Worth the detour

The one everybody means when they talk about the Philippines: limestone cliffs, lagoons, and water that doesn't look real in photographs. El Nido and Coron are linked by ferry, so the natural trip is to fly into one and out of the other.

• Coron (Busuanga)Direct from Cebu, about 1h 30m.
• El NidoDirect from Cebu on the smaller carriers.
• Puerto PrincesaDirect flights are sparse; better reached via Manila.

Cebu is the lechon capital of the Philippines, and this is the thing to eat while you're on the island. Anthony Bourdain called it "the best pig ever" on No Reservations. The pig in question was cooked by Joel Binamira, who went on to found Zubuchon. The restaurants came after the endorsement, but it's the same man and the same recipe, and there are branches all over the city.

• Island hopping off MactanHalf a day, booked from the resort. The easiest thing to do with a spare morning.
• Moalboal and the sardine runThree hours south. Millions of sardines a few metres off the beach. You can snorkel it without a boat.
• Kawasan FallsNear Badian in the south, usually combined with Moalboal in one long day.
• Old Cebu CityMagellan's Cross, Fort San Pedro and the basilica, all within a short walk.

Most connecting flights route through Manila, so you may end up with a night there anyway. We'll be in BGC from Tuesday the 23rd if you fancy a drink. The travel page has our dates.