Itchy Toes - a Travel blog

While it was Ferdinand Magellan who discovered the islands of the Philippines in 1521, it is the Filipino people who have the greatest opportunity to explore and appreciate the real beauty and richness of the Philippines.

Known as the Pearl of the Orient, the Philippines has a vast number of wonders in store for both its natives and visitors alike. So as not to be considered a foreigner to your own land, come and let us re-discover the wonders of the Philippines that also compete to belong to the new Wonders of the World.

Form north to south, let us (virtually) travel to the must-see and must-visit places in the Philippines.

Pagudpud. Known as the Haven in the North, Pagudpud offers a fairly small settlement with towering coconuts, humble nipa houses, fine white beach sand, and crystal clear waters. Like other rural communities in the country, it has a peaceful and serene ambience, perfect for relaxation and getting away from the hassles of everyday living. Pagudpud can be compared to Boracay, a world-famous beach stretch in the Philippines. However, the former is still under development, and is, thus, not yet commercialized.

Baguio City. Situated in the province of Benguet, this city on top of a mountain range is called the Summer Capital of the Philippines for its cool and chilly climate throughout the year. Among Baguio’s many main attractions are panoramic vistas, pine forests, and generally a clean and green environment. During the summer, a lot of vacationers and tourists come up to Baguio to feel the coolness in spite of the burning heat of the sun.

Tagaytay. Known as mini-Baguio, Tagaytay is also situated on top of a mountain, but not as high as that of the country’s Summer Capital. Found in the Cavite province, Tagaytay is a scenic city of wildflowers, fresh fruits, winding roads, chill climate, and panoramic views of the Taal Volcano, which is the main attraction in the city. The volcano is surrounded by the Taal Lake.

El Nido. Situated in the province of Palawan, El Nido is a first-class municipality and a managed resource protected area. It is one of the most popular, if not the most popular, tourist destinations in the province. Often called the Philippines’ Last Frontier, El Nido features towering marble cliffs, lush jungle, white sandy beaches, and enchanting lagoons. It offers a lot of first-class resorts and accommodations for tourists and visitors.

Cebu. Cebu is the oldest and one of the most developed provinces in the Philippines. In the central and southern parts of the country, it is the center of trade, commerce, industry, and education. Aside from the many historic sites found in the province such as Magellan’s Cross, Lapu Lapu Shrine, and Taoist Temple, the city offers 5-star hotels, white snad beaches, casinos, golf courses, and shopping malls.

Boracay. Known for its fine white-sand beaches and crystal clear waters, Boracay is a tropical island that has been popular among tourists all over the world. Located in Aklan, Boracay is a long stretch of beaches where a lot of water activities can be done such as kayaking, windsurfing, jet skiing, and parasailing among many others. Boracay offers a wide variety of accommodations and events for its visitors, especially during the summer.

Bohol. Known as the Island Paradise, Bohol is the home of the famous chocolate hills and the smallest primates in the world – the tarsiers. It also prides itself with world-class beaches and resorts, including diving spots and snorkeling sites. Like Cebu, several historical places can be found in Bohol such as the Blood Compact site and Baclayon Church.

Davao. Considered the third largest city in the Philippines and largest city in Mindanao, Davao is the home of the rare and endangered Philippine eagle. Its year-round fair climate is also conducive for orchid propagation, thus the walingwaling specie of the flowering plant is endemic to the region. Mount Apo, the highest peak in the country which is also a dormant volcano, can also be found here. With its rich wildlife and breathtaking nature spots, Davao has also been a favorite destination of tourists and natives alike.

It doesn’t stop here. The Philippines has so much more to offer not just to Filipinos, but to people all over the world, as well. So before deciding to travel around the world and across the universe, why not start with your homeland and save yourself from being a foreigner to your own land? Rediscover Philippines. Rediscover life.