The Philippines is the third largest English speaking country in the world. It has a rich history combining Asian, European, and American influences. Prior to Spanish colonization in 1521, the Filipinos had a rich culture and were trading with the Chinese and the Japanese. Spain's colonization brought about the construction of Intramuros in 1571, a "Walled City" comprised of European buildings and churches, replicated in different parts of the archipelago. In 1898, after 350 years and 300 rebellions, the Filipinos, with leaders like Jose Rizal and Emilio Aguinaldo, succeeded in winning their independence.
In 1898, the Philippines became the first and only colony of the United States. Following the Philippine-American War, the United States brought widespread education to the islands. Filipinos fought alongside Americans during World War II, particularly at the famous battle of Bataan and Corregidor which delayed Japanese advance and saved Australia. They then waged a guerilla war against the Japanese from 1941 to 1945. The Philippines regained its independence in 1946.
Filipinos are a freedom-loving people, having waged two peaceful, bloodless revolutions against what were perceived as corrupt regimes. The Philippines is a vibrant democracy, as evidenced by 12 English national newspapers, 7 national television stations, hundreds of cable TV stations, and 2,000 radio stations.
Filipinos are a fun-loving people. Throughout the islands, there are fiestas celebrated everyday and foreign guests are always welcome to their homes.

Manila is a city less traveled, with adventurers almost always choosing to move on to the Philippines’ famous white-sand beaches right away. Metro Manila (National Capital Region), composed on various cities including the Philippines’ capital, Manila,goes beyond being a gateway to out-of-town day trips and popular island destinations. There is more to this urban region than the constellation of cars stuck in traffic; and to have its beauty reveal itself to you, you just need to have the right amount of patience and determination.

Metro Manila is home to the usual ingredients of a developing metropolis. The economic, political, and cultural centers are housed in here so everything you need to learn about the country, you will find in the labyrinth streets of the Metro and its cities.

Filipinos are curious shoppers.It’s no wonder why Metro Manila is home to over 16 supermalls offering a variety of both local and international brands.

Rich in culture and history, Manila can be the very place to visit for travellers looking to immerse in a myriad of ethno linguistics, a beautiful chaos sitting in a mega-city teeming with unique stories. It may not be the kind of time-travel you have in mind but Filipinos in Manila are more than willing to take you back in time and tell tales of the olden days.

Beyond Metro Manila, you can visit neighboring destinations and attractions such as Tagaytay, Pagsanjan and Nuvali Sta. Rosa to name a few.

Sample Filipino dishes through the different city food tours and Filipino restaurants. Dine and watch the Kultura Filipino Dinner and Cultural show at Barbara’s or try wine and craft beer pairing with Filipino streetfood such as balut (duck embryo), fishball,isaw, etc.

Lechon, adobo and sinigang are favoritedelicacies with countless variations throughout the country. Popular Filipino dishes adopted from Chinese are “lumpiang shanghai” and “pancit” while Spanish-influenced cuisine include “mechado,” “menudo,” and “pochero.”

Blessed with an abundance of seafood, tropical fruits and creative cooks, there’s more to Filipino food than the mind-boggling balut (duck embryo)

Considered to be one of the most progressive and developed provinces in the country, Cebu is not just known for its awe­inspiring tourist destinations but also for being a global hub for various industries such as furniture­making and BPO.

The city is also a storybook of historical events waiting to fall on curious ears. From the colorful tales of its sleepy fishing village to the first Spanish settlement that resulted in it being considered the cradle of Christianity in the Far East, Cebu is the cultural treasure chest for those in search of both history and hype.

With Cebu being the oldest city in the Philippines, you can expect nothing more but destinations filled with history. Cebu is the oldest settlement established by the Spaniards, and that is very evident in the various tourist spots in the city. Downtown Cebu is home to the world­recognized Magellan’s Cross which Magellan ordered to be planted on the site upon their arrival in 1521.

Another historical site is the Lapu­Lapu Shrine where a 20­meter statue of the great Datu Lapu­Lapu was erected to honor the native leader who killed Magellan. You can also walk along the oldest and shortest national road in the Philippines, Colon Street, or visit the oldest military defence structure, the Fort San Pedro, built by the Spaniards with the help of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi who hired indigenous Cebuano laborers as additional workforce.

