Cebu, Philippines
Cebu is one of the Philippines’ most dynamic islands, with coral reefs fringing the coast, mountain ridgelines shaping the interior, and city life moving with busy purpose. As the country’s primary trading hub, Cebu City’s energy is palpable; street food stalls sizzle, students spill out onto university plazas, and cafés and galleries reflect a growing creative scene. The city is dotted with 16th-century landmarks, including the must-see Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, home to Magellan’s Cross, and the triangular Fort San Pedro, today a garden and museum.