Marvin Salazar asked:




The Philippines is a country that has rich and amazing places to visit. The country offers dynamic tourist attractions for all types of travelers with its 7,107 islands. Festivals and events are present all year-round from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao that draw and captivate local and foreign visitors. Surely, a year is not enough to discover and experience the country’s pristine beauty so there is no proper time to travel than NOW!

As a traveler, it is important that you travel wisely. The main purpose of traveling is to have fun. To spare yourself the hassle and make it to an unforgettable trip, a systematic preparation must be done. Take it from a traveler like myself. Here are 5 tips for a hassle-free travel:

Know Your Destinations

Before you pack your belongings and book your trip, it is very important to know where you plan to go. Do your research first about the destination you want to visit. Get some knowledge about the location, climate, food, available accommodations, accommodation rates, dialect spoken, culture and values. Bring a map if you’re not familiar with the place. Although you can always ask the locals for directions, there is still a certain thrill of finding your own way out of the maze. It is also handy that you know something about the history of the place because it will give you a deeper appreciation. Believe me, it all works!

Book Early and Save Money

Early booker catches the best travel packages and promotions! Your travel need not be expensive. Cut down on travel expenses and save money by searching and availing of cheap flight deals. Hotels and inns also give out great discounts to group accommodations when the booking is done ahead of time.

Prepare Your Itineraries

When traveling, it is important that your activities are plotted earlier on. You don’t only budget your money but your time as well. Scheduled itineraries allow a maximum experience on a given place at a give time. You not only have time to enjoy the beauty of the place but you also can avoid rushing from one place to another.

Pack Light and Wise

Bring only the essentials! Don’t bring your house with you! Just bring the basic necessities. When it comes to clothes, bring only those that are generally wearable, comfortable and appropriate. If you’re going to a cool place like Baguio or Tagaytay, bring jackets and thick clothes. But, if you’ll be visiting the beaches, just bring your **** swimsuits and some light clothes.

Travel Safely

Be sure to bring a first aid kit. Accidents might happen on your travel so it’s better to be prepared than sorry. Bring your medications with you if you have allergies or common diseases. You don’t want to spoil your trip by experiencing asthma attacks in remote areas where no hospital/clinic nearby.

Always…

Remember: Expect the unexpected. Sometimes no matter how much you prepare, there are things that can still get out of control.

Bear in mind: Bring an open-heart when you travel. Do not be afraid to take risks and try new things. Traveling is not only about visiting a certain place. You travel to enjoy, learn, and gather travel stories to tell back home. By having a free-spirited heart, your travel will still turn out to be memorable no matter what happens.

Caffeinated Content

Gregory Smyth asked:


Philippines is one of the most compelling and attracting tourist destinations not only in Asia but the whole world. It is an archipelago nation located in Southeast Asia and it is as charming a destination you can ever imagine.

The Philippine archipelago consists of 7,107 beautiful islands, spreading a total area of 300,000 sq km with Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao constituting the main island groups in the country. Known for its scenic islands, exotic beaches, fascinating volcanoes, fantastic diving spots and elusive wildlife among many more attractions, the Philippines is a lovable place to visit. Philippines boasts of hundreds of seductive tourist destinations, making it a popular choice for nature lovers, honeymooners and adventure seekers from across the world.

Philippines is home to some of the most enchanting beaches in the world comprising the famous White Beach on Boracay Island, which is conferred the tag of the most beautiful tropical beach in the world. Cebu, which comes after the capital Manila for its popularity, possesses some of the most excellent diving spots in the world, making it a favorite destination for adventure seekers.

The islands of Panglao, Balicasag and Pamilacan in Bohol also have world-class diving spots. Bohol also has beautiful beaches which includes the famous Alona Beach at Panglao. The highly sought after Tall Volcano and the amazing Tall Lake at Tagaytay never fail to quench the thirst of its visitors for natural beauty.

Besides its unbelievable scenic beauty, Philippines has a lot more to fascinate its visitors. The cultural, historical and architectural heritages of the Philippines are set to enchant those who are interested in exploring the historical background of the nation. The beautiful colonial structures of Vigan in Ilocos and World War II markers of Manila are ever lasting heritage sites.

The Filipinos are generally energetic and relaxed people and choose to enjoy almost every occasion with great flourish. The lively and colorful festivals are major tourist interests in the Philippines. Philippines conducts numerous colorful festivals, celebrated across the year in all parts of the country.

Those who want to flex their muscles a bit will never leave Philippines disappointed. Philippines offers a compelling range of leisure and adventure activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, hiking, trekking, and a rich diversity of water sports. The lovely beaches of Philippines gives you the perfect ambience to relax, sunbath, and numerous other exciting beach activities.