Just a short walk from the fort is the oldest Roman Catholic Church in the country. The Minor Basilica of the Holy Child, or more commonly known as Santo Nino Church. Of course, with Philippines being an archipelago, Cebu is not short of wonderful beaches for those in search of a little R and R. Visit the tropical island that is Bantayan and treat yourself to a getaway in its crystal clear waters, clean shoreline, and fine white sands.

This small island has never left the numerous lists of must­ see beaches in the world. Famous for its fine, white sand beaches, Boracay has received many well­-deserved awards and recognitions from various travel magazines, blogs, and agencies.

It’s no surprise that the island awarded by international travel magazine Travel + Leisure as the best island in the world back in 2012. With its clear blue waters stretching out into the horizon, Boracay is one of the ultimate places to go if you want the best island experience Philippines has to offer.

It’s pretty obvious tourists go to this majestic island for the clear blue waters and powder ­white sand but besides the paradise ­like beaches and the friendly locals, Boracay, being one of the most modernized, progressive islands in the Philippines, is also famous for its vibrant nightlife. Whether you’re up to dance the night away, chill along live music, enjoy watching dancers breathe fire or listen to spoken word poetry, the island’s nightlife is comparable to that of Ibiza’s explosive hype.

Fun­ filled leisure activities also await visitors of this island. Adventure­ seekers can cross horseback riding, scuba diving, snorkeling, kite boarding, windsurfing, parasailing, cliff diving, and banana boat riding off their lists because all of those are hip and happening activities present in Boracay. You can also go for island hopping by hiring a boat for about half a day to tour around the island’s amazing lineup of beaches such as the Crocodile, Puka, and Tambisaan Beach.

You can also make your Ariel dreams come true by signing up for mermaid swimming lessons. Experts from The Philippine Mermaid Swimming Academy would gladly take you under their fin and teach you how explore the waters in monofins and mermaid tails.

Bohol is one of the many gems in the Philippine archipelago, offering amazing, Instagram-worthy photographs of cute and cuddly bug-eyed tarsiers and the unrivalled view of the majestic world-famous Chocolate Hills. But really, Bohol is a treasure chest for globetrotters and backpackers alike looking for island adventures in pristine white beaches, rich forests, limestone formations,and dive sites teeming with a colorful kaleidoscope of marine life.

Despite being hit by typhoons in the previous years, the people of Bohol still managed to preserve their island province’s treasures so we assure you, every picture you’ve seen of this place is nothing compared to actual experience it can offer you when you get there.

If there is one other place in the Philippines that gets its fair share of popularity in the field of being paradise ­like, it’s Palawan. This island province boasts of many breathtaking attractions, mostly of seascapes so beautiful it could take the worries of even the most stressful person in the world.

Palawan is a terrestial and aquatic wildlife gem so it’s the perfect place to visit for adventurers looking to fill their journals with colorful photos of both fauna and flaura. With over 1,700 islands and islets, a coastline reaching over 2,000 kilometers, Palawan is as spectacular must ­see destination if you’re gong to the Philippines.

Palawan has a lot to offer for adventure ­seekers out there. From fun water activities such as snorkelling and diving to exciting island ­hopping and caving, the island has what it takes to keep any outsider want to stay.

Let’s start with the globally­recognized Underground River. Here, you can enjoy paddle­boating your way around a part of the world’s longest river navigable. The river is part of the UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site known worldwide for its successful efforts to conserve biodiversity and sustain tourism.

A great side trip on your way to the Underground River would be the Ugong Rock. Perfect for the more adventurous travellers out there, the Ugong Rock is a limestone formation towering at 75 foot. In here, you can have fun letting your adrenaline out by squeeing in through holes and cracks as you climb up to the top.

Of course, don’t forget the Coron Reefs, a jewel for nature lovers and divers. It doesn’t only have amazing aquatic wildlife but its principal dive sites are actual 12 World War II Japanese shipwrecks. Listed in Forbes Traveler Magazine’s top 10 best scuba sites in the world, Coron is a must ­see destination in Palawan.

