On October 20, 1944, American GIs landed on the island of Leyte, opening the campaign to recapture the Philippines, then an American colony. After bitter fighting, the Japanese surrendered the following August to end World War II.

Your travel4seniors.com editor spent those final WWII months moving up with Navy advance units from the Philippine islands of Leyte and Samar, to the main island of Luzon. When the war ended, he was at the USN Fleet Landing along Manila’s Pasig River. In the final days of the war, the city was devastated, after widespread destruction caused by aerial bombing, artillery and street combat. It was made even worse by Japanese demolitions and deliberate murder of civilians.

Today, Manila, capital of the independent nation of The Philippines, is one of the most thriving and attractive tourist destinations in the world. Luxury hotels, scores of restaurant varieties, upscale shopping, lively nightlife, sunny beaches, sparkling surf and much more now welcome visitors. For more info, go to www.manilaluzon.com/home