Best things to do in the Philippines

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As Insider's travel reporter in Singapore, I've backpacked in four countries across Asia and have stayed in a dozen hostels.

For grand castles and gritty industrial architecture, half-timbered taverns and edgy techno nightclubs, head to Germany.

Few lodging situations can beat the coolness of a houseboat. There’s just something about falling asleep on the gentle undulation of water that makes for a more relaxing experience than even the most luxurious hotels. That’s why the Paolyn Houseboat on Coron Island, Philippines, is a must.

It takes about an hour and a half to travel from one end of tropical St Lucia to the other – maybe one hour with light traffic.

The beautiful waterways of Venice, Dubrovnik's old town and Ko Phi Phi's beaches. These international travel attractions undoubtedly make for unforgettable experiences. But the sheer numbers of visitors arriving have made a significant impact on environments, structures and local communities. While governments and tourist boards are introducing various policies to tackle overtourism, we should consider ways in which we can help as responsible travellers, too.

For anyone planning a trip to the Philippines, Stephen Keeling has picked out ten top films that showcase the country’s landscapes, history and culture.

Graced by dazzling beaches, year-round sun and numerous opportunities for diving, island-hopping and surfing, the Philippines has long attracted a steady stream of foreign visitors. Yet there’s far more to these islands than sand and snorkelling. These are a few of our favourite islands in the Philippines.

A sprawling capital which is home to almost 13 million people, Manila can be more than a little overwhelming for first-time visitors. But once you find your bearings, you’ll discover a buzzing, vibrant city which has a great bar scene (three of its bars were nominated in 2019’s Asia’s 50 Best Bars awards), some of the region’s best museums and quite possibly one of the warmest welcomes in the world. Here is our guide to Manila.

Deep underground on the island of Palawan in the Philippines lies the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. Both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, it’s the world’s longest navigable underground river and makes for an exciting experience in one of the Philippines’ most popular islands. Here’s everything you need to know about exploring the Puerto Princesa Underground River.

Many of the popular island destinations in this part of the world boast golf course resorts and beautiful beaches, but Bermuda has so much more than the standard things to see and do. While many of the activities can be enjoyed year-round, Bermuda's sub-tropical climate means that May to September is when the island is liveliest, so here are our favourite things to do in Bermuda beyond the resorts.

The Dominican Republic is a country located on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, which it shares with Haiti. It is the second-largest country in the Caribbean, and it is known for its beautiful beaches, rich culture and history, and diverse natural landscapes. Here is our guide to the best things to do in the Dominican Republic.