Their practice in experiential and mindful travel and their locals’ knack for identifying, explaining and sustaining the distinctive qualities of a place make them the perfect go-to people for travellers looking for unique ways to experience a destination. But sometimes, when travellers prepare to hit the road, they’re not choosy about where they want to go: they’re actively looking only for the best of the best – the best experiences in the best destinations based on information from the best travel experts.

To facilitate that process, whl.travel has announced the winners of its 2011 internal competitive performance review. Based on their work in 2011, four tour operators – one from each of four broad geographical areas – have been singled out as models for a set of whl.travel standards critical to the operation of their own businesses but also fundamental to the success of the global network. Assessment criteria included response times and customer service, maintaining an active social media presence and keeping destination Web portals up to date.

The whl.travel local partner in Malawi: The Responsible Safari Company (left to right: Chimwemwe Siyabu, Kate Webb, Dom Webb, Andrew Kayuni). Photo courtesy of The Responsible Safari Company

Malawi Triumphs in Africa

In Africa, whl.travel is anchored in about 40 destinations across 20 countries. Taking honors on this continent was the Responsible Safari Company, the whl.travel local connection for Malawi. Apart from demonstrating a strong commitment to community development through sustainable tourism initiatives, they have proven that they are serious about client services.

The whl.travel local connection in Boracay, Philippines: Go Discover Travels (left to right: Kristiana Jorjah Espiritu, Trudy Allen and Chaddy Cocjin; not pictured: Helen Atanacio and John Maclang). Photo courtesy of Go Discover Travels

The Philippines Shine in Asia and the Pacific

The whl.travel local partners in Nepal, the Philippines and northeast India stood out from the mix of more than 70 destinations in 26 countries in Asia and Oceania; however, it was the Philippines’ Go Discover Travels, one of the first partners to join the whl.travel network, that came out on top for their whl.travel Boracay Travel website. They also manage portals in the Philippines for Cebu, Palawan and Manila.

The whl.travel local expert in Corfu, Greece: Corfu Sunspots Travel (right to left: Sandra Broedner and Chrysa Tsakalakou; Andronikos Moutos not pictured). Photo courtesy of Corfu Sunspots Travel

Corfu Takes the Limelight in Europe and the Middle East

Corfu Sunspots Travel Ltd, the whl.travel local expert in Corfu, Greece, ranked above approximately 40 other destinations in about 20 countries in Europe and the Middle East. What started as a small family-run business back in 1986 has blossomed into one of Corfu‘s largest, most reputable and successful agencies.

The whl.travel local partner in Santa Marta, Colombia: Las Pleyades (Fabiola Duerig and Oliver Blanco). Photo courtesy of Las Pleyades

Colombia Conquers in the Americas

The whl.travel local connection in Santa Marta, Colombia, was crowned the winner in the Americas, where there are about 50 whl.travel destinations in 15 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. The site for Santa Marta is owned and operated by Las Pleyades, a small company that is a big player when it comes to developing social and environmental travel.

“While every network is only as strong as its weakest link, it’s also as ambitious as its strongest,” commented Rob Shortland, CEO of whl.travel. “whl.travel relies on each local operator to help build and develop our shared global brand. If we want travellers to support local companies then it’s essential that their service standards compete with, if not exceed, that of the large global powerhouses. Add in a large dollop of local knowledge and we’re tough to beat.”

The Monte Toboggan on Portugal's Madeira Island is just one of many ways locals have created to get from one place to another, ways that we believe are a vital part of a local travel experience

We believe that the different forms of local transport are unique qualities of a place that, when experienced, are a vital part of a local travel experience. To know a place is to get around it the way local people do: cramming yourself into a chicken bus in South America, throwing caution to the wind in a tuk-tuk in Southeast Asia or boarding a ferry in Africa. We dare you to give them a try! We’re sure you will find these rides to be a brilliant bonding experience with locals.

To inspire you… and in honour of our recent focus on local transport, we asked our network of local travel professionals all over the world to give us a glimpse of the best local conveyances in their destinations. Their responses are as varied as they are colourful – everything from trains and boats and buses to animal power and bicycles and three-wheeled wonders.

We’re pleased to present this gallery of the best of local transport inside the whl.travel network.To make it work:
+ Click on a thumbnail to open a preview.
+ Click the name of the photo to be taken to the full written entry supporting it.
+ Click the photo itself to close the preview.
+ Use the arrows to navigate through previews.