Another famous tourist spot in Palawan is the El Nido Marine Reserve Park which is home to the island’s most­visited white­sand beaches and coral reefs. Like Coron, the kaleidoscope ­like biodiversity in here makes El Nido another favorite among divers.

Located in the heart of Philippine’s Central Luzon region, Clark is part of Pampanga province, bounded on the north by Tarlac and Nueva Ecija, Bulacan on the east, on the south by Bataan, and on the west by Zambales.

Almost the size of Singapore, Clark occupies over 33,000 hectares of prime land located in the culture-rich Central Luzon. It is a natural entry point to the Asia Pacific Region, with only 3 ½ hours flying time away from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, Korea and other key points in Asia.

With a highly improved road network and increasing flights at CIAC, Clark is setting out to become the hub for business, aviation and tourism in the Philippines.

Business, Leisure, Wellness and Adventure Possibilities in Clark

Whether for business or leisure, numerous choices await even the most discriminating business traveler or visitor. Duty-free shopping and fine dining to unwind after a hard days work? Choose from a variety of duty free shops, SM shopping mall, bars and restaurants located inside the secured boundaries of the Freeport.

Mix business and leisure in any of the world-class championship golf courses at the Mimosa and Fontana Resort and Country Clubs.Relax and rejuvenate your senses at the New Well Being Spa and One Zen Wellness to sample world-class wellness and spa facilities.

Thailand is a Southeast Asian country. It's known for tropical beaches, opulent royal palaces, ancient ruins and ornate temples displaying figures of Buddha. In Bangkok, the capital, an ultramodern cityscape rises next to quiet canalside communities and the iconic temples of Wat Arun, Wat Pho and the Emerald Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Kaew). Nearby beach resorts include bustling Pattaya and fashionable Hua Hin.

Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, is a large city known for ornate shrines and vibrant street life. The boat-filled Chao Phraya River feeds its network of canals, flowing past the Rattanakosin royal district, home to opulent Grand Palace and its sacred Wat Phra Kaew Temple. Nearby is Wat Pho Temple with an enormous reclining Buddha and, on the opposite shore, Wat Arun Temple with its steep steps and Khmer-style spire.

Phuket, a rainforested, mountainous island in the Andaman Sea, has some of Thailand’s most popular beaches, mostly situated along the clear waters of the western shore. The island is home to many high-end seaside resorts, spas and restaurants. Phuket City, the capital, has old shophouses and busy markets. Patong, the main resort town, has many nightclubs, bars and discos.

Pattaya is a city on Thailand’s eastern Gulf coast known for its beaches. A quiet fishing village as recently as the 1960s, it’s now lined with resort hotels, high-rise condos, shopping malls, cabaret bars and 24-hour clubs. Nearby, hillside Wat Phra Yai Temple features an 18m-tall golden Buddha. The area also features several designer golf courses, some with views of Pattaya Bay.

Bangkok is always among the world’s top tourist destinations. The city is a true tourist paradise, proved by the growing number of travelers coming each year.

Besides the city itself, Bangkok is also surrounded by many interesting provinces worth visiting.

The north of Bangkok borders Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani Provinces, with tourist attractions like Koh Kret and Lotus Museum.

The east of the city is next to Chachoengsao, a small province which is full of interesting places and activities. Tourists can pay homage to Luang Pho Sothon Buddha Image at Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan, watch flying foxes or fruit bats at Wat Pho, see the golden church at Wat Paknam Jolo, and pray to the giant reclining Ganesh statue at Wat Saman Rattanaram. There are also old markets for you to visit and shop such as Ban Mai Market, Nakhon Nuang Khet Market, and Khlong Suan Market.

The south of the city borders Samut Prakan Province and the Gulf of Thailand, with tourist attractions like Bang Pu, Ancient City, and Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm and Zoo.

The west of the city is next to Samut Sakhon and Nakhon Pathom Provinces. Tourist attractions include Don Kai Dee Benjarong Village, Phra Pathom Chedi, Sanam Chandra Palace, Don Wai Floating Market, Sampran Riverside, and Thai Human Imagery Museum.

