Vigan
On the northwest coast of Luzon, Vigan is the Philippines’ best-preserved Spanish colonial town and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The mestizo district along Calle Crisologo is the marquee — cobblestone street, two-story bahay-na-bato houses with sliding capiz-shell windows, kalesa horse-drawn carriages clopping past in the lantern light. The town is a long overnight bus from Manila or a short flight to Laoag plus an hour by van; combine it with a few days in nearby Ilocos Norte for a complete northern Luzon loop. Eat empanada at the Plaza Burgos stalls and bagnet (deep-fried pork belly) at any of the heritage-house restaurants.
