Things to See in Philippines

The picturesque volcanic lake of Taal is an easy day trip from Manila. You can trek on the small (but deadly) volcano in the middle of the lake, but many people just come for the incredible views from the mountain-ridge town of Tagaytay, itself on the rim of a truly enormous prehistoric crater.

Within a few kilometres of Bandila-an Nature Centre is Cantabon Cave, the best known of Siquijor's caves. The caving here is no picnic, often involving narrow, vertical climbs, waist-deep water, bats, and high humidity. But it's well worth it.

Banaue sits at the foot of a truly mesmerising display. Its mud-walled rice terraces, North Luzon's most famous sight, have a pleasing, organic quality that differentiates them from the stone-walled terraces in most of the Cordillera. World Heritage-listed, they are impressive not only for their chiselled beauty but because they were created around 2000 years ago.