The island capital of the Maldives teems with high rises and narrow streets, all ringed by seawalls. Shopaholics can savor Male's flavors in the local markets, which are packed with fresh produce, and along Chaandanee Magu, the spot for local souvenirs, such as carved wooden dhonis, miniature replicas of the boats dotting area waters. The golden-domed Friday Mosque presides over the landscape, while the underwater riches of the atolls lure scuba enthusiasts from around the globe.

If you’re looking for a Robinson Crusoe experience, you can still find that thatched-hut-on-the-beach vibe in the North Malé Atoll. But this chain of 50 or so palm-shaded islands in the Maldives has been stepping up its game lately with sleek, stylish accommodations. These days, even the islands themselves are designer. The newly opened Patina Maldives and Ritz Carlton Maldives sit on an archipelago that construction crews built in the Indian Ocean. Divers love North Malé Atoll for spots like Manta Point, where manta rays congregate so they can be “cleaned” by small fish. You can even snorkel with curious hawksbill turtles. North of the capital city of Malé are some prime surf spots.

The biggest island in the Philippines, Luzon is also one of the most diverse—it’s where mountain peaks and volcanoes meet miles of coastline, and indigenous culture melds with Spanish colonial history. You can relax at the beach in Pagudpud, hike with locals up the Batad Rice Terraces, ride in a horse-drawn carriage in Vigan, and snack on street food and dance the night away in Manila. You’ll need a few days and a bus pass, but you’ll be glad you stayed.

From the cosmopolitan metropolis of Cebu City and the white-sand beaches of Mactan to the electric-blue waters of Kawasan Falls and the whale sharks of Oslob, it’s easy to see why Cebu Island is one of the Philippines’ top destinations.