| The glorious beaches | | | | unbroken peace to Cebu, which accounts for the |
| Surely the top attraction for most visitors to the | | | | building of the small but still impressive fort of San |
| Province of Cebu in the Philippines is the host of | | | | Pedro in 1565. It served successive regimes for |
| sunny beaches, many of them scattered on | | | | almost 400 years before becoming a garden and |
| surrounding islands. Mactan Island is the main | | | | museum after Japanese occupation in World War |
| resort, connected to Cebu by bridge, and has all | | | | II. |
| the usual watersports facilities. Kansatik Island is | | | | Cebu Cathedral |
| particularly good for scuba diving, along with the | | | | Originally little more than a bamboo and wood |
| remaining 165 island locations that offer fascinating | | | | barn in 1591, this cathedral has evolved into an |
| sights like black coral and sea snakes. | | | | impressive landmark, and is worth visiting to |
| However, even the most dedicated sun-seeker or | | | | understand the strong Catholic tradition of this |
| watersports enthusiast occasionally needs to do | | | | country as well as providing a quiet shady retreat |
| something other than merely swim or pick up | | | | from the tropical sun. |
| that golden tan. Fortunately, this beautiful Pacific | | | | Taoist Temple |
| island has much to offer in the way of | | | | Although Catholicism is the main Filipino religion, |
| alternatives to the delights of sand and sea, and | | | | other cultures and their religions co-exist in these |
| most of them are free to visitors. Cebu hotels | | | | islands. You can't go far around the Pacific Rim |
| located in the beach are highly sought after and | | | | without encountering communities of expat |
| can be booked in advance. | | | | Chinese along with their strong cultural traditions. |
| Magellan's Cross | | | | In downtown Cebu, you can visit a secluded but |
| Cebu City is the oldest settlement in the | | | | stunning Taoist temple with 81 steps, each |
| Philippines and was first visited in 1521 by Magellan, | | | | representing a chapter of the Taoist scriptures. |
| the famous explorer who gave his name to the | | | | Tops |
| straits at the foot of South America. In Cebu's | | | | Although many visitors come to Cebu in search |
| Basilica Minor del Santo Nino is a cross which | | | | of sun, it can be hot work at times. If you need |
| allegedly houses the original one planted by | | | | to cool off outside for a few hours without |
| Magellan on his arrival. As a predominantly Catholic | | | | aircon, then why not head 2000 feet up to the |
| country, such religious artefacts have great | | | | well-named Tops, with its great views of the |
| symbolic significance for today's Filipinos. | | | | town and islands as well as picnic spots? Just |
| Lapu Lapu Monument | | | | make sure you have a good set of wheels for |
| After his initial success in converting Cebu to | | | | the steep climb. |
| Christianity, Magellan went across to Mactan Island | | | | Guitar factories |
| on the same mission but was killed by the island's | | | | Cebu does not rely on tourism alone but is world |
| chieftain, Lapu Lapu. This monument was erected | | | | famous for its guitar factories based mainly on |
| in Magellan's memory and placed at the site of his | | | | Mactan Island. You can visit these to watch how |
| death. Today, it is surrounded by attractive | | | | guitars are constructed and perhaps buy one |
| gardens and has a number of seafood | | | | yourself at a discounted price. Cebu resorts will be |
| restaurants. | | | | able to offer advice on how to get to the |
| Fort San Pedro | | | | attractions with ease. |
| After Magellan's fatal visit, Christianity did not bring | | | | |