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Sightseeing Sites in the Philippines
July 15, 2011 by Anita
Filed under Travel And Leisure
Allan Merin asked:
With its wide selection of tourist attractions, the Philippines is an ideal site for sightseeing tours. Home to colorful festivals and exquisite natural wonders, this Southeast Asian nation has a lot of visual treats to offer for travelers.
There are notable tourist spots to visit throughout the country’s more than 7,000 islands. This is a testament that the Philippines ranks among the top nations offering an impressive selection of sightseeing attractions. Though internationally famous for its white sand beaches, this predominantly Catholic republic also boasts of delicate colonial architectures and breathtaking natural sceneries in almost every town.
Here is a guide to some of the best sightseeing destinations in the Philippines.
Manila
Manila is not only the country’s capital but also the center of cultural heritage. Explore the Philippines’ rich Spanish legacy with a trip to Intramuros (Walled City), which was built by the Spaniards in the 16th century. Inside the compound, you can find old places of worship such as the San Agustin Church and the Manila Cathedral. Other points of interest in Intramuros are Fort Santiago and Casa Manila. Also, never leave Manila without visiting the Luneta Park, where a statue of national hero Jose Rizal is erected.
Corregidor
Take a trip down memory lanes by visiting Corregidor, an island that served as an important defense fortress for American and Filipino soldiers during World War II. Some of the attractions in this historical place include the Pacific War Memorial, the Battery Way, the Mile-Long Barracks, and the Malinta Tunnel. It takes a shade over an hour to reach Corregidor from Manila, where day and night tour packages are available.
Baguio
Its unique attractions have made Baguio a renowned sightseeing destination in northern Philippines. Dubbed as the Summer Capital of the Philippines, the city is home to a dozens of scenic spots such as The Mansion, Burnham Park, Session Road, Camp John Hay, and the Baguio Botanical Garden. While plying the dizzying Kennon Road, have your camera ready for some spectacular countryside views.
Legazpi
Legazpi, the provincial capital of Albay, is one of Bicol region’s top tourist destinations. This first-class city is home to the world’s famous Mayon Volcano, which is known for its perfect conical shape. The year 1814 is said to be the volcano’s worst eruption. A remainder of this grim past can be found at the Cagsawa Ruins Park.
Banaue
Another premier tourist destination in the northern region is Banaue. This town of more than 20,000 people is the site of the Banaue Rice Terraces, a 2,000-year-old man-made leveled surfaces carved into the mountains of Ifugao. Don’t be surprised if gaze in wonder once seeing this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Bohol
Aside from its pristine beaches, Bohol is widely known for the Chocolate Hills. These unusual geological formations are scattered in the towns of Carmen, Batuan, and Sagbayan. The dome-shaped hills are actually limestone covered with green grass. Bohol, which is located in the Central Visayas region, is also famous for a tarsier sanctuary and the Sandugo Festival.
Local Philippines is your travel buddy. We have information about the destinations, how to get there, what to do while in the area and more! Destinations in the beaches or in the mountains, destinations under water, destinations right at the middle of the urban hub, name it and Local Philippines will most likely feature it.
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With its wide selection of tourist attractions, the Philippines is an ideal site for sightseeing tours. Home to colorful festivals and exquisite natural wonders, this Southeast Asian nation has a lot of visual treats to offer for travelers.
There are notable tourist spots to visit throughout the country’s more than 7,000 islands. This is a testament that the Philippines ranks among the top nations offering an impressive selection of sightseeing attractions. Though internationally famous for its white sand beaches, this predominantly Catholic republic also boasts of delicate colonial architectures and breathtaking natural sceneries in almost every town.
Here is a guide to some of the best sightseeing destinations in the Philippines.
Manila
Manila is not only the country’s capital but also the center of cultural heritage. Explore the Philippines’ rich Spanish legacy with a trip to Intramuros (Walled City), which was built by the Spaniards in the 16th century. Inside the compound, you can find old places of worship such as the San Agustin Church and the Manila Cathedral. Other points of interest in Intramuros are Fort Santiago and Casa Manila. Also, never leave Manila without visiting the Luneta Park, where a statue of national hero Jose Rizal is erected.
