We all know Cebu is a popular tourist destination. It has beaches, diving sites, waterfalls, natural forests, churches and monasteries, museums and ancestral houses, and a lot more other famous landmarks.
But just when you think you’ve seen the entirety of this province, the Queen City offers up something new to her eager tourists.
Flower power
Colorful blooms abound the highland area of Cebu. About 17 kilometers from the city proper is Sirao Flower Garden in Barangay Busay. If you’ve heard about it, it’s because the said garden has made its rounds on social media when tourists discovered that a “Little Amsterdam” exists here in the country.
Take your photos amid the flame-like celosia (locally known as burlas) flowers in the 8,000 square meter uphill land, and almost instantly, “hearts” and “likes” will come flooding your profile.
A few patches of land are planted with other flowers such as sunflowers, dahlia, China aster, everlasting, Guernsey lily, yellow bell, and petunia. Windmills, fountains, and gazebos serve as added attraction or photo background—however you see it.
Entrance to Sirao Garden is P30 per person.
Another colorful attraction a few kilometers from Sirao is the charming Terrazas de Flores Botanical Garden in Malubog. This garden grows over 120 species of flowers planted on the hedges of terraces cascading down the slope.
Terrazas has cozy cabanas in which weary travelers can reflect and relax; there is also a small cafe that offers a view of the flower terraces located on top of the hill, perfect for unwinding with loved ones while enjoying a glass of wine or cup of tea.
Spend a few hours at Terrazas for an entrance fee of P100 per person.
View from the top
If you want to see Cebu from above, specifically 2,000-feet up, head to Tops Lookout. This spacious viewing deck in Busay offers a panoramic view of the province. It has several sitting areas where visitors can relax and eat food sold at the kiosks around. Go here in the evening for a stunning view of Cebu.
Lantaw Restaurant, meanwhile, offers a wide selection of Pinoy fare, cool breeze and, stunning view—an ideal venue for your lunch or dinner.
Grand gesture of love
A highland tour in Cebu wouldn’t be complete without visiting the grandiose, yet unfinished, Temple of Leah. The temple, which is also called the “Taj Mahal of Cebu,” is founded by business Teodorico Adarna, grandfather of actress/model Ellen Adarna, as a testament of his love to his late wife Leah Villa Albino-Adarna.
The Roman-inspired temple attracts visitors who want to immerse themselves in European architecture, those curious about a man’s love to his wife—so much so that he’s building such a structure for her, and basically anyone dazzled by the imposing edifice and everything inside of it.
The temple also serves as a repository of antique vases, jars, statues, and other items Leah collected from her travels.
Entrance to the temple is P50.
Tropical paradise
Resting near a body of water after a gratifying yet exhausting tour up in Cebu sounds like a better, not to mention, unusual plan. But hear this out: in this way, you can enjoy the best of both worlds in the province—beach and mountainside.
An hour and a half away from Cebu highland attractions and 30 minutes from the airport is Bluewater Resorts’ flagship property, Bluewater Maribago. The seven-hectare tropical paradise on Mactan Island offers deluxe amenities and world-class service that are distinctly Filipino.
The beach resort’s 174 well-appointed rooms (87 Deluxe, 54 Amuma Wing, 30 Premier Deluxe, and three Royal Bungalows) are perfect to relax in after a tiring day of tour or a laid back weekend of doing nothing.
Guests may enjoy frolicking on the 110-meter beachfront of pristine white sand and clear blue waters, a private island, and three lagoon-shaped swimming pools. There’s also a children’s playground, recreation and water sports center, full service restaurants (Allegro Restaurant, The Cove, Oyster Bar, Delfino’s, and Amuma Juice Bar), and the brand’s very own Amuma Spa—whose facilities are first-class and services are truly rejuvenating.
Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort is at Buyong, Maribago, Mactan Island, Cebu. Call (032) 402-4100 or email maribago@bluewater.com.ph for inquiries and more information.
