Tagaytay

Where to go and what to do—Places of Interest

           With its cool climate and clean air, Tagaytay City is the perfect place for leisure activities like picnics, horseback riding, camping and sightseeing. It makes for an affordable weekend getaway for most Filipino families, if they're astute enough to take advance of the best bargains in Asia.

 

           For our foreign friends visiting or thinking about visiting, Tagaytay offers a relaxing and safe haven where you can unwind and lay back after your long haul flight. Tagaytay is just a hop, skip and a jump from Manila's NAIA International Airport - Ninoy Aquino International Airport, about 90 minutes away.

 

           Taal Volcano, reputed to be the world's smallest volcano, rests on a serene blue lake. From Tagaytay, you can arrange a trip to the volcano island in the middle of Taal Lake.

 

                 Picnic Grove, where you can rent cottages for an overnight stay or go horseback riding and play on its mini-park. There's something for everyone in the family, regardless of their age! Picnic Grove is located along Aguinaldo Highway on the way towards the Palace in the Sky.

                

                 Palace in the Sky, the unfinished mansion of former President Ferdinand Marcos, has been converted and renamed the People's Park in the Sky . Without a doubt this offers the most speculator view of Taal volcano, no if, ands or buts about it!

 

The Palace in the Sky was built for the official state visit of the former US President and Mrs. Ronald Reagan, though the Reagan's cancelled their trip due to the general unrest and Marcos' problems at the time. Looking at the shell of the palace today, it's hard to imagine the opulence and splendor it enjoyed during its heyday.

 

In any event, it's definitely worth the time to visit as the view is amongst the best, Lake Taal and Taal volcano to the south, Laguna de Bay to the east, and almost as far as Manila to the north.

 

                 Tagaytay Highlands is highly rated offering two of the, if not the two best golf courses in the Philippines.

 

           Orchard Golf Club opened for play in January 1995 with two Championship layouts designed by golfing legends Arnold Palmer and Gary Player. Both courses are situated in what was formerly a Mango orchard planted some sixty five years ago by Dean Conrado Benitez Sr. Self designated as a bird and wildlife sanctuary, the courses abound with indigenous flora and fauna.

 

                 The Flower Farm , on a windy slope of a hill in Tagaytay City sprawls a flower farm that keeps Manila abloom whole year round. The five-hectare flower farm has many varieties of flowers such as chrysanthemums with assorted colors, gerberas, carnations, roses, and anthuriums.

 

Location : Barangay Guinhawa, Tagaytay City
How to get there : From Tagaytay City, the farm is a brief 10-minute drive from the Aguinaldo Highway.

 

                 St. Anne's Shrine is in Barangay Sungay, Tagaytay City
The shrine is a small garden where a grotto of the Virgin Mary stands. The shrubbery and flowers are well-trimmed and well-cared for. There is even a small grass clearing in front of the grotto which is conducive to quite reflection.

 

             Gourmet's Cafe , located along Aguinaldo Highway, is a restaurant for the health conscious offering home grown fresh vegetables.

 

             Casino Filipino Tagaytay Those who like to try lady luck will not be disappointed with Casino Filipino Tagaytay. You'll find everything you need under one roof in this mountain haven of gaming pleasure with smiling dealers, solicitous attendants and top notch entertainment.

 

                 Taal Lake Yatch Club was set up primarily as a sailing club. However, the way it is set up, it is now considered one of the best campgrounds within 1 hour from Metro Manila, Luzon, Philippines.

 

Rates are $2/day/person. It costs $3 to pitch a tent for the evening, and very large native style open cabanas surrounded by flowers and soft grass are available for around $8 per day.

 

             The City Market, pictured below, offers delicious fresh fruits and vegetables for a few cents. Fruits are plentiful and the coconuts are fresh, delicious and cheap!

 

                 White Cove Resort - Though not located within Tagaytay, an excellent beach resort, just 45 minutes away, will find you in Nasugbu, Batangas at the White Cove Resort. We were very impressed with the clean white sand and clear waters. We recommend a day visit to this beach resort or for an overnight stay in order to top up your sun tan.

 

           Caylabne Beach , (among its unique features is a magnetic field) and Puerto Azul Resort (with luxurious accommodations, golf course and fine dining restaurants).

 

             Banyan Tree Evercrest situated at Nasugbu Batangas is just 15 minutes away from Casino Filipino Tagaytay. It boasts of an 18-hole par 72 championship golf course and offers first-class amenities, including a five-star hotel. Banyan Tree Evercrest Hotel and Country Club was designed by golfing legend Arnold Palmer. The course measures 6,702 yards and plays to a par of 72.

 

           Hidden Valley, in Laguna province resting at the foot of Mt. Makiling, where a mineral spring flows from the mountain's lush greenery teeming with wild orchids and tropical ferns, is about 2 hours away.

 

                 Pagsanjan Falls , also in Laguna, takes you on a thrilling ride in its shooting rapids amidst picturesque canyon walls.

 

           Enchanted Kingdom is definitely for the kids but the entire family will enjoy this as well. It's only a half hour drive from Tagaytay, located nearby in Binan, Laguna. This is the Philippines version of Disneyland, but at far more reasonable prices.