With so much discussion about the top tourist destinations in the Philippines, I think it’s a disservice to yourself to limit your plans to traditional tourist spots. There are several other places to visit in the Philippines that offer different experiences. Many of these places can be reached by flying to nearby airports, taking a boat, driving, or a combination of modes.

With a little preparation, you can avail of cheap airfares on Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, and Air Asia to many destinations around the country. Cebu Pacific itself has promos every week to various domestic destinations. The key is planning early.

For those who prefer more adventure, going on a road trip or overlanding (glamping in the Philippines), many regions and island provinces are accessible via the Philippine Nautical Highway System, launched in 2003 under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. As a guy who used to drive around since the 90’s, the nautical highway made driving around the Philippines much more convenient.

Below are some places worth visiting on our adventure to rediscover “wow!”

We start from the top, in Region 1. Pagudpud’s Maira-Ira Point (Blue Lagoon) is an emerging, secluded beach with crystal-blue waters. From there, it’s just a short drive to either the Bangui Windmills or the Patapat Viaduct. As a person who has driven through these places, it’s always a must-stop. Don’t forget to take pics!

From Pagudpud, you can drive four hours east to Peñablanca, Cagayan. That’s where you’ll be able to visit the Callao Cave. It’s a seven-chamber cave system, with a chapel inside! You can find accommodations in the area, but if you like, you can hop in your car and drive 35 minutes to Tuguegarao City. There are a lot of things to do in Tuguegarao, and many drive to the mountains to the west, or down to Isabela province. I would suggest venturing east.

After you pass the provinces of Isabela, Nueva Ecija, and Nueva Vizcaya, you’ll reach Dingalan, Aurora. Fondly called “Batanes of the East,” and there’s a reason for that—spectacular mountain views, waterfalls, and the beaches, which are known as surf spots. Stay in the local accommodations, or camp out and enjoy nature at its finest.

Want to go to a destination that’s not as far from the metro, but want to make a lasting impression with someone special? Fancy an island, all to yourself? Done! Sundang Island in Laguna is just a three-hour drive away from Metro Manila. You can rent the whole island for a reasonable amount.

Want something else? Why not consider going to Romblon? Last time I was in Romblon, I could not get over how beautiful the beaches were. You can take a Ro-Ro to Romblon Island and head to the different beaches. Bon Bon Beach is a must. Secluded, quiet, and with lower fees than in Boracay. From Romblon Island, there’s a short ferry ride you can take to Tablas Island, Romblon, which provides more beaches and places to visit. From Tablas Island, you can take a ferry to either Batangas City, to get back home, or to Caticlan, Aklan, where you can take a short boat ride to Boracay.

Aklan is one of the four provinces in Panay Island. There’s Capiz to the East, then a bit down, is the province of Iloilo. Driving further, you will reach the province of Antique. Alternatively, you can drive from Caticlan, Aklan, directly to Antique. You can take a flight from Manila to San Jose de Buenavista, Antique, but take my word for it, driving to Antique is much more fun. When in Antique, you can drive to Bugang River, a six kilometer river recognized as the cleanest inland body of water in the Philippines.

Want to try something different? How about sitting in a big bowl of hot water? Called the Kawa Hot Bath, it’s a popular traditional rustic spa treatment found in Tibiao, Antique. Perfect for your IG stories! While still in Antique, you can also go to Malumpati Cold Spring in Pandan. It’s a secluded eco-resort worth exploring.

Want to try something different to satisfy your palate? There’s always been this big debate about putting pineapples on pizza. I say this with confidence: You’ve never tasted pizza until you’ve tasted mango pizza! Yes, you heard me right—mangoes on pizza. And there’s only one place to eat it. In Guimaras Island. The Windmills, the beaches, and the rolling hills are all worth going to. But you can’t say you’ve visited Guimaras until you’ve tasted their mango pizza. You’ll thank me later. After a healthy meal of mango pizza, you can head to Tatlong Pulo beach. It’s a secluded beach experience, which makes you forget all your problems.

Next week, we’ll look at other places to visit.

Before I go, let’s remember that visiting these places also means being responsible while we’re there.

(The author is a former Comelec commissioner. He is a pioneer of automated elections being a member of the Commission that successfully modernized Philippine elections in 2010. He remains involved in public service as an election lawyer.)