Breathtaking Views from Tagaytay
Less than two hours from Manila is the city of Tagaytay. Though its proximity seems like it shares the same temperature with Manila, it is cooler due to its elevation. Tagaytay is located atop a ridge and enjoys an average temperature of 24 degrees Celsius or about 75 degrees Fahrenheit. On a clear day, Tagaytay's highest peak, Mt. Sungay (aka Mt. Gonzales) guarantees a view to the rest of Cavite, Laguna and Batangas. It also affords a view of Manila Bay, Laguna de Bay, Balayan Bay, and the iconic Taal Lake. Even if you're content with just taking in the views, there are other activities you can engage in from various vantage points. Enjoy some of those activities at:
- People's Park in the Sky / Palace in the Sky - The People's Park in the Sky used to be the site of the Palace in the Sky which was designated by Imelda Marcos as the site of a mansion. It sat on Mt. Sungay but was never completed. To utilize the space of an already degraded mountain that used to be the home of some farmers, as well as serve as a reminder of a "lifestyle built on greed, excess and arrogance" (according to Janet Cawley of the Chicago Tribune), it has now been converted into the People's Park in the Sky. At the People's Park in the Sky, you can go on a picnic or shop for souvenirs.
- Picnic Grove - as the name suggests, it is where you can have a picnic while taking in the breathtaking view of Taal Lake and Volcano. You can rent gazebos in various sizes or just sit on the grass while staring at the lake. Kids can frolic and fly kites if there's a good breeze. Otherwise, you can ride the horses, try the zipline or get a good exercise just by walking through the eco-trail.
- Skyranch - Aside from picnics and taking in the views, kids and adults can try out the many rides offered by Tagaytay's popular amusement parks. Adults might be thrilled to try the ferris wheel, pendulum rides, and a drop tower while kids may be content with train rides, the carousel, roller coaster, and water rides. If you're already exhausted and hungry, the place also offers dining options.
You can also visit spa establishments if your primary purpose in going to Tagaytay is to get away from the business of earning a living and just savor life. Tagaytay is also that mountain where people go to find themselves or do some soul searching. For that, there are several retreat houses in the area. You can also head to one destination -- which is a strip of cafes and diners overlooking Taal Lake and Volcano -- to recharge your tummies before heading out to other locations like the Japanese Friendship Garden or the Puzzle Museum.
Saying 'I do'
There's an air of romance about saying your vows in Tagaytay so much so that Tagaytay has become a wedding destination. More than that, several wedding vendors are located here. You can have various options for wedding photographers and videographers, caterers, cake makers, event stylists and florists. Not to mention the myriad of venues mostly overlooking Taal Lake and Volcano. You can exchange vows in a church, lawn or garden followed by a reception held in a hotel function room, amid foliage in a garden or lawn or a restaurant with a view of the volcano in a lake.
Brides also often choose chapel- or cathedral-length veils because of the gentle breeze that often blows. The sight of a wind-blown veil make for a dramatic pre-nuptial photo. Some photos of the couple can also include the volcano as backdrop. In addition, some pictorials are done in a sea of green (albeit unconsciously), such as a garden, to signify fertility.
Brides also often choose chapel- or cathedral-length veils because of the gentle breeze that often blows. The sight of a wind-blown veil make for a dramatic pre-nuptial photo. Some photos of the couple can also include the volcano as backdrop. In addition, some pictorials are done in a sea of green (albeit unconsciously), such as a garden, to signify fertility.