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Movenpick Family Programme: 5 Reasons Why Movenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu Tops Our Favorite Staycation List

July 7, 2017

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Family holidays are an integral part of our family time and whenever the husband's home for a vacation, we make it a point to schedule something that takes our minds off of "adulting" and just take time to destress, unwind and forge meaningful family memories.

September 16, 2016

Cebu Fashion Bloggers, Cebu Bloggers, fashion bloggers, food bloggers, beauty blogger, cebu beauty blogger, lifestyle bloggers, asian blogger, cebu, philippines, social influencer, online influencer, philippine bloggers, philippine fashion bloggers, toni pino-oca, Cebu Fashion Bloggers network, things to do in Cebu, Island hopping, Beach, Cebu Beaches

Living in a city where the beach or mountainside is just an hour drive away is a luxury in itself. On weekends when you want to destress, there's always Mactan for its resorts and beaches, both budget-friendly and upscale Cebu hotels, for you to lounge the day away or stay overnight in. If you're looking into breathing fresh mountain air, Busay or Balamban is just 30 minutes away from the city center. But if you're up for some adventure, going on a road trip to northern or southern Cebu will never disappoint, too.

A photo posted by Toni Pino-Oca (@tonipino) on Nov 21, 2015 at 9:36pm PST

If you're visiting and looking for activities that you can do with your family to while away the time, here are five must-do things in Cebu.

1. ISLAND HOPPING

Ask anyone from Cebu where they usually take their guests/visitors and their answers would always include island hopping in Mactan. Nalusuan Fish Sanctuary, Hilutungan, San Vicente or Pandanon, your choice of any of the four or you can ask for package tours from travel agencies or even straight from the boatmen. Being very accessible, this tops the list of tourists and tour guides alike. And while you're there, don't miss out on the opportunity to go on a...

2. FOOD TRIP

..on a floating restaurant situated right off the coast of Olango Island which is known for its wildlife sanctuary. Expect to feast on fresh catch and dine while being serenaded by an in-house acoustic band.

3. SNORKEL

A photo posted by Toni Pino-Oca (@tonipino) on Oct 28, 2015 at 4:13pm PDT

What better way to appreciate the island or sea than to go underwater? No island hopping tour is ever complete without snorkelling and this tops my list of must-do things during Summer. Whether you snorkel or free dive, do not leave the island without ticking this off your list. Most cebu hotels offer island hopping + snorkelling tours with packages covering most places I mentioned in number 2.

4. ROAD TRIP

Balamban. Inhale fresh mountain air, buy fresh produce, EAT SWEETCORN and visit the famous Sirao Flower Farm. Should you wish to go on a mountain retreat and stay for a night or two, there are also a number of cebu hotels in the area that caters to both budget and luxury travellers.

Tuburan. Dip in cold water at Molobo Springs-- one of the many renowned springs here in Cebu. Whether you go up north or down south, there's a fat chance that you're going to stumble upon a beautiful beach, a hidden gem of a natural wonder that is a spring, or even find both.

CAMOTES. Go a land trip and find yourself in the long stretch of wide sand at Santiago Bay in Camotes. From clean public beaches to secluded hideaways to enchanting caves, a day trip is never enough.

4.) VISIT OLD CHURCHES

Bato balani sa gugma ❤️

A photo posted by Toni Pino-Oca (@tonipino) on Sep 24, 2015 at 3:24am PDT

Visit the Basilica or go on another road trip and visit Spanish-era churches. One being registered as one of the Philippines' National Cultural Treasures is the Parish Church of Patrocinio de Maria in Boljoon, Cebu.

I find the churches in the south more appealing because most of them preserved their historical value. And their belfries, please, can we talk about how beautiful their belfries are?

5.) CATCH A SUNSET, A SUNRISE

A good friend once shared that whenever she is in a new place either for work or leisure, she makes it a point to always catch a sunset or a sunrise. She's dedicated a whole album of it on her social and it is both inspiring and heartwarming. It's a good reminder that we live in a beautiful world and each day is a blessing.

A photo posted by Toni Pino-Oca (@tonipino) on Jan 5, 2016 at 9:59am PST

Whether you catch the sunset on a park atop a mall or the sunrise while on the road to your beach destination, never go without stopping for even just a minute to soak in its beauty.

A day trip to Cebu is never enough so it helps that there are a lot of upscale and budget cebu hotels to help you plan your vacation in the Queen of the South. Whether you're staying in Mactan, in the city proper or the outskirts of Cebu, you are sure to find a place that suits your budget and style :)

Do share your favorite Cebu hotels and destinations, old or new, and sound off in the comments box below, would love to know! ;)

November 1, 2015

Sirao, a mountain barangay in Busay that is an hour drive away from Cebu City center has been basking in the limelight after photos of a Celosia Flower Farm went viral. Photos of red and yellow flame-like flower heads took over Facebook and Instagram piquing Cebuanos' interest and spreading the travel bug like wildfire.

How can you not visit something as beautiful as this knowing that this is just within Cebu?

The plantation is beautiful, albeit rather small, but it looked like it came straight out of a painting. It was definitely worth the trip last week.

May 31, 2015

May 30, 2015

who doesn't love a good fitting one piece?! something that comes in cacti print?!

May 24, 2015

November 18, 2014

a 10-second downtime is EVERYTHING when you are traveling with a 2-year-old.

A photo posted by toni pino-oca (@tonipino) on Nov 11, 2014 at 5:59am PST