The Philippine Islands are known as a first-class beach resort. But the archipelago boasts not only the natural beauty, but also many interesting historical sites and beautiful old buildings. The Philippines are especially attractive for the contrast between huge and modern cities such as Manila, Cebu and deserted islands with clear water and smooth white coral sand.
The hallmark of the country is Fort Pilar in Zamboanga City. It was built in the early 17th century, and defended the city against attacks by pirates and other warring tribes. The building is fenced with high stone wall around the perimeter where you can see traces of the ditch. Today the building is a museum that represents a collection of historical artifacts. Among the other survived building you can have a look at the chapel of the Virgin Mary and of the garden. The Fort has become a favorite place for walking not only among the tourists but also the locals. There are many cozy shops and malls where you can relax and enjoy the singing of birds.
Among the natural attractions in the Philippines it’s worth noting Taal Volcano, which has been recognized as the smallest active volcano in the world. Its height is only 350 meters and to the crater there is a lake: visitors can climb to the top and admire the wonderful panorama of the surrounding area.
Manila is a city located on the island of Luzon and is one of the most dynamic and modern cities of Southeast Asia. Manila has a very good infrastructure and is a conglomeration consisting of seven major cities, which are Manila, Pasay, Quezon City, Mandaluyong, Caloocan, Makati and Pasig. Initially, the entrance to the city was from the Fort Santiago, which is a beautiful bamboo fort. At the moment the main historical value of Manila is its main street of Calle Real.
The heart of Manila is Intramuros, a survived wall, which was used to protect the city from a variety of attacks for the first Spanish settlement. Example of colonial architecture are the Church of St. Augustine and the restored fort. Manila Museum keeps the ancient works of religious art and artifacts of the Philippines.
The most famous religious building of the Philippines is located in the capital, Manila. We are talking about the Church of St. Augustine, which was completed in 1607. The arch of the church is decorated with beautiful sculptures of lions, and in the niches you can see the statues of the saints. The main decoration of the premises is a beautiful ceiling with paintings of well-known Italian masters.
Another attraction of the capital is the Gallery of Orchids. The park is located in the heart of the city, where 10 years ago in its place was an ordinary car park. Today it is a unique place with cozy intertwining paths, viewing platforms, bridges, flower beds and trees. The park has several miniature waterfalls, fountains and artificial lakes. Everywhere you can see the carved benches, statues and pavilions. The most interesting place is the Pavilion Butterfly Park, which was launched at the initiative of the world-famous company Nokia.
Also it’s worth visiting Chinese Taoist Temple Monastery, which was opened in 1972 near the city of Cebu. The building is located on a hilltop from which you can see the coast and a few neighboring islands. The architecture of the monastery is quite unusual: it is built of colored stones and the facade is decorated with traditional Chinese dragon.
Certainly the final stop should be made at “the heart of the Philippines” – Visayan island group (Visayas), which is a huge conglomeration of large and small islands. The country’s best resorts are concentrated here. Cebu is the central island in the archipelago, while Visayan is one of the major resort centers of the country. This island is famous for its world-renowned hotels, beaches and beautiful coral reefs. These beautiful islands are more in favor to the tourists who are looking for a great beach resort place. The good part about this all is that the locals are pretty fun. They enjoy spending time with tourists telling them about the history of their country and will share with their local tasty food. Here the tropical dishes and cocktails will be something to remember for a long time, as you will not be able to get the same taste with the fruits of other countries.
