Tourists enjoy a trip organized by Planet Travel in the Philippines. Provided to China Daily

Beaches offer a great place to relax and unwind during a well-deserved holiday, which is why Planet Travel, a "private travel butler", recommends the Philippines for those who want to temporarily escape from work to rejuvenate their minds and bodies.

The Philippines consists of more than 7,000 beautiful islands that feature amazing beaches beside brilliant blue seas. There, coconut trees sway gently in cool ocean breezes while visitors mark the time by the coming and going of the tide.

The cumulative length of coastline on all of the country's island totals more than 17,500 kilometers.

The country also has a number of other scenic water resources, including bays, rivers, lakes, falls, gulfs, straits and swamps.

Because of the low level of industrialization locally, the country's natural environment remains pristine.

Many travel consultants in Planet Travel agree that the Philippines has the world's most beautiful and crystal-clear seawater. Because of that, it has been listed as one of the top tourism destinations around the globe among senior executives and celebrities.

Planet Travel has arranged countless trips to the Philippines for years. It can provide independent and reliable travel information for customers about hotels, local travel agencies and side trips off the beaten path.

It also helps travelers to avoid tourist traps, showing them where to find value and how to avoid being ripped off.

There are several airlines serving regular route to the country, and Planet Travel will choose larger ones to ensure the safety of customers.

Kuang Jiangnan, a travel consultant with the company, visited local travel agencies earlier this year to communicate the latest ways to offer better services to visitors.

She also went diving at different islands to make proper suggestions according to different demands from customers.

If visitors dive into the blue-turquoise water of the Philippines, they may see some of the richest biodiversity in the world's seas, she said.

Of the country's many islands, the most worthy of a recommendation is Boracay Island.

With a length of only 4.5 miles, Boracay is small enough to tour around by bicycle or motorbike. But it will impress visitors with several marvelous beaches.

For instance, White Beach, as its name suggests, is famous for its fine white sands. This is because there are almost no coral reefs on the sea floor within 1 kilometer around the beach. Shellfishes are also rarely seen in it.

It also has captivating sunsets that burst into myriad colors, ranging from rosy and dark red to orange-red blending with golden light.

Boracay is also an ideal place for sports enthusiast. Leisure activities include scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, kiteboarding, cliff-diving and so forth.

Bulabog Beach, located on the eastern end of Boracay, is the permanent home to Boracay International Fun Board Cup competition, a week-long event usually held in January.

One of the biggest concerns tourists have is finding the best time to travel in the Philippines.

According to Planet Travel, it is advisable to make a trip there from December to next April during the cool and dry season. During that period, the temperature averages 25.5 C.

So, holidays for Christmas, New Year's Day and China's Spring Festival are good opportunities to go there.

Nevertheless, it does not mean people cannot visit the Philippines at other times. An Italian couple enjoyed a joyful holiday there in October last year.

Scott Allford, a veteran traveler, once said those who come to the Philippines to seek out the beauty of this country will not be disappointed.

However, "first time travelers to the Philippines should beware, just like me and many other foreigners, this amazing country may compel you to stay quite a bit longer than you initially planned," he noted.

haonan@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 08/18/2013 page16)