Cebu is the oldest city in the country and where Spain first landed in the Philippines. It is the second major city next to Manila and a top tourist and business destination. A brand new international airport welcomes passengers regularly from Narita, Osaka, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Australia, with may preferring its less hectic pace to Manila and find it a more convenient hub for other parts of the country. It is also the shipping centre of the entire country.
what to see?
Given just a day, most Cebu city sights can be seen...a drive through the city proper viewing the Capitol...Colon Street, the oldest street in the country...passing through the business and commercial districts...Casa Gorordo Museum...Fort San Pedro, the first Spanish settlement...to Magellan's Cross, planted in 1521 to mark the spot where the first Filipino was baptized...and the nearby Basilica Minore del Santo Nino, which houses the oldest religious relics in the country...and the Taoist Temple in Beverly Hills, which also gives a bird's eyeview of Cebu city.
what to do?
Staying just a day is inconceivable and many to come here to enjoy the beautiful beaches, world-class resorts and hotels, or the rustic and far-away little islands. Cebu's coastline has numerous resorts ideal for swimming, scuba diving and various aqua sports. The most popular ones are in nearby Mactan Island which is no more than half an hour away, although these do not have the best quality beaches. The most exclusive ones are: Shangrila's Mactan Island Resort and Plantation Bay Resort (great accommodations and facilities as expected in any 5-star hotel but with prices I personally find more suited to foreign tourists). Others I like better for their more native appeal are Maribago Bluewaters, Cebu Beach Club and Tambuli Beach Resort.
But for the beach and diving enthusiasts, going further than Mactan is a must. All over two hours drive are: Argao, Moalboal, Badian, and Sumilon Islands. These offer rustic and simple native accommodations but have less crowds and better quality beaches. But for those looking for native appeal but with elegance, comfort and great service, I hear the Alegre Beach Resort is a very good choice although quite expensive too.
Golf is also fast becoming popular with courses like the new Alta-Vista Golf Club and Cebu Golf Club.
And for those true adventurers who prefer visiting more remote and untouched places without minding the lack of facilities and just the most basic of accommodations, there are: Batayan and the group of little islands in the Camotes Sea. I have not been to these places personally but wouldn't mind visiting one day.
BOHOL - Having more time on their hands, Bohol is another great destination, just an hour and a half ferry ride from Cebu. A one-day roundtrip to Bohol is possible just to see the sights. It's most famoust attraction is of course the Chocolate Hills, where hundreds of cone-shaped hills covered with grass turn brown in the summer. Other interesting sights are the Baclayon Churh, said to the oldest in Asia...the historic Sikatuna Blond Compact marker...and Hinagdanan Cave. And for the diving connoisseur, Panglao Island is definitely one of the best dive sites in the country.