Holidays to the Philippines are still relatively unknown and this is one of the lesser visited jewels of Southeast Asia; blessed with stunning highlands, colonial towns and world class beaches. An outstanding cultural destination with a fascinating history, English is also widely spoken, allowing for great local interactions.

Most Philippines holidays begin in bustling Manila, a rapidly developing city with a fascinating history and an up and coming culinary scene. The city is fast paced with multicultural influences and a vibrant nightlife.

Head north to the lush hills of Pampanga the culinary capital of the Philippines, located in the shadow of Mt Arayat. Known for its hot air balloon and lantern festivals, as well as its strong Christian traditions, Pampanga is also a great jumping off point for hikes to the dramatic crater lake of Mt Pinatubo.

Further north still lie the iconic rice terraces of Banaue where ancient mud and stone walled terraces scale almost impossible heights amongst incredible mountain scenery. Descending to the coast and the well-preserved Spanish colonial town of Vigan is a charming stopover on the way to the dramatic coastal scenery of Laoag.

After all that sightseeing some R&R is definitely in order. Fly south to the island of Bohol where you can discover the wondrous Chocolate Hills and see tarsiers – the world’s smallest primate. Round off your incredible holiday in the Philippines with some time spent relaxing on the country's sugar white, powder soft beaches. Choose from the limestone karst coastline of Palawan or the tropical paradise of Boracay.