Cebu

In the heart of the Philippine archipelago, Cebu is at once the island, metropolitan area and provincial capital. The seat of Christianity in the Philippines since Ferdinand Magellan first planted a cross on the shoreline, the city has played host to a number of mixed foreign settlers who left a lasting impression on the landscape and culture. Spain in particular had a strong colonial presence and left a Catholic legacy. As a centre for trade, commerce, arts and education, the city is a mishmash of the old and new, and offers a real flavour of Philippine life in all its guises. The lust for life is apparent 24 hours a day, the common usage of English makes everything quite simple and the welcoming smiles of the locals seem to greet you wherever you go.