Take a break from the city hustle and bustle and drive up to the chilly slopes of Tagaytay for some much needed R&R. Here are our top 12 things to see and do for the whole family in one of the Philippines' favorite getaways!
Just for the little ones
1. Paradizoo
The Paradizoo in Tagaytay provides hours of educational fun for adults and kids alike. Full of exotic animals like llamas, camels and tiger cubs, the 2 hectare park also has free-roaming Shetland ponies that children can ride! Their sprawling butterfly farm is a feast for the eyes as well; just be careful not to swat them away!
Rates: PHP 100 entrance fee.
(EYP Tip: Check out The Mini Zoo at Residence Inn first, because the entrance fee is inclusive of Paradizoo access as well.)
What better way to see Tagaytay's majestic view than to fly above it? The Picnic Grove now boasts zipline and cable car facilities that make the most out of your stay. Their famous zip line is situated 300 feet off the ground, and is an astounding 250 meters long (definitely not for the faint of heart). Aside from camping and horseback riding, the Tagaytay Picnic Grove and The Tagaytay Ridge offer endless fun for the whole family!
Rates: PHP 400 per person for a 2-way ride on both cable car and zip line facilities.
(EYP tip: Check out the park on a weekday and get PHP 100 off! Also, don't forget to ask for your free souvenir photo.)
3. The Mini Zoo at Residence Inn
Also owned and managed by Paradizoo, the Mini Zoo at Residence Inn Tagaytay boasts an aviary, serpentarium, a puma, lions and bats that wil surely keep your kids entertained for hours. A stroll through their beautiful bonsai garden overlooking the Taal Lake is simply breathtaking for moms and dads who'd like to relax while the children are at play.
Rates: PHP 200 entrance fee.
(EYP Tip: Check out The Mini Zoo first, because the entrance fee is inclusive of Paradizoo access as well.)
(Join EYP's Search-O-lympics for back to school gadgets and goodies the kids will love!)
Boutique seclusion and relaxation
4. Nurture Spa Village
Named as one of CNN Go's top 28 most relaxing spas in Asia, The Nurture Spa Village in Tagaytay is a truly a retreat for all the senses. Sheltered by coffee orchards, with room views facing their lush gardens, this retreat is just about as heavenly as it gets. The Nurture Spa Village partnered with experts to enhance its services: Tanglad Bistro for delicious vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisine, the Institute of Natural Healing under Dr. Sam Dizon for its alternative and complimentary medicine programs and Brahma Kumaris for meditation and lifestyle counseling.
Rates: PHP 2,200 and up per head for spa and room package
(You might also like: Spa-ssionista Guide: 12 Go-To Spas and their signature treatments)
5. T House
En route to Tagaytay Highlands is a secluded white villa dedicated to the calming of the body and mind. T House's zen-inspired surroundings, pocket gardens and stone fountains will definitely wash all the stress of the city away. Spend a day at their spa and get yourself pampered with a full selection of massages, aromatherapy sessions, scrubs and treatments to soothe your soul! Also, if you haven't had enough of this haven, spend a night or two at one of their guest cabanas. Trust us, it's worth it.
Rates: PHP 4,250 and up per head for spa and room package
6. 8 Suites
8 Suites' signature chocolate-named suites offer both couples and families a relaxing getaway up in the mountains. The quaint boutique hotel offers spectacular views of the lush, green, surroundings that can only be completed with a trip to their reflexology and spa room. Don't even bother bringing that laptop here, because this hideaway is truly meant for total isolation!
Rates: PHP 6550 for a deluxe suite for 4
(Want to know the latest health and wellness deals in the Metro? Check out EYP's Deal Finder!)
The high life
7. Antonio's
If not the most famous and sought-after restaurant in the city, Antonio's is definitely an unforgettable experience with every visit. The Filipiniana mansion-turned-restaurant maintains its standards with utmost care, cooking up dishes that are as mouth-watering as they are eye candy! The inviting Mediterranean-Filipino interiors also add to the charm of the entire place, and who can forget that Gustav Klimt in the lobby?
Rates: PHP 2500 per head for a 4 course lunch or dinner meal
8. The Highlander Steakhouse at Tagaytay Highlands
The Highlander Steakhouse in Tagaytay Highlands has always been the go-to place for a savory slab of that tender, mouth-watering Angus. Sitting high atop the Highlands grounds, the log cabin glows in the distance, inviting you in for a warm and tasty Highlander meal.
Rates: PHP 1800 per head
Splendido Tagaytay's La Esquina restaurant serves the best Spanish cuisine on this side of Manila. Set at the foothills of Splendido, the warm chateau overlooks the golf course and the picturesque Mt. Batulao. Eating your paella Valenciana while sitting in this corner of Tagaytay will surely be the fine dining experience of a lifetime.
Rates: PHP 500 per head
Natural splendor
10. Sonya's Garden
Known as Tagaytay's most famous vegetarian retreat, Sonya's Garden is just one of those places in the windy recesses of the city that are a definite must-see. Not always a kid-friendly place (unless your little one likes his veggies), this quiet sanctuary is made for the ultimate vegetarian garden dining experience.
Rates: PHP 610 and up per head for lunch and dinner package
11. Moon Garden
What used to be a pineapple plantation is now one of Tagaytay's newest gems. Away from the hustle and bustle of the highway and its crowded bars and restaurants is Moon Garden: a Balinese inspired restaurant and boutique hotel set on sprawling greens and foliaged by giant acacia trees. A quiet sanctuary that prides itself on growing its own organic vegetables (yes, the house salad is amazing) and tending to its picturesque gardens is a romantic hideaway that any couple would love to retreat to. Stay a night or two in this peaceful inn, or drop by for a taste of their delectable organic menu!
Rates: PHP 3000 and up for an overnight stay for two
An old favorite for tourists, Tagaytay's famous flower farm is always a must-see, especially for horticulture buffs. Set on a windy slope of a hill, the five-hectare farm is bursting with carnations, chrysanthemums, roses and gerberas all year round, aided by the cool winds and chilly temperatures in the highlands. Bouquets are affordable, so if it's your mother of significant other, then don't even think twice about snatching up a dozen or two of those gorgeous blooms!
What and where are your own Tagaytay getaway favorites?
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nikka alinea says:
POSTED ON Aug 28, 2012 | 08:00, A.M.
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Faye Galano Sandig says:
POSTED ON Jun 15, 2012 | 08:00, A.M.
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