|
Luzon is the most important island in the Philippines as it covers the largest area and is home to the country’s capital, Manila. Northern Luzon offers a wonderful mixture of stunning countryside, ancient tradition and historic towns. Its dominant feature is the Cordillera which is the central mountain range, home to some amazing rice terraces and ancient villages. In these mountains there are great trekking opportunities and in the north of the province you will find wonderfully preserved colonial towns. Southern Luzon offers great beaches, volcanoes and in Manila offers the vibrancy of one of Asia’s great cities. All in all Luzon is a great part of the country to start your exploration of the Philippines.
|
 |
Banaue
Banaue, found in Northern Luzon’s Cordillera, is home to the region’s famous rice terraces which were carved into the surrounding hillsides by the Ifugao people over 2000 years ago. The Ifugao were legendary head-hunters but also great engineers and they invented a sophisticated irrigation system that allowed them to create the incredible rice terraces that you can now see at Banaue and a few other places in Northern Luzon such as nearby Batad. These terraces have been included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List as "a continuing cultural landscape" and if you are intending to explore Northern Luzon a trip to see the rice terraces is a must. A visit to Banaue can easily be combined with a trek, of varying degrees of difficulty, through some of the picturesque villages that cling to the neighbouring hills.
back to top
|
|
Sagada
The charming hillside town of Sagada has become famous as a tranquil spot to stop off and enjoy the natural beauty that abounds in this part of Northern Luzon. It is also a good place from which to takes treks into the surrounding hills. Little has changed in Sagada over the centuries and a traditional lifestyle, and set of values, is still valued by the indigenous population. March to May tends to be the best time to visit Sagada when temperatures are good and the rainy season has yet to begin but needless to say it can get busy during this period.
back to top
|
|
Vigan
On the western coast of Northern Luzon, in the province of Ilocos Sur, you will find the historic town of Vigan. The collection of ancestral houses, period houses, cobble-stoned streets and horse drawn carriages that can be found here have given Vigan a deserved reputation as the best preserved Spanish colonial town in Asia. As a result Vigan has been added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Established in the 16th century, Vigan has a wonderful combination of colonial architecture mixed with influences from China and elsewhere in the Philippines giving it a unique feel. The city has many landmarks but perhaps the most notable is Santa Maria Church which was used as a fortress during the Philippine Revolution of 1896. Vigan was lucky to escape US bombing during the Second World War and this has allowed modern day visitors to get a feel for the cultural influence left behind by the Spanish.
back to top
|
|
Manila
Manila is the lively, cosmopolitan capital of the Philippines which offers a wonderful blend of culture and sightseeing that few other Southeast Asian cities can match. In the very heart of Manila you will find the Intramuros, a walled city, constructed in 1571 during Spain’s colonization of the Philippines. Although partially destroyed in the Second World War this medieval legacy houses European buildings and churches that were replicated throughout the archipelago. At the centre of the walled city lies the great cathedral and also San Agustin Church, the oldest stone church in Manila, which is one of four baroque churches that have been included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List. This ancient part of the city also houses Fort Santiago, one of oldest fortifications in the Intramuros, which is now home to a lush park. Manila has more modern treasures in the Malacañang Palace and the National Museum of the Philippines and also boasts a vibrant Chinatown which is a symbol of the long standing trade relationship between the two countries. Modern Manila offers a plethora of five star hotels and restaurants, some of them housed in historic buildings. The city’s nightlife has everything from dazzling cultural shows to futuristic discotheques, lively casinos and fashionable cafes. As Manila is often the arrival point for many visitors it usually comes as a pleasant surprise to those who may be aware of its more ‘colourful’ reputation.
back to top
|
|
Mount Pinatubo
Mount Pinatubo volcano is world famous for the catastrophic eruption in 1991. Now that the dust has settled, so to speak, visitors can enjoy the amazing landscape that has been left behind after the volcano blew itself apart. Just 3 hours drive from Manila, Mount Pinatubo provides a great opportunity for those wishing to hike to the summit of a volcano and from where you can see the rainwater lake that now sits in the volcano crater. This is best done in the dry season from November to May. Near to Pinatubo on the coastline of Zambales there are some great beaches which are perfectly suited for visitors seeking a bit of relaxation after their trek.
back to top
|
|
Batangas
The province of Batangas is located only 70 miles south of Manila and is renowned for its excellent dive sites, such as Aniloa and Sepok, and also being home to the world’s smallest volcano. It is an up and coming tourist destination that has open beaches and sheltered coves, subterranean caves and deep harbours and offers a multitude of activities such as heritage & pilgrimage tours, scuba diving, mountain climbing, trekking, swimming and snorkelling.
back to top
|
|
Taal Lake & Volcano
The Taal Lake & Volcano, which can be found in Batangas, is Southern Luzon’s most famous attraction. Known as the smallest volcano in the world, it is a volcano within an islet within a lake within a crater within a volcano! The nearby town of Taal is regarded as one of the two best preserved Spanish colonial towns in the region - the other being Vigan in Northern Luzon. This often overlooked town has been described as a blast from a glorious past, with its faded Spanish colonial architecture, the oldest church in the orient and the house where the first Philippine flag was sewn.
back to top
|
|