Things to do in Bangkok

There are a great variety of tourist places in Bangkok, mostly historical attractions and temples with elaborate architecture and art. Famous temples are Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Wat Phu Khao Thong, Wat Ratchanadda, Wat Traimit, Wat Benchamabophit, Wat Bowon, and Wat Sutat.

There are also palaces, museums, parks, and a big array of shopping places, from luxury malls to flea and street markets like Chatuchak Weekend Market, Sampeng Market, and Pahurat Textile Market.

Bangkok nightlife is another highlight that has attracted many of tourists from all over the world.

Phuket, a rainforested, mountainous island in the Andaman Sea, has some of Thailand’s most popular beaches, mostly situated along the clear waters of the western shore. The island is home to many high-end seaside resorts, spas and restaurants. Phuket City, the capital, has old shophouses and busy markets. Patong, the main resort town, has many nightclubs, bars and discos.

Phuket has a large Chinese influence, so you will see many Chinese shrines and Chinese restaurants around the city. A Chinese Vegetarian Festival is held there every year. While the Chinese community is quite big, there are many other ethnicities bringing all their traditions and festivals from all over the world to Phuket.

Being a big island, Phuket is surrounded by many magnificent beaches such as Rawai, Patong, Karon, Kamala, Kata Yai, Kata Noi, and Mai Khao. Laem Phromthep Viewpoint is said to feature the most beautiful sunsets in Thailand.

It isn’t all just beaches though, there is also fantastic classical architecture such as the Goom Restaurant. That and the very welcome atmosphere and the famous Phuket nightlife, you can see why the island is a hotspot for tourists in Thailand.

Visiting Phuket is easy as there are many travel options.

Pattaya is a city on Thailand’s eastern Gulf coast known for its beaches. A quiet fishing village as recently as the 1960s, it’s now lined with resort hotels, high-rise condos, shopping malls, cabaret bars and 24-hour clubs. Nearby, hillside Wat Phra Yai Temple features an 18m-tall golden Buddha. The area also features several designer golf courses, some with views of Pattaya Bay.

Interesting places to go

Khao Chee Chan Buddha Mountain opens 6.00 am – 6.00 pm. Dress modestly and please follow exactly as the rules state. Plus you shouldn’t get too close to the Buddha because it may cause an accident.

If you want to visit Koh Lan, you can do it in a one day trip. On the island, there are mini buses and motorbike taxis in services. But if you are feeling adventurous, you can rent a motorbike to ride for yourself.

There are so many different kinds of places for you to stay in Pattaya such as big hotels, resorts, guest houses, condominiums, and apartments. Most of these places are right next to the beach.

There are many things you can do in Pattaya such as water sports, sunbathing, go-karting, bungee jumping, horse riding, golf playing, diving, cabaret show watching, and many more.

During the night time, all the way down Pattaya road is full of various entertainment options. Here you can always find something to eat, drink, and just somewhere to chill out.

Vietnam is a Southeast Asian country on the South China Sea known for its beaches, rivers, Buddhist pagodas and bustling cities. Hanoi, the capital, pays homage to the nation’s iconic Communist-era leader, Ho Chi Minh, via a huge marble mausoleum. Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) has French colonial landmarks, plus Vietnamese War history museums and the Củ Chi tunnels, used by Viet Cong soldiers.

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is known for its centuries-old architecture and a rich culture with Southeast Asian, Chinese and French influences. At its heart is the chaotic Old Quarter, where the narrow streets are roughly arranged by trade. There are many little temples, including Bach Ma, honoring a legendary horse, plus Đồng Xuân Market, selling household goods and street food.

Ho Chi Minh City (commonly known as Saigon) is a city in southern Vietnam famous for the pivotal role it played in the Vietnam War. It's also known for its French colonial landmarks, including Notre-Dame Cathedral, made entirely of materials imported from France, and the 19th-century Central Post Office. Food stalls line the city’s streets, especially around bustling Bến Thành Market.

