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Philippine Airlines – Visit Cebu, Where the Heart Sings

Philippine Airlines – Visit Cebu, Where the Heart Sings

The Queen of the South is a bustling metropolis, boasting luxury resort hotels on Mactan Island and a lively culinary and nightlife scene in neighboring Cebu City. It is also the gateway to the rest of Cebu province (the largest in the Philippines at over 5,000 square kilometers) where you can spend weeks exploring beaches, canyoning, swimming with thresher sharks or exploring centuries-old churches.

Things To See & Do

Carcar City
Established in the 16th century, Carcar is one of the oldest towns in Cebu province. A scenic two-hour drive from the airport, Carcar is known for its colonial structures – including the Carcar City Museum. Carcar was declared a Heritage Town in 2002, thanks to efforts by the Carcar Heritage Conservation Society.

Watersports in Moalboal
Just a two-hour drive from the airport, Moalboal is your best choice for a day by the sea. At Hale Manna Coastal Gardens, you can snorkel,  dive or kayak, or just recharge by the swimming pool.

Taboan Public Market
Cebuanos love their dried fish and at Taboan Public Market you can see a wide variety sold by the kilo – all of them would make perfect souvenirs but the danggit (rabbitfish) is the most popular breakfast choice around here.

Where To Dine & Drink

The Pig & Palm
The Pig & Palm has some of the best cocktails in Cebu and is also a good spot for dinner. For drinks, try their Dill or No Dill, Proseccolada and Rum DMC cocktails.

Ibiza Beach Club
Ibiza Beach Club at Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu looks like a floating island bar as it juts into the Hilutungan Channel – it’s also the perfect spot to watch the sunset while sipping a cold drink.

Rico's Lechon
The lechon (roasted pig) in Cebu is known for being so succulent that you can eat it without gravy. Rico’s Lechon has branches citywide – and there’s one near the airport.

PAL flights schedule from Kuala Lumpur to Cebu via Manila

Sector Flight No Departure Arrival Frequency
KUL-MNL PR 526 12:10 15:55 6
MNL-CEB PR1845 06:10 07:30 Daily
PR 1847 08:00 09:20
PR 1849 10:40 12:00
PR 1853 13:30 14:50
PR 1859 16:30 17:50
CEB-MNL PR 1846 08:20 09:40 Daily
PR 1848 10:30 11:50
PR 1850 13:00 14:20
PR 1854 16:00 17:20
PR 1860 19:00 20:20
MNL-KUL PR 525 07:35 11:15 6
Rail Europe – Only by train, only in Europe

Rail Europe – Only by train, only in Europe

Comfortable, convenient, affordable, eco-friendly and sometimes just downright wonderful, the train is the obvious choice for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of Europe this summer.

Itinerary 1 > Amsterdam - Paris - Milan

On board services

  • All trains are non smoking
  • Refurbished interior and spacious seating
  • Reclining seats with comfortable headrest and footrest
  • Individual reading lights
  • Spacious luggage storage, at eye-sight
  • Ambient lighting, softer and natural
  • Power outlets for using or recharging electronic devices during the trip and for staying connected.
  • Free WI-FI internet connection provided on the train to stay connected during your trip. Subject to the technical availability of the service. Service provided by Icomera.

Three countries, three cultural hotspots. Just 2 hrs 59 mins from Paris with train operator Thalys, Amsterdam comes alive in the summer, and it's a great city to explore from the water – or by bicycle, for that matter. A boat trip along the city's maze of canal networks is a fine way to keep cool as you pass under picturesque, flower-laden bridges and admire the stately canalside mansions built in the 17th and 18th century by well-to-do merchants. For art lovers, of course, no visit to Amsterdam would be complete without a visit to the Van Gogh museum, or the Rijksmuseum, the national museum of the Netherlands.

Paris
If you're travelling from Amsterdam to Paris by train, the journey takes barely over three hours with train operator Thalys, so there's no excuse not to spend some time in the fabled City of Lights. With its world-famous museums, elegant parks, romantic Hausmannian façades, haute cuisine and designer shopping, there's something for everyone in the French capital.

Milan
From Paris, it’s just over 7 hrs by train to the chic city of Milan, the capital of Italy’s northern Lombardy region and home to “The Last Supper”, Lenoardo da Vinci’s epic masterpiece. Average train fares from Paris to Milan with train operator SVI are 59 euros travelling in Second Class and 69 euros travelling in First Class.
“An anthem sung in stone, a poem wrought in marble…” If Mark Twain’s words of praise for Milan’s cathedral are anything to go by, you may or may not want to make this your first stop while visiting Milan. Keep in mind that the Duomo di Milano is the city’s main attraction, so if you’re planning on going inside, or climbing up to the cathedral roof, make sure you get there early in the day (or book in advance) to avoid the queues. However, it’s well worth the climb up to the terraces for spectacular views of the city and a close-up look at the cathedral’s spires and pinnacles.

