The second-largest archipelago in the world, with over 7000
tropical islands, the Philippines is one of the great treasures of
Southeast Asia. Often overlooked by travellers because of its
location on the 'wrong' side of the South China Sea, the
Philippines rewards those who go the extra distance to reach it.
And because it's off the beaten path, the Philippines is a great
place to escape the hordes who descend on other parts of Southeast
Asia.
Flying time: 18 hours 20 minutes
Time Difference: GMT +8 hrs.
Getting there: Via Singapore with Singapore
Airlines to Manila. Additional services available with Cathay
Pacific via Hong Kong.
Currency: Peso. (although US dollars are
accepted).
Vaccinations: Precautions for tetanus,
diphtheria, typhoid and hepatitis A are recommended, with some
regions under risk of malaria and rabies - please contact your
doctor for up-to-date information.
Visas: Indonesia - British passport holders do
not require a visa. All other nationals please check visa
requirements with the embassy.
Best time to visit: The Philippines has a
tropical climate tempered by constant sea breezes. There are three
distinct seasons: the rainy season (June to September), cool and
dry (October to February), and hot and mainly dry (March to May).
Evenings are cooler. Typhoons occasionally occur from June to
September.