Trains on the Right Track

(click here to read more)

Bicycles Worldwide

(click here to read more)

Buses Not to Miss

(click here to read more)

Muscle Power

(click here to read more)

Transport on the Water

(click here to read more)

Three-Wheeled Wonders

(click here to read more)

The white sandy beaches of Bantayan make it a popular Philippine island for tourists. A twist of fate (and of ankle) took one tourist a little deeper into local life. Photo courtesy of John Maclang

Cycling Through the Sights of Bantayan, Cebu

Pedalling around the island of Bantayan, in the Cebu province of the Philippines, was an exhilarating experience. Located in the northern part of Cebu, Bantayan has retained its old charm despite being one of the top tourist destinations in the Visayas Region and claiming a beautiful, 15th-centry church that is one of the oldest in the Philippines. Another of its strongest drawing cards is the huge expanse of powdery white-sand beaches that are often compared to those of Boracay, yet Bantayan retains a small-town appeal.

The island takes its name from the watchtowers built by the Spaniards in the 16th century to protect Bantayan from marauding moros (Muslims). The stone structures, known locally as Bantayan ng Hari (Watchtowers of the Spanish King), are spread throughout different parts of the island and have provided refuge and protection to its inhabitants for centuries, perhaps even some of its many, many chickens. Since the turn of the 20th century, Bantayan has aptly been called the ‘Egg Basket of the Visayas’ due to local production of more than a 100 tons of eggs per day.

At the Gate of a Local Medicine Man’s House

As a big city dweller (I was born in the Philippines but have spent part of my life in the US and Germany), I often forget how often chickens cross the roads of small towns. So when a chicken did in fact dart across my path, I swerved widely to the left and found myself ditched in a rice field and nursing a bruised ankle.

When I asked local folks where I could go for help, I was told to seek out the small man living in a hut on Santa Fe, Bantayan, who was purported to be the best medicine man around. Locals went to him to cure all ills, from the common cold to the occasional fracture and the sprain.

St. Peter and Paul Church in Bantayan was built in the 15th century and is still one of the biggest churches in the Philippines. Along with the watchtowers, or 'bantayan' after which the island is named, it serves as a legacy of colonial Spanish rule. Photo courtesy of John Maclang

After I knocked on his bamboo gate, he called out to me from his small hut and motioned for me to come inside. I was hesitant at first, having no experience with folk medicine. The son of practitioners of western medicine, I felt awkward and ill at ease in the presence of this small-town ‘Dr. House‘.

The man was half-dressed, with only white pyjama pants covering him from the waist down. He was chewing on a betel-nut-and-lime concoction and smiled his toothless grin, waving yet again for me to come inside.

My what-on-earth-is-going-to-happen-to-me-now expression had stuck to my face. I walked inside the hut, thoroughly amused.

Local Bath and Massage Treatment

The medicine man motioned for me to sit while I stuttered a few words in Cebuano, the local language, one that I barely understand. I managed to pantomime quite well what happened to me and where I was ailing by pointing to my ankle, which was slightly inflamed and larger in size that it had been earlier in the day.

He stood, took a closer look at my injured ankle, compared it to my other ankle and then again examined my sprain. He nodded his head knowingly and pointed for me to sit down in a small chair. I did as I was told.

Entering the gate to a local medicine man's house, the one above on Bantayan, Philippines, you never know what kind of traditional remedy he will cook up for you inside. Photo courtesy of John Maclang

Meanwhile, he made his way to his kitchen, filled a pot with water from a large earthen vase and placed it on a wood stove to heat. Speaking a few words in Cebuano, which again escaped my comprehension, he smiled his toothless grin. He was not even five feet tall, bent at the waist and must have been somewhere between 60 and a 100 years old. He sauntered around, doing his best to ensure my comfort.

Returning to sit with me, he rolled some dried tobacco leaves into a cigar, lit it and shared it with me, both of us smiling as we smoked. After a few puffs, though, I became dizzy, but generally still awake.

He ambled back to his pot, which had started to boil. Dipping his finger to test for the correct temperature, he then added a mixture of banana, tamarind and guava leaves to the steaming brew. A waft of aromatic steam engulfed the room, lending it a relaxing vibe. Pouring some of this watery mixture into a plastic bucket, the medicine man then added cold water, returned to where I sat and instructed me to put my foot inside the bucket to soak it.

The warm fragrant water felt fantastic and quickly soothed me. After a short time, the kindly old man wiped my foot with a towel and applied another heady mixture from a rum bottle containing a blend of virgin coconut oil and dried barks and leaves.

Slowly massaging my calf, he kneaded the muscle fibres down to the tendons connected to the base of the foot. For a few minutes, he alternately massaged and tested the range of motion of my ankle. As soon as he was able to manipulate the nerves and muscle fibres completely, relief came to me instantly.

He finished his treatment by wrapping my foot with guava leaves pulled from the pot and securing them with banana leaves tied with twine. When I stood, I could tell that my foot was better.

Back in the more urban port centre of Cebu, Philippines, John Maclang walks on his remedied ankle and reflects on the kind treatment he received from a medicine man in Bantanyan. Photo courtesy of John Maclang

Lessons in Luck and Kindness

I pulled out my wallet and start counting bills to pay the good doctor, but he quickly responded, in halting English, “No pay, no pay. Me help, bring luck!”

