Top Five Must-See Beaches in the Philippines

When thinking of a tropical paradise, many people imagine Bali but the Philippines offer a wonderful alternative. The beautiful nature, the serenity and the clean beaches have all increased the popularity of the archipelago.

If you love the beach, the crystal blue water and the picturesque appeal of the marine flora and fauna, the beaches are just right for you. Here is a list of the five must-see beaches of the Philippines.

1) El Nido Beach, Palawan

The town of El Nido is located 420 kilometres away from Manila and is often labelled as the best beach destination of the archipelago. In 1984, a large portion of the beach was declared a turtle sanctuary and later on, the entire area became a marine reserve.

El Nido is often called the last frontier. It impresses with the virginity of the nature, the peacefulness and the entertainment opportunities. You can try caving, kayaking and even island hopping.

2) Boracay, Aklan

Boracay's popularity as one of the best beach destinations has increased a lot over the past few years. The small island is located south of Manila and White Beach, its most famous tourist spot, has received a number of prestigious awards.

The fine white sand and crystal blue waters are the most prominent characteristics of Boracay beaches. In 2012, Boracay received a best island in the world award by Travel + Leisure magazine. Despite the popularity, Boracay still has some secluded beaches and romantic sites that offer privacy and serenity.

3) Siargao Island

Surfers have certainly heard about Siargao Island, since it is considered the number one surfing spot of the Philippines.

Cloud Nine is incredibly popular among surfers and as such, it is always crowded and noisy. Siargao Island, however, does have some secluded, peaceful beaches where you will get to enjoy nature to the fullest.

4) Mactan Island

The island of Mactan brags some of the finest Philippines beaches. It is located very close to Cebu Island and Mactan attracts numerous tourists because it is a coral island destination. Some of the best diving experiences in the area are available there.

Mactan Island is also the home of Mactan Island Aquarium - the only attraction of this kind in the Visayas. The accommodation options are suitable for every taste and preference and if you really value your privacy, you can choose one of the Mactan private beaches for your vacation.

5) Panglao, Bohol

Panglao Island is a limestone unit that brags numerous caves, one of which supplies the entire island with water. Alona Beach is one of the Panglao places that attract an incredibly large number of tourists.

The Panglao beaches are very similar to the ones on Boracay - fine white sand and crystal clear water. Panglao offers one of the best diving experiences but its popularity has made the place a bit crowded.

To read about it is very different from seeing for yourself and exploring the beauty of the Philippines. Do you like white sand, coral reefs, diving and lush greenery? If your answer is yes, you should certainly consider organising a vacation. The islands of the Philippines are welcoming, peaceful and suitable for everyone. Just choose the one you like the most and start exploring!

Michael Kent is Founder and CEO of Azimo a London based technology company specialising in safe, convenient and fast Philippine online remittances at better rates than the high street banks, from the comfort of your home or office.

Please visit: http://www.azimo.com/PHL for more information

Article Source: M._Kent

Top Five Things to Do in The Philippines

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The Philippines is a popular tourism destination for a very good reason. The incredible archipelago is made of more than 7000 islands and offers an activity option for everyone, regardless of age, lifestyle and preferences. Planning a trip to the Philippines any time soon? Here is a list of the top five activities to do while you're there.

1) Learn How to Dive

Where? Palawan

Palawan is located in the southeast part of the archipelago and will probably rank amongst the most exotic and peaceful places that you will ever get the chance to visit. Just imagine virgin rainforests, pristine beaches, rocky coves, the whitest sand and coral reefs.

Palawan is the gateway to El Nido. The resort is a world-famous diving destination because of the unbelievable underwater scenery that you will get to enjoy. Professional diving instructors will get you going, even if you have never tried diving before. Just relax, listen carefully, follow the instructions and enjoy!

2) Play Survivor

Where? The Visayas

How about some island hopping? An archipelago that consists of more than 7000 islands presents the perfect opportunity for such an experience. Naturally, you have to do it the Filipino way. To get from one island to the next, you will use a traditional boat called a "banca" (pronounced: bang-kah).

