The Magic of the Philippines 2026-27

A journey to the Philippines: into the heart of a true earthly paradise

Over 7,000 islands scattered between the Indian Ocean, the South China Sea and the Celebes Sea, of which only 2,000 are inhabited. These are the Philippines, which owe their name to Philip II, King of Spain, and whose many destinations boast a unique and still unspoilt natural heritage of more than 500 species of birds, 8,000 flowers and countless rare animals. And then there are mountains cloaked in emerald-green forest, rivers, volcanoes and beaches whose colour ranges from talcum white to black. This earthly paradise was discovered by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. After Spanish rule and the American protectorate, the Philippines gained independence in 1946, with Manila, on the island of Luzon, as the capital. The Philippine Islands remain largely untouched, a place where you can enjoy a relaxing holiday in the wonderful resorts that line the coasts, but also venture out in search of breathtaking views along inland trekking routes, or let yourself be enveloped by the wonder of the coral reefs in a thousand colours that surround the islands and shelter an unrivalled variety of marine life.

Manila, capital of the Philippines, is today a great metropolis of more than 10 million inhabitants. It stretches along the mouth of the Pasig River, on the western shore of Manila Bay on the island of Luzon, and was built almost entirely on the alluvial deposits carried down by the river. A symbol of the cosmopolitan spirit that characterises the whole country, Manila is full of attractions that never fail to captivate visitors interested in local culture, folklore and history. At the heart of the city stands Intramuros, the walled citadel with its pentagonal ramparts built by the Spanish, which holds within it

palaces, schools and churches in an unmistakable architectural style, as well as the ruins of the Fort Santiago bastion. Other sites beloved of visitors include the spectacular Rizal Park, the great garden near the shore that is home to many of the plant species typical of the flora of the Philippine Islands, as well as enchanting Chinese and Japanese gardens. And then there is the Baywalk, the promenade facing Manila Bay, where you can admire one of the most spectacular sunsets in the world. Not to be missed is a visit to Manila Cathedral, the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, and to the splendid San Agustin Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Luzon, the main island of the Philippines, is an essential stop on any tour of the country, and indeed its fascinating territory offers a summary of the great variety of landscapes and experiences to be had while travelling through the archipelago. From wonderful sandy coasts to those where rocky cliffs plunge into the sea, to views over the hypnotic landscape created by the rice terraces on the plain of Banaue, described as “the eighth wonder of the world”. These colossal plantations were carved into the hillsides by the indigenous tribes and give the impression of stairways climbing towards the sky. The force of nature on the island of Luzon fully expresses the magic of the Philippines. Luzon is home not only to the great metropolis of Manila, but also to small towns such as romantic Vigan, a town of baroque atmosphere that perfectly symbolises the island's colonial past, and to tribal villages. A curiosity: Luzon has the highest concentration of unique animal species in the world, a true El Dorado for researchers. It is thought that the absence of predators, together with the fact that the island has never been connected to the mainland, favoured the evolutionary process and the emergence of new species, such as the golden-crowned flying fox, the heaviest bat in the world, and the bamboo bat, so tiny that it lives inside bamboo canes.

Palawan, the most beautiful island in the world, the Queen of the Seas. These are just some of the descriptions given to the island of Palawan by the readers of prestigious travel magazines in recent years. Brightly coloured seabeds, limestone rocks and caves rising out of emerald waters, and a backdrop of impenetrable forest: the island of Palawan is one of the wildest and most unspoilt in the archipelago to which it gives its name. Among its most beautiful beaches is El Nido, an earthly paradise lost in the South China Sea at the island's northern tip, a cluster of coral islets and enchanting bays hidden among white sandstone cliffs rising from an emerald sea. Standing out among them is El Nido's Bacuit Bay, with its magical landscapes, coral reefs and pristine lagoons. Secret Lagoon Beach and The Coral Garden, where you can enjoy unforgettable dives watching turtles, whales, rays, sharks and tropical fish in a thousand colours, are just some of the island's most beautiful spots, and beyond its incredible beaches the island is no less remarkable for its wildlife on land. Many endangered animals have found their natural habitat here, such as the very strange bearcat (binturong), the Philippine crocodile and the Sunda squirrel, which can be seen at the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center in Palawan's capital, Puerto Princesa, where another unmissable stop is the Butterfly Garden.

Puerto Princesa, the island's modern capital, is home to the cathedral with its unmistakable blue-decorated façade and to the Palawan Underground River. Also known simply as the Underground River, it is the longest navigable underground river in the world: in 2011 UNESCO included it among the New 7 Wonders of Nature. It lies within the St. Paul Subterranean River National Park, a paradise inhabited by more than 160 species of birds and countless species of mammals and reptiles, including monitor lizards.

Vigan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the result of a unique fusion of Asian building design and construction with European colonial architecture and planning, and an exceptionally intact and well-preserved example of a European trading town in East and South-East Asia. Strolling through the streets of the town, and in particular along the famous Calle Crisologo, among old buildings and antique shops, you will find yourself in a special, romantic dimension where you can breathe in the history and the meeting of cultures that shaped this town's landscape. Vigan was already a hub of intense international trade, particularly with nearby China. Under the Spanish in the 16th century, Vigan became a veritable little piece of Spain in the East. And it has changed little since, thanks to having been spared by the Japanese invaders during the Second World War. A great many houses are still preserved and have become museums showing how people lived five centuries ago: you can easily admire them on a walk on foot or by horse-drawn carriage, or by visiting their interiors. Several churches are also well preserved and show the clear link between culture and religion that still pervades the Philippines today. Vigan is also known for its small markets and shops, where good prices can be found for local handicrafts, including antiques. In particular you can buy excellent reproductions of clothing, textiles, bamboo handicrafts and the typical local jars. Vigan is an essential stop for anyone wishing to discover the most beautiful towns in the world and the local culture.