I gave him a look of disbelief. How could I not repay the kindness of this good man? I offered again, but he adamantly refused to accept anything from me. I thanked him profusely and then went on my way.

As I exited the doorway, he reminded me to keep my foot dry for 24 hours and remove the leaves the next day. A short distance down the road, I looked back and saw him waving goodbye, with a smile on his face and a cigar on his hand.

Though I’m back in the city and my foot is well and functional, I still remember the kindly old ‘Dr. House’ and say a silent prayer of thanks.

Many jeepneys easily qualify as ‘art on wheels’. Lovingly adorned with custom paint and accessories by their owners, these veritable masterpieces glisten in the sun as their shining fixtures catch the light, their hoods crowded with all sorts of buffed stainless steel figurines, their sides acting as an expansive metal canvas, colourfully painted or airbrushed with adverts or images of personal significance.

The jeepney is truly the people’s car and is the most common form of mass transport for the average Filipino. It is the true Filipino APV (All Purpose Vehicle) and the perfect vessel from which to explore the adventures that Manila has to offer.

A dramatic arial view of Palawan's coast, where drastic landforms thrust upward from the emerald waters surrounding this island of the Philippines

The province of Palawan is a spectacular untamed region found on the western fringes of the Philippine Archipelago. Almost nowhere else can one simultaneously encounter two such intriguing, dynamic and diverse habitats as reefs and tropical rainforests. Rich in teeming jungles, tousled mangrove swamps and vibrant coral reefs, Palawan is truly one of the best examples in Asia of a species-rich, biologically diverse ecosystem. In fact, the variety of flora and fauna found in this region have intrigued ecologists and conservationists for generations; Palawan is home to 232 endemic species, one of the highest densities of unique species in the world.

Verdant Jungles

Palawan is where travellers will discover an almost uninterrupted canopy of foliage formed by the meeting of interlacing branches of trees, a green so dense that only an indistinguishable glimmer of the sky can be seen. Even the extreme tropical sunlight barely penetrates to the ground, subdued and broken into scattered fragments of light. It is a world in which we seem to be intruders.

The canopy of a Palawan forest is so thick that even the bright Philippine sun barely reaches the forest floor

The varied habitats of this exciting island host a tremendous variety of organisms, like the Palawan mouse deer, who share this enchanting island with endangered endemic animals like the calamian deer, the tarsier, the scaly anteater and the Palawan peacock-pheasant. The island’s mangroves are home to the Philippine crocodile, while offshore beds of seagrass are the habitat of the rare dugong.

Underground Rivers

Palawan offers a wide range of ecological wonders, including the longest navigable underground river system in the world, located within Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, which is a complete mountain-to-the-sea ecosystem and one of the most important biodiversity conservation areas of the Philippines.

A guide prepares his boats for a tour of Palawan's Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, one of the biggest underground river systems in the world

Located about 51 kilometres north of Puerto Princesa City, the provincial capital of Palawan, the park is best explored via a guided underground river tour on board a paddled outrigger boat that takes visitors through 8.2 kilometres of winding tunnels and cathedral-like caverns.

In 1999, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park was recognised by UNESCO, earning status as a World Heritage Site. The subterranean river system was also nominated as a finalist to be one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

Stunning Reefs

A half-day cruise to the east, 98 nautical miles off the coast of the headlands, is the vast Tubbataha Reef National Park, home to some of the most beautiful and diverse coral reefs in the world. Diving to the depths of the Sulu Sea, one finds an impressive undersea canyon wall, with vivid arrays and wondrous varieties of marine life that rival Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. It is a veritable explosion of bright orange and vivid blue corals that inhabit this underwater rainforest. It is where I have witnessed a school of jackfish swirl in a vortex of silver blue, surrounding a solitary Philippine sea turtle in a subaquatic dance of nature.

For the lucky diver in Palawan's Tubbataha Reef National Park waters, schools of silver jackfish form their shiny swirl

The Tubbataha reef is underwater sanctuary for an astonishing diversity of marine species. So important is this submerged Eden in the balance of the underwater ecosystem that UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 1993. Every year, only between the months of March and May, the Tubbataha Reef National Park opens its watery gates to welcome divers to experience the wonders of this one-of-a-kind kingdom beneath the sunlit sea.

Getting There

Travel to Palawan is easy from the Philippine capital of Manila. Palawan’s vibrant city of Puerto Princesa can be reached by air in an hour or by sea via a 20-hour ferry trip. A varied choice of domestic airlines or direct chartered flight can then be made depending on the desired destination. Airline flights will take visitors directly to the heart of the province, where connecting trips by land and sea to nearby principal tourist sites can be arranged.

