For Indian travel enthusiasts a new and exciting destination is not far away. If you have been to countries like Indonesia Singapore Thailand and Malaysia and are now looking for a new country to visit there is a hidden jewel among South Asian countries. The Philippines which has Manila as its capital is becoming a popular destination for travelers from India. The good news is that it does not involve any visa complications and avoids a long tiring journey. With Air India offering direct flights frequently and plenty of budget travel options available the Philippines is now the perfect adventure destination for any Indian traveler. The Philippines with Manila being the capital a booming metropolitan area is fast becoming a popular travel destination for Indian tourists. The best part: there is no visa hassle and the travel is minimal and not very long for Indian travelers. You can take Air Indias direct flights or use one of the very inexpensive travel methods. The Philipines is a great place for Indian travelers who are interested in adventure travel. Till now there has been no direct connection from India to Manila the capital of the Philippines. Passengers would have to go through cities such as Singapore Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur and took nearly an entire long-haul flight. But now things have changed. Air India commenced their first non-stop flight from Delhi to Manila with a direct flight duration one way of about 6 hours versus traveling for nearly an entire day now gone. This flight will not only save travelers time but also make the journey much more comfortable to travel. Flights will be operational five days a week: Monday Wednesday Friday Saturday and Sunday. According to the Air India CEO Campbell Wilson this move will strengthen not only tourism but also the business and cultural ties between India and the Philippines. In a significant step towards enhancing regional connectivity between India and the Philippines Air Indias direct flights from Delhi to Manila commenced operations from October 1 the official was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. The Philippines launched visa-free travel for Indians in June allowing for a 14-day stay for tourism. For Indian travelers the most exciting piece of news is that the Philippines now offers visa-free entry for up to 14 days. This allows travelers to enjoy a two-week vacation in an incredibly beautiful country while avoiding visa fees. This is excellent for those who plan on traveling spur of the moment and dont want the hassle of the lengthy visa process. After arriving at Manila Airport you wont feel any travel fatigue when you meet the warmth and smiling faces of the locals. Instead of a flower the locals provide visitors with a necklace of pearls as a way of welcoming them. This is an unforgettable experience. The culture of the Philippines is very rich and shows Spanish British and American influences making it a unique experience for travelers. The Philippines is the second largest archipelago in the world with over 7600 islands and around one-fourth of them are inhabited. The total cost of this trip can be easily accommodated in your budget. A flight from Delhi to Manila and back can be booked for about Rs 45000. Hotel meal and intra-Philippine transport expenses are also reasonable. The best part of this trip is the favorable change that you will see in your currency—the Philippine peso is much less than the Indian Rupee—1 peso equaling about ₹1.60 will make your visit less costly overall. Thus if you are looking for a vibrant new destination that will balance history beaches waterfalls and hospitality consider the Philippines as your travel destination this year.