Blessed with natural bounties, the island of Cebu offers mountains and the beaches within an hour’s ride of each other. These present an activity-laden visit that most tourists should not miss. Here we break down a few areas to visit that includes flower gardens, hiking trails, boating and other water activities like kayaking and paddle boarding. 

1. ADLAWON VACATION FARM

An organic, sustainable and eco-friendly farm located in Barangay Adlaon, this complex enclosed by nature offers several types of rooms for overnight stays. Mahogany trees and a fruit orchard, picnic tables, a restaurant and their own Resurrection Chapel make up this 15-hectare property. Families with children will have fun with farm animals and a big playground. The owners created their dream farm as an embodiment of provincial life, and this can easily be experienced with the lush gardens and breezy air. Admission per person: P100/adult, P50/child • Number of rooms: 5 • Rates: P3,500 to P5,000 • Activities: dining, trekking, overnight stay 

2. EVO NATURE CAMP

This camping place is located around 200 meters from the main Transcentral Highway in an area called Gaas in Balamban. Developed by its owner Edwin Ortiz, the 4.5 hectare property has 22 glamping tents for rent, good for up to 4 persons per tent, and a camp ground with a playground for children with its own Crayola garden. Admission per person: P55/person, free for kids 5 years old and below • Number of tents: 22 • Rates: P300 to P5,000 • Activities: garden viewing, glamping, camping, trekking, dining

3. SIRAO GARDEN LITTLE AMSTERDAM

This garden is known for its beautiful flame-like red and yellow blooms called Celosia which is now the official flower of Sinulog, Cebu City’s colorful festival celebrated every third Sunday of January. Back in 2015, the place became viral in social media and was tagged as Little Amsterdam for its eye-catching field of celosia flowers whose seeds were brought in by the garden’s owner Elena Sy Chua from Holland. To add to its reputation, a windmill, a winding canal, and colorful buildings were added. Admission per person: P100/Adult, P80/Senior or PWD, P50/child • Activities: garden viewing 

4. THE DALES AT TERRACOTTA MANOR

An English countryside-inspired home owned by Eva Dimapindan, this brick structure with its own swimming pool, is a great place for  family and friends looking for a quick get-away from city life. The café/bar/restaurant offers a beautiful view of the mountain while having a cup of coffee. The Terracota Manor is also available as a venue for special events. Admission per person: P500/adult, P300/kids 8 at 50% consumable • Activities: dining, swimming, Saturday acoustic live music

5. SIRAO PICTORIAL GARDEN 

Another picturesque flower garden in Sirao is Roger’s Farm which owner, Roger Bontuyan built as a place for events. The Sirao Pictorial Garden has 4 private dining rooms with individual toilet and bath and are available for day use only. A swimming pool located on the higher level of the farm gives a view of the garden below. Admission per person: P70/person (garden entrance) and pool access: P100/adult, P75/child •Number of dining rooms: 4 • Rates: P1,500 • Activities: Garden viewing, dove feeding, pool activities infinity pool which was built using boulders found onsite. www.lavamountainriverfarm.com

• Admission per person: P500/person • Number of huts: 4 • Rates: P2,500 to P24,000 • Activities: vacation, dining, pako-picking, mountain trekking to Liki Canyon and Himbabawud Falls (usually takes 2 hours to complete)

6. LAVA MOUNTAIN RIVER FARM

Fiddlehead fern, more commonly known as pako, is rich in fiber and is grown extensively in this farm. When in season, visitors are invited to go pako-picking to harvest the green fronds which can be made into a salad or added to the native chicken tinola cooked over a wood fire. What started as a private weekend home for the Lava family quickly became a popular destination, and Carmelita Lava eventually turned it into a charming bed and breakfast with 4 native huts. Fresh water running from a river beside the property constantly feeds their infinity pool which was built using boulders found onsite. www.lavamountainriverfarm.com • Admission per person: P500/person • Number of huts: 4 • Rates: P2,500 to P24,000 • Activities: vacation, dining, pako-picking, mountain trekking to Liki Canyon and Himbabawud Falls (usually takes 2 hours to complete)

7. OLANGO ISLAND WILDLIFE SANCTUARY Olango Island, situated a mere 50-minute boat ride from Mactan, is a small island of 1,382 hectares. A noted wildlife sanctuary with different species of mangroves, sea grass beds and mud flats, it is a popular migratory destination for birds from as far north as Russia during winter. Seventy-seven species of migatory birds follow the East Asia flyway and Olango hosts more than half of them. The months of February and November are the peak season for the birds. At that time, a hundred different species have been observed in the island, some migratory while the rest are resident birds of the island. The best time for bird-watching is two hours before or four hours after high tide. Everyone is welcome to visit during the peak season. A viewing deck with telescopes are onsite. This excursion can be done as an overnight trip in one of the resorts at the island or a day trip of 6-8 hours. www.olangowildlifesanctuary.org • Admission per person: P20/person • Activities: Bird-watching; biking to Taytayan Camp, bread making and cooking of local delicacies like puto balanghoy

8. SULPA ISLAND

If swimming in a private island is one of your fantasies, head to Sulpa Island. Located at the southern end, it is one of the six satellite islets surrounding the bigger Olango Island. This privately-owned island is open to tourists for day use and has picnic areas. Admission per person: P100/person • Activities: water sports like snorkeling, paddle boarding, and a dive spot for beginners. A media familiarization tour to the highland destinations along Transcentral Highway and the islands of Olango and Sulpa kicked off the Department of Tourism-7’s newest initiative promoting the Cebu leg of its Farm-Fork-Fitness Circuit and Outdoor Adventure Trails.