Walk the Talk

Tourists typically give Manila a wide berth, or else use the smoggy, chaotic Philippine capital as a mere layover en route to one of the country's coastal resorts. More fool them. If you take time to explore it, Manila pays rich dividends. One of the best ways to get to know the city is through the half-day walking tours given by the garrulous Carlos Celdran, which are booked through the Peninsula Academy, a cultural program of the Peninsula hotel, tel: (63-2) 887 2888.

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Decked out in an appropriate costumehe'll wear Spanish-colonial garb for a walk around...