The Philippines: Cebu & Bohol

Alona Beach in Bohol. Image courtesy of Alona Palm Beach Resort.

Less than an hour by air from the Manila is Central Visayas, the group of islands between Luzon in the north and Mindanao in the south. The province of Cebu highlights the Visayas, with its economic bustle and vibrant character showcased in the island's capital city of the same name. It is the country's oldest city, established immediately following Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Legazpi's arrival there in 1565. It features a wealth of historical churches, monuments and ancient military forts as a result, most of which are part of highly interesting city tours. Side by side with these priceless relics is a modern city with an international airport located on adjacent Mactan Island that is connected by a modern causeway. Cebu presents the widest variety of sun and sea activities on dazzling island hopping tours - limitless water sports, golf, tennis and beautiful sightseeing within fascinating biodiversity on land and underwater.
There are hotels and resorts of every rating, and the 5-star ones are of the highest international standards and among the best in the country. Shopping in Cebu is a superb experience, the city being the virtual handicraft capital of the Philippines with furniture, wood and iron works, jewelry and accessories expertly hand crafted. Cebu is a major gateway to many other attractive destinations of the Philippines. From the city's major airport, it has flights (or ferry trips from its port) to many nearby vacation spots. In all these ways Cebu is a persuasive option as a intermediate stopover even when it happens not to be one's end destination in the Philippines.
One such extremely appealing destinations is Bohol Island, with its capital, Tagbilaran, only an hour and half by ferry from Cebu. Fifty-five kilometers away from Tagbilaran are the world famous Chocolate Hills, so named because they resemble gigantic drops of chocolates. Along the way one is likely to see a tarsier, the world's smallest monkey. Once done with sightseeing, the perimeter highway around the entire island leads to many spectacular beaches and seaside resorts such as those on nearby Panglao Island.
There is also Pamalican Island tour to avail of, with its waters serving as migrating routes for dolphins and whales. The island is ideal for divers and beachcombers, and its village populated by friendly people. There is even history to take in with relics such as a Spanish military outpost that served as a lookout for pirates or invaders.