Things to do in the Philippines Stories > Experiences > Things to do in the Philippines Curation by Jamie McGhee, words by Ian PackhamIn many ways, trying to define the Philippines is an impossible task. Comprising more than 7,000 islands scattered across the South China Sea, a snapshot of this boisterous country might include its famed rice terraces, often described as the Eighth Wonder of the World; the thrust of life in the capital, Manila; sparkling, secluded lagoons; or misty mountains just waiting to be explored. Whatever you’re into, it’s fair to say the Philippines has it in spades, and while rickety beach shacks provide spectacular getaways for the Robinson Crusoes among us, there are also plenty of options for those who prefer a little more luxury, as we will see. Tailor Made JourneyLet Us Book a Luxurious Vacation For YouMr Hudson’s team of expert trip designers inspire and book unique and luxurious vacations for sophisticated travellers who prioritise style and beautiful design. BOOK WITH US The best hotels in the PhilippinesManila’s Raffles Makati lies at the heart of the capital, a short walk from its main malls and Ayala Museum and Triangle Gardens. Although the sheer glass sides of its exterior might first strike you like a little corporate, the interiors feel much more homely, with spacious suites that simply ooze class. A world away, Takatuka Beach and Dive Resort in Sipalay’s Sugar Beach offer ocean views and quirky themed rooms just a few steps from the soft sands and warm seas. Sandy Feet Siargao goes even further, providing its guests with a private area of beach, as well as classically-styled beachfront accommodation comprising natural woods and thatched roofs. Villas also boast exterior showers and fully-equipped kitchenettes. SomeWhere Else Boutique Resort rocks a similar look in Mambajao, with modern villas set among delightful tropical gardens on the coast close to the White Island Ferry Terminal. SomeWhere Else Boutique Resort Hotels - Raffles Makati Situated in the heart of Makati Central Business District, Raffles Makati features an outdoor swimming pool, a gym and business centre. Free Wi-Fi access is available in the entire hotel, while complimentary parking is provided on-site. Book on Booking.com Hotels - Takatuka Beach and Dive Resort Takatuka Beach and Dive Resort offer comfortable accommodation in Sipalay, located directly along Sugar Beach. The resort has a terrace and views of the sea, and guests can enjoy delicious meals at the restaurant or refreshing drinks at the bar. Book on Booking.com Hotels - Sandy Feet Siargao Located in a quiet area of General Luna, Sandy Feet Siargao offers resort-style beachfront accommodations. Boasting a terrace and a private beach area, the property also offers units that are luxuriously furnished. Book on Booking.com Hotels - SomeWhere Else Boutique Resort Offering a private beach area on Agoho Beach, SomeWhere Else Boutique Resort features air-conditioned villas with sea views and free WiFi. Guests can go canoeing and snorkelling during their stay at the resort. Book on Booking.com Hotels - City Of Dreams - Nüwa Manila City of Dreams Manila – Nüwa is a luxurious, 5-star hotel featuring an outdoor pool, restaurant and bar. Offering air-conditioned rooms, studios and suites with free WiFi and city views, the property also has an in-house casino. Book on Booking.com Hotels - Discovery Primea Centrally located in Makati, Discovery Primea features modern and luxurious accommodation with free WiFi access in the public areas. It houses an outdoor infinity pool, fitness centre, restaurants and free parking on site. Book on Booking.com Discover more places to stay like this in Manila View on Booking.comPowered by Booking.com For a fresh and playful take on Filipino cuisine, you’ll want to grab a table at The Toyo Eatery back in the capital The Toyo EateryWhere to eat in the PhilippinesThree hundred years as a Spanish colony mean the Philippines (named after King Phillip II of Spain) is no stranger to tapas, with Manila’s Las Flores vaunting a menu of traditional Catalan and Basque flavours that extends to paella and juicy steaks. In Boracay, head instead to Dos Mestizos, which, in addition to tapas, offers suckling pig and an apparently endless supply of sangria. If you’re diving off the Cebu Islands, it’s well worth thinking about a stop at Ocean Vida on Malapascua, whose expansive international menu roams from French onion soup to fresh calamari, all washed down with great cocktails and extraordinary tropical sunsets. Meanwhile, on El Nido on the Palawan Islands is Altrove, an Italian restaurant with a full gambit of pastas and pizzas so popular you’ll need to get there early to avoid a wait. However, for a fresh and playful take on Filipino cuisine, you’ll want to grab a table at The Toyo Eatery back in the capital, which grows its vegetables in its own gardens, and has a chef that trained under Heston Blumenthal. The Toyo Eatery Going to the Philippines? The same team that brings you the content you love designs your perfect tripWhat to see in the PhilippinesMade famous by Leonardo