City of Love,” and its neighboring province with the same name. Buckle up! We begin with a leisurely drive to the countryside to San Joaquin. Our destination: GarinFarm Pilgrimage Resort – a sanctuary that integrates agriculture, leisure, and spirituality. Prepare to climb The Hill’s 456 steps, passing through nine Biblical scenes, and be rewarded with a glorious view of a giant cross surrounded by trumpeting angels. It’s heaven on Earth! Afterwards, we bounce to Miagao Church. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Miagao Church is a Baroque Church built in 1787 with massive stone blocks. With its striking façade featuring an elaborate bas-relief with mixes of medieval Spanish, Chinese, Muslim, and local elements in a distinctive yellow ochre color, Miagao Church is truly a sight to behold! We drive back to the city and navigate to La Paz Market for a taste of the OG (That’s Original Gangsta!) Ilonggo noodle soup – La Paz Batchoy. Netong's La Paz Batchoy originated in the district of La Paz in the late 1930s and is, in our humble opinion, the Philippines' answer to Japan’s Ramen. Go ahead and finish a bowl and don’t be shy to ask for a free refill! After lunch we make our way to one of the oldest houses in Iloilo – Casa Mariquit, which has been around for over 200 years. A well-maintained ancient abode made of bricks and wood (It may be old, but it’s powered by solar energy!), Casa Mariquit transports you back in time and gives a glimpse into the lifestyle of rich Ilonggo families of more than two centuries ago. Make sure to check out the photos of meetings with Emperor Hirohito, Chiang Kai-shek, Generalissimo Franco, Former US President Lyndon Johnson, Pope John Paul II, and many others proudly displayed inside the house. We also visit the Old Iloilo Provincial Jail, a 100-year-old penitentiary converted into a national museum. Another museum not to be missed is Museo Iloilo. Designed by Ilonggo architect Sergio Peñasales, Museo Iloilo houses an impressive collection of cultural heritage of Iloilo and Panay including Stone Age native pottery, fossils, jewelry, burial jars, Chinese pottery, Annam- and Siam-era photos, war relics, remnants of a sunken British trade ship, Spanish-era Filipino sculpture, and modern art made by Ilonggo artists and craftsmen. We visit more historical gems like Molo Church, Molo Mansion, and Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral & Belfry then we check out the city progressive quarter. We traverse Iloilo Business Park, Megaworld's acclaimed 72-hectare township and make a photo stop at Iloilo Convention Center then proceed to Festive Walk Iloilo. Ready for an immersive liquor experience? We check out the Philippines’ first ever brandy museum. Spanish brandy is one of those few drinks that many Filipinos can easily associate with some of their happiest, most special memories. Brandy Museum by Emperador Inc. honors the treasured history of producing Spanish brandy, a tradition that dates back to 711 AD. Step into the museum and be transported into a Spanish bodega with historical artifacts. Take part in a brandy tasting class. (Easy on the drinks, Stallion!) After the tour, you’ll have a newfound appreciation for one of the Philippines’ most beloved liquors. We do a rolling tour of Guimbal Vanishing Mansion, Iloilo River Esplanade, Iloilo Provincial Capitol then do pasalubong shopping at the Original Biscocho Haus. Classic Butterscotch – Add to Cart! After the tour, transfer back to your hotel.