The Philippines is a nation studded with a myriad of islands in south-east Asia. It is home to many fantastic beaches, coral reefs and churches. It is also a very popular tourist destination offering plenty of options for tourists regarding nature, wildlife, adventure, entertainment and nightlife. The people are very warm and affable, and they will not hesitate to go an extra mile to see a smile on your face.

The best time to visit the Philippines is during its dry season that lasts from November to April. The dry season is also the most popular time to visit this tropical archipelago because rainfall is at its lowest, even the most remote regions and islands are easily accessible. The weather conditions are also ideal for sightseeing and trekking activities. Even within the dry season, the temperatures in March and April are higher in comparison to December and January. So you can opt for a month depending on your choice of suitable temperatures. The climate is a major factor in deciding when to travel to the Philippines. The period from June to October is the wet season and is best avoided owing to the high possibility of typhoons. The typhoons are most destructive, and most tours and activities remain cancelled under such circumstances.

The cuisine of Philippines is called Filipino. It is not as popular as Vietnamese or Thai cuisine but if really offers really delicious food. It offers a variety of creative cooks, seafood, and tropical fruits. But all you have to do is find out the best restaurants to try the authentic Filipino dishes.

Philippine cuisine is loaded with a burst of spicy, salty, sweet and sour flavours. Filipinos are family oriented. They enjoy eating with their families. Food is eaten with hand, unlike other South East Asian countries where chopstick is predominantly used. Rice is the staple food. Beef, pork, fish, shrimp, chicken is usually served with steamed rice or noodles. Soy sauce and fish sauce are the most commonly used condiments. Fruits like bananas, papayas, jackfruits and pineapples are found in abundance. Coconut meat is used in making desserts.

You must try the world-famous Adobo – chicken and pork flavoured with vinegar, salt, garlic, soy sauce, pepper and spices. Or why not be ambitious and take a stab at Lechon – a whole roasted stuffed pig, served with liver sauce?

You may not have enough strength to carry all the things you want to buy from the Philippines. Yes, there’s that much to buy. Manila is home to massive shopping complexes where you can buy bamboo products, Philippine pearls, abaca baskets, silk products and more. Head to 168 Shopping Mall and Greenhills shopping centre to satisfy your shopper’s soul in Manila. Cebu also matches Manila when it comes to malls. This is the place to buy clothes, with international fashion brands like Lacoste, Espirit, Armani Exchange and more. Head to the D’Talipapa seafood market in Boracay for some incredible ingredients – you can get them cooked at nearby restaurants or try to cook them yourself. In Bohol, you’ll find exquisitely woven baskets in Antequera. If you’re a musician, then a visit to the Alegre Guitar Factory in Mactan Island is perfection. Pick up some exquisitely crafted ukuleles and acoustic guitars and watch the instruments being made live at the market. Philippines is indeed, a shopper’s delight, so save some pesos to pick up unique Philippino products like jewellery, baskets, brassware, embroidery, wood carvings and mats.

Filipino and English are the Philippines’ two official languages. Filipino is a native language based on Tagalog; English has official status due to the Philippines being a colony of the United States between 1898 and 1946.

1. MANILA

Manila, officially known as the City of Manila, is the capital of the Philippines and the second most populous metropolitan area in the country. Located on the island of Luzon, it is serviced by Ninoy Aquino International Airport and is considered the primary gateway to the country. Often termed a fast-growing concrete jungle, Manila is one of the wealthiest cities in Southeast Asia and is the most important location commercially, industrially, politically and socially in the country.

Manila today hosts over 1 million tourists annually and is aggressively developing to provide modern contemporary travellers with a touristy urban experience. Modern parks, museums and cultural centres are common throughout the city. In addition, entertainment centres, premium or luxury shopping malls, and nightlife-centric lounges, clubs and bars are ever emerging and quite popular among both the locals and tourists. While most may deem Manila to be a stopover while visiting the other islands and regions of the Philippines, the capital city certainly has much more to offer.

Places to visit in Manila: Rizal Park, Casa Manila Museum, Divisoria market, Intramuros, National Museum, Manila Bay

2. CEBU

With beautiful white sand beaches and amazing diving sights, Cebu is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Philippines. It has a lively nightlife, fantastic restaurants, and plenty of retail options for every kind of shopper. Divers enjoy exploring Cebu’s coral gardens, swimming alongside turtles and white tip sharks. It’s the perfect place for anyone who wants to kick back and enjoy their time a beautiful island getaway.

