Naga, Philippines

NAGA is a reasonably compact town centred on a main square, Plaza Martinez, which is surrounded by fast-food restaurants, convenience stores and pharmacies. The main drag, Elias Angeles Street, runs north to south; to the east, along Panganiban Drive, is the Naga River.

The town's main tourist draw is the annual Peñafrancia festival, celebrated on the third Saturday of September. The festival is preceded by a novena, nine days of prayer, in honour of the Madonna. On the ninth day, an image of the Madonna is taken downriver in a barge to its shrine. The colourful evening procession consists of numerous boats, lit by thousands of candles. Naga can get very busy for the festival, which is known throughout the country, so this is the one time of year when you should try to book a hotel room in advance.