If you have time for a day trip, Milan is within easy reach of the mountains and lakes of northern Italy and provides a perfect base for exploring this part of the country. Just one and a half hours out of the city by train you’ll find the crystal-clear waters of Lake Garda, a popular holiday location on the edge of the Dolomites.

Aeroflot – Visit Ekaterinburg, to immerse yourself in the urban atmosphere

Aeroflot – Visit Ekaterinburg, to immerse yourself in the urban atmosphere

Ekaterinburg is the fourth largest city in Russia and the capital of the Urals. It is rapidly expanding and attracting more and more visitors who seek to enjoy its cozy parks, architectural masterpieces, and fascinating museums.

Start your walk on the rather short pedestrian Vainera Street (about 1 km long), the local promenade, which has a multitude of shops, cafes, and amusing sculptures that depict all types of characters: the inventor of the two-wheeled bicycle, Yefim Artamonov, riding his invention, a banker, two lovers, and a street merchant. Following a local custom, tourists gladly rub different parts of the statues for good luck.

Ekaterinburg has many interesting churches and monasteries. The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral at the Novo-Tikhvin Women's Monastery is sure to catch your eye; be sure to visit it. The cathedral has recently been restored, so you can admire the exquisite decoration and the mosaic marble floors. The baroque Church of the Ascension of the Lord, the monumental Church on the Blood, erected on the site of the execution of the Romanov royal family, and the complex of wooden churches of the Ganina Yama Men’s Monastery in the picturesque Ural forest are also worth visiting.

If the weather isn’t that welcoming, there is quite a list of Ekaterinburg museums. The Yeltsin Center is one of the new museums that are definitely worth seeing. Even if you have mixed feelings about the first Russian president and his personality, take the time to stop by, anyway. This place is a movie theater as well as a museum of modern Russian history and an oratory platform for contemporary publicists, public figures, and politicians. Plus, the building’s architecture is impressive.

Aeroflot operates ten daily flights from Moscow – Ekaterinburg – Moscow.

South African Airways – Kimberley, the capital of the Northern Cape province

South African Airways – Kimberley, the capital of the Northern Cape province

Kimberley, the capital of the Northern Cape province, is known as the Diamond City. Start your exploration of the city at its main attraction: the Big Hole. Imagine a hand-dug hole the size of eight football fields and you have some idea of the labour that went into creating the Big Hole. Adjacent to the Big Hole is the Kimberley Mine Museum, which brings to life the way the city was during the frenetic days of the diamond rush.

The Diamond Fields of the Northern Cape
Blood, sweat, tears, triumph, murder and despair such are the foundation stones of Kimberley, diamond capital of the world and gateway to the Kalahari and Diamond Fields of the Northern Cape. Diamonds were first discovered in 1871 on Colesberg Koppie. It triggered rush fever which led to frantic mass diggings, culminating in what is now the Big Hole, the largest artificial construction to be found anywhere in the world

Kimberley’s McGregor Museum
Kimberley’s McGregor Museum is based in the old Kimberley sanatorium building in the upmarket suburb of Belgravia, but it has a number of satellite venues spread around the 'city of diamonds'. It is also a major Northern Cape research institute specialising in natural and cultural history.

Fly-fish in the rivers around Kimberley
If you want to know about fly-fishing in the rivers near Kimberley, speak to Turner Wilkinson who has been fly-fishing for nearly 30 years and who is one of only 15 people who have taken all 9 yellowfish species on the fly. The yellowfish populations in this part of the Northern Cape are arguably some of the finest in the country.

Battle for the diamond fields – the Siege of Kimberley
When Kimberley was besieged by Boer forces during the South African War (formerly the Second Anglo-Boer War), diamond magnate Cecil John Rhodes was a key player. Not only did he run a soup kitchen and have a massive field gun designed and built, but he offered townsfolk refuge in his underground mines.

Kimberley’s flamingos: a pink parade
The flamingos of Kimberley’s Kamfers Dam offer a rare and lovely sight – thousands upon thousands of these pink birds stretching as far as the eye can see. This area in South Africa’s Northern Cape province is one of only four breeding sites for lesser flamingos in Africa, making it a must-see for any birder. Even for non-birders, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime sight.

9th Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo grandly unveiled

9th Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo grandly unveiled

Supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, organized by Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and coordinated by Macau Travel Agency Association, the 9th Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo (referred to as the “Expo” or “MITE”) was grandly unveiled today (9 July) to run until 11 July. The Expo once again brings together virtual and physical exhibitions radiant with five major highlights and “tourism +” elements, to support members of the tourism and related industries to deepen exchange and cooperation and navigate business opportunities together.

