Total Philippines

Your adventure begins in Manila! Check-in, relax, put your feet up and wind down before meeting up with your new TruFam. We grab some dinner before heading for a night in the town of Makati! This is one of Manila's liveliest districts so of course we'll show you some of the best bars. Although we can't promise we won't bring out some outrageous dad dancing, we can promise you'll have a sick time!

We're on the move today towards Palawan! We're starting the day by jumping aboard a short flight to Puerto Princesa before getting picked up in our very own private minivans. Look up the word "unspoilt" in the dictionary, and you'll see a picture of Port Barton as the definition. This idyllic, small fishing town is where we spend the next few days of the tour. We'll stop to have lunch with a local family, try out some delicious Filipino grub and chat about the workings of life in paradise. Check in to our beachfront hotel, oh yeah we're fancy. Watch the sun go down cocktail in hand, before venturing out to grab dinner - could it get better than this?

Get ready to sail the day away! Island Hopping in the Philippines is an experience like no other. If you think you've seen beauty, wait till you see Palawan's rainbow-coloured reefs, majestic turtles and the crystal clear colour of the waves. Great Barrier what? Head to golden sand beaches and reenact your best Baywatch scene whilst jogging out the water in slow motion. You've built up an appetite after a 'Shell of a good time' did you see what we did there? Because we saw turtles? No? Ok. We have lunch in a small fishing village. Have a few hours of free time to chill, whether you prefer attempting to form a human pyramid on the beach with your TruFam or top up those tan lines whilst sunbathing in ya speedo. The time is yours to spend however you like! Sailing in the Philippines is 10 outta 10! We'll then cruise back to Port Barton where we can freshen up and check out the best bars and restaurants in town!

It's the moment you've been dreaming of...we're going to El Nido, the star attraction of Palawan, the Hugh Grant of the Philippines if you will. If you're looking for good vibes, good times and good beer, El Nido is the place to be. Roam around the town and do some shopping before settling into our accommodation and grabbing dinner with your new besties. El Nido is known for the best sunsets in the world, so hold your TruFam, ice-cold beer in each hand and savour this moment forever. It really is bloody magical.

Day 5 and what a day it's going to be! We're jumping on our famous traditional Banca boats and heading out to island hop to some of the best locations the island has to offer. Think crystal clear blue lagoons, kayaking with your new BFFs in what can only be described as paradise. It's been scientifically PROVEN that jumping in the sea can cure pretty much any hangover. I mean maybe not scientifically but it's defo a long-living Tru theory we stand by. Grab your snorkel and dive under to see the magic of the Philippine Sea or re-energise sunbathing on the golden sands. We stop for a local-style lunch before heading back to the hotel around sunset. There's some time to chill out before we meet up for dinner with the TruFam.

Time to explore El Nido by land! We start our day with a Mission Impossible-style zipline experience. We'll zoom from beach to beach taking in these incredible views sure to get your blood pumping. After an adrenaline-filled morning, we head to Nacpan Beach, one of the Philippines' most famously pristine beaches lined with palm trees so lush you might question reality. Beach time and an epic sunset will surely ensue.

Ready for a Tru-ly unique experience? After a jam-packed day, we head to Daracotan Island, a TruExclusive, as you begin your castaway Isla Experience! We don't want to give too much away but trust us when we say it'll be way more fun than being your own dentist with an ice skate like poor Tom Hanks in Castaway (we encourage frequent cries of WILSON during your stay). It's time to explore some shipwrecks before taking a guided tour of Daracotan Island, home to 88 full-time residents (including a pig or two). Hear fascinating tales of their heritage, meet a local family and learn how tourism positively impacts their lives today. In the evening we take part in a traditional local cooking demonstration where you'll learn how to eat Filipino style! We dine together, devouring the local delicacies we prepared shortly before and make a mental note to add "world-renowned chef" to the CV when we get back home. Now it's time to wind down around the bonfire with a few beers!

Have a relaxed morning taking in our last few hours on the magical island we called home for the past few days. Grab a snorkel or just simply lay out on the beach and top up ya tan before we leave to catch the ferry to Coron. After living our ultimate beach babe life, we head to Coron. Spend the afternoon relaxing or checking out the local shops. TIP - Grab a smoothie they're delicious. Recharge those batteries before a night on the town. Unpack that shit shirt, your favourite floral dress or those linen trousers you've been dying to wear as we're heading OUT OUT.

