A nation of 7,107 islands straddling the South China Sea and the Philippine Sea, the Philippines is a tropical fusion of native cultures with prevalent Spanish and American influences, along with contributions from China, India and Indonesia. It's a fascinating place, dotted with boisterous, crowded cities, rural seaside villages and active volcanoes. Three centuries of Spanish colonial rule left a lasting imprint on the architecture, food and culture of the Philippines, but native Filipino tradition thrives in locally brewed spirits like Lambanog, a distilled coconut wine made from the sap taken from the flowers of the palm tree. The national delicacy/fabled aphrodisiac, Balut, is fertilized duck embryo, fully developed in the shell, and then steamed, cracked open and consumed. With so many cultures constantly merging, so many cities rapidly changing, and so much natural beauty to behold, The Philippines is an ideal spot for the adventurous traveler.