NOTING its proximity to Metro Manila, the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon — collectively known as Calabarzon — offer a quick respite for travelers looking for the sun and sea offerings of the Philippines.

Spanning more than 16,000 square kilometers, Calabarzon is one of the most geographically diverse regions in the country. Bordered by Manila Bay in the west; Metro Manila, Bulacan and Aurora in the north; Bicol in the east; and the Isla Verde Passage in the south, each province in the region is composed of different environments, ranging from low coastal areas to rugged mountainous ones.