Surf, Swim, Soulsearch and Shop in Cebu this Summer!

Looking for a different vacation place this summer? Thousands of tourists have discovered the joys offered by Cebu City, Asia's Queen City of the South, in the awe-inspiring archipelago that is the Philippine Islands! With its pristine beaches, historic landmarks dating back to the 1500s, world-renowned Philippine hospitality, an abundance of hotels and resorts in which to stay, and favorable exchange rates, Cebu offers a trip of a lifetime, the ideal budget vacation, at to-die-for rates!

Here are four great reasons why you'll want to visit Cebu this summer!

Perfect beaches. Apart from Boracay, the beaches of Mactan may arguably be the most famous Philippine beaches in the world. Renowned for its crystal-clear waters, exceptional sand, and myriad activities available to the casual vacationer, including top-quality Cebu resorts and water sports, the beaches of Mactan make Mactan a truly memorable tropical island paradise.

The months of August to October are generally rainy months in Cebu, which also means that many resorts in Cebu often lower their rates by as much as 50%; these Cebu resorts, however, can be difficult to book with unless you book directly online, a service that not too many resorts in Cebu provide. The ones that do, like Costabella Tropical Beach Resort (http://http://www.costabellaresort-cebu.com/), for instance, make it a point to provide guests who book online a simple reservation experience that gives them guaranteed rooms with instant confirmation.

Cebu resorts like the beachfront Costabella Tropical Beach Hotel, which takes its name from the Spanish for 'beautiful coast,' often have scenic coastal views, complete with white sandy beaches and green tropical palms and foliage leading Guests to awe-inspiring expanses of Philippine ocean. It's a rare and highly anticipated pleasure for many Guests who have yet to discover this Southeast Asian island paradise.

Historical landmarks. Cebu's history dates back to the 1500s, when Ferdinand Magellan discovered the Philippine islands, but lost his life on a violent battle on the shores of Mactan on April 27, 1521 against local warriors led by Lapu-Lapu, chieftain of Mactan Island. Magellan's Marker stands on the shore where many believe Magellan was killed.

Other worthwhile tourist destinations include the Chapel of the Last Supper, in which one can find a 250-year old lifesize replica of the Last Supper, featuring Jesus Christ and His 12 disciples, and the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, in which the image of the Santo Niño (Baby Jesus) is considered the oldest religious relic in the Philippines. Given as a baptismal gift by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan to Queen Juana on April 14, 1521, the Santo Niño is a favorite destination of devotees, who offer prayers at the feet of the image.

Great nightlife. Cebu City is just as vibrant as New York, Rio de Janeiro, or Paris – only with an Euro-Asian flavor all its own, combining old-world architecture with modern charm for a truly unforgettable experience.

For instance, Colon Street, located in the heart of the Cebu City metropolis, is acknowledged as the oldest street in the Philippines. Named after Cristobal Colon (more commonly known to the Western world as Christopher Columbus), Colon Street is no antiquated avenue; at night, Colon Street magically transforms into the festive entertainment capital of Cebu City, with department stores, cinemas, and other tourist attractions to please both citizens and tourists.

Excellent business opportunities. Cebu City is full of investment and business opportunities. The Mactan Export Processing Zone, for instance, is the Philippines' largest economic zone, with many Filipino companies based there for production of goods and items for commercial export. So if you do decide to come on over for a spell, be sure to take a look around, because you never know if opportunity happens to knock on your door in the Queen City of the South.

If and when you do decide to go to Cebu City for your summer vacation, be sure to book early, because Cebu resort rooms go fast, even during the offseason. Search online and try to find the best deals for your Cebu hotel rooms – often found at the official hotel website – as soon as you can. Book a room online and start planning for the truly special, enjoyable Cebu vacation you deserve.