Headed for the Phillippines? Aim for Central Luzon where you’ll find festivals, floating islands, natural wonders and the origins of a sizzling signature dish.

If you’re into local arts and culture, you’ll find a jam-packed calendar of festivals here, including Bulacan’s Singkaban Festival, Tarlac City’s Melting Pot Festival and San Fernando’s Giant Lantern Festival. Central Luzon is also famous for its food, being the country’s largest rice producer, so it’s no wonder the country’s signature dish, sisig, originated here. It’s a meaty, zingy must-try.

Nature fans can go trekking the picturesque slopes of Mount Pinatubo, go bird-watching in Candaba or cruise down the Pampanga river. If you’re looking for more urban adventures, head to the bustling Angeles City, the region’s entertainment epicentre, and the nearby Clark Freeport Zone for day spas, golf courses, casinos and duty-free shopping, or make tracks for Olongapo City, which manages to combine kicks with beach resorts – including Inflatable Island!