Bohol is oval-shaped island and lies to the southern-east of Cebu Island and due north from Mindanao Island. Bohol is the 10th-largest island in the Philippines, with an area of 3,300 sq km and a coastline that is 260 km in length. It has gently rolling landscape and mountainous interior. One must see are the famous Chocolate Hills near Carmen, known as ‘The Jewel of the Philippines’. They are amazing natural wonder – some 1,200 uniform cone-shaped limestone hills. They are grass-covered and turn brown in the summer, which is where the chocolate comes in. There is a good road system on the island, giving access to both the interior and coastal villages. Photo by: WisDoc

The capital city Tagbilaran is located on the south coast, popular with those who like beach holidays on sand. Bohol is surrounded by 70 smaller islands. Many of these can easily be reached by the mainland, and some offer unusual experiences like whale dolphin watching. This activity is conducted by former fishermen who now serves as ’stewards of the sea’. Photo by: reybronx

When to go: November to April is mild, May to July hot and humid. August to October mild but rainy. Population: 1,137,000. How to get there: By sea to the Tagbilaran City Tourist Pier from Cebu, Manila and various other islands. Photo by: Flipped Out