Philippines: best places to visit & resorts /hotels

[LukeGT]

I have a question for globetrotters and for our gurus...

A couple of friends is planning a trip to Philippines for Early January. They asked me for some suggestions but i'm not really familiar with Philippines.

If you should spend a couple of weeks there, which places would u visit? Which are best places for a "sun-holiday"? And which hotels would u recommend?


Thank you (on behalf of them)
Luke

[SQflyergirl]

Go to the Visayas. Boracay always comes to mind.

If you're up for something different - go where I go usually. A drive up the Macarthur highway - straight up to La Union, and hang around in San Fernando, Bauang and Agoo, then after a few days of tripping, head up the Naguilian road to Baguio, and ride SQFG's domestic airline of choice, Asian Spirit

I am strangely attached to that part of Luzon nowadays. - good food, great people, everything done via "descarte" Mabuhay!

[jjpb3]

For beaches, definitely the Visayas (the group of islands in the middle of the country between the largest islands Luzon and Mindanao). The people are reputed to be the friendliest among the Filipinos as well.

My brother says his favorite (because they aren't crowded) beaches are on Bohol Island (the round island to the east of Cebu island). As SQfg pointed out, Boracay is probably the most well-known beach destination; it's a favorite for Filipino celebrities and high-society people.

My friends also like going to Palawan, the long island to the west of the archipelago; it's one of the islands I've always wanted to visit. Many of my friends swear by Amanpulo Resort.

[LukeGT]

thank you. I'll forward all your suggestions