Cebu combines the sophistication and amenities of a modern metropolitan centre with the appeal of a tropical holiday destination. There are historical sites to visit such as Fort San Pedro, a wildlife sanctuary, museums and Mactan Island, a world-class diving centre. There are numerous beach resorts, all offering a comprehensive range of amenities to make for a satisfying seaside holiday.

Fort San Pedro
This is the smallest and oldest fort in the country, which was once the base for the earliest Spanish settlement in the Philippines. Covering an area of more than 20,000 square feet, the fort features thick, high walls, topped by watch towers. Fort San Pedro served as a base for Japanese soldiers during the Japanese occupation and earlier as a barracks for American soldiers when the US controlled the region.

Mactan Island
Mactan is a coral island that boasts a number of world-class resorts. It’s popular with scuba divers, snorkellers and fans of a host of other water sports and activities. In addition to its appeal to tourists, Mactan Island is an important Export Processing Zone that’s home to more than 100 companies employing nearly 40,000 local residents.

Magellan’s Cross
The original cross is now encased in tindalo wood, to protect it from further deterioration. Placed at its current location in 1521 by the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, the cross commemorates the baptism of Rajah Humabon, Queen Juana and 400 other Filipinos. Later in the 16^th century, a shrine was built by the Augustinian friars to house the cross.

National Museum
This museum contains the remains of the San Diego shipwreck, as well as a great deal of information about the culture and history of the people of the Philippines. Managed by the Philippine Tourism Authority, the museum features displays of artefacts that include cannons, coins, helmets, lockets, Ming porcelain pieces and sword fragments. The grounds boast lush vegetation and well-kept flower beds. Phone: +63 32 253 1000.

Olango Wildlife Sanctuary
Nature enthusiasts will find Cebu an appealing destination, and in particular they will enjoy a visit to the Olango Wildlife Sanctuary. Found in the southern-most region of Olango Island, this preserve is home to the largest concentration of migratory birds to be found in the Philippines. From the winter through the spring, you’ll see a variety of exotic creatures taking shade amid the stands of mangroves in this marshy area. Egrets, plovers, red shanks and sandpipers are just a few of the visitors that stop over as they leave Siberia’s harsh winter weather.

Rizal Memorial Library and Museum
Located on Osmena boulevard, this museum contains collections of paintings, sculptures, and other antiques that were donated by the well-known Cebuano family of the same name. Concerts and theatre performances are held on the upper floor, while the library’s collections including narratives on the history of the Rizal family are on the ground floor. Phone: +63 32 426 6001.

Dance the night away at a Cebu disco. The H2O Dance Club is reported to be one of the best places to go if you’re looking for a disco. Located at Waterfront Lahug and laid out on multiple levels, the crowd here is mature and popular music is featured. Younger crowds frequent the Bai Disco at the Cebu Plaza Hotel, also in Lahug.

Feel the thrill of adventure with motocross. There’s a network of trails and remote roads criss-crossing the mountains around Cebu that make for exciting motorbike tours. You can hire a bike and go out exploring on your own, or you can join a tour with a guide. Either way, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the lush countryside and cruise along the road hugging the coast to take in some awesome views.

Go jungle trekking. Kawasan Falls is the place to begin jungle treks on Cebu. You might want to try a one-hour adventure that will take you from the falls and along the beautiful Matutinao River to its source. In addition to the natural beauty here, you’ll come across waterfalls that are more than 70ft high, pass through diverse jungle vegetation and see varied wildlife that includes butterflies, lizards and monkeys.

Go cave exploring. The 650ft tunnel known as Cave Busay makes for a fascinating adventure that can be enjoyed by everyone in the family. The features of this easy walk include flying bats, stalagmite formations and a fresh water spring that’s just right for a refreshing dip. There are other popular caves to explore as well. Barili Cave is located around 30 miles southwest of Cebu City and features numerous cave systems in a mountainous environment. Lantoy Cave is part of the system surrounded by the lush Argao Lantoy National Park, and the cave’s giant vertical opening is particularly impressive. A highlight of exploring Lantoy is the final rappel alongside a waterfall.

Take a lesson in traditional martial arts. Cebu’s own form of martial arts is known as eskrima or arnis, a type of stick fighting. Not only did it originate in Cebu, it is the only form of martial arts that is native to the Philippines, and has thousands of followers worldwide. International headquarters are located in Cebu, and you’ll find a number of small clubs around the city. Besides eskrima, many of these small clubs teach and practice other martial arts as well including: aikido, judo, taekwondo, jujitsu, karate and taichi.

Visit the Taoist temple in Beverly Hills. The philosophy and teachings of the important Chinese thinker Lao-tze are kept alive at this temple. Visitors can climb the 99 steps up to the temple that honours the philosopher. Fortunes are told here and Taoist ceremonies are held twice weekly (Wednesday and Saturday).