DiCaprio’s The Beach, Boracay has become the byword for idyllic tropical stays, and with good reason. White Beach stretches for four of the island’s seven-kilometre length, with plenty of restaurants, bars, and events to ensure your stay is less Cast Away and more La Dolce Vita. Mactan Island, close to Cebu, has formed over millennia from coral, and as a result, offers impressive diving opportunities and a great range of water sports too. However, Tubbataha Reefs National Park, situated in the middle of the Sulu Sea, takes the crown for underwater adventures, with sharks, rays, and turtles all regular visitors to the crystal-clear waters. Back on land, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park combines beautiful rock formations (and more than the odd bat) with paddling along an underground waterway to incredible cathedral-like natural chambers. Shaped by volcanic activity rather than trickling water, Luzon Island’s Taal Volcano has erupted more than 30 times, creating a sublime crater lake. Luzon also boasts Mount Mayon, a volcano with an almost perfect cone shape. However, the Philippines’ highest point is Mount Apo volcano, at 2,954 metres, whose lofty peak can be reached in around three days of trekking. Photo: Bambi CorroThe gentle cones of the Chocolate Hills in Bohol Province – so named because they turn a chocolate brown in the dry season – may not match the dramatic heights of Mounts Mayon or Apo, but that doesn’t stop the 1,260 low hills spread across 52 square kilometres from being an impressive sight to behold. The same can certainly be said for the Banaue Rice Terraces north of Manila. Two thousand years old, the steep mountain terraces were created by the island’s indigenous peoples predominantly by hand, and continue to be used for the cultivation of rice. For a city adventure, check out Burnham Park in Baguio. Here there’s an orchidarium, but also the chance to peddle or paddle your way around its 32 hectares by renting a bike or boat. Manila’s Rizal Park is even larger at 60 hectares. It buzzes throughout the day, with locals practising tai chi in the morning hours, and hosting Sunday concerts by night. Chocolate Hills, Bohol | Photo: Jacky Lo. Consecrated in 1607, San Agustin Church is a masterpiece of baroque design, transporting visitors back to the Iberian PeninsulaWhat to do in the PhilippinesThe capital’s San Agustin Church in the walled Intramuros area of Manila is the oldest in the country. Consecrated in 1607, it is a masterpiece of baroque design, transporting visitors back to the Iberian Peninsula. Nearby Fort Santiago is even older, and forms part of a historic park together with Plaza Moriones, while The Shrine Of The Black Nazarene stands above the high altar of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene. As well as being unusual in depicting Christ with black skin, is also renowned for its miraculous powers. On Cebu Island, Roman Catholic churches are swapped for a Taoist Temple, built to resemble the Great Wall of China, and providing fine views across the island. Away from the country’s religious artefacts altogether, Corregidor Island in Manila Bay has been preserved to tell the story of Filipinos and Americans interred there during the Second World War, when Japanese forces occupied the country. Manila | Photo: JC. Gellidon Experiences - Full-Day Corregidor War Memorial Tour 9 hours Experiences - Boracay: Solo or Tandem Parasailing Experience 15 mins Experiences - Oslob Whale Shark Swimming and Kawasan Falls Canyoneering 12 hours Experiences - Taal Volcano Full-Day Adventure Tour from Manila 8 hours Experiences - From Cebu: Private Whale Shark Tour & Tumalog Falls Option 10-13 hours Explore more experiences like this in the Philippines Book on GetYourGuide.comPowered by GetYourGuide and ViatorWant to simplify luxury travel planning?Whether you want a resort vacation, wildlife safari, city break, luxury cruise, wellness retreat, honeymoon, once-in-a-lifetime adventure or weekend escape, the trip curation experts at Mr Hudson make travel planning a breeze. Find out how we can handle the finer details of holidaying in style.Special SelectionExclusive Mr Hudson offersOut now from gestaltenMr Hudson Explores Browse the Book share Photo: Tamara Mohle Photo: Jakob Owens Photo: Jeff Nafura Photo: Jeremy Perret Photo: Lyman Gerona Photo: Michael Buillerey Photo: Michael Buillerey Photo: Roxanne de la PenaDid you enjoy this article? Then sign up for our newsletterDid you enjoy this article? The same team that curates our content designs your perfect trip Explore more 25 famous landmarks you must see (at least!) once in a lifetimeEvery place has something that makes us dream of being there to witness it. Take a look at 25 famous landmarks all over the world that will inspire your next travel adventure! Read story > Istanbul City GuideThe heady collision point of continents and cultures, Istanbul is where Europe meets the Middle East, bringing diverse people, religions and philosophies together in a frenetic fusion of mysticism and modernity. 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