asia

philippines

With 7,107 stunning islands to choose which you will hop to and from which despite the country’s populous nature, on some of which you’ll be able to find your Robinson Crusoe moment or even traditional tribes.

In many parts the surf is well and truly up! The diving-mad will be placated here by its coral reefs and awed by the whale sharks. If you’re uninitiated to life under the surface, getting your PADI certificate is about as cheap as it comes. You'll find all the adventure sports staples – mountain biking, rock climbing, sea kayaking and whitewater rafting.

The 300-years of Spanish rule left behind a huge Catholic population and colonial-style churches and towns. So a tip to the wise: avoid ‘the super peak season’ of Holy Week like the plague as every man and his dog make a beeline to the major resorts.