You will enjoy the immense beauty of the region by getting up early and welcoming the sun. Along the way, you may spot dolphins and other amicable marine creatures. You will cook your own lunch, swim in the clear water and enjoy the beauty of the tropical fish. Want to explore the Philippines Robinson Crusoe style? This is your chance!

3) Rekindle Your Belief in Magic

Where? Siquijor

Siquijor Island is probably the most mysterious place in the Philippines. It is called "the island of the sorcerers" for a reason. The island's population is about 70,000 people and mystic rituals are practiced there on a regular basis. There are numerous myths being told about Siquijor mysticism, witchcraft and ancient healing rituals. In hushed talks, the natives talk about the existence of witches and sorcerers living among them on the island.

Even if you have firm belief in logic and science, a trip to Siquijor would be a wonderful opportunity to explore different traditions. It may be a bit spooky as well, which will make the trip unforgettable and fun.

4) Marvel at the Past

Where? Banaue Rice Terraces

The Banaue Rice Terraces will reveal a different side of the Philippines. Most tourists are drawn to the tropical beauty and the amazing beaches but the terraces will show you how diversified and intriguing the cultural heritage of the country is. The terraces are located in northern Luzon and they have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The terraces are over 2000-year old.

Ancestors of the indigenous people carved the terraces meticulously in the local hills. To understand and explore a tiny piece of Philippine history, you should definitely head towards Ifugao Mountains and see how locals are still using the ancient terraces to this day.

5) Soak Up the Culture of the Metropolis

Where? Manila

The capital of the Philippines will give you a chance to get acquainted with the contemporary culture of the country. Manila is a huge metropolis that has its historic landmarks, as well as the third largest mall in the world. For all the shopping enthusiasts out there - Manila is the place to be. Manila is also the perfect place to experience the local cuisine because of the enormous number of high quality local restaurants.

Michael Kent is Founder and CEO of Azimo a London based technology company specialising in safe, convenient and fast Philippine online remittances at better rates than the high street banks, from the comfort of your home or office.

Please visit: http://www.azimo.com/PHL for more information

or call 0203 5820398 / 0203 2827125 for assistance

Article Source: M._Kent

Exploring The Natural Wonders Of Boracay Beaches

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Boracay, without a doubt, is one of the most famous tourist spots in the world that is frequented by local and international visitors every year. It is one of the most polished tourist gems of the Philippines, and even celebrities rely on the fun and relaxation that it can bring. In Boracay, you can explore numerous beaches and the activities that are correlated with them.

White Beach - The majesty of purely white sand

Boracay Island Philippines is famous for White Beach. The beach is popular for its attractive white sand. Among all the beaches on Boracay, this is the trump card. In fact, it has been so famous that it is dubbed as the Boracay beach itself. White Beach is about 4 kilometres long and up to 100 metres wide. You can spend hours strolling the beach with your friends and loved ones. Activities at White Beach include banana boat ride, flying fish, and sailing. There are still a few for sale properties in Boracay along white beach, but most prime positions have already been snapped up by large hotels.

Puka Shell Beach - Time to collect those shells

Puka Shell Beach is considered as the most primitive part of the island. Resort developers, for some reasons, have not commercialised it completely. If you fancy collecting beach mementoes, a short boat or tricycle ride away, and you will reach Puka Shell Beach. The beach is named after the Puka Shell, the world's finest shell discovered by man.

Balinghai Beach - The secluded paradise

Balinghai is a beach paradise meant for couples and people who want to have peace of mind. The beach is enclosed by high sections of rocks. You can find cottages here that provide lodging and other services. The resort in Balinghai is also known to offer an assortment of food and drinks that are worth trying. Snorkeling is a famous activity that can be enjoyed by sea lovers.

Cagban Beach - Meant for treasure hunters

Beaches are good sources of treasures and hidden objects that have unknown value. If you are one of those who are curious enough about the treasures of Boracay, then it is time for you to explore Cagban Beach. The beach is not the central hub of activities, so you visit it if you want to have a peaceful moment. Rumours say that there are still some treasure chests hidden in Cagban-a great opportunity to take out a metal detector device and seek booty.

