Where to bring your visitors on a day trip that is near Manila or Laguna? My easy answer would be Tagaytay – this highland place has much to offer on top of its cool climate and tourist magnet Taal Volcano.
When my aunties and cousins visited us last December, one of their request was to go to Tagaytay. I was their vacation planner, so I made sure to wove this place onto their itinerary. Since we were based in Liliw, taking public transport or commuting to Tagaytay from our home is a challenge. It required multiple change of vehicles – jeeps, tricycle, jeeps, jeeps, etc – something that is not so good news health-wise for majority of my charges (i.e. may aunties). They can brave the long journey if they had to, but they didn’t have to.
We hired a van from Nagcarlan the night before our Tagaytay day trip. We paid P3,800 for the convenience of riding a Super Grandia vehicle. Cool! The regular tourist van for rent rate was P3,500 for 8 hours use; we paid P300 more so we can go visit Caleruega Chapel too. I was sure that my kin will love Caleruega, its scenery, and peaceful relaxing vibe.
At 8 AM sharp the morning of our outing, my super excited family were all ready for our van to picked us up. A few minutes of being on the way, out the cameras go, clicking, snapping selfies. 🙂
‘Dili nalang dyud sa picture nato makita ang Taal Volcano!” I heard this line more than once, and I couldn’t help but relish in their excitement too!
CALERUEGA CHAPEL in NASUGBO, Batangas
Our first stop was Caleruega, it was a beautiful day to be seeing pine trees, flowers in full blooms, and manicured lawns. Oh, and the koi ponds of Caleruega too!
The Caleruega Chapel and Retreat Center is a famous wedding venue. Titus and I have attended one wedding here, and it was spectacular to arrive nearing sunset when the chapel is cast in a romantic glow, and then to see the place all lit up for the night. Beautiful! More pictures and details on how to go to Caleruega on this new post.
Beautiful Caleruega!
It was a wonderful day out with family in the midst of greenery!
Do we look alike? 😀
My Lolo and Lola have 8 kids – 5 daughters and 3 sons. My mom is not in this pic, so I stand in her stead. 🙂
TAGAYTAY TOWER GROUND
After Caleruega we had lunch at one of the small restaurants in the area of Tagaytay Tower Ground. The view of the lake and the volcano was beautiful from this vantage point. But price wise on dishes, I think it is more worth it to dine in one of the bigger restos in the area like Gerry’s Grill, Dencio’s, and Leslie’s especially if you are a big group. The bigger restaurants offer good food, great view, better facilities, and at almost the same price range. Well, except for Josephine’s where food’s pricier.
Lunch was a windy, chilly affair, and I left my shawl in the van lol.
SKY RANCH VISIT
Sky Ranch of Tagaytay was next on the itinerary, rate and ride details on this dedicated post. Only Chaya and Romnick rode some of this theme park rides; the rest of us were content with picture taking and absorbing the chilly temp. 😉
Oh it was serendipitous, as we were heading to a cottage to rest, we spot Chaya and Romnick on the roller coaster. So we got good shots of them as their ride zigged-zagged on its track.
After having our fill of Sky Ranch, we visited Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. There was an on-going wedding when we got there so we didn’t stay so long.
My aunties requested to stop by a fruit stand, there we bought some senorita variety of bananas and pineapple. My mom is the eldest in the family, and these twins are their youngest – Marilen and Maricar.
The last stop on our day trip Tagaytay itinerary was supposed to be Nuvali in Sta Rosa City, but alas, we were already tired so we went home straight to Liliw. 😉
This was one happy getaway with family. Travel Happy ~always!
#Tagaytay #Caleruega #SkyRanch
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