Not a 'sympathy vote': UK paper names Philippines top destination

MANILA, Philippines - Top British broadsheet The Daily Telegraph named the Philippines among the top destinations for 2014, explaining that the honor was well-deserved and not just to appease the country for its suffering from super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

"Why is the Philippines in our 20 destinations for 2014? It's no sympathy vote," The Telegraph Travel posted on its Twitter account, citing travel journalist Natalie Paris.

The newspaper explained that even as the Philippines made headlines last year when history-making Typhoon Yolanda devastated the land, its "white-sand beaches, glorious landscapes and wildlife" deserved the acclaim.

"The archipelago is made for island-hopping between sugary beaches that receive far fewer tourists than they should ... The Philippines should be on your bucket list," Paris wrote.

Why is the #Philippines in our 20 destinations for 2014? It's no sympathy vote, says @laparis http://t.co/gRsg90tMnj pic.twitter.com/Kxwd8GBHqM

— Telegraph Travel (@TelegraphTravel) January 3, 2014

Most of the Philippines' 7,000 islands were  not affected by the super typhoon and for the first time, the country is directly accessible from London's Heathrow airport.

The Telegraph also mentioned must-visit islands of Panglao, Malapascua and Boracay. Sites in Donsol and the Cordilleras are for culture and adventure-filled days, while Palawan was tagged for its limestone peaks and caves.

Paris also recommended that tourists participate in the country's famous traditional street party--the Ati-Atihan Festival in honor of the Santo Niño.

Top 20

Joining the Philippines in The Telegraph's 20 destinations this year were included due to their cultural and natural merits:

• Papua New Guinea for its wild, tribal frontiers and Italian heritage sites
• Matera in Italy saw a renaissance from being Western Europe's poorest town in the 60's.
• Bordeaux, France - famous for its wine festival
• Jerusalem in the Middle East - a cultural address with a spiritual magnetism.
• America's Charleston deserves more visitors for having trendy cuisine and artistic minds
• Chengdu in China serves as "gateway to the most spectacular nature reserve" in the Asian giant
• Liuwa Plain National Park in Zambia - remote wildlife reserve that only a few hundred visitors manage to reach
• Sumatra in Indonesia - among the archipelago's less visited islands but possesses a "sheer natural beauty."
• Alaçatı in Turkey - having stylish beaches perfect for windsurfing
• Egadi in Italy - brings nostalgia for Italy in the 50's
• Canouan Island, The Carribean - has "all the ingredients of an exclusive tropical beauty"
• Kashmir, India - boasts a mountainous paradise
• El Salvador - the smallest Central American country has Unesco-listed sites and perfectly shaped volcanoes
• The Ganges in India - the river served as seat of an early civilization but is also among the world's "most alluring passages of water"
• Iran - even with its ongoing political turmoil, its epic scenery and history is a must to see and experience once travel warnings have been dropped
• Stewart Island in New Zealand - a land of adventure for hikers, kayakers and birdwatchers
• Darwin in Australia - the excellent holiday destination that balances nature and modern amenities
• Red Mountain in Canada - the uncommercialized ski area draws visitors