Hotel Veniz is located at the center of Baguio City, at One Albano St. It is near the city's several attractions and landmarks, like the Burnham Park and the City Market. It is just a leisurely walk away from the Session Road where several restaurants and ukay-ukay shops are lined up. Roads converge at Hotel Veniz, so transportation is not a big problem here.

They offer the following services and facilities:

Arrival and Departure Assistance
Tour
Massage
Money Changer
Laundry Services
Internet Access
Telefax and Photocopy Services
Phone in every room for local and international call
Function rooms
Cafe (Cafe Veniz)
Restaurants (Veniz Grill & Betty's Kitchen)
Aircon units for each room (except junior standard)
Hot and cold water

The rice terraces of the Ifugao are like a giant stairway to the gods. They stretch up thousands of feet toward the clear skies in the Mountain Province. No one knows when these engineering gems started, but these were created over two thousand years ago. The highland tribesmen carved them by hand from mud and stone. Many of the terraces already rose to an altitude of 5,000 feet, completely covering entire mountains; their makers’ descendants still continued to work, adding level after level to the ledge paddies and to the ingeniously intricate irrigation system that has linked them from year to year, century after century. It is the world’s oldest ongoing construction project, and, like the rings of a tree, the rice terraces speak of the history of a proud mountain people’s battle for survival.

The terraces of Banawe are the most famous in the Philippines for their extent as well as for their accessibility to outsiders. They are emerald green during the planting and growing months of December through May and purple-yellow in the harvest months of June and July. The Banawe terraces covers an area of 400 square miles. Placed end to end they would stretch ten times the length of the Great Wall of China.

If you are going to Banawe from Manila the most convenient way is to take the 10pm bus from either Dangwa Bus or Auto Bus. Trips are usually daily. The trip will usually take you around 8 to 9 hours. The trip will pass by neighboring provinces of Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Solano and Bambang. You will arrive around 5 to 6 am the next day. During peak seasons or holy week, you have to at least reserve a ticket one week or 3 days before your trip. Ticket will cost around 290 pesos.

Accommodation is almost not a problem here. There are several hotels that cost around 1500 pesos and affordable lodging houses. Some residents accept transient boarders at very reasonable prices.

In the Mountain Province, past Bontoc, is the scenic valley of Sagada (in Filipino, the name is synonymous with sagad, as it is located high up in the mountains). The zigzag rough road to Sagada features the dense forests and rice and vegetable terraces of Bontoc. From Banaue, Ifugao, you will pass by Mt. Polis, the boundary to Mountain Province. It is the highest peak in the Cordilleras. Without the sun, the mist will envelope you and you will be literally walking amongst the clouds.

Sagada showcases pine forests, Limestone cliffs (as seen in the Echo Valley) with subterranean caves, misty slopes and stone-walled terraces (just like that of the Bay-yo Terraces).

The native Igorots would place their dead in wooden caskets and stack them in the caves, hence, Sagada is famous for its Burial Caves. One burial cave can be spotted along the main road. Other caskets are perched on rock outcroppings within eyesight from across the road. These are best known as the Hanging Coffins.

Several caves nestle in Sagada. Sumaguing cave is one of those which is mostly frequented by tourists and spelunking enthusiasts. Exploring the cave will take its visitors approximately 3 hours. It is said to be the cleanest cave and it is advisable to go on barefoot because of its slippery trail. Catch the breathtaking natural stalagmite and stalagtite formations. For a more difficult exploration, visitors may try investing their energies to the Sumaguing Cave and Lumiang Cave Connection, Bomod-ok Waterfalls and Mt. Ampacao.

Own an original woven cloth or bag from the Sagada Weaving, Inc. It boasts of quality and intricate designs manually weaved by local folks. Then try catching the natural rock formations at the Rock Inn, where you may also witness the bright orange plantation during its September-February season.

Whet your appetite at the Yoghurt House, which offers several dishes and its popular yoghurt topped with real sliced bananas and/or strawberries or with a hefty sprinkle of granola.

Other places to visit are the Calvary Hills, Sagada Pottery Showroom, Bokong Falls (small) and the Underground River.

Accommodation at the following lodging houses cost a minimum of Php200 per head per night:
1. Residential Lodge
2. Traveler’s Inn
3. George Guesthouse

Aside from the route of Banaue, Sagada is also linked to Baguio by the Halsema Highway. It is known as the “bituka ng manok” because it offers a roller-coaster ride with jerky twists and turns.

Ifugao is a mountainous province with lush forests, flowing rivers, cliffside roads and rice terraces, one of which is found in Banaue. This is the famous 8th wonder of world. From the Banaue Viewpoint (where the former Ms. Universe Dayanara Torres posed for a shot) and NFA Viewpoint (where the picture in the Php1000 bill was taken from), you will see different angles of the majestic Banaue Rice Terraces. If lucky, you will also witness how the Ifugaos plants or harvests their produce. Your tour guide may relay to you that due to the awarding of the Cordillera Administrative Region to the locals, houses have built along the terraces. This has caused a slow deterioration of terraces. However the forests atop the mountains are still intact to serve as watersheds for the rice paddies. The ingenuity of the Ifugaos materializes here… how were they able to avoid flooding in one paddy and distribute water equally to all paddies without the modern irrigation machineries.

Some of the original huts where native Ifugaos live are still preserved. A visit to the Banaue Museum gives you a peek thru the cultural beliefs and practices of the old local folks. Don’t miss out on the cultural show presented by the locals, which showcases Ifugao rituals, songs and dances.

Cheap souvenirs are sold at the Banaue Viewpoint. However, there are also souvenir shops at the town proper which give discounts if you know how to negotiate. There is also a hanging bridge near the town where you can test your wits as you walk with the swaying movement of the bridge with the rushing river down below you. Fresh fruits and vegetables are sold at the nearby market.

The Banaue Hotel, is the only hotel here. However, there are several inns which offers basic rooms with private baths. These inns also have restaurants and souvenir shops for the convenience of the tourists.

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

Upper Session Road, Baguio City

A 60-room hotel strategically situated at Upper Session Road, Baguio City, Philippines. It is not just located right beside the newly-built Victory Liner Passenger Center (the first modern bus depot in the country), it also has a bridgeway connecting to it.

Features and Amenities:

• Complimentary breakfast
• Chiropractor-approved mattresses
• Cable TV
• Individually-controlled aircon unit
• Toilet and shower with hot and cold water
• Electronic keycard entry system
• Radio clock
• Fully automated fire safety system
• Window seating for relaxation
• Children under 12 years old stay free in parents' room
• Baby cribs available upon request

Other Facilities and Services:

• Function rooms
• Wireless internet access
• Non-smoking rooms
• Disability accessible rooms
• 24-hr vending area
• Photocopy, fax and mailing services
• Safety deposit box
• Parking space

They accept all major credit cards.

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