Touch down in Manila, where towering buildings reach the sky and elegant hotels seamlessly incorporate Filipino heritage with modern design. Unwind at your leisure at The Peninsula Manila in the heart of Makati City, where we’ll treat you to the hotel’s legendary afternoon tea; spend at least two nights in a suite and we’ll also provide you with $100 in resort credit. The city’s rich culture is always within reach, and we can even arrange a weekend market tour with a chef who shows off the bounty of tropical produce and fragrant prepared food before transporting you to her home for an authentic Filipino meal.

It’s always a good time to escape to the tropical island of Cebu, but we recommend going in January in time for the Sinulog Festival. The Philippines’ answer to Carnaval, this nine-day event occurs in January and transforms the relaxed island into a colorful display of whirling costumes, brilliant firework displays and festive parties all month long. It all culminates in the Grand Parade on the third Sunday of the month, where performers clad in bright colors twist and twirl their way through Cebu’s main streets — accompanied by massive floats and puppeteers — and compete for the top prize.

A short flight from Manila, the island of Palawan boasts untouched beaches, lush rainforests, sapphire lagoons and a subterranean river network that crisscrosses beneath the island’s largest city, Puerto Princesa. We can arrange an active vacation with G Adventures, which specializes not only in guided adventures but will also introduce you to locally run establishments and public transportation.

Experience a feast for the senses at the Alimango Festival in the town of Lala. In March, join locals and visitors to celebrate the Alimango crab — an important asset to the agriculture and tourism industries of the Philippines and essential to its cultural heritage. Dancers imitate the way Alimango crabs gracefully navigate the shallow waters, locals compete to catch the largest Alimango crab and then a feast of roughly 1.2 tons of steamed crab commences to celebrate a successful harvest at this flamboyant festival.

While many islands in the Philippines offer miles of unspoiled coastal splendors and sublime turquoise water, the island resort of Amanpulo is the picture-perfect place to celebrate a honeymoon, anniversary or just-because occasion. Located in the translucent waters of the Sulu Sea, the isolated private island Pamalican rewards travelers with untouched reefs, lush rainforests and secluded beaches perfect for a romantic getaway.