A shaded table waits for those who are out to discover why Palawan's beaches have been recognised as some of the finest in the world, not just the Philippines

For more information about Palawan, including accommodations, tours, activities and loads of insider tips, contact Go Discover Travel, your whl.travel local connection in the Philippines.

Creole Capers

The island nation of Cape Verde is situated 450 kilometres off Africa’s west coast. A former Portuguese colony, the archipelago has a multitude of ethnic and cultural influences from Brazil, Senegal and Portugal. Think fabulous food, dancing and irrepressible salsa rhythms!

Tarrafal Beach is the largest and most impressive stretch of sand on the island of Santiago, Cape Verde. The fishing village of Tarrafal is the site of an colonial Portuguese political prison.

Comprising a string of volcanic islands ringed by white sand and turquoise sea, the country serious rivals the Caribbean as an autumn and winter sun destination, but for the time being remains pleasantly unspoiled and crowd-free. Its excellent year-round climate and almost constant sunshine mean sun worshippers have plenty to be thankful for and water-sports enthusiasts will not be disappointed either.

Choosing the best beach is a tall order, but the endless stretches of white sand around the main town, Santa Maria, on the island of Sal are hard to fault, as is the vast Curralinho beach on the island of Boa Vista. Boa Vista is also a fabulous spot for snorkelling and sailing, whilst São Vicente island offers the best windsurfing. The cooling breezes off the island of Sal make for great surfing and the whole archipelago offers top-notch diving, with abundant sea life including turtles and plenty of caves, rocks and wrecks awaiting exploration.

Oman’s 1001 Arabian Beaches

One of the more unspoilt and under-frequented destinations in the Middle East, the Sultanate of Oman, boasts a 1700-kilometre coastline with some of the finest (and emptiest) beaches and cleanest waters in the Gulf, if not the world. Unbearably hot during the summer months, Oman is the perfect place to visit in autumn; October is a very pleasant 25 degrees Celsius with plenty of sunshine.

Oman is a haven for five species of rare turtle, four of which nest here. Tours to see these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat are extremely popular with visitors. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia/M@t

The capital, Muscat, has some great sun spots, including Qurum Beach, a favourite with picnickers and day trippers thanks to its shady palms, as well as the more secluded Bandar Al-Jissah, a bay that provides the perfect city getaway sheltered by cliffs and hidden from onlookers.

If you’re looking really to get away from it, 4×4 car hire opens the way for a two-hour drive over the dunes from Muscat to Sifah Beach, voted one of the world’s best beaches by the Guardian newspaper’s readers. Getting there is half the fun apparently, but being there isn’t so bad either. For your own private tropical paradise, fishing boats from there are available to whisk you away to one of many little coves off the main strand.

As you would expect, water sports are available up and down the coast with excellent diving, snorkelling, fishing, sailing and kayaking on offer, as well as dolphin-watching trips.

Panama’s Caribbean Coast

Situated on Panama‘s Atlantic coast, the province of Bocas del Toro – actually an archipelago of seven large islands and hundreds of smaller ones – enjoys a brief dry season during the months of September and October, which means not only is there welcome respite from the frequent rain, but the water is at its clearest. Year-round tropical temperatures and calm azure seas mean boat trips, deep-sea fishing, kayaking and snorkelling in the area are pretty spectacular.

Although off the mainstream tourist radar, the islands of Bocas del Toro in Panama have been popular with backpackers, hippies, divers and surfers for some years now. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia/Carlos Adampol Galindo

The archipelago is surrounded by coral reefs (home to a dazzling display of sponges and fish), caves and wrecks that make it one of the top dive sites in Central America. Above the water, light ocean breezes help keep the temperature down and make Bocas del Toro a popular spot with surfers picking between easy beach breaks and challenging tubes over the reefs. Travellers on a budget will be pleased to note that water sports can be organised in Bocas at a fraction of the price in neighbouring Costa Rica and Honduras.

If lazing around in a hammock is more your scene, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better place to do absolutely nothing. With its palm-fringed, white-sand beaches set against a backdrop of lush rainforest, Bocas is the epitome of a paradise on earth. The best beaches include Red Frog Beach on Isla Bastimentos, named after the poison-dart frogs who make it their home, and Cayos Zapatillas, a long stretch of ivory sand in a protected marine park with some of the best snorkelling in town.

Philippine Dream

Regularly lauded as one of the best beach destinations in the world, the Philippine island of Borocay, located about 200 kilometres south of Manila is small but perfectly formed. Its two main beaches – White Beach and Bulabog Beach – sit opposite each other, with White Beach catering more to the party crowd with its bars, clubs and restaurants, and Bulabog offering the best wind- and kite-surfing in town.