Corregidor
Take a trip down memory lanes by visiting Corregidor, an island that served as an important defense fortress for American and Filipino soldiers during World War II. Some of the attractions in this historical place include the Pacific War Memorial, the Battery Way, the Mile-Long Barracks, and the Malinta Tunnel. It takes a shade over an hour to reach Corregidor from Manila, where day and night tour packages are available.
Baguio
Its unique attractions have made Baguio a renowned sightseeing destination in northern Philippines. Dubbed as the Summer Capital of the Philippines, the city is home to a dozens of scenic spots such as The Mansion, Burnham Park, Session Road, Camp John Hay, and the Baguio Botanical Garden. While plying the dizzying Kennon Road, have your camera ready for some spectacular countryside views.
Legazpi
Legazpi, the provincial capital of Albay, is one of Bicol region’s top tourist destinations. This first-class city is home to the world’s famous Mayon Volcano, which is known for its perfect conical shape. The year 1814 is said to be the volcano’s worst eruption. A remainder of this grim past can be found at the Cagsawa Ruins Park.
Banaue
Another premier tourist destination in the northern region is Banaue. This town of more than 20,000 people is the site of the Banaue Rice Terraces, a 2,000-year-old man-made leveled surfaces carved into the mountains of Ifugao. Don’t be surprised if gaze in wonder once seeing this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Bohol
Aside from its pristine beaches, Bohol is widely known for the Chocolate Hills. These unusual geological formations are scattered in the towns of Carmen, Batuan, and Sagbayan. The dome-shaped hills are actually limestone covered with green grass. Bohol, which is located in the Central Visayas region, is also famous for a tarsier sanctuary and the Sandugo Festival.
Local Philippines is your travel buddy. We have information about the destinations, how to get there, what to do while in the area and more! Destinations in the beaches or in the mountains, destinations under water, destinations right at the middle of the urban hub, name it and Local Philippines will most likely feature it.
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Baguio City – A Cool Philippines Travel Destination in the Tropics
July 14, 2011 by Anita
Filed under Travel And Leisure
Manuel Maniquis asked:
A famous Philippines travel destination up north is Baguio City. Baguio is fondly called as the summer capital of the Philippines because tourists flock to the area during summer. The reason – it is much cooler to spend summer in Baguio than any other place in the Philippines. With its location atop the Cordillera Mountains, at an elevation of 1,500 meters above sea level, it is the closest thing the country has to a mountain resort.
There are so many things you can do in this Philippines travel destination. True enough, you might have to travel 6 hours by land or 45 minutes by plane to Baguio, but for sure, it will all be worth it. Baguio is also called as the City of Pines because of the thousands of pine trees in the area. The presence of these trees adds to the already cool atmosphere of Baguio. One other thing that the city is known for is its strawberry farms. If it is harvesting season, you can ask your travel agent to set up your trip in such a way that you will be able to go to a strawberry farm for some picking.
Places of interest in this Philippines travel destination include the Burnham Park and the Wright Park. You can enjoy boating and horseback riding in these parks respectively. Baguio is also the home of the Philippine Military Academy, the training grounds of the future leaders of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Souvenir shopping is one thing tourists will enjoy in Baguio because several shops operate in the area.
For your accommodations, you can choose from a variety of hotels and pension houses that will fit your budget. You can also stay in Camp John Hay, which used to be the R&R place of the US military troops then. Certainly, there is just too much to do in Baguio.
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A famous Philippines travel destination up north is Baguio City. Baguio is fondly called as the summer capital of the Philippines because tourists flock to the area during summer. The reason – it is much cooler to spend summer in Baguio than any other place in the Philippines. With its location atop the Cordillera Mountains, at an elevation of 1,500 meters above sea level, it is the closest thing the country has to a mountain resort.
There are so many things you can do in this Philippines travel destination. True enough, you might have to travel 6 hours by land or 45 minutes by plane to Baguio, but for sure, it will all be worth it. Baguio is also called as the City of Pines because of the thousands of pine trees in the area. The presence of these trees adds to the already cool atmosphere of Baguio. One other thing that the city is known for is its strawberry farms. If it is harvesting season, you can ask your travel agent to set up your trip in such a way that you will be able to go to a strawberry farm for some picking.