The opening ceremony was officiated by major guests including Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Ho Hau Wah; Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Yao Jian; Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Liu Xianfa; President of the Legislative Assembly of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Kou Hoi In; Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, Lei Wai Nong; Secretary of the Bureau Party Committee and Inspector at Level 1 of the Bureau of International Exchanges and Cooperation of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, Man Hongwei; Director General of the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangdong Province, Wang Yiyang, and MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, among others.

In his address, Secretary for Economy and Finance, Lei Wai Nong, expressed that amid the prospect of unwavering commitment to pandemic control and prevention, the Expo once again runs under a hybrid online and offline format this year, building a bridge across Macao, the Mainland and different parts of the world for tourism and related industry delegates to forge partnerships and navigate business opportunities. He hopes that industry participants can ride on the Expo to together explore a wider potential for cooperation and develop innovative travel products in preparation for the resumption of international travel markets one day.

Secretary of the Bureau Party Committee and Inspector at Level 1 of the Bureau of International Exchanges and Cooperation of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Man Hongwei, remarked that against the backdrop of regular control and prevention against thenpandemic, governmental departments of culture and tourism from the Mainland and Macao have been strengthening exchange and cooperation, actively planning and taking action to
organize an array of online and offline promotional activities with the aim to push both tourism markets towards gradual recovery and reinforce consumers’ confidence. He believes that through the Expo, the travel trade from both sides will enhance understanding and tap into new opportunities, to share strengths and achieve mutual progress and success through cooperation.

The 9th MITE is held at Halls A – B, Cotai Expo of the Venetian Macao from 9 – 11 July. The exhibition covers a total area of 23,000 square meters and features 708 booths, offering free admission for the public. 394 exhibitors are joining the Expo this year including 106 local exhibitors, 265 exhibitors from the Mainland as well as 23 international exhibitors. There are 341 buyers including 197 hosted buyers from the Mainland and 144 online buyers from across the world.

Five major highlights incorporate “tourism +” elements

The Expo once again runs under a hybrid online and offline format, incorporating “tourism +” elements with five major highlights as follows: strengthen “Cloud Series” for integration of online and offline exhibitions; expand the scale of “Macao Street” and boost local tourism economy; promote inheritance, innovation and exchange of gastronomy via “City of Gastronomy” culinary demonstration; promote cultural tourism development through
integration of “tourism + culture and creativity”; promote “Distinctive Shops” and enhance brand images.

Online and offline synergy to expand business opportunities

As part of the Cloud Series, the Expo has extended the “Cloud B2B” period from 2 days to a stretch of 14 days, offering ample time for exhibitors and buyers to tap into cooperation opportunities from 28 June to 11 July. “Cloud B2B” rooms are set up on site for business matching across online and offline. Exhibitors and buyers who reach a consensus or confirm their intention for cooperation can sign agreements via the “Cloud Contract-signing” on 10
July. Furthermore, the Expo features “Cloud Live Promotion” room and “Cloud Live Broadcast” rooms. Virtual exhibitors from near and far can connect with the Expo via the “Cloud Live Promotion” on site to showcase their destinations’ tourism resources and interact with audience. Influential streamers from the Mainland and Macao also conduct live sale of various products and promote brands on “Cloud Live Broadcast”.

Launch of MGTO’s Official Flagship Store on Ctrip App

Following the opening ceremony, a launch ceremony for MGTO’s Official Flagship Store on Ctrip App and a workshop about e-commerce platform skills offered by Trip.com were held. MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes and General Manager of Destination Marketing of Trip.com Group, Edison Chen, officiated the video kick-off of the Official Flagship Store.

Kick-off ceremony for “Incubation Plan for Macao’s KOL in Tourism” to be held on Sunday

A kick-off ceremony and talent sharing session for the “Incubation Plan for Macao’s KOL in Tourism” will be held at the Expo on 11 July. The Incubation Plan is organized by MGTO and co-organized by Macau Live Streaming Association.

The Expo once again adopts a series of preventive measures against the pandemic, including implementation of crowd management by setting up the only entrance and exit at Halls A and B respectively, as well as the requirement for visitors to present Macao Health Code and have their temperature checked, as well as to wear mask and maintain one-meter social distance upon admission. Venue disinfection, staggered admission hours and other measures related to public catering are carried out as well.

The public can log into the online appointment system on MITE’s official website (www.mitexpo.mo) to schedule a visit to the Expo, while the public without appointment can line up at the venue for admission according to the on-site status. For more information about the 9th MITE, please visit MITE’s official website: www.mitexpo.mo, WeChat ID and Facebook page.