The Philippines is a nation that has managed to avoid the mass influx of tourism to South East Asia – many putting this down to the fact that it’s an extra flight too far, as short as the flight may be. Even though this is the case, the country is well-developed for touristic purposes and has a wonderful mix of history that is sure to excite and interest anyone that looks into it. The benefit from the relative lack of tourism to the region is that prices are lower than other nearby countries and the region isn’t overdeveloped in any way. It certainly isn’t virgin territory, but the Philippines are pretty much unspoilt, from a tourist’s point of view.

Manila is a thriving city, and the centre of all activity for the country – developed, highly populated and busy, the bustling streets are sure to prove daunting to even the most hardened traveller. Nevertheless, those who look past the surface and manage to push their way through the crowds are rewarded with a city that offers a visitor many attractions, with theatre, restaurants and bars sitting alongside some of the best nightlife in the South East Asian region. Manila Cathedral, Luneta Park and Coconut Palace are all well worth seeing, amongst the many other places and the city is sure to keep anyone who travels to it hooked for a long time. Excursions operating out of Manila are numerous, and cover such destinations as Corregidor Island and Taal Volcano, amongst many others.

The thousands of other islands in the Philippines offer an incredible amount of things to do, see and experience – from lazing on a deserted beach to taking in the hustle and bustle of a local market and everything in between, there is more than enough to occupy anyone who visits the country. The Hundred Islands offer the second largest marine reservation in the world, Cebu City shows visitors the Philippines’ second city and Zamboanga City was a popular tourist spot – though recent troubles in the region have made it unsafe to visit.

There are problems in the country, and there are safety issues in certain regions of the Philippines, but most trips to the country are trouble-free and there are more than enough attractions in the areas that are safe to visit. Those looking for a holiday a bit out of the way could do worse than these 7000-plus islands, and the relative undiscovered nature of the country is something that should be appreciated by all those tired with the touristic overdevelopment of other nearby South East Asian countries.