Picture this: You’ve just landed in Manila. Jeepneys, sidecar-equipped motorcycles, and pedicabs are rolling by on the busy streets shaded alternately by swaying palms and soaring skyscrapers. Beyond the bustling capital are 7,100-plus islands. Where to begin your Philippines exploration? For some it’s a street food vendor. For others, a hotel concierge. But for an instant immersion in Filipino culture, the art-and-history-focused Ayala Museum is the place to go.

Opened in 1974, the Ayala moved in 2004 to a new home designed by the firm of Leandro V. Locsin Sr., the famed 20th-century architect who was named a Philippines National Artist for Architecture by presidential proclamation. The new Ayala reaches out to its neighbors with a glass façade, walkways to nearby boutiques and shops, a popular café with outdoor tables, and a plaza that borders an urban park. At the same time, the building embodies the Ayala’s proud collection of the “truly Filipino,” as Kenneth C. Esguerra, the museum’s senior curator and head of conservation, describes it.

For those who like to be shown, not told, a story, the Ayala’s approach to history — 60 dioramas depicting the progress of the nation from the earliest known settlements, through Spanish occupation, to the quest for independence — provides the outline in colorful galleries.

But what makes the Ayala stand out is its emphasis on established and emerging Filipino artists. The curators, Esguerra says, “[have made a] conscious effort to collect works by three pioneering artists of the country, Juan Luna y Novicio, Fernando Amorsolo y Cueto, and Fernando Zobel y Montojo.”

The Ayala’s new building allows curators to mount temporary exhibitions, giving the city its first showcase on a caliber with the great international museums. Through the end of this month, the Ayala displays Water: The Medium, an exhibit devoted to painter Juvenal Sanso. Sanso recently won the Presidential Medal of Merit for the Arts, and his vibrant pictures conjure the Philippines’ color-saturated marine world before you even dip a toe in the ocean.

2007 marked the 25th anniversary of Continental Micronesia’s service to Manila.

Humankind’s epic battle with the paper cut may be older than you realize. Developed in China as early as AD 105, paper has certainly been around a while. The Paper Museum in Tokyo puts that history on display, showing more than 10,000 books and 40,000 pieces of historic parchment, papyrus, washi (traditional Japanese paper), and tissue, along with an interactive miniature papermaking machine. In addition to the past, exhibits cover today’s pulp industry, the environmental ramifications of the harvesting and production processes, and newly adopted eco-sensitive alternatives to traditional methods. Regular origami classes show you how you can create a dog or, if you prefer, an envelope. papermuseum.jp

The sleek, modern sculptures and paintings in the lobby of the Cumberland Hotel in downtown London imbue a sense of glamour and sophistication usually associated with the National Gallery. But the Cumberland, which features the latest venture from world-class chef Gary Rhodes, Rhodes W1, in addition to four other desirable dining destinations, offers a picture-perfect experience. Though the hotel has stayed true to its original design focus, opting for a “less is more” approach in choosing its chic décor, it didn’t skimp on the amenities. On-site designer shopping and a fully equipped gym complement the executive lounge and gourmet espresso bar. And cloudlike bed linens of Egyptian cotton await sleepy guests in every room. Those rooms also feature 32-inch LCD TVs, many of which pivot 360 degrees, freeing the walls for pieces of original commissioned artwork. guoman.com

In addition to featuring the only resort-style spa in the Motor City, the new MGM Grand Detroit hotel comes equipped with plenty of other perks, such as state-of-the-art VIP suites, a poker room, and numerous fine-dining options. In fact, two of the world’s top chefs — Wolfgang Puck and Michael Mina — have restaurants at the MGM Grand Detroit. The Wolfgang Puck Grille, Puck’s first 24-hour venue, serves up signature dishes from the chef’s famed eateries. Guests can also enjoy around-the-clock in-room dining with selections from Puck’s menu. Mina has two eateries in the resort. His interpretation of traditional steakhouse fare is served at Bourbon Steak, and Saltwater offers up Mina’s well-known seafood dishes, like lobster pot pie. After dinner, if guests aren’t ready for the excitement of the casino floor, they can visit the spa or gym, or curl up in the whirlpool tub that comes in every room. mgmgranddetroit.com

Getting there: All the destinations covered in "Go Explore" can be reached by flying Continental. To book your vacation, visit Continental Airlines Vacations at covacations.com