Philippines Trip Series: Our Itinerary and Destinations with Toddler - Part 3
Our Philippines Adventure Begins
After months of planning and anticipation, it was finally time to put our travel plans into motion. In Part 1 of this series, I shared how we got our son's passport and prepared for our first international journey. Then, in part 2, I shared how I
prepared and conditioned my son on meeting the family. Now that we were ready, it was time to figure out where to go, what to see, and how to make sure the whole trip was fun and manageable for everyone.
Here’s how we planned our itinerary and chose the destinations for our Philippines trip:
Choosing Our Destinations
One of the most exciting parts of the planning process was deciding where to go in the Philippines.
There are so many beautiful places to visit, but we knew we had to consider a few key factors when choosing our destinations with a toddler in tow.
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Accessibility: We wanted to make sure the places we visited were easily accessible and had family-friendly accommodations. With a toddler, long travel times or rough terrain could quickly become overwhelming, so we looked for destinations that offered ease of transportation and comfort.
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Family-Friendly Activities: We knew that Lincoln would need activities to keep him entertained and engaged during our trip. Whether it was exploring nature, visiting parks, or experiencing the culture, we wanted places that would offer something fun for him.
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Relaxation: While we were excited to explore, we also needed to make sure there was plenty of downtime to relax. It was important to balance sightseeing with rest to avoid burnout, especially for Lincoln.
After considering all these factors, we decided on Palawan, Manila, and Tagaytay as our primary destinations.
Palawan is often described as one of the most beautiful places in the world, and it certainly lived up to the hype. Here’s why we chose it for our family trip:
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Stunning Beaches: With crystal-clear waters and powdery white sand, Palawan’s beaches are perfect for a relaxing day with the family. Lincoln loved playing in the sand, and we enjoyed some peaceful moments by the ocean.
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Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park: This UNESCO World Heritage site was a must-visit for us. The underground river tour was a fun and unique experience, and it was a great way to connect with nature. Lincoln had a blast riding the boat through the cave, and we all marveled at the beauty of the river.
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Island Hopping: We also took a family-friendly island-hopping tour around Palawan. The calm, shallow waters were perfect for Lincoln to splash around in, and we visited pristine islands and lagoons that felt like paradise.
After our adventure in Palawan, we headed to Manila, the bustling capital of the Philippines. While it’s a busy city, we found that it had a lot to offer for families, including:
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Manila Ocean Park: Lincoln had been talking about seeing fish, so we couldn’t miss a trip to the Manila Ocean Park. The underwater tunnel was a huge hit, and Lincoln was fascinated by the sea life swimming all around us. It was a great place for both fun and learning.
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Mall of Asia: We also visited the Mall of Asia, one of the largest malls in the Philippines. Not only did we get to do some shopping, but it also had a fun amusement park area for kids. Lincoln enjoyed the rides, and we spent time exploring the mall’s attractions, including the ice skating rink. It was a great way to spend a day indoors while still having fun!
From Manila, we made a short trip to Tagaytay, known for its cool weather and breathtaking views of Taal Volcano, the smallest active volcano in the world. We couldn’t resist visiting Sky Ranch, a family-friendly amusement park that offers stunning views of the volcano.
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Sky Ranch: This was a highlight of our trip for Lincoln. He absolutely loved the rides, especially the Sky Eye Ferris wheel, which gave us panoramic views of the volcano and the surrounding lake. It was a fun and relaxing stop after the hustle and bustle of Manila, and Lincoln enjoyed every moment.
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Taal Volcano: Although we didn’t hike to the volcano, the views from Sky Ranch were incredible. We talked to Lincoln about the volcano and its history, and he was fascinated by the idea of a “small volcano” surrounded by water. It was a unique experience that added a bit of adventure to our trip!
How We Created Our Itinerary
When we planned our itinerary, we kept a few important things in mind:
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Balanced Schedule: We didn’t want to over-schedule our days. While there was a lot to see, we made sure to leave some downtime between activities so that we could rest and adjust to the time difference.
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Flexibility: Having a toddler means you can’t plan everything down to the minute. Our itinerary was flexible, and we gave ourselves room for spontaneous moments, like taking a break in a local café or exploring a hidden gem we hadn’t planned on.
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Child-Friendly Accommodations: We made sure to choose hotels with family-friendly amenities. A kid-friendly pool, easy access to attractions, and comfortable rooms were key factors in choosing where to stay.
Tips for Planning a Family-Friendly Itinerary
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Research Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for destinations with plenty of activities for children.
Theme parks, zoos, aquariums, and nature tours are great options. -
Don’t Over-Schedule: Give yourself plenty of time to relax. Long days of sightseeing can be exhausting, so it’s important to leave room for rest.
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Stay Flexible: Be prepared for changes in plans. Whether it’s a rainy day or your toddler needs a nap, flexibility is key when traveling with a little one.
What’s Next: Packing and Preparing for the Trip
Now that we had our destinations and itinerary in place, the next step was packing! Stay tuned for Part 4 of this series, where I’ll share what we packed for our international trip with a toddler and how we prepared for the flight.
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