Travel and Adventures of Dr.

Jose Rizal
Jose Rizal is the most traveled Filipino hero in history. The travel and adventure of Jose Rizal are an
important facet of his education and sophistication through which he learned the culture and politics of other
countries. Rizals first trip abroad was on 1882 bound for Spain. The travel story of Jose Rizal constitutes part
of his struggle to bring changes in his native land.

Singapore

The first stop over of Rizal on his way to Spain is Singapore, which he spent for sightseeing the city
including its famed Botanical Garden, Buddhist temples, the monument of Sir Thomas Stanford Raffles, the
founder of Singapore.

Colombo, Sri Lanka

It was Rizals journey to Colombo, Sri Lanka that was important for him to improve his knowledge of
the French language while on board a French ship, Djemnah.

Egypt

En route through the Suez Canal, Rizal got off at the Red Sea terminal and was amazed by the
impressive moonlight scenery in Suez and was engrossed with the multicultural people and language of the
place.

Italy
Rizal reached Naples, Italy and was briefly astounded by its dynamic citizens and the picturesque
wonders of the municipality particularly the Mount Vesuvius and the Castle of St. Telmo

France

Rizal arrived at France for the first time at Marseilles, where he visited the Chateau dlf, the fortress
famous as the setting for Alexandre Dumas The Count of Monte Cristo.

Spain
He arrived Barcelona, Spain where he met some Filipinos. He also made his first nationalistic essay he
wrote abroad, Amor Patrio which was later published in Diarong Tagalog.
He left Barcelona for Madrid, to pursue his medical studies in the Universidad Central de Madrid. He
also took courses in Philosophy and Letters and took French, German, and English lessons from private tutors.

France

On 1883, Rizal visited the French capital of France of France, where he was fascinated by its
architectural wonders (e.g. Place de la Concorde and the Arch of Triumph).
He visited the Leannec Hospital to observe and became an apprentice of Dr. Louis de Weckert to
specialized in ophthalmology.
He also joined Free Masonry and was impressed with the freedom they enjoyed in openly criticizing the
government.

Germany
In Heiderlberg, Rizal worked as apprentice of Dr. Otto Becker and was able to visit picturesque spots in
the historical city including the Heidelberg Castle and the ancient churches.
In Leipzig, he attended lectures in the University of Leipzig and worked on with his mission of
enlightening his Filipino brethren with inspiring stories by translating the story of the Swiss independence and
some of Hans Christian Andersens Fairy Tales to Filipino.
In Dresden, he met Dr. Adolph Meyer and was impressed for the first time of the spirituality of a
Catholic Holy Mass
In Berlin, Rizal was captivated by its scientific atmosphere and absence of racial discrimination. He
wrote the Tagalog Metrical Art (Taglische Verkunst) and published Noli Me Tangere.
In Leitmeritz, Bohemia, Rizal bonded with his close friend and professor, Ferdinand Blumentritt

Czech Republic

In Prague, he met Dr. Willkomm from the University of Prague who toured him to the citys historic
spots including the tomb of Copernicus and the National History Museum.

Austria
In Vienna, Rizal was met by a famous European novelist, Norfenfals, who toured him to the churches,
art galleries, and other tourists spots in the city especially along the Danube Rivera.
In Salzburg, Rizal enjoyed the baroque architecture of the old town.

Bavaria

Rizal went to Munich and enjoyed its famous beer, to Nuremberg to see its doll factory and Ulm to see
the biggest cathedral in all of Germany.

Switzerland
Rizal saw Rhein falls, the largest plain waterfall in Europe and head towards other Swiss cities Basel,
Bern, and Lausanne.
Rizal was particularly fascinated with Geneva where the people speak French, German, and Italian.

Italy

Rizal toured the Italys famous cities namely Milan, Venice and Florence, known for their arts and
culture.
He also visited the Vatican in Rome and was particularly overwhelmed by St. Peters Church.

Hong Kong

Frustrated of the lack of progress of the reforms he was pushing through, Rizal went to this British
colony and stayed in the house of Jose Maria Basa

Macao
Rizal stayed in the house of Juan Lecaroz and observed a botanical garden.

Japan

Rizal stayed in Grand Hotel in Tokyo and observed the discipline and customs of the Japanese people.

US
Rizal toured the US in 1888 which included San Francisco, California; Reno, Nevada; Ogden, Provo and
Salt Lake City in Utah; Denver, Colorado, Farmington, Connecticut; Nebraska; Chicago, Illinois; and finally,
Alabany in New York City.

United Kingdom

From New York City, Rizal went to Liverpool and then London, England as he started to conceptualize a
continuation of his first novel.
While contributing writings and essays calling for reforms in La Solidaridad, Rizal moved back and forth in
England, France and Belgium during which he also wrote his second novel, El Filibusterismo.
In June 1892, on board the ship Don Juan, he travelled back to the Philippines from Hong Kong, which
culminated the travel story of Jose Rizal abroad.

Philippines
Back in the Philippines, Rizals travel destinations in the Philippines included a visit to Bulacan and
Pampanga before he was finally exiled in Dapitan, in the province of Zamboanga del Norte.
Rizal was brought back to Fort Santiago where he spent his last days until his execution.