5 must-see sites in the Philippines
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In the Philippines, the string of islands - no less than 7,107, often uninhabited - is heavenly and the landscapes are exuberant and changing: dense jungle, smoking volcanoes, white sand beaches, turquoise lagoons, green rice fields... On the culture side, the history and mixed influences enrich the journey with heritage treasures.
Just like local hospitality.
Visit in 5 essential steps.
1- Luzon or the art of rice terraces
In the Luzon cordillera, the rice terraces, “mirrors of God” in a checkerboard of shades of green, have been shaped on the mountainside by the Ifugao people for two millennia.
Nagacadan, Hungduan, Mayoyao, Bangaan, Batad... These five sites, united under the name of Batad, are listed as UNESCO world heritage sites.
A titanic job.
A stunning beauty.
Harmony between man and nature: a building people, the Ifugao, proud descendants of head-chopping warriors, have elevated ancient rice growing techniques to the rank of art, ingenious examples of sustainable agricultural practices respecting lunar cycles and recycling rainwater.
The rice fields of Luzon, the eighth wonder of the world?
Without a doubt.
2- Palawan and its magical beaches
With its translucent turquoise sea, its sheer cliffs, its tropical jungle, its breathtakingly rich underwater gardens, this is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world, according to National Geographic.
A long postcard island between the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea, classified as a “biosphere reserve” by UNESCO.
No wonder Commander Cousteau described it as the most beautiful place he had ever explored.
Palawan therefore delights diving lovers and lovers of raw beauty.
On the program: mask-fins-snorkel to splash among the multicolored fish, kayak or paddle on the crystalline lagoon, cabotage from island to island in banca, navigation on the longest underground river in the world in the Puerto Princesa national park.. We dream of settling down there, in a bungalow facing the sea, with our feet in the water or on the edge of the tropical forest.
In Paradise.
3- Bohol and its chocolate hills
Alternation of rice fields, jungles, white sand beaches and Christian heritage, Bohol, jewel of the Visayas archipelago, is a compendium of extraordinary treasures.
Another essential stop on a trip to the Philippines.
The conical Chocolate Hills are one of the island's star attractions.
Green during the wet season, brown - hence their name, in the dry season, they paint a picture of almost mystical symmetry as far as the eye can see.
At nightfall, thousands of fireflies perform a luminescent show in the mangroves of the Loboc and Abatan rivers, while the endemic tarsier, another astonishing creature, can be admired along a path winding through the jungle of a sanctuary protecting it.
His particuliarity ?
Its head rotates almost 360 degrees, because its large eyes don't move.
Don't miss visiting the Baclayon church, made entirely of coral, for a touch of culture and heading to Anda or Panglao, a divers' paradise.
4- Siquijor, the mystical island
It has been said since ancient times that a giant grabbed a handful of land from Bohol to take it to the great Mindanao and that, tired, he abandoned it on the way... Thus was born this pearl of the Visayas, “island of fire” (because of the sea fireflies), also called “island of the lame king” (in memory of the crippled sovereign who reigned there).
There we find a lush jungle, golden beaches bordered by turquoise water, refreshing waterfalls, an architectural heritage inherited from the Spaniards (such as the Saint Isidore church and the Lazi convent).
We also discover a skillfully maintained mystical aura, legends, superstitions, mountain healers who treat with plants from enchanted forests.
Siquijor is a well-kept, peaceful, preserved secret.
Magic.
Our favorite way to recharge your batteries off the beaten track, to the rhythm of the sea: its mystery is its charm and the kindness of the locals ends up conquering the visitor's heart.
5- Vigan, the colonial
On the main island of Luzon, Vigan offers a timeless break, very different from the rest of the Philippines.
It was in 1572 that Spanish explorer Juan de Salcedo arrived in the Ilocos region and founded the city.
With its steeply sloping red tiled roofs, based on the Chinese architectural model, and its checkerboard plan, typical of the Renaissance, Vigan combines traditional Asian influences, European heritage and Latin ambiance.
A unique culture and an intact example of an ancient Spanish trading post on the Silk Road, which has earned it a UNESCO World Heritage status.
Calle Crisologo, Plaza Salcedo, St. Paul's Cathedral... Be sure to stroll the cobbled streets, admire the sunlight sparkling on the Capiz shell windows, meet the artisan pottery workshops in Pagburnayan, feel the aroma of empanadas floating in front of the antique shops... The charm is there.
HOW TO GET THERE ?
With the Maisons du Voyage’s “Philippines, from rice fields to dream beaches” circuit, which offers a complete panorama of the beauties of the archipelago.
Driven by the desire to share more than 30 years of experiences and passions, Les Maisons du Voyage design rare, authentic itineraries, favoring intellectual curiosity, encounters and the vision of responsible tourism.
Dedicated to each region of the world, the Maisons' experts offer you a personalized service: a promise of quality demonstrated by a demanding clientele.
Discover all Maisons du Voyage trips to the Philippines
on https://www.maisonsduvoyage.com/asie/philippines
Philippine Tourism Office Philippine Tourism Office