The Calaruega Church in Tagaytay City

The Calaruega Church in Tagaytay City is a very popular place for wedding ceremonies. Although Calaruega Church is actually located near the Nasugbu, Batangas area, people often refer this place to Tagaytay City, and it is always included in the list of places to go of tourists visiting Tagaytay. The peacefulness and tranquil surroundings of Calaruega Church makes it a popular tourist spot in this city. With the many flowering plants in the garden, the cool and inviting mountain breeze, a very panoramic view as backdrop to this place, many lovers visit this place and vows to come back to Calaruega Church for their wedding. Weddings held in this place are usually the intimate kind, where only close friends and relatives are present during the ceremony because the church itself is not that big. And the reception is usually held in one of the finest restaurants or famous eating places in Tagaytay City. This romantic place was once the setting for one of my college friend’s proposal, the wedding did not materialize but this place still holds precious memories for both of them. Maybe there is something magical in this wonderfully serene place that makes lovers make promises that they would love keep for the rest of their lives. There is a very nice prominent statue of the Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus in the middle of a hill and from there you can see a very scenic view of the surrounding places below. The next time you consider to have a wedding proposal or when you are looking for a church for your intimate wedding, try to visit the Calaruega Church in Tagaytay City. Or just visit Calaruega Church the next time you and your family and friends troop to Tagaytay City.

The Picnic Grove in Tagaytay City

Tagaytay City offers many leisure activities to its visitors. Tagaytay City is known to be a place for sightseeing, picnics, dining, horse back riding, boat ride, and golfing among other things. Tagaytay is just 55 kilometers from Manila and unlike the weather from Manila, it is blessed with a cool climate which makes it a popular destination not only among foreigners but also among Filipinos.

Sightseeing and having picnics are the most popular activities to do when in Tagaytay. People troop to Tagaytay usually on weekends to take a break from their workloads. Many go to the Tagaytay Picnic Grove with their family and friends to get together and have a picnic, and enjoy the picturesque and marvelous view of Taal Lake and Taal Volcano. This activity is not too costly and very affordable, entrance fee is just Php25 and cottages range from Php100 – 250 depending on the size of the cottage. Visitors can bring their own food and just rent a cottage or picnic table inside. A barbeque place is also provided near the cottages for people who would want to grill their foods. A restaurant and other food stands are available inside the premises for people who would not want to bring their own food. The Tagaytay Picnic Grove is also a popular destination among lovers because of the scenic view of the Taal Volcano and the coastal towns of Batangas and of course the fresh mountain breeze.

Aside from sightseeing and picnics, the Tagaytay Picnic Grove also offers very affordable horse back riding activities both for kids and adults. There are available personnel to assist kids and adults who are not skillful in horse back riding. There are many horses available for this activity that will fit every guests’ need, skill and even body built.

An eco-adventure trail is also available for nature lovers inside the premises of Tagaytay Picnic Grove. The Philippine Tourism has developed part of the complex to promote ecological conservation and environmental preservation. This 404-meter Eco-Adventure trail provides a very good view of the Taal Volcano, numerous plants and butterflies, and at the end is a view deck. What my seven-year old son loves on this trail was the hanging bridge that you have to cross midway of the trail.

So next time you visit Tagaytay City, put the Tagaytay Picnic Grove on top of your places-to-go list.

photos: Phil. Tourism

Tagaytay City

Tagaytay City is one of the most popular travel and vacation destinations in the Philippines. Tagaytay City boasts of being a favorite place to visit not only by tourists but also by Filipinos themselves. Tagaytay is just 55 kilometers away from Manila, and its main attraction is the view of the Taal Lake and Taal Volcano, an active volcano located in Batangas. Another reason why people troop to this city is because of its cool climate, people coming from Manila especially wants to relax and have some rest in a quiet and peaceful place like Tagaytay where they can also enjoy fresh and cool air.

Tagaytay gained its popularity among tourists little by little after the 1990 earthquake that hit the Philippines where Baguio City, the premiere tourist destination because of its cool weather, was one of the hardest hit. Several buildings and establishments like hotels were badly damaged. People started looking for another place to go to while Baguio City was rebuilding. And since Tagaytay offers almost the same weather and coolness of Baguio City, more and more people started trooping to Tagaytay City. Many investors also became interested to put up establishments like hotels, zoos, horseback-riding trails, parks, and restaurants which further added to the development of this beautiful city. Tagaytay’s proximity to Manila compared to Baguio also helped to boost its tourism. While Baguio City is 250 kilometers from Manila, Tagaytay is just 55 kilometers from Manila and people can even go to Tagaytay in the morning and return back home in the evening.

People go to Tagaytay primarily to rest, relax, and enjoy, they usually go to Tagaytay on weekends to take a break from their daily work schedules. These days Tagaytay City offers many places of leisure and enjoyment. Restaurants of every kind are mushrooming in Tagaytay, the wellness and spa industry is experiencing a boom, and the hotels are also at an all-time high occupany rate. With the many developments going-on right now in this picturesque place, Tagaytay City is sure to boost its tourism and rise as one of the most popular destinations in the Philippines and in Asia.