Leyte is the main province of the Leyte island group. It’s best known for San Juanico Bridge, a two kilometer-long bridge connected to Samar and believe to be the longest in Southeast Asia. It has an impressive total of 43 spans and is 41 meters above the sea at its highest point.

Leyte is also famous for its role during World War II. The MacArthur Landing Memorial at Palo features larger than-life statues of the American generals and others wading ashore in 1944 to begin the liberation of the Philippines, fulfilling his famous promise. “I shall return”. Nearby Hill 522 is a battle site, while Palo Cathedral with its 18th-century altarpiece was once a war hospital. The 1910 Price Mansion in the capital city of Tacloban was formerly the General’s headquarters.

The provincial capitol in Tacloban has bas-reliefs if the first Catholic Mass at Limasawa and MacArthur’s return. Formerly the guesthouse of former First Lady Imelda Marcos, the Sto. Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum houses an image of the Sto. Niño, the city’s patron saint, along with priceless art objects once acquired by Imelda Marcos. Other landmarks include the Maria Kannon Garden and Cavalry Hill.

Leyte Park Resort and Hotel is probably the best place to stay in Tacloban. It is located at Magsaysay Boulevard. Amenities and facilities include deluxe rooms, suites, cottages, veranda café, floating restaurant, music lounge, disco, convention center, swimming pools and fitness center. For reservations contact (053)325-6000 or email leypark@tac.webling.com or leypark@mozcom.com

Camiguin is a spectacular pear-shaped island full of natural wonders created by volcanic eruptions and land movements. It has seven volcanoes unmatched anywhere else in Southeast Asia and it is said to be “Born of Fire”. Camiguin is only around 2 percent of Region X, making it the second-smallest province both in population and land area.

Several beaches dotted Camiguin Island. These can be found in Agohay, Magsaysay Island, and Cebua-an. Camiguin is also the home of the spectacular 250 feet Katibawasan Falls and the Tuasan Falls.

Other places of interest are the 1,250 meter high Mount Hibok Hibok, picturesque old houses, underwater sunken cemetery marked by a huge cross installed in 1982, Sto. Rosario church, ruins of San Roque church in Barangay Bonbon, and many more….

Believed to be one of the Philippines's most beautiful islands, Camiguin has been identified by the Department of Tourism as one of the top 25 tourist destinations in the Philippines, and No. 7 diving spot in the world. No wonder it was featured in numerous tourist materials promoting the Philippines.
Visit Camiguin and experience her mystical charm and untouched beauty

Imagine the following:
1. Tarsier - smallest primate discovered
2. Chocolate Hills
3. Manmade Forest
4. Loboc River
5. Baclayon Church - oldest church
6. Sanduguan (Blood Compact) Monument
7. Panglao - white sand beach
8. Hinagdanan Cave

All these and more can be seen at Bohol. You can start your day at Baclayon Church. Hear mass or have a quiet reflection inside this old church and feel the solemnity that envelopes you. Then stop by the Sanduguan Monument and contemplate on the significance of the blood compact among the Spaniards and Filipinos during the Spanish occupation of the Philippines during the late 1800s.

Have lunch at the Loboc River. Rent a raft that will take you all throughout the stretch of the river. If you have a big budget, have a choir sing to you while you eat. Otherwise, just let the refreshing wind and the flowing water serenade you.

Along the river, don’t forget to pass by the Tarsier Sanctuary. Take note that this small primate, even though it looks cuddly and friendly, it is very sensitive at a slightest change in its environment. Before, tourists are aloud to touch and hold it. But now tourists are discouraged to do so. A local law has been passed recently to prohibit the display of the tarsiers. These primates are prone to commit suicide when they experience trauma, loneliness and change. You are not even encouraged to make them travel from one place to another. There’s a high probability that it will be so stressed and agigated that it will die.

After the river cruise, drive through the manmade forest. People have planted several mahogany trees at both sides of the road. And they probably stretch a couple of kilometers away. This canopy of trees leads also to the famous Chocolate Hills. There’s a view deck built for tourists to feast on the sight of the hills. During the rainy season, the hills are brown in color from afar, hence the name Chocolate Hills. But in the summer, they’re green in color.

After a day or two of sightseeing and dining and shopping for souvenirs, you can enjoy a dip in the Panglao Beach. There are a number of resirts there to choose from, depending on your budget of course. The beach can rival that of Boracay. It also boasts of white sand and clear water.

If you are into spelunking, there’s the Hinagdanan Cave. As its name suggests it is a cave situated underground. Locals created stone steps that lead down the cave. It is small but air inside is so cool and it doesn’t feel stuffy. You can even swim in the pool of water that has collected from the ocean to the middle of the cave.

There is more to see in Bohol. It just depends on how long you plan to stay there.