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Trekking in Banaue
Banaue's famous rice terraces, carved by hand more than two thousand years ago, make an imposing backdrop for excellent trekking. Try the walk to the isolated village of Batad, which sits in a spectacular natural amphitheater.

Sagada
The northern mountain village of Sagada is a struggle to reach - a bumpy 24 hours by bus from Manila - but worth the trouble for its labyrinthine caves, mysterious hanging coffins and tribal traditions.

White beach, Boracay
If it's tropical beaches you're looking for, the tiny dumbell-shaped island of Boracay has one of the best - 4km of powder white sand along the western shore is perfect for sunset with an ice-cold San Miguel beer.

Scuba diving at Coron
Although unspectacular in itself, the ramshackle fishing village of Coron in northern Palawan is known as jump-off point for some of the best scuba diving in the world.

Taal Volcano
Take a boat across Taal Lake and climb one of the craters - although it hasn't erupted since 1977, it is still one of the most active volcanoes in the world.

Mount Apo
The four-day ascent to the top of Mount Apo - the tallest mountain in the Philippines - takes you past mountain tribespeople, boiling geysers and sulfuric lakes. Don't even think about going without an experienced guide.

Batanes
The northern islands of Batanes, sometimes cut off from the Luzon mainland by strong winds and typhoons, are reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands with their stone houses and windswept hills.

Marinduque
Half an hour from Manila by plane, the bucolic island of Marinduque offers a glimpse of rural Filipino life, with tiny barrios, jungle-clad mountains and unspoiled beaches.

Ati-Atihan
This two-week blowout, held to celebrate a profitable land deal made by the indigenous people in 1210, kicks off in Kalibo every January and culminates in a 24-hour procession of remarkable costumes and frenzied street-partying.

Malapascua
A quiet little island 8km north of Cebu, Malapascua is being tipped as the next popular getaway. It's not hard to see why - the beaches are pristine and there is excellent diving around nearby islets.