Not to miss

Viriato

On the island of Samar, in the Visayas, Viriato lies along one of the most scenic coastal roads in the country. The road runs past mountains, steep cliffs, distant islands and scenic boat-filled bays. The town also boasts a large waterfall and good hiking opportunities.

Lake Sebu

A beautiful inland sea on the island of Mindanao, this lake is nested into the southern Tiruray Highlands at an altitude of almost 300m (984ft). The chance to delve into traditional lifestyles and culture, rather than modern attractions, is the highlight in this remote area.

With a bit of luck you'll be able to take some of this traditional charm home with you: the local tribespeople, the T'boli, live in almost total seclusion and are known for the quality of their brassware and weaving. Their Saturday market is especially colourful.

Boracay Beaches

The famous white beaches of the island of Boracay, off the northwestern tip of Panay, regularly appears in those 'Best Beaches of the World' lists that travel rags are so fond of compiling. Despite the write-ups, unchecked tourist development has at times caused waste-disposal problems.

It might be a good idea to check up on beach conditions before you leave. Environmental tests in 1997 found the water off Boracay to be contaminated and unsafe to swim in. Follow-up tests declared the waters to be within acceptable pollution limits and Boracay's beaches certainly look pristine.

Lake Taal & Taal Volcano

The picturesque volcanic lake of Taal is an easy day trip from Manila. You can trek on the small (but deadly) volcano in the middle of the lake, but many people just come for the incredible views from the mountain-ridge town of Tagaytay, itself on the rim of a truly enormous prehistoric crater.

Chocolate Hills

Legend has it that the surreal Chocolate Hills are either the teardrops of a heartbroken giant or debris from a battle between two giants. Science, however, says the hillocks were formed by the weathering of marine limestone sitting on impermeable claystone. Trekking here is best in the dry season, when the hills are at their most chocolate-like.

Hundred Islands National Park

This small national park off the coast of Alaminos contains 123 separate islets, although some are just large rocks. Over the centuries the tides have eaten away at the bases of these limestone islands, giving them a distinctive, mushroom-like appearance.

The friendly and useful Hundred Islands National Park office is on the wharf in barangay Lucap, the jumping-off point to the national park.

The three most popular islands are Quezon Island, Governor's Island and Children's Island, but you're definitely better off finding your own island on weekends, as these fill up with loads of large families and beach vendors.

By far the best way to experience the park is in a tandem kayak.

Siquijor caves

Within a few kilometres of Bandila-an Nature Centre is Cantabon Cave, the best known of Siquijor's caves. The caving here is no picnic, often involving narrow, vertical climbs, waist-deep water, bats, and high humidity. But it's well worth it.

It's easy to find a guide in the nearby mountain village of Cantabon - if possible, one who can supply safety helmets and torches (a must). Other great caves in this area include Cang Anhao Cave, Ambaka'g Baki Cave and Dacanay Cave.

Banaue

Banaue sits at the foot of a truly mesmerising display. Its mud-walled rice terraces, North Luzon's most famous sight, have a pleasing, organic quality that differentiates them from the stone-walled terraces in most of the Cordillera. World Heritage-listed, they are impressive not only for their chiselled beauty but because they were created around 2000 years ago.

The rice terraces were built by the Ifugao. Along with being the most feared head-hunters in the Cordillera, they were skilled engineers who invented a sophisticated irrigation system of bamboo tubes and elaborate mud channels to bring water to the terraces.

The well-staffed Banaue Tourist Information Center located on the main square, will give you the scoop on hiking in the area.