Filipinos are extremely hospitable people. Guests are often considered like royalty in Philippine households. This is revealed noticeably during fiestas when even absolute strangers are accepted and permitted to partake of the feast that most, if not all, households within the town arrange during the occasion. Quite often, this hospitality is mistaken. Some households allocate their complete savings on their fiesta offerings and sometimes are even indebted just to provide splendid food on their table. They use the next year compensating these debts and readying themselves for the next fiesta.

The country features an excellent blend of cultures; in the Philippines, you can witness the jelling of East and West cultures. The roots of the people in this nation mainly lie in Indonesia and Malaysia. You can also find tints of Chinese and Spanish elements as well. The American rule of the past and indulging with merchants and traders resulted in a rare blend of East and West. You will be able to find this in the appearance and character of the Filipinos, or people of the Philippines.

There is no question about the artistic versatility and scenic beauty of Philippines. You are now familiar with the diverse attractions available as well. It is up to you to ensure that your next trip is to this majestic country.

Danny Wirken asked:


The Philippines has recently gained itself a bad reputation due to all the political on-goings in the country. Clashes between rebel forces and the government, rumors of coup, status of emergency declarations, and even suspected links to the al Quaeda – no wonder some Western governments cannot help but release travel advisories against visiting this country.

Before you decide against a trip to Manila, you should bear in mind that the newspapers do not always give an accurate picture of a situation. Sensationalism is their business, and sensationalized news is what you usually get.

Manila is located in the northern island of Luzon. The terrorist stronghold is located in the southernmost part of the Philippines – two big islands away – in Mindanao. The status of emergency was indeed declared but civilians basically continued to live their normal lives even as it was in place.

It is very easy to get around in Manila. The jeepney is the Philippines’ most common form of transportation. It is actually based on the US Army jeep but is longer and fits about 16-20 people. You can also get on buses, the Metro Rail Transit, and hire cabs. Language is not a major problem as even the people on the streets can speak rudimentary English.

Manila is well-known for its nightlife. You can find bars open until 3 or 4 in the morning. The Makati and Malate areas are where you can find the hottest clubs and bars. Makati is a bit more expensive but safer as well.

Malls abound in the metro. You can find anything from designer brands to nondescript but very cheap brands. Food is not a problem. Filipino food, American fast food, Japanese food – you can find anything there.

Filipinos are very hospitable by nature. You will be surprised at how friendly and helpful most of them are. It’s actually a different form of racism – they seem to treat Caucasians in a much better way.

Cost of living and traveling is so much lower than in western countries. So if you have dollars or euros, chances are you will have no problems availing services that meet your standards. Hotels and other accommodations are abundant and easy to find.

If it is the beach you want, then you can opt to go out of the city. The nearest beach can be reached in about 4 hours from the city. You can take a plane to other parts of the country if you want to see more.

Whether you are traveling alone or with your family, Manila is a good place to visit. It will be a rich cultural experience for you.

Ritu Raj Mishra asked:


Configuring 7,107 islands in the western Pacific Ocean, Philippines, officially known as Republic of the Philippines, is an Asian beauty that captivates every traveler with its natural charm and magnetism. This archipelago beauty is the only Southeast Asian nation that shares no land boundaries with its neighboring countries. From the rich history that has a combined influence of Asian, European and American cultures to the eye-catching landscapes and from thriving cities that reveals the vibrancy of modern world to the relaxed and pleasant environment of beaches, Philippines is a land of themes and regions that ultimately rocks you. Besides, the cheap transportation, wonderful gourmet delights, and plentiful accommodation choices make it a dream destination for your vacation. Serving all sorts of travelers, hotels in Philippines are a major contributor in the tourism sector of the country.

Philippines has a colorful history of hundreds of ethnic groups and showcase a blend of its art and culture. The country has a sum of 79 provinces divided among three main island groups namely Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Luzon comprises the northernmost island groups, Visayas has the central island groups and Mindanao features the southernmost island groups. Manila is the most popular city and the capital of the country lying in Luzon group of Islands. Other important cities include Angeles, Bacolod, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Bohol and Vigan.

Getting in Philippines is very easy as tourists from most foreign countries get a free 3-week tourist visa. Besides, you can even apply for a visa extension valid for 59 days. But, it is better to apply for longer visa before traveling here, to avoid any kind of hassle. To reach this country, international travelers can fly to the capital city or any of the major cities having an international airport like Cebu, Davao, Laoag and so on. Most tourists, though, prefer to travel to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila. Getting around Philippines is also very easy as there are a lot many domestic airlines available to serve tourists who want to travel to different destinations within the country. Trains, cars, taxi, bus, boat, jeep are other modes of transportation that can be used here for commuting.

