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We offer holidays to the four corners of the globe. If you want specialist advise please phone our travel team and we will be happy to help.
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- Destinations
- Asia
- Philippines
- Manila
- Vigan
Vigan
Established by the Spanish in the 16th century, Vigan is a
charming town, full of gorgeous architecture and redolent of the
Philippines' colonial history. Located about 250 miles (400km) from
Manila on the island of Luzon, Vigan is the best-preserved example
of a planned Spanish colonial town in the whole of Asia - a
distinction which has seen the town earn a place on UNESCO's list
of World Heritage Sites. Full of cobblestone streets and buildings
which fuse Spanish-Colonial architecture with Filipino and Oriental
designs, Vigan is a fascinating and highly photogenic place. There
is much to see and do in Vigan, including the hugely impressive
Baroque-style St Paul's Cathedral; and the opportunity to spend a
night in one of the grand colonial houses built by wealthy Chinese
traders in the city's 'Mestizo' district, some of which now double
as hotels. The best time to visit Vigan is in January, when the
annual Fiesta celebrations bring parties, variety shows, beauty
contests and a generally carnival-like atmosphere to the
streets.
Information & Facts
Language
The official language of the Philippines is Filipino, but
English is widely spoken. Tagalog is the most predominant of the
many dialects or local languages spoken throughout the
islands.
Money
The currency of the Philippines is the Peso (PHP), which is
divided into 100 centavos. Major credit cards are widely accepted
in the cities and tourist destinations. Banks do not always accept
travellers cheques, but a receipt of purchase is useful. ATMs are
available in the major cities. US dollars are widely accepted in
Manila and other tourist areas and are the easiest currency to
exchange; otherwise Euros and Pounds Sterling can also be exchanged
in banks and hotels. Banks open from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday,
but their ATMs are open 24 hours. It is best to carry pesos when
travelling outside of major centres.
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