Today's itinerary depends on your arrival time. Depending on your energy levels and time, you can explore what Ayala Mall has to offer, which is right next to your accommodation, and grab something good to eat there. Or, if you're in the mood for a bit of history right from the start, go check out the Mactan Shrine and Lapu-Lapu Monument not far from the airport. Mactan is the name of the island where you'll be landing – that's where the Cebu airport is located. 

Maayong buntag! Welcome to Cebu. Cebu is the second-largest Philippine city, which is far from being as hectic as Manila, and it's exactly that pleasant kind of Asian urban chaos - cars, scooters, wires, a ton of people, and a bit of a mess. It's worth visiting some of the main city landmarks, such as Magellan's Cross and also the nearby Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. Or just wander the streets and explore - the city is big, and the locals will wave at you. For getting around the city, you can use apps like Grab or Maxim. Compared to European prices, taxis (either a car or a guy on a scooter can pick you up) are ridiculously cheap, just like renting a motorbike for traveling around the island. 

Maayong buntag = Good morning

You'll set off on a journey to the southern half of the island for a beautiful beach and we'll taste a favorite dish of the local Filipinos. You have a lot to look forward to, today will be wonderful!

Take a sweater/light jacket with you. On the third day, we continue towards Badian, a small coastal town where you'll find a super authentic night market. More on that later, though. If you haven't had enough beach time from the day before, you can check out the nearby Lambug Beach (though I haven't been there personally). Or just head straight to Kawasan Falls.

The next day we continue to Montpeller waterfall, where a beautiful trail leads with views of the surroundings, full of palm trees and greenery. Bring your swimwear again, and of course devices with a 100% charged battery.

I recommend taking your time on the return trip to Cebu City and stopping wherever catches your eye – there are countless stunning places on Cebu Island just waiting for you to discover them. When you finally arrive back, treat yourself to some social media time to share photos and videos with your loved ones – I’m sure you’ll have plenty by this point. :) Exploring the local cuisine and customs is an inseparable part of getting to know the culture. I won't point you toward specific spots, partly because I haven't visited that many myself in Cebu (I spent most of my time at the Good Cup :), but mainly because you won't always find authentic Filipino food in typical restaurants. You'll stumble upon many traditional specialties out on the street at markets, as evening BBQ, or in local "eateries"—these are tiny, canteen-style spots where locals eat daily and serve you small portions of pre-prepared dishes that you choose yourself. Everything is always served with rice, whether it's breakfast or dinner. :) One of the best things is the traditional Filipino soup, Sinigang. It’s a tamarind-based broth that gives it a typically tangy, sour flavor, served with meat (pork belly or fish), vegetables, and sometimes chili. You’ll find the spicy version more often because Filipinos absolutely love heat. The soup is quite hearty, so if you're not looking for a massive meal, it can easily replace a main course.

Next, you definitely have to try Adobo, which is arguably the most authentic Filipino dish. It’s pork belly slow-cooked in soy sauce and vinegar with bay leaves. Filipinos eat Adobo with plain rice or as an upgraded combo with garlic rice, which is my personal top pick. If you get the chance, try to find Lechon Baboy and Lechon Manok. Filipinos love a good barbecue, often gathering in their communities in the evenings. Lechon generally means roasted or grilled; Baboy is a whole roasted pig with amazing crispy skin (extremely popular, among other things, at Filipino birthday parties), and Manok is grilled chicken. Both are most often served with rice and a dipping sauce of soy sauce, calamansi juice (a local citrus variety), and chili. We’ll wrap up the food tour with the unofficial national dessert, Halo-Halo, which literally means "mix-mix." You’ll get a tall glass filled with shaved ice, coconut milk, topped with purple ube ice cream, and packed with all sorts of sweet things you can find in the Philippines. Common ingredients in the mix include tapioca pearls, candied fruits, coconut jelly, condensed milk, sweet beans, custard pieces, sweet rice, and so on. And don't forget the balut. 🐣

The final day is for packing and heading to the airport. Feel free to adjust the plan based on your flight time.