Fire dancing is a big hit on Boracay's beaches. The beachfront Bamboo Lounge bar and restaurant is a great place to check out this mesmerising entertainment. Photo courtesy of Flickr/www.boracay.travel

There are other smaller beaches and coves too that offer more seclusion and privacy, such as Balinghai Beach, which is enclosed by high rocks and whose nearby coral garden makes it a perfect spot for snorkelling. Another quiet beach is Cagban, which means ‘cave’ or ‘chest.’ Legend has it that there are still treasure chests secreted in the sand and surrounding caves.

In addition to some world-renowned diving, Boracay is the place for sailing in a paraw, a double-winged boat ideal for groups of two to six people. They can be rented with or without crew, depending on your sailing skills.

September is considered off-season, which means there is plenty of cheap accommodation and lots of elbowroom on the beach – welcome relief after the hectic summer months. The weather is at its best during October and November, when the temperature drops a little and makes the prospect of lazing around on the beach all the more enticing.

Boracay and nearby Nabaoy have much to offer the traveller, but for opposite reasons; while Boracay is world famous for its powdery white sand, tropical lifestyle, exciting water sports and throbbing nightlife, Nabaoy is a place where one can completely forget about ones troubles and unwind surrounded by lush greens, lulled to sleep by the rush of the river’s waters.

In fact, tourism in Nabaoy has recently been promoted by locals passionate about sharing the tranquillity of the relaxing riverside environment and lush flora and fauna. Nabaoy is already used as a stopping place for local tours that allow travellers to get close to nature and experience what rural life is like in this part of the country.

Both Boracay and Nabaoy are travellers’ paradises, with something for everyone, whether it be culture, fun, excitement or relaxation, but only Nabaoy really offers a restful enclave for people who prefer to commune with nature and do yoga.

A tour of the Walled City of Intramuros is a step back in time in Manila. Guests can ride the traditional calesa (horse-drawn carriage) and see the old Spanish monuments still standing today.

The history of Manila is characterised by several periods of tough times, all of which have nevertheless contributed to making it the diverse and lively place it is today. Three hundred years of Spanish colonial rule and 50 years under the Americans have resulted in a wide range of sites and attractions, even despite the city having fallen victim to massive bombing raids during World War II, which saw the destruction of most of the grand colonial architecture. Surviving monuments, such as the legendary walled city of Intramuros and the famous San Agustin Church, stand amidst more modern structures and continue to serve as important icons reminding the nation of its dramatic past.

A Manila City tour is certainly an ideal way to take in these and other top sites. Alternatively, a walk around the National Museum will impart a sense of the nation’s rich historical and cultural heritage in more relaxed confines.

Metro Manila (as the greater metropolitan area is known) is now a thriving metropolis of vibrant sights and sounds, slowly but surely making its mark on the global economy. A drive around the Metro also takes in the nation’s central business district, which comes alive after dark with some of the best nightlife in the country. Here one can even find superb international and local restaurants showcasing the unique fusion of Spanish, American and Chinese influences – already evident in the local culture – through food. Also, with a shopping mall to be found in practically every square kilometre of the city, Manila boasts some Asia’s most alluring and affordable shopping in Asia.

These colourful jeepneys are a common mode of transportation for Filipinos in Manila. Every jeepney has its own distinct design.

The launch of Gomanila.travel makes a visit to Manila easy for all international travellers, whether on a budget, for business or simply stopping over. Helen Atanacio and her team at Go Discover Travel have carefully prepared a comprehensive list of Manila hotels and tours to make every minute worthwhile.

“This Manila site represents a great deal to us at Go Discover Travel,” Helen explained. “For a long time we have focused on the islands and providing information-rich sites to enable travellers to make the best choices around the Philippines. Now we are able to offer the complete package, to assist traveller with their stays in Manila on their way to other Philippine locations. We also hope to show that Manila is more than just a stopover, that Manila is an incredibly cultural and historically rich and vibrant capital city. Many travellers just use Manila as a stopover to the islands but they are missing so much. We hope that our site will rectify this and demonstrate the wow factor of Manila! We have had great fun rediscovering old favourite places and visiting new ones. We really hope we can help you enjoy them too!”

Manila is the fourth whl.travel travel portal in the Philippines, following Boracay, Cebu and Palawan.

White Beach is Boracay's most famous and popular sun-lovers' mecca

Recognised in 2005 (its first year of operation) by TripAdvisor as a Best Hidden Gem in Asia, Boracay Hills has now garnered new accolades, including a position on the Expedia Insider’s Select List – making it one of the top 1% of hotels in the world; in the Philippines, right up there with the Shangrila Makati and the Hyatt Hotel and Casino – and three big nods from Trivago.com: Best Hotel for Water Enthusiasts in the Philippines; number two Best Hotel in the Philippines, Visayas and in Boracay; and number five Best Hotel in Asia in the three-star category.

