Happier Abroad Forum Community

All right gentlemen, I know that the Philippines has been flogged to death on this forum, but one thing that has not been discussed is beautiful places in the PI. With respect to female companionship I've always been able to hold my own, so this topic isn't about that. Rather, it's about suggested itineraries for someone visiting the PI for say, three weeks. I'm currently based in Thailand and am thinking of hitting up the PI very soon, just bc it's one of the few countries in the region I've yet to visit.

My travel generally centres around photography, and a potential visit to the PI would be no different. Beaches are obviously on the list. Something akin to the grandeur of Lombok or Thailand's nicer beaches would be in order. Karst scenery is up there too. I'm thinking Guilin, Laos, Phang Nga, Halong Bay... or better. Haha. Rice terraces, too. Yunnan in China, Bali in Indonesia, Sapa in Vietnam... you get the idea. Colourful street life: India, Sri Lanka, inland China... something gritty but not totally criminal (if that's possible). Anything and everything, I guess. By the way, I've been to all the places I've just mentioned

Activities: I'm a pretty active guy and enjoy outdoor sports. However, I try to limit that kind of thing when travelling, just bc it really adds up. Rock climbing, water sports, trekking, etc... I'm game.

Also, pointing out dangerous/high risk areas would be good, too. Thanks guys.

Wow, i got my plate of dinner and was all ready to sit and read about 20 replies. I would like to know too? I come in June for a visit and plan to make move early 2014. But nothing here?

Boracay has good beaches. Angles bay and Manila tend to be where the vice goes on. Cebu seems to be an interesting city. Davao city is a safe city. General Santos is a great place for sea food. Sorry if I rehashed, but that is as much as I know.

I also believe Cebu has a bee farm somewhere. I don't remember the name though

Speaking from personal experience, Boracay has picture perfect beaches because they have workers raking the sand at 6am. No kidding, otherwise you'd be stepping on coral pieces in the sand.

The Philippines is a country of over 7,000 islands. It is a beautiful place, outside of the cities. In fact, i'd advise staying away from the big cities if not for shopping, eating, nightlife and women.

Almost anywhere is beautiful in the Philippines, but usually the better places are close to the water. For nature, i would hit some of the less visited areas.


My favorite ones are the smaller, less populated ones, where you can rent a moped and slowly drive around the island in less than a day. That way you can stop and see the place at a leisurely pace

Here's a few nice places that I know of.

1. Baguio
2. Taygaytay City
3. Boracay
4. Malapascua
5. Camaguin
6. Palawan

Here are some travel packages to hot spots in the Philippines.

http://www.cashcashpinoy.com/#!/4-vacation-and-travel

I liked Tagaytay. It is about a two hour bus ride from Manila. We had lunch at the Days Inn there which had some really nice views of Taal lake. Also visit the Palace in the sky aka Peoples Park it had some great views. We didn't get a chance to actually go down to the lake that day but there is always next time I guess.

Tomorrow we are flying from Davao to Cebu I plan on visiting the taoist temple there which looks beautiful online, but I am not sure what else the city offers until I arrive.

The best person in this forum to talk about this topic unfortunately does not feel like sharing for fear of monger contamination of the real nice places to see.

With that said, try tripadvisor.com jus enter Philippines in the search field and you will be bombarded with places, activities, good eats, and great places to stay in.

The Philippines is composed of 7107 islands, there will be something to suit each person's tastes.

jboy wrote:The best person in this forum to talk about this topic unfortunately does not feel like sharing for fear of monger contamination of the real nice places to see.

With that said, try tripadvisor.com jus enter Philippines in the search field and you will be bombarded with places, activities, good eats, and great places to stay in.

The Philippines is composed of 7107 islands, there will be something to suit each person's tastes.

Good point...I know of killer places here in Mindanao as well as a couple of other islands and I am NOT inclined to
post them here.

Outwest
Misamis Oriental, Mindanao