After a wild night on the town, we're up and out to sail around Coron. We've pulled out all the stops for you guys. Don't worry, the days just keep getting better and better. We land on some of the most beautiful beaches in the world whilst sailing through turquoise lagoons. After an afternoon of fun, bury the most hungover TruTraveller 7ft deep in the sand, snap those Insta beach shots or do competitive handstands on the ocean bed floor we sail back to Coron to freshen up for dinner.

TO THE WESTTTTTT TO THE EASSSTTTTT

*Sang to the tune of from to the window to the wall* NEXT STOP CEBU. We catch a short flight over before time to relax in the hotel, unwind from a crazy few days and use some good wifi to post your photos from the past few days. Enough to make any group chat jealous. In the evening we head out to grab some drinks!

We pack up and head to the seaside town of Moalboal! Hope you've brought your appetite as we will be having lunch with the locals - lechon style! (for those of you brave enough to try the local delicacy.) Bellies full, energy buzzing and spirits high we'll make our way to the stunning Simala Church! Think Disney Castle on steroids. It's astonishingly beautiful and one thing you HAVE to see in person. The Simala Church has a long-standing myth that miracles happen here, so if you're looking for the next big Facebook to invest in or you just really want your crush to text you back, then here's the place to be. As we said, miracles can happen here. After a walking tour and a short history lesson, we continue to Moalboal where we have some free time to enjoy the afternoon! Grab a coffee, spend far too much money on keyrings and fridge magnets or treat yourself to a massage. You're on holiday after all.

We're up early to explore the waters around Moalboal. We're heading to some of the best snorkelling spots the Philippines has to offer. Suncream up, no one likes a snorkel mask tan line. You get the chance to see a rainbow of coloured coral reefs and marine life swimming around you. Pack the GoPro kids because it's a good’n. TURTLES! If you've ever dreamt of swimming alongside turtles in their natural habitat, then get that pencil ready - WE'RE TICKING IT OFF YOUR BUCKET LIST BABY. There's something magical about swimming with our hard-shelled, old AF, unproblematic green friends that can really bring a happy tear to anyone's eye. Jump back in the sea again later that day, and you are in for a treat! We're taking you to a drop-off where this phenomenon only happens in 2 locations in the world. SARDINE RUN. Hundreds of thousands of sardines swimming simultaneously in a giant school. You wouldn't believe it until you've seen it. Jump in and experience this spectacle first-hand, live the dream and film your best David Attenborough narration along to this phenomenon. In the evening we head to explore the nightlife and boogie the night away!

Wake up we're going canyoneering! Don't know what canyoneering is? WELL LET ME TELL YOU! Imagine picture-perfect, aqua blue waterfalls then throw in some adrenaline junkie, high action jumping off everything and anything vibes. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity really. If parkour 24/7 isn't your thing or you're too hungover from last night's antics, then you can float the headache away by bobbing along down the river before reaching the falls to bask in the sun. Whatever your thing, it's a SICK day! We finish the day with a lazy evening to recharge those batteries before we head to our next destination!

Today we head to Cebu airport before catching a short flight to Caticlan and then a 15-minute boat road to the idyllic island of Boracay! Buckle up, it is a beauty. Known for its incredible nightlife and white sandy beaches, we can’t promise you won’t fall in love with the island and the 10/10 vibes there. If you ever had the urge to pack up and move across the world, well. Boracay may just convince you too. We check into the hotel for our last 3 nights so unpack your last pair of clean socks, that shirt that's now far too creased that you've been saving to wear and settle in. We arrive late afternoon, so let’s explore! Sunsets in Boracay are next level. We’re talking about an ombre of golden oranges blending into lilacs and deep purples. Yep, I-N-S-A-N-E. So we’ll watch the sun go down over a few beers on the beach or join a sunset cruise for cocktails. Afterwards, we see where the night takes us. Psssttt.. It’ll be one of Boracay’s best cocktail bars!

Today’s a lazy morning, wake up when you like and grab a fruit smoothie nearby. The morning and early afternoon are free to explore, so head to the beach and catch some rays or perhaps hit the shops and grab some souvenirs for back home. Or a postcard (We did say you might want to move here and never return!) Late afternoon we’re going Paraw sailing as the sun goes down! Never heard of it? Paraw sailing is a local sailboat activity in Boracay which uses two outriggers and two sails and calmly and gently sails you to the very best viewpoints and spots around the island. Thought last night’s sunset was good? Wait till you see this one TruFam! As the sparkling stars replace the sunset, we’ll head out for dinner together and grab a few beers.

