The Luxe On A Budget Club
The Philippines Retreat
December 05 - 12 2021
Island Hopping In Paradise
A beautiful archipelago of more than 7000 islands, the Philippines is an eco-lover's paradise that dreams are made of. Few destinations can boast of being named the world's most beautiful and it's not hard to see why - azure waters, cascading waterfalls, luscious green cliffsides make for everlasting memories. Retreat from your hectic lifestyle and join us for the ultimate restorative end to the year.
DREAM BIGGER. TRAVEL DEEPER. DISCOVER MORE.
Escape the 9 -5 and meet fun like-minded travellers from around the world on the trip of a lifetime!
Tour Highlights
Luxury 4-5* Accommodation in Manila, Palawan and Cebu
Holistic Spa Day at 5* The Farm, San Benito Wellness Spa
El Nido Island Hopping tour with snorkel/kayak
Excursion to Oslob to watch / swim with whale sharks
Countryside tour of Bohol including Chocolate hills
All internal/ domestic transport as per itinerary
Professional photoshoot package
DAY ONE
Welcome to the Luxe On A Budget Philippines 'Release and Restore' Retreat!
Upon arrival in Manila Airport, we will be met one of our local tour operator representatives and transported directly to City Garden Grand Makati Hotel.
Check-in, relax and later, meet fellow Luxe On A Budget travellers for welcome drinks and dinner (included)
DAY TWO
We've got a full day trip to The Philippines’ most exclusive 5* wellness spa - The Farm at San Benito - from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm today. Includes:
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Refreshing welcome drink
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3 Course Deluxe Vegan Lunch
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1 x 60-Minute Relaxation Massage
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Complimentary WIFI access throughout the resort
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Participation in daily movement and fitness activities: yoga, meditation, power walks, functional fitness, and more!
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Use of the resort facilities (Swimming pools, Meditation Pavilions and Pure Energy Gym)
The rest of day is free at your leisure.
DAY THREE
From cosmopolitan cities to breathtaking beaches, we're headed to Palawan!
Check out and transfer to Manila airport for our flight to El Nido, Palawan where we will be staying at the gorgeous Karuna Villas. We will proceed for about 45 minutes through rural countryside to the spectacular Nacpan Beach. Nacpan is a four-kilometre-long unspoiled stretch of powdery golden sand and pristine azure waters... the perfect place to spend leisure time. Here you can enjoy sunbathing, swimming or laze under a shade of cocunt trees at your leisure. Lunch at a local restaurant is included.
The rest of the day is free at your leisure.
DAY FOUR
Discover El Nido’s most beautiful natural landmarks as we join the popular full-day boat trip. We will visit multiple islands and beaches including Miniloc Island’s Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, 7 Commandos Beachand Shimizu Island. You can opt to snorkel among tropical fish, soak up the sun on the beach, or explore the lagoon by kayak.
After working up an appetite, a tropical lunch will be provided.
Rest of day is free at leisure.
DAY FIVE
After breakfast, we will transfer to El Nido airport to catch a flight to Cebuwhere we will check into Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort. Thereafter, we will proceed for a sightseeing tour of Cebu City and Mactan Island. This tour features the historical and cultural spots in Cebu City with highlights include Magellan’s Cross, Santo Nino Basilica Church and Museum, Casa Gorordo, Yap-San Diego Ancestral House, Taoist Temple, and Fort San Pedro.
After dinner at a local restaurant, you are welcome to explore the local nightlight in town with the group or head back to the hotel.
DAY SIX
Who is up for Whale shark spotting today?!
Whale sharks are the largest fish on the planet and they can be seen off the coast of Tan-Awan, which is 10km away from Oslob. We will travel by boat to a safe place where it’s possible to swim and interact with these gentle giants. After the unique experience with the sharks, we continue and trek to the base of Kawasan Falls. Kawasan Falls is a beautiful three-stage cascade waterfall with clear turquoise water. It’s the perfect place for a cool and refreshing dip!
After a local lunch (included), we're heading back to the charms of Cebu.
Rest of day is free at your leisure.
DAY SEVEN
Rise and shine, today we have a very early start as we head to Bohol via ferry by 6 am. The full-day tour includes a visit to the historical Blood Compact Shrine, the coral stone Baclayon Church, a tour of the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary, which was built to protect the tarsiers, one of the world’s smallest primate and lastly, trek through the man-made forest of Bilar before arriving at the famous Chocolate Hills.
