Evidence of the Philippines long and complex history is sprinkled all over the archipelago, but northern Luzon is the most evocative of its tribal and colonial past, with handsome old cities and enigmatic remains. This itinerary could be completed in under a fortnight (ten days minimum), especially if you take some flights, but as with the others, you’ll get a lot more out of it if you tackle it more slowly.
1. Intramuros, Manila
The oldest part of Manila drips with history, from Spanish churches and forts to illuminating museums.
2. Taal
Take a tour of this beautiful old town, home to the biggest church in Southeast Asia and bahay na bato architecture still redolent of colonial Spain.
3. Paete
The nation’s woodcarving capital makes for an intriguing detour, sprinkled with the stores of local craftsmen.
4. Malolos
The oft-overlooked capital of Bulacan province is crammed with colonial remnants, from the elegant Barasoain Church to a smattering of preserved sixteenth-century Spanish homes.
5. Vigan
The best-preserved colonial town in the Philippines is a treasure-trove of tiny museums, chapels and crumbling villas.
6. Laoag
The capital of Ilocos Norte boasts plenty of historic attractions of its own, while the Malacañang of the North, former holiday residence of the Marcoses, is a short ride away.
7. Sagada
Head into the mountainous heart of Luzon, where Sagada is a focus for the Igorots (Cordillera tribes) and the enigmatic hanging coffins.
8. Banaue and Batad
You’d be remiss to travel up here and not spend time among the legendary rice terraces, fantastical ridges in the mountains often shrouded in mist.
Millions of visitors come to the Philippines primarily for what’s below sea level – the waters surrounding the island chain harbour some of the world’s richest marine life. The following tour would ideally take several weeks – and lots of advance planning – to complete.
1. Puerto Galera
This easy-to-reach resort makes a great introduction to the local dive scene, with plenty of resorts and operators to choose from.
2. Apo Reef
Take a day or two to explore this protected reef off the west coast of Mindoro, home to sharks, turtles and rays.
3. Coron
Try and take the bangka across to Coron for some spectacular wreck diving, primarily Japanese ships from World War II.
4. El Nido
Continue on to the Palawan mainland where the numerous dive schools at El Nido can help arrange trips to Tubbataha.
5. Tubbataha Reef Marine Park
Time-consuming (and expensive) though it is to reach, this is nevertheless the pinnacle of Philippine diving, with a mind-boggling array of reef and pelagic marine life.
6. Apo Island
From Puerto Princesa fly to Cebu City then head south to Dumaguete and Apo Island, another dive hot spot.
7. Panglao Island
From Dumaguete it’s a short boat ride to languid Panglao Island, home to congenial resorts, beaches and dive sights.
8. Padre Burgos
Cross over to Leyte to experience this exciting dive location, home to whale sharks, dolphins and manta rays.
9. Donsol
For the definitive whale shark experience you’ll need to continue north across to Luzon, where Donsol is the best place to swim with these gentle giants.
The appeal of hiking volcanoes or trudging city streets can wilt (especially in the tropical heat), when compared to the dazzling white beaches on offer in the Philippines. This tour takes in the best of the nation’s strips of sand. This itinerary needs a minimum two weeks, but given the focus on beaches, could be obviously extended into a much longer trip.
1. Marinduque
Take the short flight to this lesser visited island and seek out some of the sandy beaches off its eastern coast.
2. Caramoan Peninsula
Back on the Luzon mainland, this rugged promontory harbours blue-water coves and enticing resorts.
3. Malapascua Island
Fly from Legazpi to Cebu City, where it’s a four-hour bus and boat ride to this tiny islet ringed by chalky white sands.
4. Siargao Island
Double back to Cebu for the short flight to Siargao, best known for surfing but also rich in empty, wild, sandy beaches and offshore islands.
5. Camiguin Island
From Siargao you can ferry across to Mindanao and take a bus towards Camiguin, another relatively untouched haven, with the gorgeous sands of White Island just offshore.
6. Panglao Island
Ferry across to Bohol, where another diving hot spot also boasts several enticing stretches of sand.
7. Boracay
If you love the beach, you can’t visit the Philippines without a stop here – it’s more developed than most places, but the sand is still spectacular.
