Looking for a place to chill out? Then Baguio City, the Summer Capital of the Philippines, is the place for you. Baguio City is a popular destination not only during summer but also during the months of November to February. During the cold months, the temperature of Baguio can go down below 8 degrees centigrade while the summer period it seldom exceeds 26 centigrade.

Baguio City is approximately 500 kilometers north of Manila and situated in the province of Benguet. The city is bounded by La Trinidad in the North, Itogon on the East, and Tuba to the South and West. Baguio City is worth the grueling long travel hours because of its many tourist spots. If you take the Kennon Road, on the way up to Baguio you will pass by the lion’s head and some scenic waterfalls. Kennon Road is shorter than the Marcos Highway but said to be more dangerous.

Once you arrive in the city, you can drop by at Mines View Park where you can have some pictures taken with a native Igorot as a souvenir. Here you can have a good view of the scenery from atop. You can also visit Tam-awan village to see some of the oldest nipa hut of the Igorot from Benguet, Ifugao, and Mountain Province. Several of the huts were transported from their true location and placed here in its original form. Then for the best buy of ube jam, crinkles, cookies and strawberry jam, Good Shepherd is the place. Romanas is the suggested brand to buy when choosing peanut brittle. Baguio is also popular for their ukay-ukay stores which offer affordable imported clothes. If you are a big fan of strawberries and you want to pick them up yourselves and taste them straight from their vines, then head to La Trinidad, where the strawberry farm is located. This is just less than an hour away from the city of Baguio. Other places that you can visit are the Burnham Park, Mansion House, Baguio Cathedral, Camp John Hay, etc. The best hotel to check into is the one located along or near the Session Road. This is near the market area, a walking distance to a string of restaurants and bars and to the famous Burnham Park. Baguio is also the home of prestigious Philippine Military Academy where future generals hail from.

This month of February Baguio celebrates the annual Panagbenga Festival 2009 (Flower Festival) and its centennial year as a city. This is why you shouldn’t miss the opportunity. Wearing jackets and sweaters in the late afternoons and evenings is recommended.


2009 Panagbenga Festival Schedule

February 22 Let a Thousand Flowers Bloom – Melvin Jones
February 23-25 Legarda Rocks – Legarda Road
February 26-28 Abanao Nights – Abanao Street
February 28 GRAND STREET PARADE – Session Road
March 1 GRAND FLOAT PARADE – Athletic Bowl
March 2 SESSION ROAD IN BLOOM – Session Road
March 8 CLOSING CEREMONY – Athletic Bowl