January 24th, 2011
Tagaytay Tourist Attractions Taal Volcano
Tagaytay Highlands
Tagaytay in the southern part of Manila is a famous destination. Because of its proximity to metropolitan Manila, it is a frequent getaway of city-dwellers and foreign visitors. The city of Tagaytay is rich in many things, including natural beauty. The uniqueness of its topography and climate is the main reason why so many people feel relaxed and rejuvenated once they visit Tagaytay, because for starters, the Tagaytay Ridge has many vantage points for the famous Taal Lake and Volcano. This special lake is the result of a massive volcanic eruption millions of years ago, which eroded the surrounding countryside and formed a lake around the volcano – literally a lake within a volcano within a lake.
Another aspect of Tagaytay’s attraction is its climate. The moderately cool climate has long been a specific reason why Tagaytay has many visitors, especially during the hot summer months.
With this in mind, entrepreneurs and property owners decided to develop Tagaytay into the city it is now. The place is littered with restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, inns, and bed & breakfasts; and anyone visiting the city for the first time would be hard-pressed NOT to find any kind of accommodation or dining establishment. From the lowly carinderia or eatery with its wooden plank tables and benches to the high-end hotels with gigantic picture windows and lush gardens, Tagaytay has really got everything.
One place that is often frequented by tourists and locals alike is the Tagaytay Highlands. This sprawling complex – part country club and part golf course – is developed and managed by the Belle Corporation, which has its share of prime property in the provinces of Cavite and Batangas.
The Tagaytay Highlands is divided into specific clubs, such as the International Golf Club, which allows its members to use all country club facilities and privileges. The Tagaytay Highlands International Golf Club has an 18-hole golf course and a fully-stocked golf pro shop. It also has a cable car system open from 10 o’clock a.m. to 5 o’clock p.m., which gives guests and members a chance to view the spectacular golf course and the countryside around the Highlands itself, specialty restaurants serving Continental cuisine, a family KTV, and an antiques and curios shop.
The Tagaytay Highlands Country Club, on the other hand, affords its members luxury and comfort in the form of recreational facilities and games, a gym and aerobics center, a multi-level sports center with badminton courts, an indoor basketball court, a 14-lane disco bowling center, squash courts, go-cart racing, a skating rink, horseback riding, a heated indoor lap pool, jacuzzis, steam saunas, and outdoor pools with jacuzzis. There is also a 9-hole mini-golf course, a hiking trail, an indoor and outdoor children’s playground with wading pools, a fishing pier, a cinema, a tree house, and a pony trail.
Tagaytay Highlands also has its very own Spa and Lodge, which allows members and their guests the benefit of premiere accommodations with its 25 suites, and a whole wing devoted to pampering – including a his- and hers- salon and a health bar. The spa specializes in body treatments such as aromatherapy massages, body masks and scrubs, facial treatments, salon services, spa packages, and even medical treatments by appointment.
The Tagaytay Highlands also offers meeting and banquet services for groups of 10 to 100. Meeting facilities include an auditorium and lecture hall with a seating capacity of 45 guests, a boardroom with a seating capacity of 20 guests, a library with a seating capacity of 12 guests, Montana Hall with a seating capacity of 80 guests, and Highlands Inn meeting rooms with a seating capacity of 12 to 100 guests. The Lodging facilities at the Tagaytay Highlands includes all-suite accommodations at the Belle View, The Villas, and The Woodlands; 28 rooms at the Highlands Inn; 15 huts and 55 tent sites at the Camp Highlands; and 15 cottages at the Cottage Grove and Cowboy Cabin.
Other amenities in the Highlands include WiFi access for members, an amphitheater which is a combination park and concert venue with a seating capacity of 700 guests, a beauty salon, a chapel, a day care center where children can enjoy arts and crafts, a deli and souvenir shop, a transport system or funicular which transports guests throughout the different facilities, a botanical park and garden, a greenhouse with hydroponically-grown vegetables and herbs, a medical clinic, a pet shop, a wine cellar, cigar rooms, a sewage treatment plant which transforms sewage water into treated water for irrigation, water cisterns or reservoirs that contain water from Taal Lake, and helipads located within the complex.
Additional services provided to members and their guests include express food delivery, laundry and dry cleaning pick-up and delivery, a shuttle service, and VCD and DVD rental services.
The Tagaytay Highlands is essentially a membership club, with applicable requirements and fees for use of the clubs’ different privileges and amenities.
Tanya Gemarin
LESLIES RESTAURANT: Best View Venue of Taal Volcano Tagaytay
TAGAYTAY: BEST OF THE ISLANDS PHILIPPINES……….
Sightseeing Cavite is the perfect destination for travellers wishing a glimpse of the Island’s historical, natural and man-made attractions nearest to the mega-city of Manila. Tour can be completed within a day’s time, without missing any of the places innate allure. Drive around the Tagaytay-Taal Ridge to view the spellbinding concert of volcano, lake and sky through an oftentimes foggy mist. For the religiously-inclined, take a round of old monasteries and churches. Take a hop around historical sites, monuments and culminate in the Island of Corregidor.
Food Tripping Relish local fruits in season at the picnic grove of Sungay and the mushroom restaurants of Tagaytay, or partake of native cuisine at the Taal Vista Hotel and other resorts around the province. Engage in outdoor sports like golf and horse backriding at Tagaytay City and pony rides for the kids. For quieter afternoons and evenings, watch cultural shows at the Taal Vista Hotel and other local folk theters during town fiestas and civic observances.
Volcano Treckking It can be adventure-filled for neo-visitors to Cavite. Take a boatride around volcano island, or visit the small farming communities within the destination. Or dare a mountain climb to the rim of the active volcano during its sleeping lull.
Souvenir Shop for souvenirs, in particular shellcraft all over the seaside municipalities, or for fine bridal wear at the town of Taal which specializes in the weaving of hand-crafted barong (native organza).
Try basket wares as extra shopping items. Most hotels have restaurants. A wide selection of food is available, from Filipino to International cuisine, plus abundant array of local fruits. Tawilis, a small type of fish only found in the Taal Lake and Maliputo, prized delicacy, are served in most restaurant and are worth tasting. The Tawilis is eaten either roasted or over hot coals or deep fried to a to crisp. There are other specialty restaurant in the city that serve local and international cuisines. Most restaurant are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Tagaytay offers more the 200 rooms ranging from economy to superior and deluxe accommodation. Most hotels have air-conditioned rooms, hot and cold water, restaurant, and offers a good view of Taal Volcano.
Convention and business facilities are available at the prestigious Development Academy of the Philippines as well as at the numerous resorts and hotels here. Most hotels accommodate walk in customers. However, reservations are highly recommended in major especially during summer and weekends when tourist traffic is at its peak. Most major hotels have booking and reservation offices in Manila. Reservation maybe done directly or through your travel again.
People & Industry Tagaytay is an hour and 15 minutes drive from Manila via the South Superhighway or through the Coastal Road. If going through South Superhighway, take Carmona Exit and drive down through Governor’s Drive and Silang up to the entrance of Tagaytay City. Or through South Superhighway, take Santa Rosa Exit going Straight to Tagaytay City.
There was Two possible ways to get to Tagaytay City via Coustal Road by taking Indang & Mendez roads on Trece Martirez and Amadeo areas. If coming from the neighboring town of Ternate, Cavite take the Naic road and drive straight to Indang and Trece Martirez. From Batangas Provinces, the best way to reach Tagaytay is though the next circumferential read. From Laguna, you may enter Tagaytay through the Carmona Exit.