Ilig-iligan Beach - The snorkeler's paradise

The easternmost part of the island is known because of Ilig-iligan Beach. Dense trees and jungle surround the area and there are also coves and caves to discover. Ilig-iligan Beach is a snorkeler's paradise because the waves are calmer. Boracay Island youths also offer their services if ever you want to visit the bat caves, about thirty minutes away from the main beach.

Upon reaching the island, the reception or front desk of Boracay hotels and resorts can usually provide information and organise transport to the beaches that you want to visit.

I write articles about the paradise island in the Philippines named as Boracay, to educate people what this world class beach can offer. Giving away some valuable traveling tips, news, guides and reviews of the best Boracay resorts and hotels for accommodations as well as the Real Estate in Boracay for property investments.

Article Source: Kit_Cruz

Top 10 Tourist Spots in the Philippines

The Philippines is blessed with 7,107 beautiful islands. The Philippines has the 5th longest coastline in the world. It boasts of wonderful beaches that attract locals and tourists alike. The temperate climate makes it a perfect place to enjoy the heat of the sun. Many islands offer a chance to appreciate nature's splendor. Are you ready for a tour? Allow me to take you to the Top 10 Tourist Spots in the Philippines.

1. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River - Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines

What better way to start the list than with the Puerto Princesa Underground River, one of the sites included in the provisional New 7 Wonders of Nature? The Subterranean River is reputed to be the longest navigable river in the world. The river winds through a cave before it flows directly into the sea. Stalactites and stalagmites can be found inside the cave which, through the years, formed into different figures of humans, animals, and objects.

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River is located in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Palawan is also home to two of the most visited areas in the country because of its beaches and wildlife: El Nido and Coron.

2. Tubbataha Reef - Sulu Sea, Philippines

Tubbataha Reef is a marine sanctuary located in the Sulu Sea. It was also nominated at the New 7 Wonders of Nature. The reef is composed of two coral atolls. The Tubbataha Reef National Park is popular among divers. It is widely considered as the best dive site in the Philippines. The corals serve as habitat for many colonies of fish. A variety of marine life exists in the sanctuary, including some endangered species.

3. Chocolate Hills - Bohol, Philippines

The Chocolates Hills is an uncommon geological formation. Estimated to be from 1200 to 1700 mounds, these hills are spread over an area of over 20 square miles. The sizes of the hills range from 98 to 160 feet. These dome-shaped hills are actually limestone covered in grass. The grass turns chocolate brown during the dry season; this makes the area look like an endless row of chocolates.

4. Mayon Volcano - Albay, Bicol, Philippines

Mayon Volcano is an active volcano in the province of Albay. It is famous for having a "perfect cone". Its cone is considered to be the world's most perfectly formed volcano. Layers of pyroclastic and lava flows contributed to the volcano's current form.

5. Banaue Rice Terraces - Ifugao, Philippines

The Banaue Rice Terraces are terraces carved by the indigenous people of Ifugao in the Philippines. It is largely made by hand. These terraces date back to more than 2000 years ago. The people of Ifugao have been its caretakers. The Filipinos usually refer to the site as the "Eighth Wonder of the World".

6. Sagada - Mountain Province, Philippines

Sagada is famous for its hanging coffins and its unexplored caves and forests. The hanging coffins are coffins placed on cliffs. This is a traditional way of burying people practiced by the indigenous tribe in the area. Sagada is home to many subterranean caves, the most popular of which is the Sumaging Cave. Inside the cave, amazing formations of limestone rocks and crystal clear water can be found.

7. Baguio - Baguio City, Philippines

Baguio City is considered as the Summer Capital of the Philippines. Many Filipinos who want to escape the heat of summer go to Baguio to relax and enjoy the cool weather. A variety of cultural and historic attractions make it a popular choice among tourists as an interesting destination. Among its scenic spots are Club John Hay, the Mansion House, the Burnham Park, and the Lion's Head.

