Philippines

Emerald green rice paddies, smoking volcanoes, crowded cities, graffiti-decorated 'jeepneys', bulging-eyed tarsiers, water buffalo and carefree smiling people define the archipelago.

The Philippine beaches are a real delight. With thousands of tropical islands, there are something for everyone, from idyllic sandy desert coves in the middle of the ocean, to dreamy volcanic landscapes that hide hidden lagoons and huge sprawling islands.

The Philippines is famous for its beaches, but it is also great for sports fans. Surfers can ride splendid (if fickle) waves, and divers have long fallen in love with the country's underwater depths. Northern Palawan is perfect for kayaking and Boracay and Pagudpud (northern Luzon) for kitesurfing. Aside from water sports, you can go hiking on all the islands, and both canyoning and mountain biking is becoming increasingly popular. Also, the Philippines is the zip line capital of the world.