Dapitan, Philippines

The scenic and peaceful north coast city of DAPITAN, with its red-roofed houses and sweeping ocean bay, has appeal for anyone interested in recent Philippine history, as well as being a good base for exploring the coast of Misamis Occidental, a little-explored province with some remote beaches and friendly fishing villages. The beaches aren't white and endless, but the whole coastline from Ozamis to Dipolog is unspoiled and untouristy and a good area to explore at your leisure.

The main drag in Dapitan is Sunset Boulevard, a romantic seafront promenade where you'll find banks, shops and a number of hotels. Most of the limited tourist attractions are Rizal-related (see below). The Rizal Shrine (Tues– Sun 9am–4pm; P20) on the northern edge of the city in an area known as Talisay is a pleasant parkland area encompassing the grounds where Rizal spent his exile. The park contains faithful reproductions of the simple cottage he lived in, the octagonal schoolroom where he taught, his chicken house and two clinics. The Rizal Museum (Tues– Sun 10am–4pm; P10) is also here, and contains memorabilia such as books, notebooks and medical equipment. To get here either take a tricycle from the city centre or walk – it's only ten minutes away on foot across Bagting Bridge with Dapitan Bay on your left. The national hero was nothing if not versatile. He also designed – from memory – a huge grass relief map of Mindanao that still exists today in F. Saguin Street, close to St James's Church where he regularly used to worship.