Montebello Villa Hotel Provides Easy Access to Cebu's Top Attractions

Montebello Villa Hotel, Cebu City's prime garden accommodation, provides the best venue for tourists who want to explore the beauty of the area. This city hotel located in Banilad is only a short distance to commercial establishments, business centers, malls, churches, and other key places. For travelers seeking to turn the destination upside down in search of fun and memorable experiences, this retreat is definitely the ideal base. Some of the places to check out while billeted in this Cebu accommodation include:

Basilica Minore del Santo Nino – When you speak of Cebu, the Santo Nino is the first to come to mind. The center of the popular Sinulog Festival, the highly venerated image of the child Jesus is enshrined in Basilica Minore del Santo Nino. It is the oldest religious relic in the country, given to Queen Juana by Magellan in 1521. In the same way, the church is the oldest, founded by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Fray de Urdaneta in 1565. Both the church and the Santo Nino relic have survived numerous fires and natural disasters.

Taoist Temple – Found in Beverly Hills, the Taoist Temple preserves the teachings and philosophy of Lao Tzu. Climb all 81 steps (which represent the 81 chapters of Taoism scriptures) to the reach the temple and light incense sticks on top. On certain days of the week, Taoist ceremonies are observed.

Cave Busay – If you are having a holiday with your kids, take them spelunking in Cave Busay for a fun adventure. The 200-meter-long tunnel is easy but exciting, and the children will definitely enjoy seeing bats, stalagmites, and other formations. There is a fresh water spring that they can swim in, too. For more fun caving adventures, you may also want to visit the municipality of Barili or Mt. Lantoy, which boast countless cave systems.

Olango Wildlife Sanctuary – Head to Olango Island and be blown away by the beauty of migratory birds. Here, you will find the largest concentration of migratory birds in the country, so be sure to bring binoculars and a camera. These birds have traveled all the way from Siberia, China, and Japan to escape the winter cold and are flying south as far as Australia and New Zealand from July to November. The birds stop in Olango for food and water.

These are only 4 of the many spots that you can visit while staying at Cebu City's MontebelloVilla Hotel. Ask the concierge for more information and assistance. Enjoy your stay!

3 Big Ways to Discover the Best of Cebu, Philippines

Booking an accommodation in Cebu brings you a step closer to experiencing the province's top attractions, which are so diverse that they can't be put under a single uniform list. This only means that you are up for a multifaceted holiday that promises a new kind of encounter at every turn. So if you're planning a vacation there, keep reading to learn of the 3 best ways to enjoy the best of Cebu.

1. Take a stroll on world-class beaches.

Are you a beach bum? If yes, then you will find home here. Consisting of 168 mostly unspoilt islands, this place is the site of some of the Philippines' most beautiful shores.

a. Malapascua – the most visited white-sand beach in the province

b. Bantayan Island – popular for its shallow, turquoise waters

c. Camotes Island – famous for its calm seas and charming, laid-back setting

d. Moalboal – a top diving destination

e. Sumilon Island – the first marine protected area in the Philippines

2. Enter interesting museums.

Due to Cebu's rich history, trips to museums is one of the most usual activities included in itineraries in the province. A good place to start is Museo Sugbo along M. J. Cuenco Avenue in the old Tejero district. It is known not only for being the provincial museum but also for being housed in a building that used to be the provincial jail.

If you like visiting old houses of rich and influential people, one site you may go to is Casa Gerordo along Lopez Jaena Street. This mansion was restored to display the elegant lifestyle of wealthy locals during the Spanish era. Meanwhile, at the corner of Lopez-Jaena and Mabini streets, you will find the Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House, which was built sometime in between 1675 and 1700 and is one of the Philippines' oldest intact houses. You may also enter the 1730 Jesuit House, which used to be the home of Jesuit priests before being transformed into a hardware store and warehouse, then into a museum. All 3 properties are located in the district of Parian.

3. Visit historic landmarks.

Viewing extensive artifact collections and admiring well-preserved pieces of architecture is not the only way to appreciate Cebu's rich history. You may also tour areas where some of the most important events in Philippine history have taken place. For those wanting to conveniently access these landmarks, it is best to stay at a hotel in Cebu City like City Suites Ramos Tower, because all these attractions are located in the mainland.

a. Magallanes Street – Here you will find a chapel that houses Magellan's Cross that was planted by Ferdinand Magellan, a renowned Portuguese explorer, when he arrived in 1521.

b. Lapu-Lapu Shrine – This 20 m bronze statue in Punta Engano honors the native leader who killed Ferdinand Magellan during the Battle of Mactan.

c. Fort San Pedro - Here we have an 18th-century military defense structure that was created to prevent Muslim raiders from attacking the Spanish settlement. To reach this site from your Cebu accommodation, head over to Mandaue City.