Garie Beach

A side trip to Sagada is recommended for it is dotted with caves

Summary: A side trip to Sagada is recommended for it is dotted with caves many of which are burial sites of the Ifugao There are also lakes and waterfalls to visitsand swim in is the largest island in the Philippines and many of the provinces are just a few hours drive away from Manila making it easy to do day trips or get away for the weekend Northern Luzon is rich in panoramic views green landscapes and old Spanish houses Kabayan seven hours from Baguio is also famed for its burial caves containing 500 year old mummies which dot the cliffs It is best to visit these burial caves with a local guide Nestled deep in the Cordilleras is Banaue about nine hours from Baguio by bus or 340 km from Metro Manila The region is famous for the Banaue rice terraces carved from the mountain ranges centuries ago by the Ifugao tribe They measure end to end a total lenght of 22 400 kilometers The region is also noted local artefacts Baguio City is unusual and unlike the rest of the country because of its pine trees and cool temperatures which average 20 degrees centigrate all year round Located in the Cordillera Mountains five hours from Manila by land it is the nearest thing the Philippine has to a mountain retreat making it easy to understand why the city was chosen as the summer capital Hugging the north western slopes of Luzon are the provincial towns of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur Nowhere is the Spanish influence more evident in the north than in these two places Laoagis the capital city of Ilocos Norte and boasts a number of world class resorts Churches worth a visit are the Cathedral of Saint William Paoay Church Currimao Batac Dingras and Samat are other places worth investigating in this province There are many tourist attractions here including numerous religious landmarks such as Baguio Cathedral which add to the city s charm There is good Shepherd Convent which sells items from wood carving to jams Camp John Hay was formerly a rest and recreation station for US troops and has the best recreational facilities in Baguio The Philippine Military Academy puts on a spectacle every Saturday morning with a parade of uniformed cadets Mansion House is the official summer residence of Philippine presidents and nearby Wright Park is popular with equestrian riders Baguio s Botanical Garden has been converted into an open air museum displaying the architectural styles of tribal dwellings of the Cordilleras The Spanish influence is even stronger in Vigan Ilocos Sur There are Spanish houses built in the 16th century lining the streets of the old section and a trip to the museums will yield a Spanish treasure trove Recommended day trips from Baguio include strawberry picking in the Trinidad Valley and a visit to Asin a wood carving village located 3 000 ft bellow Baguio and 2 000 ft above sea level Nearby Asin Hot Springs has a swimming hole natural streams and a relaxing steam bath Coming from or going to Baguio or Ilocos you will pass through La Union This province is a favourite destination for beach lovers and is a jumping off point for scuba diving in the Lingayen Gulf The provinces of Cavite Laguna Batangas Rizal and Quezon are close to Metro Manila and make ideal day trips In Cavite Tagaytay City offers panoramic views for it is located along a ridge and overlooks the country s smallest volcano Mt Taal which has a lake within its cone plus an island Laguna is noted for its volcanic hot springs and intricate woodworks found in the towns of Paete and Pakil Hidden Valley in Alaminos at the foot of Mt Makiling has a series of mineral spring baths set amidst a lush green forest filled with wild orchids and tropical ferns

Image Dimensions: 300 x 334