8. Caramoan - Camarines Sur, Philippines

The Caramoan Peninsula is popular for its beautiful island beaches. White sand beaches and magnificent coral reefs are found around the peninsula. One will never get tired of island-hopping in Caramoan because of the unique features of each island beach. Another attraction in Camarines Sur is the Camarines Sur Watersports Complex. It is a watersports park designed for wakeboarding, wakeskating, and waterskiing.

9. Boracay - Aklan, Philippines

Boracay Island is the most popular tourist destination in the Philippines. It is known world-wide because of its white sand beaches. The Boracay Island received numerous awards. It has been awarded recently as the second best beach in the world and ranked fourth in the Top 10 Islands list of the World's Best Awards 2011. White Beach is the main tourism beach. It is lined with first-class resorts and restaurants. Popular activities on Boracay include scuba diving, snorkeling, kiteboarding, cliff diving, and windsurfing.

10. Metro Manila - National Capital Region, Philippines

The Philippines does not only boast of its nature's beauty, but also of its attractions on the metropolitan area. Metro Manila is composed of the main cities and municipalities in the Philippines. From historic sites to shopping malls, tourists will always find a place to visit in Metro Manila. Rizal Park is among the most popular destinations. A monument was erected in the park to commemorate the memory of Dr. Jose Rizal, the National Hero of the Philippines. Just around the Rizal Park are other historical sites: Intramuros, Fort Santiago and Manila Cathedral. Tourists who love to shop will also enjoy the metro as three of the largest malls in the world are located in Metro Manila.

Article Source: Catrus_P_Manlosa

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The World's Most Underrated Travel Destinations

How popular a country is as a travel destination, has as much to do with image as it has to do with how interesting a place is to visit or how accessible or affordable it is. Some simply want to go somewhere because it looks nice while others are drawn to specific locations - whether it's Tuscany, India or Mauritius - as the image presented by these destinations fits their own personal aspirations. While popular tourist magnets, such as Australia or New Zealand, excel at self promotion, other equally deserving destinations fare less well in the image stakes; they may be a little of the beaten track, have suffered from poor leadership, or simply have failed to sufficiently promote their own attractions. Nevertheless, some of these less appreciated destinations have far more to offer curious independent travellers, than their more adeptly promoted rivals.

Here are some of the world's most underrated destinations:

Uzbekistan

The three great Silk Road cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva are architecturally outstanding, incredibly atmospheric and great value for money. Majestic mosques and medressas, and huge, ornately tiled minarets seem to reach for the bright blue sky from every other winding alley way. Apart from the members of up-market 'cultural' tours from France and Germany, hardly anybody seems to visit them. This situation has hardly been helped by the notoriously corrupt Karimov regime, which insists that visitors pay for a pointlessly expensive 'letter of introduction' before even being allowed to apply for an equally overpriced tourist visa. The government's tendency to massacre protestors and boil alive political opponents, can't have helped either.
Despite the country's fearsome reputation, the people themselves are incredibly warm, friendly and welcoming. Even the once notoriously corrupt militsia are far more friendly and helpful than you might expect.

For a long time, Uzbekistan may have been well off the beaten track but it is now possible to fly into Tashkent, the capital, on Latvia's Air Baltic budget airline, from most major cities in Europe. It is also now relatively easy to obtain your letter of introduction and tourist visa through specialist travel agencies such as Stan Tours.

Taiwan

It doesn't occur to many people to visit Taiwan. It's a little bit off the Far Eastern backpacking trail, and it's certainly more expensive than Thailand or Indonesia, but it still has plenty to offer the independent traveller. The Portuguese sailors, who were the first Westerners to visit, named it Ilha Formosa (meaning 'beautiful island'). After visiting the spectacular Toroko Gorge National Park, you'll soon understand why. The gorgeous gorge is known for its towering marble cliffs, its rock hewn tunnels and the spectacularly snaking Liwu River. It can easily be visited on a day trip from Taipei but many prefer to base themselves outside of the relatively expensive capital city. Taipei, itself, is bright, lively and fun. As well as Taipei 101 (formerly the world's tallest building), it also known for its museums, markets and temple complexes. The atmospheric Lunshan Temple is particularly popular and still plays host to ancient Buddhist rituals. Taipei is also renowned for its varied and delicious street food; the Shilin Night Market is always busy and bustling and overflowing with strange new street food to sample such as pig's blood cake, deep fried stinky tofu and rubbery grilled quails eggs.

