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The capital of the Philippines, Manila is a fantastic spot for a holiday if you want to experience a new culture, rich history and modern bustling life, along with a wonderfully-warm climate. The Asian city is comprised of 16 separate settlements, so you'll never be bored if you plan a getaway here. Located at the confluence of Manila Bay and the Pasig River, the city is a renowned cultural hotspot with a long, rich history. Here, you can explore both past and present as you visit the different locations that make up Manila as a whole. Whether you want to learn more about the area's history, soak up some culture or make the most of the excellent shopping opportunities, Manila delivers on all counts. Once you've touched down from your cheap flights to the city and got settled in your chosen accommodation, one of the first things you'll be itching to do is some sightseeing. Manila is home to a wealth of attractions, from aquariums to antique ruins, so everyone will find something of interest. Rizal Park is among the city's top draws, with the green space spanning 60 hectares of grassland and woodland. You'll find restaurants and a planetarium here, as well as Chinese and Japanese gardens, an orchidarium and various monuments that are dotted all over the park. Head to Plaza San Luis next and you'll be able to admire the Filipino-Hispanic architecture, as well as pay a visit to the museum. Housed in the Casa Manila, the museum displays pieces of furniture that date back to the 19th century and would have typically been found in privileged homes in the area. San Sebastian Church is another sight worth seeing, as the religious structure is particularly unusual in that it is made from steel. Designed by Gustav Eiffel, of the Parisian tower fame, the church was made to withstand both fire and earthquakes with its steel structure, although it also features pretty gothic spires and stained glass windows. Next, make your way to Intramuros - the old walled Spanish section of the city and its ancient heart. Here you can take in some lovely old buildings, such as Manila Cathedral and San Agustin, which is Manila's oldest church. You might also want to stop at the open-air Memore Manila to take a look at images of the city before and after the Battle for Manila, and wander around the old ruins. Another cultural spot worth visiting is the Chinese quarter, Binondo. One of the world's largest Chinatowns, Binondo is home to a variety of shops and eateries along the main thoroughfare - Ongpin Street - and is also where you'll find the pretty Binondo Church, which was constructed in 1596. A must-visit attraction during a break in Manila is the ostentatious Coconut Palace, which was commissioned in 1981 by the then First Lady Imelda Marcos for Pope John Paul II's visit. The pope refused to stay, however, criticising the palace for being too lavish in light of the Philippines' wider poverty If you've brought children along on cheap flights to Manila, you can treat them to a visit to the local aquarium, Manila Ocean Park. Here you can wander through a 25m-acrylic tunnel and watch hundreds of species of aquatic creatures swimming overhead. You can also take in a marine show starring the resident sea lions. Meanwhile, if you're after a night out, there's nowhere better to experience thriving nightlife than the settlement of Makati, with its vast number of bars and music venues. As well as exploring the history and culture Manila is so well known for, you should make some time to visit the shops - and there are a great many to choose from! Whether you enjoy poking round funky stores full of retro goods or have a taste for the designer malls, you'll be able to satisfy your retail therapy requirements here. Manila is a fashionista's paradise and one of the best places to visit to indulge your passion for shopping is the Glorietta Mall, which houses hundreds of stores. Many of these outlets offer designer goods for a fraction of the price they cost in the western world. If you head northwards towards the river, you'll reach a string of chic shops where you can browse for upmarket goods before visiting an adjacent restaurant or theatre. Continue eastwards and you'll come across the Marikina Shoe Expo, which has long sold footwear but now also stocks books, old-fashioned decorative pieces and kitsch goods, alongside shoes and boots. Of course, there are plenty more malls and department stores to be discovered firsthand when you visit Manila. RESOURCE BOX Netflights specialises in low-priced flights to destinations all over the world, including Manila. For the lowest-priced cheap flights to Manila check out Netflights' range of cheap flights.
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