Tagaytay Holiday

As we start to go for our revenge travel following a three-year hiatus, I felt that it is good to start with the classics. Give it a second look and love for your own. 

So this one is about Tagaytay, a city located on top of a ridge with a breathtaking view of the smallest volcano in the world that is uniquely located in a lake within a lake: Taal. 

I listed my top 8 here, as a basic guide both to remind us of the good olds with some updates:

1. Sky Ranch

If you're not afraid of the sun and of heights, this place provides you with lots of that in a themepark park package and an exhilirating view of the Taal Lake and Volcano. Don't forget to book a ride-all-you can ticket from any SM Mall for a good discount prior to your trip, to enjoy as much of the rides as you can. Start with the train or the ferris wheel to get a bird's eye view of the park. For adventurous souls, the highlight wouls be the zipline on the edge of the ridge! Take lots of photos, enjoy that quite coffee corner at the far end of the park and reserve a table early for lunch especially for a big group at one of the many restaurants lining the park's highway side. 

2. Twin Lakes

This place is a township development with yet another cool view of Taal Lake and Volcano, a high-end resort, residential condominium and a garden mall. Located at the far-end of the ridge along the Tagaytay-Nasugbu Road, it is an ideal place to relax after a tiresome activity. Enjoy a cup of coffee here with the breeze and the view surrounded by greens and flowers. No fee to enter, the Twin Lakes Mall have your usual faves like the Bag of Beans, Mary Grace, Starbucks, La Creperie... even 7-eleven and Robinsons Supermarket for your needs while on your holiday trip. And if you can't get enough of it, why not buy a property there from any of the persistent agents who are on standby at the mall ;)

3. Gingerbread House

Tucked away in one of the far corners, this destination can be added to your itinerary if you have more than a day or if this is the only thing you have in your itinerary plus the Bag of Beans or another specialty restaurant. Starting as a bakeshop and hobby place, it has grown into a sprawling park with instagramable pockets that spark kids' imagination. It has playgrounds for kids and pets, some loungy spots, and lots of snacks, with the highlight in the big breadshop in a wintery look (although the temp is really tropical in this mostly outdoor garden setting). Best time to go is during events, so check out their website www.thegingerbreadhouseph.com before heading there to make the most of it.

4. Bag of Beans

What is Tagaytay without the Bag of Beans? Starting off as a cozy coffee shop at the turn of the 21st century, it has become pretty much a staple and an icon of this tourist spot as much as the natural wonders that Tagaytay has to offer. The main store tops all the branches with its interesting interior that gives you that magical feel. That giant tree in the middle, the garden tables around it, and the wall of colorful houses surrounding them all contribute to the Alice in Wonderland ambiance. And food remains to be the centerpiece in all that. 

5. Crosswinds

This is another township development at the other end of the ridge, located near the oldtime highlights like the Tagaytay Highlands, People's Park in the Sky and Picnic Grove. Come early and park at the entrance first by the Coffee Project to enjoy a leisurely walk under the pines trees, before heading later in the day to the peak where the windmill is located flocked by three themed restaurants: modern American Joe's, traditional Dutch Windmill and casual Japanese Yama. The view is up there, near Yama. There is an entrance ticket that costs P1,000 per vehicle that is part parking fee and part consumable on food, but it's all worth it. You can also buy your piece of paradise there, if you fall in love with the place.

6. Spa

Self-care be one of your agenda on your Tagaytay trip, head out to La Veryol's Mountain View Garden on St. Francis Drive and cook your worries away in a "kawa", a witch's pot over fire. For only about US$20, get a hot bath with a fantastic mountain view and a full body massage after. The place also offers bed and breakfast for that full recovery package away from the hustle and bustle of the metro, but just within a short drive... Try other spas on the ridge, such as the Tagaytay Nurture Wellness Village, which according to Klook is "an internationally acclaimed wellness destination named as one of the 28 Most Relaxing Spas in Asia by CNN Go" at a package of about US$100.

7. Balay Dako

Part of the famous Antonio's chain of restaurants, this is one of the musts in Tagaytay. Balay Dako translates to Big House, referring to the restaurant structure that looks like an old spanish mansion in the Philippines' colonial era, from the ceiling of chandeliers, large paintings on the wall, family dining tables and that oh-la-la veranda in several layers showcasing the Taal Lake and Volcano view. Reserve ahead or bring lots of patience for a long wait due to its popularity, the experience remains rewarding either way.

 

8. Stellar Potter's Ridge

This one is in my list because as an Astoria Vacation Club member, this one is like our second home in Tagaytay. The well-appointed rooms all offer the view of the lake. The most interesting feature of this cozy inn is the roof top restaurant with the craziest names of menu items, with booze named like Whiskey Me Off My Feet, Alak Being Single and Billy Gin is Not My Lover, Desserts like Sa Buko ng Walang Hanggan, Fruity Pa Sta Nakamove-on Na and Lecheng Pag-Ibig, and Mains like I'm Shrimply In Love With You, I Must Steak With You and Partners in Crime Tokwat Baboy. Try it with all your "hugot" lines and enjoy more of that lovely view of the lake and volcano.

Parking problems and traffic are all part of the novelty of the place, so tata, let's do that revenge!