Ha Long Bay is located in the northeastern part of Viet Nam and constitutes part of the western bank of Bac Bo Gulf, including the sea area of Ha Long City, Cam Pha City and part of Van Don Island District, Quang Ninh Province.

Ha Long Bay has been called by the great national poet Nguyen Trai: "a marvel of the earth erected towards the high skies". While exploring the bay, tourists will feel lost in a legendary world of stone islands which shapes change depending on the angle and the light. There are many names given to islands according to their shapes and forms such as Hon Dau Nguoi (Human Head Islet), Hon Rong (Dragon Islet), Hon Canh Buom (Sail Islet), Hon Trong Mai (Cock and Hen Islet)… But the beauty of Halong Bay does not consist only in the forms of its mountains, islands and the colour of its waters, but also in its infinitely rich system of grottoes and caves such as: Thien Cung (Heavenly Palace Grotto), Dau Go (Driftwood Grotto), Sung Sot (Surprise Grotto), Tam Cung (Three Palace Grotto), Trinh Nu (Virgin Grotto)... Each is a grandiose and refined natural architectural creation.

Laos is a Southeast Asian country traversed by the Mekong River and known for mountainous terrain, French colonial architecture, hill tribe settlements and Buddhist monasteries. Vientiane, the capital, is the site of the That Luang monument, where a reliquary reportedly houses the Buddha’s breastbone, plus the Patuxai war memorial and Talat Sao (Morning Market), a complex jammed with food, clothes and craft stalls.

Vientiane, Laos' national capital, mixes French-colonial architecture with Buddhist temples such as the golden, 16th-century Pha That Luang, which is a national symbol. Along broad boulevards and tree-lined streets are many notable shrines including Wat Si Saket, which features thousands of Buddha images, and Wat Si Muang, built atop a Hindu shrine.

Australia is a country and continent surrounded by the Indian and Pacific oceans. Its major cities – Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide – are coastal. Its capital, Canberra, is inland. The country is known for its Sydney Opera House, the Great Barrier Reef, a vast interior desert wilderness called the Outback, and unique animal species like kangaroos and duck-billed platypuses.

Sydney, capital of New South Wales and one of Australia's largest cities, is best known for its harbourfront Sydney Opera House, with a distinctive sail-like design. Massive Darling Harbour and the smaller Circular Quay port are hubs of waterside life, with the arched Harbour Bridge and esteemed Royal Botanic Garden nearby. Sydney Tower’s outdoor platform, the Skywalk, offers 360-degree views of the city and suburbs.

Melbourne is the coastal capital of the southeastern Australian state of Victoria. At the city's centre is the modern Federation Square development, with plazas, bars, and restaurants by the Yarra River. In the Southbank area, the Melbourne Arts Precinct is the site of Arts Centre Melbourne – a performing arts complex – and the National Gallery of Victoria, with Australian and indigenous art.

There are a diverse range of tourism operations in the Great Barrier Reef including day tours, overnight and extended tours, snorkelling, scuba diving and fishing charters, long range roving tours, aircraft or helicopter tours, bare boats (self-sail), glass-bottomed boat viewing, semi-submersibles and educational trips, cruise ships, beach hire and water sports, passenger ferries, whale watching and swimming with dolphins.

China is a populous nation in East Asia whose vast landscape encompasses grassland, desert, mountains, lakes, rivers and more than 14,000km of coastline. Capital Beijing mixes modern architecture with historic sites such as the Forbidden City palace complex and Tiananmen Square. Shanghai is a skyscraper-studded global financial center. The iconic Great Wall of China runs east-west across the country's north.

Beijing, China’s massive capital, has history stretching back 3 millennia. Yet it’s known as much for its modern architecture as its ancient sites such as the grand Forbidden City complex, the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Nearby, the massive Tiananmen Square pedestrian plaza is the site of Mao Zedong’s mausoleum and the National Museum of China, displaying a vast collection of cultural relics.

Shanghai, on China’s central coast, is the country's biggest city and a global financial hub. Its heart is the Bund, a famed waterfront promenade lined with colonial-era buildings. Across the Huangpu River rises the Pudong district’s futuristic skyline, including 632m Shanghai Tower and the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, with distinctive pink spheres. Sprawling Yu Garden has traditional pavilions, towers and ponds.

