Have You Been to Baguio Lately?  

The Summer Heat in the Philippines is on! Temperature rises as the scorching heat of the sun touches your skin. You start to sweat as if you were showering on your own. People would have the idea of going out on the beach and have the fun of their lives. But some people would just want to fight that heat by going on a cool place, rather than putting your head inside your Refrigerator nor raising your hands up high to touch the vents of your air conditioning units.

One thing that comes into people's minds is to have an out of town with their friends or families (even loved ones), and one of the most famous tourist destination would be Baguio City.

Nestled within the Cordillera Central mountain range in northern Luzon, Baguio is known as "The Summer Capital of the Philippines." It is a one-stop tourist spot destination for every tourists. Going from Manila to Baguio would take 6 to 12 hours travel time via land, depending on the season.

A day is not enough to travel the whole city proper. Tourists would prefer to have a reservation on a hotel, inns or transient houses to enjoy their stay for a week or two. Peak season starts at March, in celebration of their flower festival known as the Panagbenga, up to the month of May. It would be a risk to be as a walk-in guest in Baguio for people would make reservations in an earlier time.

People comes back to enjoy the wonders of Baguio. For the first timers, here are some of the famous tourists destinations the city has to offer:

BURNHAM PARK - it is the heart of the city. Open to anyone who would like to stroll and feel the breeze in the greens. You can rent a bike or take a boat and ride along the lake with your loved one. Food would not be a problem because home-made food and barbeque restaurants are just around the corner.

SESSION ROAD - it is the commercial center in the city. If you are looking for any gadgets, or if you might be needing a camera on your trip, shops are at every corner. Even food stands and restaurants are everywhere to satisfy your cravings.

LOURDES GROTTO - it is one of the many Catholic shrine and place for meditation located at the west part of the city. At the hill top is the Image of Our Lady of Lourdes. In order to get there, you must climb up the stairs. How many steps would that be?... It is for you to find out.

CAMP JOHN HAY - a destination in itself, it is a beautiful resort in the mountains that features a world class Jack Niclaus golf -course design, hotel and other attractions. You better have a private vehicle to get an access to the whole place.

By the way, Taxis are everywhere. They have a minimum fare so roadtrip won't be a problem, and their window cars are wide open, don't expect for an air conditioning unit. Hehehe!!!...

MINES VIEW PARK - located at the north side of the city, it views the Cordillera Mountains as one of its highlights. It is also a place to buy for some souvenirs from clothing, accessories, and food such as peanut brittle, lengua de gato (pastry made from flour, egg white, sugar, butter), chocolate flakes and others. But one of the famous food that Mines View has to offer and what is also one of Baguio's Pride is the Ube Jam from Good Sheperd.

BOTANICAL GARDEN - it also known as the Igorot Village wherein it gives life to the native villages of the Cordillera tribes. You will also get the chance to take a picture with the Igorot tribesmen dressed in their native dress.

STRAWBERRY FARM - if you would start your trip, you'd better go at this place located at La Trinidad, Benguet, outside of Baguio City. It is a wide farm harvesting not just Strawberries but other vegetables as well like lettuce. If you are lucky, you could have the chance to pick fresh Strawberries from the farm. The best season to pick is from November to June.

FLOWER FARM - once you have stopped on the Fields of Srawberry, take a tour next at Barangay Bahong to capture the blooming fields of their farm filled with flowers. From Roses to Anthuriums, better get there before March, or it will be picked already for the Panagbenga.

Just to name a few, there are still many Hot Spots for the City to visit to. Even I, didn't even get the chance to travel the whole city and enjoy their finest delicacies alone. And if I would have the chance to go back, I would have another Pack of Adventure to visit the city once more. It will be another great summer experience.