Manila Travel Forum

hi

we have several days in manila and would like to know any worthwhile day trips that could be undertaken.
as varied suggestions as possible welcome.
regards
musaphir

You might try Hundred Islands, about 2-3 hours north of Manila. There is also Taal just south of manila where you can see the volcano, not active, and the lake area is nice to see as well. Just keep in mind that travel in PI takes time and patience!! so plan accordingly

Towards south - Tagaytay (Talisay, peoples park, picnic groove), Laguna (Caliraya lake), Batangas.

Towards north - Tarlac (Mt. Pinatubo), Clark, Subic

100 islands is 5-6 hours north of Manila

If you're looking at day trips only (which means, Manila is still your base), you can go to Tagaytay as suggested above. You may also consider Corregidor island, Villa Escudero, Hidden Valley.

Hi there,

Welcome to Manila! I know of an upcoming day tour this saturday, May 30, offered to me by Gina Fabros (Tour booking agent). It covers Laguna and Lucban and costs Php1,200/pax. You may contact her at 0917-7479417. you may also ask her to create a special trip for you covering activities you wanted to do, sights you specifically want to see and special trip iteneraries. It becomes just quite a bit more expensive when there is a smaller number of group so sometimes it's more economical to join group tours such as the one I mentioned above.

Nevertheless, depending on how much you want to do things on your own, you may also go to nice places in close proximity. As suggested, Tagaytay is a nice and close place to visit from Manila. You could ride a boat to go to Taal lake and climb the volcano and enjoy the view either hiking or riding a horse. Range of prices will be somewhere around Php1000-2,000 per person depending on how many of you will share the cost of the boat ride and how good are you in haggling. You will easily get a guide in Tagaytay but assuming you're a tourist, would recommend you shop around first for good rates and would recommend joining a group than going as a couple foreigner tourists. This way, you will be saving some money and should be safer, not that I'm saying it won't be safe otherwise..but it's better be always aiming for the safest way of doing things.

Things to do in Tagaytay:
1) dining Filipino food - there are so many to choose from depending on your preference and budget. I've been to Sonya's and lunch is around Php600++ which is served to you as much as you want (like a buffet but served). The ambiance is nice. You'll feel like dining in a garden with an intermittent spray of artificial mists once in a while :)

2) Spa / massage - I regularly have massage in Manila and only tried once in Tagaytay and was happy about the service. I liked the massage room of Sonya's, they allow you to shower and the shampoo and soap were very pleasant smelling..I liked the massage oil very much - the consistency is very nice for massage and the smell is very good for aromatheraphy :)

3) dessert and coffee at Bag of Beans - i'm a coffee lover and I like the quality of their coffee and the ambiance of the place..try the cakes as well..i personally liked the blueberry cheesecake :)

4) check out this site which I stumbled upon for more tips in tagytay http://www.squidoo.com/tagaytay

Enjoy,
Nalie

Do you have itinerary for this

It covers Laguna and Lucban and costs Php1,200/pax.

Ahahaha, horse and romance... what a combination

Hi Lahoree,

I don't have the itinerary for the recommended day trip. Please contact Gina Fabros @ 0917-7479417 and ask for her to send you one via fax or email.

Nevertheless, the tour should include the following:
a) wood shaving - Pakil, Laguna
b) wood carving - Paete, Laguna
c) Lucban Town proper
d) Kamay ni Hesus
e) Batis Aramin
f) Liliw Laguna

Best,
Nalie

Salamat, hope to hear your feedback on this tour company before I approach them for possible trips. I am also going to Laguna this weekend on a camping trip.

Hi Lahoree,

I am not joining the Laguna Trip on Saturday but I already joined other trips offered by Gina in coordination with Maalikaya Tours. I joined in Sagada/Banaue and Ilocos trip and I find the prices reasonable and experienced good service especially for the Sagada trip. Besides, a lot of my officemates (from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) join their trips so I also enjoy the pleasant company of familiar faces.

Their trips are usually marketed to officeworkers and therefore tours are usually done over the weekend.

Enjoy your travels.

Cheers,

Nalie

do they have a website?
hi nasser, if ever you joined this trip give me a feedback also...thankz..where will you be in Laguna for camping?...

Hi Musaphir,

This reply may be late.. all trips here are outside Manila
just in case you're interested for Manila tours

visit this site: www.cledrantours.blogspot.com

its an animated tour of old Manila including Itramuros and Quiapo
very interesting..

cheers!