Philippines

The bay’s waterfront promenade is famous for its sunsets, drawing crowds each evening to watch the sky turn orange over the water. Binondo, one of the oldest Chinatowns in the world, offers a dense mix of temples, markets, and some of the city’s best food. The National Museum complex traces Filipino history and art, including the country’s rich indigenous and colonial-era collections. Manila’s chaotic energy and layered colonial history make it a fitting introduction to the Philippines’ more than seven thousand islands.

Fort San Pedro, a small triangular Spanish fortress, guards the old harbor and offers a compact look at the city’s colonial military history. Cebu serves as the main gateway to the central Philippines, with ferries and flights connecting to the islands of Bohol and the whale shark waters of Oslob. The city’s lechon, whole roasted pig, is considered among the best in the country and can be sampled at markets throughout the city. Cebu’s blend of colonial history and access to island-hopping makes it a key stop in the Visayas region.

El Nido, at the island’s northern tip, offers island-hopping tours through the Bacuit Archipelago’s turquoise lagoons and towering limestone cliffs, including the famous Big and Small Lagoons. Coron, further north, is known for wreck diving among sunken Japanese ships from World War Two alongside striking limestone lakes. Palawan’s beaches, coral reefs, and largely undeveloped interior have made it one of the most sought-after island destinations in Southeast Asia. Its combination of dramatic scenery above and below the water sets it apart even among the Philippines’ many islands.