It used to be relatively costly to get to Taiwan but with the new generation of budget Asian airlines such as Air Asia and Cebu Pacific, and cheaper flights on Taiwan's own EVA Air, it is now more affordable than ever.

It's also incredibly safe and easy to visit and Westerners don't even need a visa.

Tunisia

Tunisia has been a well established package tour destination for Europeans, for some time, but still receives relatively few independent travellers. This may partly be because Morocco and Egypt are cheaper, but Tunisia is still far better value than Western Europe and there's a lot to see in such a small country. The vast majority of tourists stick to the busy coastal resorts such as Hammamet, Sousse or Jerba, with only the occasional day trip inland, but Tunisia has far more to offer than simply sun and sand. As well as magnificent desert and mountain scenery, there are also ancient Roman ruins, rock hewn troglodyte villages, and lush oases and palmeraies set between desolate Saharan sand dunes.

The recent troubles have badly damaged the tourist industry but most (non government) reports seem to suggest that Tunisia is still a very safe country to travel in. It's possible to get great value flights through BA.com - especially if you're willing to book ahead and fly mid week - and once you are there, it's easy to make your own way around. Perhaps Tunisia's greatest strengths, however, are its close proximity to Europe, and the huge variety of experiences to be had with so little travelling time between its many attractions.

Georgia and Armenia

Few travellers ever think about visiting the Caucasus, and yet both Georgia and Armenia are crammed full of magnificent mountain scenery and the architectural remnants of millennia of civilisation. Both countries have somehow managed to retain their unique characters over thousands of years of history despite having been conquered at various times by Romans, Mongols, Persians and Ottoman Turks. The people of both Georgia and Armenia are renowned for their warmth and hospitality, and despite the many historical and political tensions that remain across the region, foreigners are almost always made to feel welcome. There still remains a strong Soviet feel within the region, and many within the more rural areas are still very poor, but the larger cities are rapidly modernizing as they struggle to catch up with the more affluent former Soviet nations on the edge of Western Europe.

Georgia and Armenia may be at the very edge of European civilisation but they are now more accessible than ever, and offer a taste of something genuinely different. Flights from the Latvian budget airline, Air Baltic, fly into Tbilisi and Yerevan from all over Europe (via Riga) and there is only a modest visa fee for Armenia (which is straight forward to buy on entry) and there's no visa fee at all for Western nationals in Georgia.

The Philippines

Like Taiwan, the Philippines are a little off the well worn backpacking trails around the rest of South-East Asia. It's a bit more expensive, and a little less safe, and it used to take a lot more effort and patience to make your around even a fraction of its 7000 islands. Many visitors are less than impressed with the bigger cities but what really makes the Philippines worth visiting, are its many natural wonder. As well as the stunningly beautiful rice terraces of Banaue, there are also numerous world class beaches, 37 volcanoes, the Chocolate Hills of Bohol, and the Underground River National Park in Palawan. If its wildlife you're into, then there's always swimming with whale sharks off of Donsol, the peculiar Tarsiers of Bohol, and some of the best diving in the world.

As with Taiwan, the rapid rise of budget airlines such as Cebu Pacific and Air Asia has now made travelling around the Philippines far more easy and affordable. You can now get cheap flights into either Manila or Cebu, from all over the Far East, and then get even cheaper flights around its many islands. If you research your trip well, and book up your flights in advance, then it is possible to experience an incredible variety of natural wonders within a disconcertingly short amount of time.

More travel stories, articles and photography at http://www.tomcoote.net.

Article Source: Tom_Coote