The beaches

Filipino beaches are some of the finest in Asia, and with almost 60,000 km of coastline, there's plenty to choose from. You'll find the very best in the chain of islands known as the Visayas, which stretches from the southern tip of Luzon al the way down to Mindanao, and includes the major islands of Samar, Leyte, Bohol, Cebu, Negros and Panay, as well as hundreds of alluring pint-sized islets in between. The most famous island in the whiole set is tiny Boracay, a beautiful but pricey resort island. Quieter, equally lovely Visayan islands include Romblon, Bantayan, Panay, Bohol, Malapascua and Panglao, all of which offer the perfect combination of luxuriously soft sand, a decent choice of beachfront accommodation, and laid-back fishing villages.

Diving

With all that fabulously clear tropical water around, it's not surprisingly that the Philippines is one of Asia's premier diving destinations. You'll find some of the richest reefs off Boracay, Palawan and Mindoro, but there are also spectacular underwater walls, drop-offs and coral arches at Moalboal on Cebu, and hammerhead sharks and manta rays near Panglao and Cabilao islands, off Bohol.

Manila

Cursed with traffic and pollution that make Bangkok seem like a nature reserve, Manila is one of those capitals that just has to be endured between flights or ferry connections. You can cheer yourself up, though, with a visit to the Chinese cemetery - it's literally a ghost town, with streets and two-storey houses for the departed, many of them furnished with kitchens, bathrooms, electricity and air-conditioning. Elsewhere, parts of intramuros, the Old City, date back to the sixteenth century and the early years of Spanish occupation and combine museums in Rizal Park, which focus on tribal people, including the Ifugao, and colonial history. Otherwise, Manila is best for shopping and drinking, with colossal malls in every neighbourhood, and a trendy nightlife scene in Malate.

Puerto Galera

With stunning beaches, thirty major dive sites along a reef so rich in marine life that it's Unesco-listed, and heaps of reasonably priced accommodation. Puerto Galera, on the north coast of Mindoro, is the perfect beach break away from Manila

Banaue

This little town in northern Luzon occupies a stunning landscape of mountains, steep-sided valleys, and breathtakingly beautiful amphitheatres of sculptured rice-terraces. First cut from the hillsides 2000 years ago by Ifugao tribespeople, whose descendants still live in the area, the terraces are so spectacular that they've been given World Heritage status. To make the most of the scenery, follow the popular walking trail from Banaue to the traditional village of Batad. The bus journey up to Banaue is a scenic highlight in itself, as it takes you along the Halsema Highway, one of the most awesome roads in Southeast Asia.

Palawan

Graced with peaceful shores, thickly crags and a gorgeous rugged natural beauty, the large, remote island of Palawan is probably the single most rewarding destination in the Philippines. It's got everything: snow-white beaches at El Nido, Taytay, Port Barton, Sabang and Roxas, unrivalled diving at El Nido and Tubbataha Reef Marine Park, hiking trails through the jungle, intact tribal culture, and a noticeable lack of tourists. And there's also the famous eight-kilometre boat ride through the spooky, bat-infested caves of the Underground River in Saint Paul's Subterranean Cave

Sagada

This charming hill village in northern Luzon is the home of the Igorot tribe, who are famous for their hanging coffins - suspended high in caves out of the reach of wild animals - as well as for their weavings. There are plenty of hiking possibilities around here too, and a distinctly bohemian ambience to the village, all of which make it a really nice place to hang out a few days.

Siargao Island

Kayaking is the perfect way to explore the shapely coastline of this undeveloped island off northeastern Mindanao, with its secret coves, hidden lagoons and peaceful crystal-white beaches. There's good surfing here too and a rustic interior full of coconut palms and tiny villages

Camigun Island, off Northern Mindanao

Famous for its exceptionally sweet and succulent lanzone (lychee) fruits,this little gem of an island offers heaps of variety, ncluding sugar-fine beaches, seven volcanoes, exceptional trekking and rock climbing, hot springs and waterfalls.

Shooting the rapids at Pagsanjan Falls

The scenery along this stretch of the Bombongan River is impressively dramatic, and it's a genuine thrill to race the fourteen rapids as you squeeze between the jungle-clad canyon walls. If you get a sense of déjà vu, it's because the final scenes of Apocalypse Now were filed here. This is an immensely popular day-trip from manila, but you can avoid the crowds by staying nearby and doing and early-morning boat ride before the coaches pitch up. Be wary though, as the touts here are the most aggressive in the country

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