Cebutourist.com

What make every vacation great are the memories that are built during your time away from home.  You may be staying in the most upscale hotel but if the staff is anything short from courteous and hospitable, then it doesn’t complete the whole great getaway package.  This shouldn’t be a problem at the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu because of the great accommodations, modern facilities and well-trained personnel.  The Marco Polo Plaza chain of hotels is renowned internationally because of the high standards it employs in every branch across the globe.  Marco Polo Plaza Cebu is located in the exclusive Nivel Hills, which gives a spectacular view of the sea or the mountains.

The guest rooms and suites at the Marco Polo are designed in elegant and relaxing neutral hues, classic, comforting and luxurious all at once.  The plush king-sized bed and soft linen promise a good night’s sleep after a busy day of city exploration, island hopping and food tripping.  The hotel has fun recreational facilities for you to try, such as the gym, swimming pool, massage room and mountain bikes rental.  You may even choose to go crazy and get a new look from the expert stylists at the salon.  There are three restaurants to choose from: Café Marco, El Viento, and Blu.  Café Marco prides in its delectable international spread, with the Cebu special lechon as centerpiece.  El Viento offers an array of Mediterranean goodies, with their wood-fired oven pizzas as specialty.  Blu is famous for sumptuous grilled dishes and unparalleled view of the metropolis.  For late-night cocktails, the Lobby Lounge mixes soulful elixirs in the middle of all the classy music.  Sweet flambé is the perfect nightcap to an exciting day.

For more information and booking, check this link.

Next to the Philippine’s capital city, Manila, the island of Cebu is a treasure trove of fabulous fashionable finds.  Aside from upscale international brands that abound the fashion market of Cebu, the metro is also a haven of young and exciting fashion designers.  If you love fashion and happen to be in Cebu, catch these lines and purchase an article or two for you to take home:

1. Innuendo Swim

   Because you are visiting the rich, tropical province of Cebu, what better way to explore the islands than donning unique, trendy swimwear made by one of Cebu’s budding swimsuit designers.  Impressive craftsmanship, high quality materials and hip design characterize the Innuendo Swim’s line.  What’s even more delightful is that Innuendo Swim provides bespoke swimsuits, so you are sure to get one that is according to your exact taste.

2. Noreen Tseng’s Jewelry

   (Fumi Building, Hernan Cortes St. Subangdaku, Mandaue City)Noreen Tseng is a favorite jewelry designer among the elite fashionistas and socialites in Cebu and even in Manila.  Her jewelry pieces reflect the soul of a woman, as can be seen in their intricate design and craftsmanship.  They are one of a kind, cutting edge and daring, yet are still every inch feminine.  Her designs are inspired by her travels to different places on the globe and punctuated by the facets of a woman’s being.

3. Jun Escario

   Jun Escario is one of the young designers that helped place Cebu City on the fashion map.  His designs border on sensual, glamorous and sophisticated.  He is known for creating masterpieces out of soft fabrics that accentuate a woman’s curves.

4. Kate Torralba Designs

   Kate Torralba is an in-demand young designer that has brought flattering and edgy clothing to the fashion denizens of Manila and Cebu.  While most clothing lines aim to dress up everyone, KT Designs aims to bring out the individuality and uniqueness of every person.  Kate Torralba designs funky yet classy leg stockings, pret-a-porter clothing and accessories and custom-made clothing.

5. Avatar Style

   This is another jewelry line that has adorned the bodies of fashionistas in the Philippines and in abroad.  It has graced fashion shows in different international cities and even in the fashion capital, France.  You will surely fall in love with the inimitable designs of the Avatar Style jewelry piece

Europe is known for its unmatched sophistication, love for the arts and the fine things in life.  In the enchanting island of Cebu in the Philippines, Alpa City Suites brings the grandeur of rich Europe to the Filipinos and their foreign guests.  Located between Cebu and Mandaue cities, the suite hotel is great for both business and vacation.  It has the elegance of a hotel and the comforts of a home.  Each of the 84 studio suites is equipped with state-of-the-art conveniences, such as a 27” LCD TV and broadband internet access.  It also has a kitchenette that has a microwave oven, a 7 cu. ft. refrigerator and a mini bar.  Cebu’s markets are a haven of fresh seafood and produce so you will have a grand time preparing your own meals.   The interiors of the suites reflect superior European taste – deep, neutral hues that calm the eye.  The Spanish tiled flooring is a welcome respite from old, musty hotel carpets floors.

Of course, the European touch doesn’t end on the suites.  Delectable European cuisine is served by their Belgian Executive Chef at the hotel restaurant.  Though mainly European, their Asian specialties are remarkable as well.

Read more & book at this link.

A sure item that occupies a slot in every tourist’s list of things to do is to bring home an interesting, foreign item – whether an article of clothing, a trinket or an artwork; something more than just the customary refrigerator magnet, keychain and “somebody who loves me went to _____ and got me this shirt” shirt.  On Gorordo Avenue in Cebu City, there is a shop named Anthill Fabric Gallery that sells unique and indigenous products that tourists are sure to love.

Fascinating finds in Anthill Fabric Gallery are colorful sheets of fabric, hand woven by different Filipino tribes, loomed from homegrown materials.  Aside from intricately designed fabrics, there are a lot of one-of-a-kind items, such as recycled paper baskets, terracotta necklaces and hand-painted bangles.  All these are handmade by local out of school youth, urban and rural communities.  It is the Anthill group’s aim to support and advocate handiwork from native craftsmen as a means of giving livelihood to them and preserving the weaving tradition in the Philippines.  This principle inspired the shop’s name: Alternative Nest and Training Hub for Ingenious/Indigenous Little Livelihood Seekers.  So, whenever you make a purchase at Anthill Fabric Gallery, not only are you bringing home with you a lovely trinket, you are also helping uplift a local, weakening culture.

Other bohemian items on the shelves are clothing, jewelry and bags sourced from travels to neighboring Asian countries, such as India, Japan and Korea.  There is a café inside the shop, where guests can enjoy a cup of Cordillera coffee, locally grown coffee on the Mountain Province up north of the Philippines, and lemon grass juice, akin to the typical iced tea.

Anthill Fabric Gallery is located on Pedro Calomadre St. cor Acacia St, Gorordo Avenue, Cebu City.  All photos are property of Anthill Fabric Gallery.