Boracay Hills fills the elegant house and gardens of the former Swiss Ambassador to the Philippines

Boracay Hills was originally the residence of the Swiss Ambassador to the Philippines, but has been lovingly remodeled as a private and quiet hideaway retreat by its new owners, the Clayton-Atancio family, including Helen and Cris Atanacio and Helen’s father, stepmother and sister, respectively Brian, Brigitte and Sue Clayton. Their efforts have turned a 3,000-square-metre tropical garden into a haven complete with a large pool, hammocks, loungers and spa area. In the main house, the 10 rooms, each one different from the others, quietly integrate modern amenities with local materials.

But don’t take our word for it. All of the recent awards are based purely on guest feedback and travel-agent choices. A quick gander at the hotel reviews on TripAdvisor tells the whole story. Of the 143 comments, of which 95% are positive (actually most are ‘excellent’), good value for money, superb service and a readiness to make visitors’ vacations perfect are constant refrains.

“Whilst the reason for all this success is the hard work and dedication we give to ensuring that our guests have an amazing stay, it’s also indicative of the power of Internet feedback for marketing,” commented Helen Atanacio, who is also the whl.travel local connection in the Philippines for Boracay, Cebu and Palawan. “This hotel has recieved these awards through the reviews its guests have made about it online and through its relationship with the travel agents concerned. It is a wonderful day when the traveller can place a hidden gem like our hotel at the forefront of hotels, alongside the mega brands like Shangrila, who usually eat up all the international awards and business.”

Residents of Manila do their best to come to grips with life in a city left flooded by Typhoon Ketsana

In the Philippines, the typhoon began on Friday evening with rain and wind warnings from the local weather centre. Torrential downpours continued into the night and throughout the day on Saturday. Utterly unrelenting, the rains quickly turned into floods and by Saturday afternoon, Metro Manila was inundated.

With the heaviest precipitation in 40 years, Typhoon Ketsana dropped 17.9 inches of rain on the Philippine capital – a month’s worth of rainfall all in 24 hours. At the height of the flood, 80% of Manila was submerged.

Cars in Manila were no match for the force of the waters dropped by Typhoon Ketsana

The storm affected some 2 million people, wreaking havoc on lives and land. At the time of writing, there are approximately 300 reported dead, 38 missing and more than 500,000 evacuees.

Unexpected strong currents pushed flood waters into people’s homes, turned many of Manila’s busy streets into swimming pools and tossed floating vehicles around as if they were toys. Scuba divers and surfers were called on to volunteer in the search for missing people. Survivors were rescued from the roofs of their homes, some after 10-hour waits in the cold downpour. No one was spared.

Ketsana’s destructive impact left behind a nation in pain. Even before the floods subsided completely, civilians of all ages had mobilised and rescue and relief efforts were underway. Facebook, Twitter and text messages carried news about which relief centres needed which goods the most, as well as notices with further weather warnings, alerts about missing people and other critical information needed for rescue operations.

Due to the significant clean-up costs, the Philippines is pleading for help from other nations. Manila alone needs everything it can get to repair the mess. Although closets, cupboards and wallets are being emptied to provide relief to the hundreds of thousands of displaced victims of the typhoon and floods, more is required, especially since relief operations will probably continue at east until the end of the year. Even intangible support is welcome – comfort, warmth and love shared with the poor traumatised children who have lost their families.

“I’m going to Manila first thing tomorrow,” reported one staff member who works with the whl.travel partner in Boracay in the Philippines. “Another super typhoon is hitting and I’m freaking out. I’ve got to be with my parents. Things have been crazy and emotional for a week already – it’s surreal. That’s climate change for you.”

Rescue efforts began immediately, everyone able to help a neighbour reaching out as necessary

[Update: On 3 October, eight days after Ketsana moved on, Typhoon Parma made landfall in the Philippines. Although Manila escaped the worst, the northeastern tip of Luzon was hit hard and the southern villages of Taiwan were evacuating.]

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Urban Adventures range from two-hour to one-day adventures and uncover back streets, hidden gems and fascinating sights. While these adventures may be short in duration, they’re long on real-life experiences. Step into the lives of the locals, find out what makes the city tick and get acquainted with the local food, culture and traditions, all in the company of an expert local guide. See more than just the usual sights on an Urban Adventure.

The Urban Adventures business is a unique and exciting new concept developed by leading adventure travel operator Intrepid Travel and WHL Group, the biggest local travel company in the world. Urban Adventures relies on a combination of Intrepid Travel’s experience in designing and running the world’s best experiential trips; plus WHL Group’s whl.travel network of local operators and the technology to sell these trips at low cost. Intrepid and WHL Group share a commitment to sustainable travel and minimising impact on the environment and on communities.

