Tuesday 4 November 2014

Baguio City.

Baguio City has been called a lot of things; the City of Pines, the Summer Capital of the Philippines. But what it is, really, is my favorite city in the Philippines.

It is about 240 kilometers from Metro Manila. As the Summer Capital of the Philippines, Baguio is a favorite haven of local tourists, balikbayans and foreign tourists.

Baguio is celebrating The Panagbenga Festival or the Baguio Flower Festival since 1994 and celebrated every last weekend of February when all the flowers are in full bloom. The streets are often filled with a parade of floats, bands, street dancers and guests. Various competitions, exhibits and flea markets provide lots of activities for visitors and residents.

HOW TO GET TO BAGUIO:

Private Cars

For private cars, from Manila take the North Luzon Express Way (NLEX) up to the exit 85 to get to the Subic-Clark-Tarlac-Express Way (SCTEX). Take the right lane heading to Tarlac. Drive through the length of SCTEX until Tarlac City exit. Once you reach the Tarlac exit, turn left to a country road. It is about 10 kilometers before you reach the Mc Arthur Highway. Turn right to Mc Arthur Highway and pass through the remaining towns till you reach Rosario La Union.  Turn right at the Rosario junction going to the Kennon Road. 

WHAT TO SEE IN BAGUIO CITY:
B A G U I O   C A T H E D R A L 
BA L A T O C   M I N E S 
B E L L   C H U R C H   
B E N C A B   M U S E U M 
B O T A N I C A L   G A R D E N  
B U R N H A M   P A R K
B U R N H A M   P A R K   O R C H I D A R I U M 
C A M P   J O H N   H A Y 
C A M P   J O H N   H A Y ’ S   E C O   T R A I L 
H Y D R O   F A L L S  
L A P E R A L   W H I T E   H O U S E  
L I O N ’ S   H E A D   
L O U R D E S   G R O T T O  
M I N E S   V I E W   P A R K
O L D   D I P L O M A T   H O T E L 
P H I L I P P I N E   M I L I T A R Y   A C A D E M Y 
S T R A W B E R R Y   F A R M  
T A M – A W A N   V I L L A G E
W R I G H T   P A R K   &   T H E   M A N S I O N

WHAT TO BUY IN BAGUIO CITY:
B A G U I O   P U B L I C   M A R K E T 
M T .   C L O U D   B O O K S H O P 
N I G H T   M A R K E T   U K A Y   U K A Y
S T A R B U C K S   G L O B A L   I C O N   M U G S 
F R E S H S T R A W B E R R I E S

Shopping for pasalubongs and keepsakes is part and parcel of visiting Baguio City. One simply cannot go back home without bringing jars of strawberry jams, choco flakes, kinky barrel-man carvings, tacky shirts, keychains and ref magnets with you. Add the fresh veggies and strawberries that can be bought very cheaply almost everywhere and you've got more than you can probably lift back home. 

WHERE TO STAY:

We stay at Holiday Villa Court Baguio we pay 10,500 for 3 rooms a deluxe villa type.























Villa Court Baguio
























EXPENSES:

Van (16 seater) - 12,000
Hotel (3 rooms, Deluxe villa type) - 10,500
Pasalubong - 2,000
Food-700 (2 days)