There are various things to see in Philippines including its beautiful beaches. Boracay Island is popular for its lovely white sand beach. Some of the other beautiful beaches are in Mactan Island, Pagudpud, Panglao, and Puerto Galera amongst others. With its innumerable water bodies, this island provides a good option for scuba diving. As far as food is concerned, the cuisine of Philippines is influenced by different cultures that flourished here. The food available here is a mélange of Indian, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, American, and Spanish tastes. Rice is the staple food of the people of this country.

Most of the reputed chains of hotels in Philippines are situated in its popular cities and main tourist attractions like Manila, Cebu, Boracay, and Davao etc. Bayview Park, Dusit thani Manila, Best Western Astor, and Oxford suites are a few good hotels in Manila. Similarly, Cebu also has some popular hotels namely, Maribago Blue water, Midtown, White Sands, Waterfront etc. To book a hotel in any of the cities in Philippines, you can take the help of the online internet reservation facility. You can directly visit the official website of the hotel and make the booking or can use the help of any other available websites that offer complete information. So, go ahead and enjoy a fabulous vacation in Philippines.

Bercle George asked:


The Philippines is made up of 7,107 islands. Tourists plays an important role to the Philippine economy. Makati has a lot of high rise buildings, the Makati skyline is the best in the country.

The Philippines has its world class beach resorts around the countries Vacationers here can enjoy activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving in the coral waters. Staying in the Philippines can be extremely pleasant and also very affordable. Everyone head for the nearest beach so if you don’t want to feel crowded when you’re sunbathing, set your travel date for another time of the year.

Attractions:

This destination can be one of the best for travel and vacation. There are lots of attractions in the region.

-The main attractions here are the volcanoes Pinatubo and Mount Mayon. Pinatubo, the volcano which caused a massive eruption in 1991.

-Another is Chocolate Hills – limestone hills that turn brown during the summer.

-The Boracay Island is known for its very fine white sand. The beaches there cater million of local and foreign tourists annually.

-The Banaue Rice Terraces provides amazing view for tourists. It is located in the Norther part of Luzon.

Foods:

To the Filipinos, simple cooking basically means fish and its varieties, fetched directly from the sea. The Philippines’ recipes reflect the tastes of India, China, and Japan, as well as Spain, Portugal, and even the US. The food has its own special tastes and flavors. The cuisines of the Philippines include delicacies of Malay, Spanish, and also the Chinese because of the influence of these cultures that began approximately 400 years ago.

Events:

-Christmas celebrations are all about greeting your near and dear ones and wishing them Merry Christmas. Christmas vacations will give you ample time to celebrate the festival with great enthusiasm.

-The games attracted more tourists compared to the World Pyro Olympics because the Pyro Olympics was only held at night unlike the games which was held at day and night.

-Attending parties, going to the church, singing carols and songs are some the most common activities that are followed by people during this festival.

Shopping:

Three of the biggest shopping malls in the world SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, and SM North EDSA are all located in the Philippines. Bargains in the Philippines are cheaper compared to the bargains in Singapore and Hong Kong. One of Asia’s affordable and largest bargains are found in the Philippines.

Wikidtravel asked:


With over 7000 islands the Philippines is a great adventure. Still a country overlooked by a lot of backpackers because of its distance away from the mainland. With its tropical white sand beaches and turquoise sea it truly is paradise.

Manila is a vibrant city and very western. You have shopping malls seemingly on every other street with all the American fast food chains. Malate is the tourist area with all the bars and restaurants. This may not be to some peoples taste as a lot of the bars in this area are targeted to the single middle aged male.

Not far from Malate is Intramuros which was built by the Spanish in the 16th century, is essentially a town within itself. It is a walled city with a moat that surrounds it (now a golf course). There is many a sight to see within Intramuros with amazing buildings on every corner and great cathedrals and forts. One was to see all the sites is to hire yourself a guide and tour the city with a horse and carriage so you can get to see everything in one day and also get all the information on what you are actually looking at.

South of Manila you have Pansagan, where Pansagan River is located. The banks of this river is where the final scenes of Apocalypse Now was filmed. There is not much in this little town apart from the trip up the river which is great fun. You hire a boat with two boat men who will pull you up river against the rapids to a waterfall where you can get a “waterfall massage” which is essentially where you lay down on your front on a bamboo raft and they pass you underneath the water so that the water falls hard upon your back. It does slightly hurt but is also much fun. After you will then make your way back down the river with the rapids which can be quite frilling depending on what time of year you are there.

On the southern tip of Luzon is Donsol. This is a must trip for anyone who visits the Philippines, from this little town you can get a boat out for the day to go whale shark spotting in which when one is spotted you get in the water with them in all your snorkel gear and swim with them for as long as they wish, in other words until they dive to deep water. Whale sharks are the largest fish in the sea measuring up to 10 metres in length.