Places of interest in this Philippines travel destination include the Burnham Park and the Wright Park. You can enjoy boating and horseback riding in these parks respectively. Baguio is also the home of the Philippine Military Academy, the training grounds of the future leaders of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Souvenir shopping is one thing tourists will enjoy in Baguio because several shops operate in the area.
For your accommodations, you can choose from a variety of hotels and pension houses that will fit your budget. You can also stay in Camp John Hay, which used to be the R&R place of the US military troops then. Certainly, there is just too much to do in Baguio.
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The Beautiful City of Baguio Philippines
Sai Vallejos asked:
One of the cleanest and greenest cities in the country, Baguio is made for sightseeing. And for strolls and boat rides and gentle trots around the park. And for golf. Kennon Road, completed in 1905, opened Baguio to tourism.
The zigzagging path previews the scenic highlights of the city. Along the 32-kilometer highway are the Bridal Veil and Colorado waterfalls. Synonymous with Baguio is Burnham Park. Located in the heart of the city, the park’s features include a man-made lagoon ideal for boat rides, a skating rink, an athletic field and stadium, basketball and tennis courts, a biking zone, tree-and-flower lined promenades, and a plant market.
A popular golfing destination, the city takes pride in its Baguio Country Club and Camp John Hay. What used to be the rest-and-recreation base of American military personnel, the Camp is being transformed into a world-class resort and is also Baguio’s biggest pine tree conservation area. Its newly refurbished 18-hole golf course rivals that of the Country Club which has pretty garden-patched cottages surrounding its fairways.
Ornate iron gates open to the Mansion House, the official summer residence of Philippine presidents. It offers tourists with great photo opportunities with its rectangular reflecting pool along a tree-lined walkway. It also houses a museum of presidential memorabilia. Near the Mansion House is Wright Park where neophyte riders can trot around an oval track guided by trainers who lead horses with a hand-held leash. At the Mines View Park, tourists can have a panoramic view of the old mines of Benguet. At the park entrance is a flea market for souvenir items.
Sitting on top of a hill in Upper Session Road is the twin-spire Baguio Cathedral, a city landmark. Another pilgrimage site is the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes which sits on top of Dominican Hill. Devotees prefer to climb the 252-step ascent than drive through a winding road to reach the shrine. Bell Church holds a religious service of mixed Buddhist, Taoist, Confucian and Christian dogmas but tourists come here to have their fortunes told.
Located on an elevated pine-forested ground is the Philippine Military Academy, the country’s foremost military learning institution. Its Saturday morning Parade in Review by cadets in full regalia never fails to attract visitors. Also within campus is a Military Museum. A cultural haven established by noted Baguio artist BenCab, Tam-awan Village recreates a typical ethnic village in the Cordilleras with authentic tribal homes uprooted from their original locations and re-set on similar terrain. There is also an art gallery-cum-coffee shop.
It has been said that there is only one kind of lucrative business in Baguio, and that is dining. This, of course, is overly exaggerated but then who can question this wisdom with the proliferation of food places offering all kinds of eats in this tiny city!
Star Cafe along Lower Session Road is noted for its excellent breads and pies and fine Chinese cuisine while the adjoining Dainty Restaurant has the best coffee in town and good noodles, too. For really great old-fashioned breakfasts, check out Casa Vallejo at the Upper Session Road. New Bonuan at the Happy Glen Loop, Jade Restaurant along Marcos Highway and Barrio Fiesta at the Upper Session Road are where you can partake of home-cooked native cooking.
Kalapaw Restaurant in Chuntug Street specializes in grilled squids and tuna jaws. Inn Rocio in Kisad Road dishes out Continental food, Mario’s Restaurant in Upper Session Road has good steaks, great Caesar’s Salad, and decadent cakes. And the artsy Cafe by the Ruins in Chuntug Street serves eclectic, seasonal dishes.