We will enjoy a Filipino-style lunch cruise on the Loboc River (included) and discover the verdant forest of Bohol aboard a floating restaurant.
After the tour, we will transfer for the ferry back to our hotel in Cebu.
The rest of the day is free at your leisure.
DAY EIGHT
Alas, our time on the Luxe On A Budget Philippines Retreat is over.
Check-out from the hotel before 12 am and transfer towards Mactan Airport in Cebu for your flight back home.
Until next time, safe travels home Luxers!
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: All travellers are required to provide valid proof of a negative PCR test taken 72 hours before departure from their home country.
Please read the Tour FAQs fully before booking.
Please ensure you read and acknowledge the terms outlined below PRIOR to signing up for a trip. In returning a contact form and payment of deposit, you acknowledge that you have read and agreed to the terms outlined below.
General Information
What Is Included?
Specific trip inclusions vary from trip to trip but you may generally find included: 4-5* accommodations, daily breakfasts, a welcome dinner, a farewell breakfast, minimum three excursions, ground transportation to excursions, detailed daily itinerary, a trip host manager and group photographer to capture your favourite moments.
What Is Not Included?
What is not included in your cost: international airfare, visa fees (if required), passport fees, most meals, additional excursions not included in your itinerary, spending money, travel insurance.
We cannot welcome you on our tours without adequate travel insurance. Please invest in travel insurance as this will protect you in the event of cancellations, missed flights and injury while abroad.
Who Can Join Tours?
The Luxe On A Budget Club is a travel club primarily aimed at bringing diversity and representation to luxury travel by helping young Black and Ethnic Minority professionals aged 23 - 49 years access affordable luxury travel experiences around the world. We welcome all races to join tours and push our pursuit for inclusivity!
How Do I Join Tours As A Non-Member?
Simply head to the Tours section on our website, browse the amazing tours and book!
As a non-member you’ll miss out on access to priority bookings on newly-launched tours, annual tours and travel shop discounts, access to our travel club members-only forum and monthly travel tips newsletters.
How Do I Join Tours As A Member?
Simply head to the Tours section on our website, browse the amazing tours and book!
As a Premium Member, you’ll gain access to priority bookings on newly-launched tours, annual tours and travel shop discounts, access to our travel club members-only forum and monthly travel tips newsletters.
Is There A Payment Plan Available For Tours?
We recognise that our travel club members are hardworking professionals who want to work hard hard and travel even harder!
To help you budget your booked tours, we offer options to pay a booking in full or via a monthly interest-free payment plan.
How Is Accommodation Allocated?
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, we have made changes to our usual twin / double / shared room allocations. The Luxe On A Budget Club’s priority is the health and safety of our travellers and as such, we have made the decision to reduce the amount of travellers per tour in order to facilitate rooming individuals in single / double rooms. The slight increase in tour prices reflects the single person supplement that accommodations routinely demand.
Can I Room With My Partner / Friends If Booking A Tour Together?
If you have booked a tour and are travelling with another traveller/travellers from the same household or friendship group, it may be possible to room you together. Please complete checkout and send an email to info@theluxeonabudgetclub.com with your special circumstances accommodation room request. We will do our best to accommodate and if this is possible, we will contact you to refund the specified single person accommodation supplement. *please scroll down to read special circumstances T&C’s.
Trip / Itinerary Changes
I Am Paying For A Tour But Want To Switch To A New Tour. Can I Switch?
Once you pay into a tour, arrangements are being made for you on that specific tour. Unfortunately, tour payments are not transferable to other tour however you are more than welcome to book a second trip with us!
What Happens If A Change To Accommodation Or Itinerary Is Made After I Book?
Changes to accommodations outlined are not likely but may occur due to circumstances beyond our control. In the event of a change to accommodation, you will be notified immediately and be provided with information on the new accommodations which will always be of equal or greater quality.
While we will endeavour to operate all tours as advertised, reasonable changes may be made where deemed necessary or advisable for operational reasons by The Luxe On A Budget Club and its partners. If we make a change to any tours (such as accommodations and/or itinerary items expressly outlines), we will inform the guest(s) booked on the tour in question as soon as reasonably possible.
