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One of the few countries in Southeast Asia that not a lot of
people know about is the Philippines. This archipelago in the region
is made up of more than seven thousand islands which are divided
into several regions and three major island groups: Luzon, Visayas
and Mindanao. Luzon is where you will find the country’s capital
which is Manila. Visayas is dubbed as the country’s center of
antiquity and biodiversity; while Mindanao is the southernmost part
of the island which is inhabited by the indigenous folks.
Numerous Reasons to Visit the Philippines
It’s really such a shame that not a lot of westerners are
considering the Philippines to be a premier vacation spot. They
usually flock to the more popular neighboring destinations like
Malaysia and Thailand, when in fact the Philippines has so much to
offer as a country.
So what are the reasons why it pays to visit this virtually unknown
archipelago? First of all, Filipino people are warm and friendly,
especially to foreign visitors. You would not even need to brush up
on your basic Tagalog phrases, which is the dominant dialect here,
because most Filipinos speak English.
Second, the climate is warm and humid almost all year long, save for
the time of the year when the occasional thunderstorms occur. Third,
Filipinos love to eat so you will have a blast discovering their
unorthodox cuisine. Simply look at the food being sold on the
streets and you will find some really unusual stuff which may be
unpalatable to some, but are actually delicacies which the local
love.
Fourth, you will get the best bang for your buck when travelling to
the Philippines. Currently, the exchange rate is more than forty
pesos for one dollar – so if you would like to have a luxurious
vacation without burning a hole in your pocket, the Philippines is
definitely the place to be. Finally, out of the thousands of islands
which make up the Philippine archipelago, there is definitely
something that will appeal to you as a traveller. Whether you’re
looking for a dynamic nightlife, a unique shopping experience, or
world-class beaches, you will find it here in the Philippines.
Top Must-Visit Destinations
So what are the must-visit destinations when you’re travelling to
this part of Southeast Asia? Here’s a preview of the grand time that
you will be having discovering the numerous must-visit places in the
Philippines:
- Explore the capital city of Manila, where almost everything that
you need is accessible. Intramuros is one of the most interesting
places here, where you will have a glimpse of the country’s rich and
colorful history prior to their being independent. Other interesting
sites within the city are Rizal Park, the Bonifacio Shirne,
Chinatown and Roxas Boulevard where you can have a glimpse of the
famous Manila sunset.
- Visit Baguio, considered to be the “Summer Capital” of the
Philippines where the annual Panagbenga or Flower Festival is held.
- Visit Vigan, a historic Spanish colonial town in the North which
is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Venture to Visayas which is located in the middle part of the
islands. Bacolod is a must-visit place here, which is dubbed as the
“City of Smiles”. Don’t pass up on the opportunity to try their
mouth-watering local speciality of chicken inasal, and participate
in the annual Maskara Festival.
- Lounge by the beach in the world famous shores of Boracay, which
features white sand, dazzling cool waters and a dynamic island
nightlife. A similar hangout place is Puerto Galera.
- Go to Palawan which, in addition to the beautiful beaches, also
gives you a tour of what is known as the longest underground river
in the world where amazing rock formations can be seen.
As numerous as the islands of the Philippines are, that is probably
the same number of sightseeing and travelling options that you can
have – so make sure to include this beautifully diverse Southeast
Asian country in your list of places to visit. |
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