Tour the world on a budget with a trip to Cebu

Always daydreaming of visiting faraway places, but never quite finding the time or the money to travel to those destinations? There's hope, and you only need to book exactly one ticket to Cebu. 

Drew Arellano worked out an itinerary that would allow even the busiest of bees to relax and enjoy sights comparable to Greece and Belgium. 

1. Enjoy a stroll in a labyrinth like in an English garden

Right next to Capilla Santa Ana in Toledo is a humble labyrinth where you can take a slow and steady walk. Being next to a place of worship, the duration of your stroll is about the same length as praying the rosary. Bring a hat and enjoy it at a leisurely pace. While you're there, it won't hurt to check out the interior of Capilla Santa Ana as well. Antiques from Europe are available for viewing. 

We're going walking, bring a hat!

2. Feel abloom like you're in Belgium

Terrazas De Flores in Busay has a pretty straightforward name and it's as pretty as you'd imagine it to be. It's atop a hill and the two-hectare garden is brimming with 127 kinds of flowers growing on over 50 steps. There's a café at the center of it all where one can enjoy a peaceful afternoon, but the place is also used for prenup shoots and similar activities. 

3. A Hong Kong-inspired light show

In Barangay Day-as in Cordova, there is a different kind of flower that has attracted people's attention. At 10,000 Roses Café, literally 10,000 synthetic white roses light up in the evening right after a beautiful sunset. People can also view the Cebu city skyline from the bay — like a "mini Hong Kong" says one of the people who work there. 

4. French it up

La Vie Parisienne at Gorordo Avenue in Lahug may not look like much from the outside, but step in and you'll immediately be transported to France. The shop is a deli-restaurant-wine cellar rolled into one and the servers wear berets! French pastries and chocolates are the stars, but the wide selection of wines will definitely please enthusiasts. Don't forget to have sample the cheese and bite into a croissant.

Some people are starting to refer to The Temple of Leah as the Taj Mahal of Cebu.

5. Get to know Leah and feel like you went to Greece

The Temple of Leah is still a work in progress but it's already a majestic landmark as it is now.

The Leah that this temple is dedicated to is Leah Albino-Adarna, grandmother to Ellen Adarna, who passed away in 2012 after a bout with lung cancer. A bronze statue of her welcomes visitors as they enter and her husband Teodorico made sure she looked her regal best. Certain areas are closed off, but you can take a peek at the family's heirlooms collected from around the world. 

Huge pillars give the place that Greek feel, but the fact that Teodorico had this elaborate place built for Leah have people thinking "Taj Mahal." 

6. End the trip on a good note with food from across the globe

Lechon calls, but if you're hungry for something foreign, Sugbo Mercado in Inez Villa, IT Park has you covered. Authentic Japanese street food is found here and there's an impressive Pad Thai you can try. There are also interesting treats to try from the Banana Pancake Trail booth, inspired by food from Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. 

In this "world trip on a budget", be warned that you'll be distracted by much of Cebu's natural beauty and sumptuous food. — Aya Tantiangco/JST, GMA News