Cebu is a collection of islands, the largest being the eponymous Cebu Island that stretches almost 200 kilometres from north to south. This island is home to plenty of hidden nooks, coves, and splendid beaches to unwind.

Places to visit in Cebu: Colon Street, Casa Gorordo Museum, Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, Sugbo Mercado or Cebu Market

3. BORACAY

Boracay is an island located on an hour flight from Manila and Cebu two of the cities which are located in the country of Philippines. This island is a really small with only 7 k.m.of total length. This island is surrounded by two beaches on its either side and has clear water on all its four ends. This place which is known to be filled with romantic vibes has tourists coming from all parts of the world especially China, Taiwan, Korea as well as other major parts of Asia.

Ranked as the second best island in the year 2013, Boracay has rapidly grown to become one of the top tourist destinations in Philippines. Only 7 k.m. in length while only 500 m in width this place is known for its White Beach which is stretched in around 4 k.m. and contains clear white sand. Along this stretch of white sand you would find tons of hotels, shops as well as restaurants which give you a pleasant place to enjoy these deep blue waters as well as the scenic view. This place over the years has seen rapid growth and is now mostly occupied by tourists from all parts of the world. A perfect place for night parties as well as a great vacation you can easily enjoy this destination if you come here as a couple.

Places to visit in Boracay: Ariel’s Point, White Beach, Puka Shell Beach, Diniwid Beach, Crocodil Island, Willy’s Rock

4. CEBU CITY

Cebu City is also called as the Queen City of the South and is one of the fastest developing cities in Philippines. This city is second largest city of Philippines and over the years is rapidly attracting the tourists and hence is seeing a growth of 5 per cent annualy. It is known to contain numerous historical sites as well as white beaches which the tourists find absolutely a delight to visit.

Places to visit in Cebu City: Basilica of Sant Nino, Magellan’s Cross, Sogod, Cebu Taoist Temple, Lapu Lapu’s Monument

5. PUERTO PRINCESA

Located on the western coast of Palawan, the capital city Puerto Princesa is the second largest city in the Philippines in terms of area but is one of the least densely populated cities in the country. Known for its abundant greenery and home to gorgeous white sand beaches, Puerto Princesa has been listed as the cleanest and the greenest city in the Philippines.

Places to visit in Puerto Princesa: Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, Underground River National Park, Honda Bay, Baker’s Hill theme park, Palawan Wildlife Rescue center, Jesuit House, Plaza Cuartel, Immaculate Conception Cathedral

6. ANGELES CITY

Angeles City is a city in the Philippines close to the former American Air Base, Clark Base. Commonly called City of Angels, Angeles is the hub of entertainment and modernity in the Central Luzon region of the Phillippines. Part of the luxurious Clark Freeport Zone, it is a small but major city of the country, matching up with the cosmopolitan nature and tourist pull of the capital city, Manila. Angeles City, as well as the province of Pampanga, also serves as the culinary centre of the country.

Angeles is quickly gaining popularity in Asia as a prime spot for nightlife, with the city centre Balibago being the centre of attention for having one of the largest concentrations of neon-lit go-go bars in the world. Being one of the major tourist traps of the Philippines, it has a number of fancy hotels, glitzy malls, luxurious casinos as well as some amazing restaurants offering the best of Filipino cuisine visitors can find in the country. The delicious Filipino dish ‘Sisig’, made of pig, calamansi and chilli peppers is said to have originated from this city. The cosmopolitan nature of this city is complemented by remnants of its rich colonial history, evidenced by the colonial buildings left behind that add a nice touch to the bright and glamourous cityscape that forms the ‘City of Angels’. Apart from the chic malls, there are a number of markets with various themes in the Pampang and San Nicolas districts of the city. Angeles also serves as an interesting blend of cultures, being populated by Filipinos, Americans and Koreans.

Places to visit in Angeles City: Holy Rosary Church, Juan D. Nepomuceno Center for Kapampangan Studies, Lily Hills, Zoocobia Fun Zoo Theme Park, Air Force City Park, Aqua Beach Club, SM City Clark

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