This Destination Is The New Bali For Aussies

By: Phoebe Ackland, ellaslist

Bali is undoubtedly a tried and tested Aussie family holiday favourite, but there's another relatively well-kept secret family holiday spot with fewer tourists and less expensive flights: the Philippines!

The natural beauty will leave you in absolute awe- sparkling clear water, warm weather all year round and friendly, happy people. Cebu Pacific airline has been flying direct from Sydney to Manilla since 2014, however, has remained pretty off-the-radar, with many flights averaging just a 59.5% capacity according to Escape. 

It's Affordable

As part of a campaign to reveal just how amazing the Philippines is as a destination for Aussies, Cebu Pacific’s VP for corporate affairs, Atty JR Mantaring told Escape: “The Philippines is fast becoming an alternative, affordable luxury destination to rival Aussie favourite Bali. From white sand beaches, dive sites, great surf spots and crystal clear waters, the Philippines is home to some of the world’s best island lifestyle destinations.”

What's There For Kids?

As well as all the beautiful islands that are simply a given on a holiday to the Philippines (particularly Boracay, Cebu, Palawan, Siargao, and Bohol) there are other family-friendly highlights to put on the itinerary:

• Museo Pambata (The Children's Museum: "Where learning begins and fun never ends!" If you have kids, this is definitely worth a stop. There are 8 themed rooms to explore including the Environment room, Old Manila room, Career Options room, I Love My Planet Earth room, the My Body Works room, the Marketplace room, the Global Village room, and the Karapatan Hall. It is entirely hands-on, where kids are encouraged to get creative and learn whilst they play.
• Manilla Ocean Park: A world-class marine theme park, with an aqua-themed hotel that we're sure kids wouldn't mind staying in during the trip. They offer a heap of cool experiences: a mermaid encounter where you can swim with the resident mermaids and mermen, scuba dive in their fish-filled tanks, get up close and in the water with sharks and stingrays, enter the Birdhouse, hold snakes, take behind the scenes tours, feed penguins and try your hand a sea lion training! 
• Luneta Dancing Music Fountain: In Rizal Park, for 2 hours each evening and morning, enjoy jet lights, water fountains and music to dance to. It's a spectacular show to witness, and the excitement and atmosphere of being there are sure to be a highlight for families. 
• In terms of accommodation, there are a HEAP of family favourites, including JPark Island Resort and Waterpark which literally has a water theme park in its centre, Plantation Bay Resort in Cebu which has epic waterfalls, waterslides and whirlpools and 5 swimming pools, and the super luxurious Milinoc Island Resort El Nido complete with Kid's activity centre, heaps of activities in the games room, and babysitting services available. 

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