I am going to be tagging along on my husband's weeklong business trip to Manila (4days) and Bangkok (3 days) the first week of October. I believe we'll be staying in the Makita district in Manila, don't know about Bangkok though (any suggestions?).
I'll likely have a driver with me.
For those who have been there, any suggestions on must go to markets/landmarks and/or sites for such a short time?
What is the weather this time of year....any suggestions on what to bring?
I was concerned about safety, but I'm feeling ok about that, thanks to this site.
Thanks for your help.

Bangkok -- stay on the river if possible.

To do in three days in order of what I think is most interesting

1. klong ride which should include Wat Arun and the flower market. If you're staying on the river youcan rent a boat and driver at your hotel's pier.

2. Temple of the Emerald Buddha and Grand Palace

3. Jim Thompson House

4. Wat Po

5. Vinamanek Mansion

Go to the Jim Thompson Store (different from the house).

It will be hot and there might be periods of rain.

For the Manila part of your trip - do a search on this forum for my trip report when we visited Manila earlier this year. let me know if you were able to find it. You won't get much advice on this forum as hardly anyone goes to the Philippines (they are missing out!).

gloria has given a good list of the bkk sites...
for shopping it would help if we knew what type of things interest you...the driver will be a great help in getting around although it may be slow because of the traffic...

river city shopping plaza on the river next to the sheraton is one good place and there is a garage there also..

CP place is in back of the oriental hotel...it has lovely shops including the cotton house shop often spoken of here...good for custom made woman's clothing...reasonable and excellent quality...
just in back of CP place is tongue thai restaurant a great place to eat, either for lunch or dinner...thai food
the area around CP is excellent to spend some shopping time in: lim silver smiths, thai home stores, lots of other silver shop and along new road loads of local shops...
the nite market at the corner of rama IV road and wireless road is great for tourists ..one stop shopping for tourist momentos...

silom road is a good place to wander for shopping...

the main jim thompson store is a must...it is on suriwong rd, which is also a good place to shop... the main store is far better than the hotel JT shops...they also have a wonderful place for lunch on the 2nd floor...

the jim thompson house is a must visit as well...there is a small shop on the property and a very good restaurant...visit the main store also..

on soi 93, sukhumvit rd there is a jim thompson outlet if you are into bargains...the 3rd floor has lots to offer at at least 50% savings...

two good places to stay on the river are the peninsula hotel and the shangri-la hotel....also the marriott resort and spa (my favorite) and the royal orchid sheraton---older hotel...the oriental of course is considered one of the best old world hotels in the world...

For Manila Shopping:
1. Shoppesville, Greenhills - buy Pearls, imitation goods, export overruns and lots of things for the home. Don't forget to Bargain!

2.Balikbayan Handicarafts - local native things for the home. They carry beautiful wooden things with inlaid mother of pearl - salad bowls and servers, picture frames etc., different sizes and colors of coral jewelry boxes, placemats, and check out their accessories. I was able to get pretty bangles and necklaces to bring back as gifts.

3.Bazaars - they usually have one every month at The Fort. If you're there at the right time, you can get a lot of good quality export overruns.


History:
1. Ayala Museum, Makati
2. Fort Santiago

Out of town - Tagaytay - it's about 45 minutes from Makati.

Since you're going on a business trip, most probably the spouses of your husband's business partners will be taking care of you and bringing you around. I remember my mother or my father's secretary doing this a lot when his foreign colleagues would come with their wives. Enjoy your trip!

Martinan- where is " The Fort". We are headed back to Manila in Feb/March and have not heard about this place?

The Fort is short for the old Fort Bonifacio which has now been privatized and has restaurants and condominiums amongst other things.

Thanks- we will also be spending time in Baguio- stopping off along the way in places like Subic Bay. Any suggestions on things to do/shop here?

Sorry! Haven't been to Baguio and Subic in years. I heard it has greatly changed. I'm sure you'll have fun.

Let me know where else I might find markets/crafts in and around Manila.
We have been to Quiapo.

In Baguio, they have The market where they sell lots of different native things.

I don't know exactly what you are looking for ... but there is a market in Manila called Divisoria. It's a place where they sell wholesale of everything from fish to fabric! I'm not sure though if this place would be advisable for you. Please ask your niece about it. Going there is an adventure in itself.

bock64,

Manila is a safe place to visit. As in any other city anywhere in the world, you just have to be careful and alert at all times. For convenience, suggest you choose a hotel in the Makati Central Business District which is right in the middle of Makati city. From your hotel, you can walk to Glorietta, Shoe Mart and Land Mark for shopping and dining. Lots of shops and restaurants to choose from. For fine dining and entertainment at night, you can cross over to Greenbelt. If you have a driver, you can go to the Greenhills shopping center for pearls, jewelry, clothes, etc. at bargain prices.

October would be good time to visit Southeast Asia as the monsoon season would be over by then.

I have said it before but it bears mentioning again- if you like pearls then Manila is by far the best value in pearl shopping. South Sea Baby Pearls are a steal at greenhills Shopping center. Far better than anything you will find in BKK.

Thanks for all of your help. We've booked our trip leaving on October 2nd, returning on the 8th....very short and sweet. The good news is that we're in Manila the whole time, which will give me some time to explore and catch some of the places that have been recommended to me.
Any tips on making the long flight more enjoyable, and minimizing the jet lag?

What hotel did you decide on?