Anchored at launch in approximately 20 cities, Urban Adventures will be available in 65 cities with over 200 trips within six months. Departures are daily and prices start from US$15.

whl.travel is particularly proud of its partners in the following destinations who have been selected as Urban Adventures Partners and are or will soon be offering tours that bring their cities to life: Athens, Boracay, Brunei, Cappadocia, Dominica, Foz do Iguassu, Jamaica, Livingstone, Madeira, Riga, Rio, Samoa, St Lucia, and Thessaloniki. More will be added in the weeks and months ahead.

Urban Adventures drop the barriers between visitors and hosts, bringing you in direct contact with the people who give a place its character. Kids in Cambodia are especially expert at making you feel right at home.

So whether you’re after an evening of home cooking and hanging locally in Istanbul, a full-day exploration of the magnificent temples of the Angkor complex in Cambodia, visiting the history and people of Johannesburg by bicycle or sampling Los Angeles, from Hollywood glitz to the quirkiness of Venice Beach, Urban Adventures really connect with the destination.

Become a Free Urban Adventures Tester

To celebrate the launch of Urban Adventures, Intrepid Travel and WHL Group are offering travellers (and locals) the opportunity to tour for FREE.

Travellers can register to become an Urban Adventures tester. By doing so they will be notified of free spots on Urban Adventures around the world that will be allocated on a first-in-best-dressed basis. The first trips will be made available on 21 October. In return for a free adventure, testers write trip reviews and take photos for the Urban Adventures website. In addition, travellers who submit feedback could win a monthly Urban Adventures prize pack.

Being an Urban Adventure tester suits everyone from round-the-world backpackers to business people and travellers who enjoy discovering what makes cities tick. The program is ongoing so people can register whenever they go on holiday.

Cape Town's Table Mountain is one of the finalists in the New Seven Wonders of Nature, as well as a whl.travel destination

It is now time for the world to speak and choose the final seven. Optimistic estimates are that 1 billion votes will be cast starting now, throughout 2010 and into 2011, when the official list will be unveiled.

TO ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE TALLY, START HERE.

whl.travel Destinations in the Mix

whl.travel is delighted to note that, of the 28 finalists, eight are covered by the network:

• the Amazon – see Manaus: the Brazilian Port of Entry to the Amazon Rainforest)
• the Dead Sea – take a tour
• Iguazu Falls – see Finding Heaven in Foz do Iguassu
• Jeita Grotto – take a tour
• Komodo National Park – take a tour
• Maldives – learn more about it and then read about Whale Shark Encounters in the Maldives
• Puerto Princesa Underground River – take a tour
• Table Mountain – why not Abseil off Table Mountain

More Information

The nomination and voting process is being led by the same team that oversaw the New Seven Wonders of the World, during which 100 million votes were counted.

The Palawan lagoons are known for visual treats both above and beneath the waters. Here, they are surrounded by magnificent limestone formations.

Under the name Go Discover Travel, the whl.travel presence in the Philippines has taken another significant step towards becoming the preferred hotel and tour booking company in the country. Already established in two destinations – Cebu and Boracay – whl.travel recently gave travellers another reason to visit the Philippines: Palawan.

These three destinations represent some of the most popular holiday choices in the country, combining the best of what the Philippines has to offer, including tropical beaches, rich culture, diverse landscapes and rich heritage.

The newest addition, Palawan, is a treasure chest of natural wonders. Here, one can find miles of exquisite untouched beaches, shimmering lagoons, lush forests, exotic flora and fauna and dive destinations known the world over. Its rich natural resources and heritage have not gone unnoticed, as there are two UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the Tubbataha Reef and the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park.

Indeed, the scenic landscapes and seascapes of Palawan have made it a favourite destination for adventure seekers, nature lovers, honeymooners, and families. The many islands are home to a variety of accommodations for every traveller’s need – from the most luxurious to cozy off-the-beaten-track cottages.

Go Discover Travel caters to both travellers and accommodation providers. They make it easy for the traveller to make well-informed decisions through websites that provide photos, destination guides and accurate information about shopping, transportation and restaurants. On the same note, they select the best variety of accommodations for the traveller. Since they are a company committed to sustainable tourism, they also provide free consulting in that area and marketing incentives to hotels that demonstrate real caring for the destination.

Their deep-rooted beliefs about sustainability really are the core of their business. Helen Atanacio, Managing Director of Go Discover Travel, says, “I am really happy to be a part of the whl.travel family. Through their unique business model, my activities are helping the Philippines reach its tourism potential at a sustainable level.”

Through Go Discover Travel, whl.travel provides everything needed for the perfect, personalized vacation in the Philippines, including the best of all options for the conscientious traveller.

On 11 January 2009 the New York Times (NYT) published a piece entitled The 44 Places to Go in 2009. The introduction suggests that they are the new year’s ‘most compelling destinations’ and they’re presented in an order of preference ‘recommended’ by the NYT. At the article’s request, readers also voted on their favourites and, with the click of a button, the preferences can be shuffled to reflect readers’ recommendations too.