Guangzhou is a sprawling port city northwest of Hong Kong on the Pearl River. The city features avant-garde architecture such as Zaha Hadid’s Guangzhou Opera House (known as the “double pebble”); the carved box-shaped Guangdong Museum; and the iconic Canton TV Tower skyscraper, resembling a thin hourglass. The Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, a temple complex from 1894, also houses the Guangdong Folk Arts Museum.

Macau is an autonomous region on the south coast of China, across the Pearl River Delta from Hong Kong. A Portuguese territory until 1999, it reflects a mix of cultural influences. Its giant casinos and malls on the Cotai Strip, which joins the islands of Taipa and Coloane, have earned it the nickname, "Las Vegas of Asia." One of its more striking landmarks is 338m-high Macau Tower, with sweeping city views.

“IMAGINE YOUR KOREA”

The Republic of Korea (herein after Korea) is a country visited by approximately ten million international travelers every year. With its long history in culture and tradition, the country has a lot to offer to travelers.

Split by a fearsome border, the Korean Peninsula offers the traveller a dazzling range of experiences, beautiful landscapes and 5000 years of culture and history.

Urban Marvel

Korea might be known as the Land of the Morning Calm, but dive into its capital Seoul, the powerhouse of Asia’s third-largest economy, and serenity is the last thing you’ll feel. This round-the-clock city is constantly on the move, with its work-hard, play-hard population the epitome of the nation’s indefatigable, can-do spirit. You can hardly turn a corner without stumbling across a tourist information booth, a subway station or a taxi in this multifaceted metropolis where meticulously reconstructed palaces rub shoulders with teeming night markets and the latest technological marvel.

Gorgeous Countryside

South Korea’s compact size and superb transport infrastructure mean that tranquillity can be found in easy reach of the urban sprawl. Hike to the summits of craggy mountains enclosed by densely forested national parks. Some of those same mountains transform into ski slopes come winter. Get further off the beaten path than you thought possible by sailing to remote islands, where farming and fishing folk welcome you into their homes and simple seafood cafes. Chill out in serene villages surrounded by rice fields, sleeping in rustic hanok (traditional wooden house) guesthouses.

Festivals & Food

A packed calendar of festivals and events means there’s almost always a celebration of some sort to attend wherever you are – it might be Boryeong for its mud fest, or Gwangju for its Biennale or its annual salute to that most Korean of foods: kimchi. Friendly Koreans are always delighted to share their culture with visitors – often that means over a shared meal with a tantalizing array of dishes and plenty of toasts with local alcoholic beverages.

India is a vast South Asian country with diverse terrain – from Himalayan peaks to Indian Ocean coastline – and history reaching back 5 millennia. In the north, Mughal Empire landmarks include Delhi’s Red Fort complex and massive Jama Masjid mosque, plus Agra’s iconic Taj Mahal mausoleum. Pilgrims bathe in the Ganges in Varanasi, and Rishikesh is a yoga centre and base for Himalayan trekking.

Delhi, India’s capital territory, is a massive metropolitan area in the country’s north. In Old Delhi, a neighborhood dating to the 1600s, stands the imposing Mughal-era Red Fort, a symbol of India, and the sprawling Jama Masjid mosque, whose courtyard accommodates 25,000 people. Nearby is Chandni Chowk, a vibrant bazaar filled with food carts, sweets shops and spice stalls.

Mumbai (formerly called Bombay) is a densely populated city on India’s west coast. A financial center, it's India's largest city. On the Mumbai Harbour waterfront stands the iconic Gateway of India stone arch, built by the British Raj in 1924. Offshore, nearby Elephanta Island holds ancient cave temples dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The city's also famous as the heart of the Bollywood film industry.

Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) is the capital of India's West Bengal state. Founded as an East India Company trading post, it was India's capital under the British Raj from 1773–1911. Today it’s known for its grand colonial architecture, art galleries and cultural festivals. It’s also home to Mother House, headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity, founded by Mother Teresa, whose tomb is on site.