The Philippines is an archipelago, having 7, 107 islands, and is abundant in nature, warm people, natural wonders, and filled with pleasant discoveries. Philippines is now considered as one of the top destination in the world, having 1.5 million foreign tourist arrivals for the first semester this year.

With hundreds of destinations in the country, the top 3 on my list are the following:

1. Boracay

Boracay is located in the northwest corner of Panay Island that belongs to the Visayas island group of central Philippines in the Pacific. It is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations, and now, became an international destination too. The White Beach and Bulabog Beach are just the two primary tourism beaches, which are located on opposite sides of the island.

Aside from taking dip of the crystal blue water, you can also take a boat around the island, hire a motorbike or scooter to explore the place, or go horse back riding, and experience the native villages and sceneries that usual visitors don't do.

And, did I tell you that Boracay has one of the most beautiful sunsets? Well, you don't surely want to miss it. And, the fun doesn't end there yet, since Boracay nightlife is pulsating with so many bars and restaurants around that will give you fun until dawn.

2. Bohol

Located in the Central Visayas region, Bohol is the home of hospitable and warm people. Boholanos, as what the natives are called, are very proud of the natural wonders that are bestowed in the island. To name a few, it is the home of the famous Chocolate Hills! Imagine seeing no less than 1268 hills, that are uniform in shape and will turn chocolate brown during summer, and from which the name was derived. You can also see the Tarsiers, one of the smallest known primates and be amazed when they turned their heads by 180 degrees.

Bohol is also blessed with a numerous white sand beaches, and Panglao Island is one of the famous destinations, having powdery sand. It has a large number of top class diving sites, which both foreign and local divers would consider it as diver’s haven.

3. Palawan

Palawan is located in the Western Visayas Region and the islands stretches from Mindoro to Borneo in the southwest. The place is for adventure seekers and nature lovers and its famous for its marine sanctuaries, white sand beaches, and exotic wildlife.

One of the “a-must-see” in Palawan is the Tabon Cave. It is a 138-hectares, of rugged cliffs and deep slopes. Because of its importance to Philippine History and heritage, the site was declared a Museum Reservation Site by virtue by the Philippine Government.

Another is the El Nido marine reserve. The scenic landscapes, crystal clear waters and the isolation from the big crowd of the city usually attracts and fascinates the travelers of the place. Kayaking, snorkeling, diving, hiking to the peak of the island, bird watching, sunbathing in a white beach are just some of the activities you can enjoy.

There are still a lot of things that Philippines offers, and it's just there, waiting to be discovered. So, travel in the Philippines now!

About the Author

Experience life in business and pleasure with luxury and style at a very affordable cost and hospitable people. Travel in the Philippines now! http://www.travelinphilippines.com

 

Most people know the top destinations in Boston: Faneuil Hall, Fenway Park, Boston Common, Cheers (It'll always be the Bull & Finch Pub to me.) But where do you go after you've seen these things? After you've been on one too many Duck Tours? Here are some of the out of the way spots in the Boston area that you might not find in a tour guide.

1) Constitution Beach
It's on the other side of the Tobin, but Constitution Beach is a neat little place for some alternative beachgoing. Sure, you can lay in the sun, go swimming, and have a picnic, but here you have the added bonus of watching planes from Logan taking off over your head.
1 Trident Street, East Boston

2) Summit Ave in Brookline
Summit Ave is a street that stretches between Comm Ave and Beacon St. In between the two there is a park with a great view of the city skyline. Bring comfortable shoes though, Summit Ave isn't just a clever name. It's exactly what it sounds like. It's a little easier to make the hike from Commonwealth Ave than it is from Beacon St, but either way is worth it.
Summit Ave, Brookline

3) Mapparium
The Mapparium is a giant three-story stained glass globe located in the Mary Baker Eddy Library at the Christian Science Center. The globe was built decades ago, so all of the country boundaries are as they were at the beginning of the 20th century. Also, the Mapparium reflects sound in strange ways, so if you make the slightest noise in the center of it, everyone in the world can hear you. Get it? Everyone in the world??
200 Massachusetts Ave, Boston

4) May's Café
May's Cafe is a Taiwanese/Korean/Japanese restaurant off the beaten path near the corner of Harvard and Comm Ave. Don't come here looking for safe, Americanized Asian food. You're not going to find Kung Pao Chicken. What you will find is a good atmosphere, nice people, and a menu filled with delicious, unexpected flavors.
95 Glenville Ave, Allston

5) Hover-car Garage Door
If one were to walk down Boylston street from Mass Ave towards Copley, and if one were so inclined to look at the Hynes Convention Center as they approached the fire station, they would see a garage door on the second floor of the building which, if opened, would lead nowhere. There are two explanations for this: either the architects of the building added the door with the hopes that we would all be driving hovercars in the future, or the land around the convention center is eroding at an alarming rate.
Dalton St, near Boylston St , Boston

6) The Grasshopper
Tofu that isn't really gross. In fact it's quite good. Delicious, even. The Grasshopper is a vegan Chinese food restaurant with cuisine that is just as good (if not better) than traditional Chinese dishes. One of the nice things about the food here is that it leaves you satisfied, and doesn't make you hungry an hour later. Try the eggplant asparagus suprise. And the limeade. And everything else.
1 North Beacon Street, Allston

7) Museum of Bad Art
This museum is located in the basement of a movie theater in Dedham, and contains works of art that could only be acquired from countless hours searching remote thrift shops and dumpsters. Works include landscapes like "Two Trees in Love" and portraits like "Sunday on the Pot With George" (a pointillist depiction of a large man, who looks coincidentally like former Attorney General John Ashcroft, sitting on a chair in his underwear.) But fear not, not all the pieces in the collection are this disturbing.
580 High Street, Dedham

8) Blue Hills Reservation
Ok, so this is in Milton, and it's kind of tricky to get to on the T, but if you can make it down here there are miles and miles of hiking trails, a great pond to swim in, and some good old fashioned nature to enjoy. If you get here early enough on a weekend to snag one of the picnic tables with grills you can really make an entire day out of it. Who knew nature and Mattapan could exist in such close proximity to one another?
695 Hillside St, Milton

9) Mr Sushi
Oh great, another sushi place in Coolidge Corner. What makes this one so special? Well, for one you don't have to finance a California roll and you also don't have to call to make reservations for your child's graduation dinner while they're still teething. The food is great, and everyone there is so nice that you can't help but leave with a smile on your face. Plus sometimes they have these delicious little strawberry candies at the door that somehow perfectly compliment a sushi meal.
329 Harvard Street, Brookline

10) Johnny D's Market
You can walk into Johnny D's with $12 in your pocket and when you leave, you will probably have a little bit of change, and a whole lot of tasty produce. They have specials on different types of fruit all the time, and if you are having trouble deciding what to get, Johnny D himself is on hand most of the time to point you in the right direction. How many supermarket produce sections that you know have an actual Johnny D? None, right? That's what I thought.
381 Washington Street, Brighton

If you can think of any other gems in the Boston area, or anywhere else, feel free to post them at http://www.thisplaceiknow.com

About the Author

Ray Brierly started http://thisplaceiknow.com and spends most of his time looking for awesome places.