When you plan your vacation, there are a million places you could choose to visit, from Hong Kong to Helsinki to Honolulu. But most of the locales that populate your list probably have one very prominent drawback: the expense. Modern travel has become ridiculously expensive, what with the price of fuel going up and up. And then there’s the fact that most of the places you’d prefer to visit will charge you beaucoup bucks for lodging, transportation, food, and entertainment (since they thrive on the tourist dollars of “wealthy” foreigners). But there are a few places left in the world that are not only inexpensive, but offer all the value and luxury you’ve come to expect from your travel destinations. So if you’re looking for the comfort, class, and concessions without all the attendant costs, then perhaps it’s time you planned a trip to the Philippines. Here are just a few reasons to head to the Ring of Fire for your next vacay.
1. Gorgeous beaches and warm waters. With over 7,000 islands in this chain, you’ll be hard pressed to come away from your trip with any negative commentary. If you’re looking for a resort on an exotic, white-sand beach, you’ll find it here. Or if what you really want is seclusion; that too can be arranged. Snorkeling, scuba diving, and other water sports are also on the menu. No matter what you’re looking for in the way of fun in the sun, you can definitely find it in the Philippines.
2. Exotic culture and entertainment. You might be surprised by how hospitable the people of this island nation are. On the whole, visitors would characterize the citizenry as warm, welcoming, and jovial. They also like to celebrate and they will join you in honoring your special occasion, or invite you to take part in one of their many celebratory festivals, which include music, dancing, and most of all, food.
3. Cuisine. If ever there was a culture entirely composed of foodies, it is the Filipinos. These people love good food and they will not hesitate to share with you their favorite, must-try dishes. Their traditional fare is similar to both Chinese and Japanese, but they definitely have their own spin (especially when it comes to seasoning). Squeamish westerners may not want to look too closely at what they’re eating, but the less you ask, the more you’re bound to enjoy their many delicious dishes.
4. Nature. Volcanoes, waterfalls, and caves are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the many natural wonders you’ll behold in the Philippine islands. And there is plenty of flora, fauna, and animal life to interest you, both in nature preserves and out in the wild. So if natural beauty is what motivates you to travel, you’ll find it in spades when you visit the Philippines.
5. Exchange rate. Not only will you get great value on the currency exchange ($1 US = 43 PHP, or Philippine Peso) but everything is cheaper by western standards (to put it in perspective, you can generally get an entire meal with meat, vegetables, and a drink for roughly 45 PHP, or $1 – about 1/10th or less what you’d pay on home soil). And this principle applies to everything from lodgings to activities. If nothing else has caught your interest, you can’t deny that the prices are definitely appealing.
Leah Ryan writes for Adiamor Engagement Ring where you can find loose diamonds, engagement ring settings, diamond pendants, and other fine diamond jewelry.