Did someone say BOAT PARTY?! Today we'll set sail, dance the day away and take it all in. We're pretty much all professional beach babes at this point so grab your favourite snorkel & mask and jump straight in those tropical waters or even better, grab yourself a floatie, kayak or paddle board and chillax while reflecting on the 10/10 trip so far. Dance on the table, order 2 desserts or simply have 1 too many shots before proceeding to tell every single one of your TruFam how much you love them. Hey, we love ya too!

We're flying to Cebu today for the third leg of this tour! We're heading even further east and we've saved the best until last. I know I bet you're thinking but HOW can it get anyyy better? The adventure is about to be taken up a notch, think culture, more island hopping surfing and exploring our favourite spots...Bohol & Siargao!

Today's an early start with a travel morning over to Bohol - our first hidden gem of the trip. You might not have heard of this amazing place, but you'll never forget the first time you visit this unique spot. We'll jump on a ferry and arrive at the hotel early afternoon. Our base in Bohol is only 2 minutes from the beach so you'll have sand between your toes in no time! It's also got a lovely pool for playing mermaid in and having an obligatory mini swimming gala!

Today it's go go go as we explore the local area of Bohol. We'll go on a tour all around this island. Someone call Willy Wonka cause first up is The Chocolate Hills! The area looks like something out of a fairytale, each hill looks like a little truffle what's even cooler is that this landscape is still quite a big mystery for the locals of the island! Now we've ticked off nature it's only right we saw some wildlife too. Ever heard of a Tarsier? These endangered primates are super cute and we'll be learning all about how the locals are making sure the numbers of these cute creatures continue to rise! To finish off this epic day we'll go on a river cruise before heading over to plant some trees and contribute to a local community project that is working to protect Bohol’s unique biodiversity.

TruFam are you ready for a full-on beach day? We'll arrive towels in hand ready to conquer the waves (by that we mean jumping in them of course.) Then it's time to get competitive. Get ready for a full day of volleyball matches and frisbee throwing, all with a beer or piña colada in hand of course. Then we'll enjoy another epic Filipino sunset on the beach on our final night in Bohol. Tomorrow we are headed to our favourite place in the whole of the Philippines.

We've saved the best until last! It's time for Siargao! This tear-drop island is just the ultimate destination in South East Asia! It's the surf capital of the Philippines and we cannot wait to arrive in paradise. We'll take a ferry and a flight over to Siargao but this journey is so worth it - trust us! When we arrive we will have time to unpack, explore the local area and get our first taste of Siargao's magic.

Today is all about channelling our inner surf dude! Chakras in the air people! It would be super rude to come all the way to the surf capital and not throw ourselves into riding the legendary waves. Luckily for us, we have some very patient instructors ready to get us started on the boards and show us how to conquer the sea. Now we can't guarantee you'll be standing up for more than 5 seconds but we can promise you an amazing time learning a completely new skill surrounded by the most supportive group. After learning how to surf - or attempting to anyway - it's only right we reward ourselves with a few hours of beach time. Read a book, play some more volleyball, go for a swim the afternoon is yours to spend as you like!

It's our final full day on tour - we're not crying you are! But in Tru-Style we are going out with a bang! Get ready for a day of island hopping, snorkelling, soaking in the rays and searching for the coolest marine life. If you are anything like us you'll be searching for Nemos, Dorys and Gills (not Bruce though IYKYK.) It's the ultimate way to spend our last day in paradise - is there any better feeling than the sea-breeze in your hair? Of course not! Once we have explored the local islands and soaking in more sun we will head back to base to get ready for our final night out! It might be emotional but remember...don't be sad that it's over, be happy that it happened!

It's our final full day on tour - we're not crying you are! But in Tru-Style we are going out with a bang! Get ready for a day of island hopping, snorkelling, soaking in the rays and searching for the coolest marine life. If you are anything like us you'll be searching for Nemos, Dorys and Gills (not Bruce though IYKYK.) It's the ultimate way to spend our last day in paradise - is there any better feeling than the sea-breeze in your hair? Of course not! Once we have explored the local islands and soaking in more sun we will head back to base to get ready for our final night out! It might be emotional but remember...don't be sad that it's over, be happy that it happened!