Reader comments on the article covered fairly predictable ground, lamenting omitted destinations (“Nothing in China? I am a bit surprised.” “Not a single Canadian destination?”), suggesting new ones (“Visit Poland!” “Tanzania? Kenya”?), criticising those on the list (“Dallas? You’ve got to be kidding!” “Beirut? Get real.”), questioning the division into sub-categories (“How is Greece not a cultural option?” “Can someone explain to me how $600 a night in South Africa is ‘frugal’?”) and even challenging the validity and sustainability of the topic (“Honestly, how many working people will be able to afford big vacations this year?” “Do the authors and publishers of travel pieces like this bear responsibility for the environmental damage wrought by those who go?”)

One of my personal favourites is this one: “Please add the category that shows where the jobs are that allow people to spend money to travel. In my world, most of these trips are the equivalent of more than a couple of month’s rent. Call it ‘employo-tourism.’ ”

I won’t add my own very long list of criticisms of the choices offered or of people’s responses. Well, OK, I can’t resist just one: Just how could Buffalo (New York) be the number three people’s recommended destination for 2009? I have nothing against the place, but, really, more appealing than the entire country of South Africa? Please.

Actually, I have another one: Like many of the people who commented, I find the presentation of the list to be incredibly disingenuous. While I can imagine the day when whl.travel will publish its own lists, I will endeavor to be more transparent about our selection criteria and more clear about our original pool being solely our suite of offered destinations.

Then again, I wonder if these lists serve any real purpose or if (as I sometimes suspect) they are really just a commercial obligation put forth as an opinion. Have you ever made a travel choice as a function of such a list (I haven’t)? And, in the end, is it fair for one set of apple destinations to be compared to the orange set and the peach set and the pineapple set? How can you ever measure the comparative merits of ‘A Pennsylvania Farm’ over all of India?

(On an related-but-different note, I find very encouraging how well whl.travel has anticipated this (dubiously accurate) New York Times overview. If you subtract the 10 American and 10 major European destinations (markets into which we have not yet pushed), of the remaining 24, whl.travel has active partners in or near 14 of them, including (in order of NYT preference) Beirut, Qatar (coming), Dakar, Phuket, Marrakech, the Aegean Sea (see Greece and Turkey), Penang (see other destinations in Malaysia), Florianopolis, Boracay, South Africa, India, Madagascar, Tasmania (see other destinations in Australia) and Zambia.)

A riverside stretch on the Nabaoy near the picnic area

Nature and wildlife are abundant on and near Boracay, but there’s no better spot at which to take this all in than Caticlan, a pristine world of natural beauty on the mainland near the airport, just a short trip from Boracay in a banca (local ferry boat). It’s a favourite local place for hiking, biking and just soaking up the serenity.

From Caticlan, for a bit of physical challenge, Nasog Point is ideal. To get there, make your way to the town of Malay and then head to the beachfront. Follow the path off to the left and walk along the beach (towards Pahle) until the path takes you to a hill. Starting halfway up, there are stunning views of Boracay! Take drinking water with you.

After the hike, nearby Pahle (just mentioned) is an incredible resort with hardwood furniture and native artwork. Order in advance for the fabulous vegetarian cuisine and then relax by the sea.

A view to distant Boracay Island from the Malay mountains

Alternatively, from Malay head up to Agnaga Falls. Most tricycle drivers know it and will drop you off at a bridge, from which it’s an invigorating 40-minute walk via native villages, small rice terraces, mountain pathways and coconut plantations. Reward yourself with a dip in the freshwater swimming hole at the end.

If you instead want to meet some locals, head down to the jetty port and ask a tricycle to go to Nabaoy (Nab-ah-oy) River. Here you can join in on some karaoke in the native huts or cross the bridge and then follow the river around to the right to the picnic area, a deck on stilts built around two huge trees. Order food on site or bring your own. Drink a fresh buko (young coconut) juice. Immerse yourself in the fresh river waters.

Back on Boracay, to experience local life, take a tricycle to Manoc Manoc Plaza and then walk to Manoc Manoc Beach. The entire island’s cargo arrives here and you will be amazed both by what you see and the innovative ways the local banca boys unload it! At the back of the beach, there is an old Aeta cemetery surrounded by the well-beaten pathways used by locals to get from village to village.

One favourite spot is Laurel Island, better known as Crystal Cove. There’s an entrance fee of 100 Philippino pesos per person, but you can bring your own food and use proper facilities, including good cooking and eating areas. The best location is across the cleared area by the entrance and then up the steps. Grab a table on the hill with amazing sea views and breezes.

Finally, try exploring Boracay from the back of a horse! Morning sunrise trips reveal the island in all its beauty.

For lots more information about Boracay, including accommodations, tours, activities and loads of insider tips, contact your local whl.travel connection: Helen and the Go Discover team at www.boracay.travel.