If a Change is made more than 14 days prior to departure, the affected Client may elect to:
(i) accept the Change and proceed with the amended trip;
(ii) book another tour of equivalent or greater value, if available (you will be responsible for paying any difference in price between the changed tour and the tour booked in its place);
(iii) book another tour of a lower value, if available, and receive a refund of the difference in price
What Happens If A Tour Is Cancelled Due To Extenuating Circumstances Or Acts Of God Outside Of The Luxe On A Budget Club’s Control?
If a tour is cancelled due to extenuating circumstances that are outside of The Luxe On A Budget Club’s control all measures will be made to provide a refund to travellers (minus non-refundable initial 20% deposit. We can also credit the total amounts paid (including non-refundable initial 20% deposit) in a voucher that is valid for any future The Luxe On A Budget Club tour for up to 18 months after the original trip date.
My Tour Has Been Rescheduled And I Cannot Attend The New Dates, What Are My Options?
In rare cases, a tour may be rescheduled due to circumstances outside of our control. If this happens and you are unable to attend the tour on the newly scheduled date you may:
(i) Opt to receive a travel credit in the full amount paid (including your non-refundable initial 20% deposit) to be used on any The Luxe On A Budget Tour, valid for up to 18 months after the initial tour date.
(ii) Opt to receive a refund to your original form of payment, minus your non-refundable initial 20% deposit. (Refunds under these circumstances will only be processed once the new tour date has been confirmed. Please allow up to 60 days after the new tour date release for a refund if eligible.)*
Late Payments
I Cannot Make Tour Payments On Time, What Shall I do?
Payment deadlines are clearly outlined at the point of checkout if choosing the payment plan option (20% non-refundable initial deposit and 4 equal payments of rest of sum 30 days from first payment date). You will receive an email notification 7 days prior to your next payment due date. It is your responsibility to make contracted payments on time. We are understanding that life can be busy and allow a 3 days grace period after a payment due date to make your payment.
Late Fees - First Late Payment
Late fees will be waived for your first late payment only, provided the payment is made within 7 days after the the due date. After the 7 day period, a £25 fee will be added to your balance owed.
Second Late Payment
A second late payment will automatically result in a £25 late fee, beginning immediately after the two day grace period and ending once the payment has been received by The Luxe On A Budget Club for a maximum of up to 14 days after the due date.
Non-Payment/Cancellation
If a payment has not yet been received 14 days after the due date and no payment arrangements have been made with The Luxe On A Budget Club in writing, you will forfeit your spot on the tour in question. The Luxe On A Budget Club reserves the right to keep all monies paid as a cancellation/non-payment fee after 14 days of non-payment. (Refunds will not be provided to travellers with tour payments late more than 30 days.)
We are willing to work with you so you can make your tour. Please communicate early and clearly any difficulties before your payment due date and we will try to be as flexible as possible.
Refunds / Cancellations
Is My Non-Refundable Deposit Refundable?
Life happens and plans change! If you request a refund within 24 hours after your initial deposit payment was made, we can accommodate refunding you to your original payment method. After the 24 hour period has passed, your initial deposit is non-refundable. Under no circumstance is the deposit refundable after the initial 24 hour period.
What If I Can No Longer Attend The Tour I Have Booked And Paid Into?
If for any reason you can no longer attend a tour you have already paid into, any monies you have paid into said tour will be refunded to your original method of payment, minus the non-refundable initial 20% deposit and £25 cancellation fee, up to 60 days prior to departure. 60 Days prior to departure, your money is no longer refundable unless a replacement guest has been found.* Please note that this does not apply to partnership tours. For tours planned in partnership with another travel company/travel concierge. no refunds will be provided. (Refunds will not be provided to travellers with tour payments in arrears more than 30 days at the time of the cancellation but your initial deposit may be transferred to one other tour taking place within 18 months after your cancelled tour under these circumstances.)
Special Arrangements
Sometimes, we are able to make special arrangements so that you and all of your friends are accommodated on the same tour. Due to the nature of these personalised arrangements, if you are no longer able to attend, we will not be able to find a replacement for you. Under no circumstances will refunds be made for special arrangement bookings that result in replacements not being possible. Any difference in price caused by a cancellation in your group where a special arrangement was made will be your group’s responsibility to cover.