At the Hotel Monticello in Kennon Road, Hakuun Sanso Restaurant serves authentic Japanese cuisine while 50′s Diner specializes in traditional American staples. Rose Bowl Steak House and Restaurant in Harrison Road offers an international fare of Chinese, American and Filipino dishes. The local food chain Don Henrico’s has its beginnings at the Upper Session Road and serves yummy pastas and pizzas. (Source: The Philippine Department of Tourism)
One of the cleanest and greenest cities in the country, Baguio is made for sightseeing. And for strolls and boat rides and gentle trots around the park. And for golf. Kennon Road, completed in 1905, opened Baguio to tourism.
The zigzagging path previews the scenic highlights of the city. Along the 32-kilometer highway are the Bridal Veil and Colorado waterfalls. Synonymous with Baguio is Burnham Park. Located in the heart of the city, the park’s features include a man-made lagoon ideal for boat rides, a skating rink, an athletic field and stadium, basketball and tennis courts, a biking zone, tree-and-flower lined promenades, and a plant market.
A popular golfing destination, the city takes pride in its Baguio Country Club and Camp John Hay. What used to be the rest-and-recreation base of American military personnel, the Camp is being transformed into a world-class resort and is also Baguio’s biggest pine tree conservation area. Its newly refurbished 18-hole golf course rivals that of the Country Club which has pretty garden-patched cottages surrounding its fairways.
Ornate iron gates open to the Mansion House, the official summer residence of Philippine presidents. It offers tourists with great photo opportunities with its rectangular reflecting pool along a tree-lined walkway. It also houses a museum of presidential memorabilia. Near the Mansion House is Wright Park where neophyte riders can trot around an oval track guided by trainers who lead horses with a hand-held leash. At the Mines View Park, tourists can have a panoramic view of the old mines of Benguet. At the park entrance is a flea market for souvenir items.
Sitting on top of a hill in Upper Session Road is the twin-spire Baguio Cathedral, a city landmark. Another pilgrimage site is the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes which sits on top of Dominican Hill. Devotees prefer to climb the 252-step ascent than drive through a winding road to reach the shrine. Bell Church holds a religious service of mixed Buddhist, Taoist, Confucian and Christian dogmas but tourists come here to have their fortunes told.
Located on an elevated pine-forested ground is the Philippine Military Academy, the country’s foremost military learning institution. Its Saturday morning Parade in Review by cadets in full regalia never fails to attract visitors. Also within campus is a Military Museum. A cultural haven established by noted Baguio artist BenCab, Tam-awan Village recreates a typical ethnic village in the Cordilleras with authentic tribal homes uprooted from their original locations and re-set on similar terrain. There is also an art gallery-cum-coffee shop.
It has been said that there is only one kind of lucrative business in Baguio, and that is dining. This, of course, is overly exaggerated but then who can question this wisdom with the proliferation of food places offering all kinds of eats in this tiny city!
Star Cafe along Lower Session Road is noted for its excellent breads and pies and fine Chinese cuisine while the adjoining Dainty Restaurant has the best coffee in town and good noodles, too. For really great old-fashioned breakfasts, check out Casa Vallejo at the Upper Session Road. New Bonuan at the Happy Glen Loop, Jade Restaurant along Marcos Highway and Barrio Fiesta at the Upper Session Road are where you can partake of home-cooked native cooking.
Kalapaw Restaurant in Chuntug Street specializes in grilled squids and tuna jaws. Inn Rocio in Kisad Road dishes out Continental food, Mario’s Restaurant in Upper Session Road has good steaks, great Caesar’s Salad, and decadent cakes. And the artsy Cafe by the Ruins in Chuntug Street serves eclectic, seasonal dishes.
At the Hotel Monticello in Kennon Road, Hakuun Sanso Restaurant serves authentic Japanese cuisine while 50′s Diner specializes in traditional American staples. Rose Bowl Steak House and Restaurant in Harrison Road offers an international fare of Chinese, American and Filipino dishes. The local food chain Don Henrico’s has its beginnings at the Upper Session Road and serves yummy pastas and pizzas. (Source: The Philippine Department of Tourism)
