Philippines

The Philippines is a tropical paradise made up of more than 7,000 islands. The landscapes are quite varied and feature an array of natural wonders including Volcanoes and Rice Terraces to Underwater Rivers and Limestone Caves to some of the most stunningly beautiful Beaches.

Manila, the capital is a vibrant city surrounded by Centuries Old Churches and colonial history. The oldest district, the Intramuros or walled city is where you will find some of the most significant tourist sites and important landmarks like the famous San Agustin Church and monuments at Rizal Park to the Fort Santiago, a Citadel built by the Spanish as defence Fortress. Manila has some fantastic shopping malls, local restaurants and is easy to travel around. Why not take a colourful jeepney ride around the city streets, it is a must do experience. These post World War II US Army jeeps have been transformed into colourful and fun forms of transportation.

The province of Laguna is perhaps where you will find some of the most famous waterfalls in the country. The Pagsanjan Falls Waterfall is part of the Pagsanjan Gorge National Park. Here you will be able to swim in natural pools and pass through caves. The three tier waterfall can be reached by going on a river trip by canoe and is a day trip from Manila. The falls are 91 metres high and once you have reached the top a skilled canoeist will take you back down the falls, which go past 14 rapids..

The Batad Rice Terraces in Banaue are an unforgettable experience, so have your camera’s ready. Many people consider this to be the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’ with some of the terraces dating back more than 2000 years. They represent a common form of farming in the country. The stacked terraces, carved by hand into the mountainside are best seen in the early morning or at dusk when they provide the best lighting to illuminate the electric green colour of the fields.

The Chocolate Hills in the Bohol Province are a unique natural phenomenon to see. There are at least 1260 hills spread out over an area covering approximately 20 square miles. These small hills are covered in grass and as the dry season advances the grass turns from green to brown and starts to look like Chocolate. The hills vary from 30-50 metres high and really are an iconic landmark of the country.

It might take a bit of a trek to get to see the Hanging Coffins in Sagada, as they are located deep in the northern Cordillera Mountains, however you will probably not see this anywhere else in the world. The hanging coffins, some of which are centuries old are suspended from the cliffs of the Echo Valley. These ceremonial burials were reserved for the wealthy tribesmen. Remember to bring some study shoes and try to adapt prior to your visit for some high altitude climbing, the reward will be well worth it.

Some of the most famous islands, which are high on visitor lists include Borocay with its pristine beaches. White Beach is the most populous on the island, where you will have ample opportunities for water sports, snorkelling and boating or just relax in a hammock under a palm tree. This small island is only 7 kms in length but offers some of the country’s most exceptional beauty.

Palawan with its majestic cliffs in El Nido is not to be missed. Cliff climbing on the limestone outcroppings is a fun adventure and a unique way to see some of the most scenic views in the Philippines. The best time to start your trip is early in the morning, so you can take it slow to navigate the natural elements like rocks and trees that you may need to traverse. When in Puerto Princesa an Underground River tour, one of the most awe inspiring things to do. The Underground River is inside the Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The trip takes you through an intricate cave system surrounded by vertical limestone cliffs. You can observe ancient stalagmite and stalactite formations as the coolness of the cave balances the tropical heat outside.

Coron Island is a popular diving and snorkelling site due to the abundance of coral reefs. The Coral Garden is a specific site with particularly accessible coral and fish species as well as shipwrecks, which surround the area. Coron Island also has two famous lakes, Lake Kayangan and Lake Barracuda where the water is crystal clear and the views are breathtaking.

On the Island of Bohol, in the town of Sevilla, there is a bridge made entirely of bamboo swings almost 40 metres in the air over the Loboc River. For those with a sense of adventure, the hanging bridge walk will be a vacation experience you will never forget.

Vigan City is a great place to visit with a wonderful pre-colonial style. The brick streets and traditional horse and carriage mode of transportation are reminiscent of the 16th Century trading hub that used to be for foreign traders coming through the area.

The City of Cebu has some splendid sites to visit including the Cebu Taoist Temple. Standing at 300 metres above sea level the Temple has 81 steps leading up to the Temple, each step represents one of the 81 chapters of Taoism scripture. The entrance to the Temple was deliberately designed to look like the Great Wall of China. Inside the Temple you will be able to walk onto the balconies where you will have fantastic views over Cebu. Other places to visit while in Cebu include the SM Mall located directly on the coast, it is one of the most popular shopping spots with lots of activities including an ice skating rink, arcade, and children’s playground. Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral gives you an insight into Filipino culture focusing more on the history of religion in the city.

The beautiful Mactan Island is not far from Cebu and is a great place to escape and relax on its beautiful beaches. It has some great dive sites that will provide you with beautiful views of the local marine life. Mactan Island is also an excellent starting point to do some island hopping due to its link with Cebu.

Other areas worth visiting include the iconic Sugba Lagoon with its tranquil blue waters below a towering cliff or the Mayon Volcano on the Island of Luzon. The volcano received its nickname ‘Perfect Cone’ due to its symmetrical cone shape.