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Best of Baguio
A lot of Philippine souvenirs come from Baguio City --
from wood products like the Barrelman, oversized rosaries, spoons & forks, to silver jewelry and metal crafts, to ethnic woven cloths, to edible goodies like strawberry preserves and ube (purple yam) jam.
Many Baguio products and services are very good -- due to almost a century of cityhood and millions of visitors to our beautiful city. In very few places in the Philippines has the creation of souvenir items been turned into both art and science.
GoBaguio! recommends...*
• Ube Jams - Tamtanco's (Baguio City Market), if you like it with real ube bits, and Good Sheperd's (Mines View Park) if you prefer it creamy, although the latter is almost double the price of the former.
• NEW!!! Best Strawberry Preserves - made by Strawberry House Inc. at 19 Naguilian Road beside the PLDT office. These yummy favorites are not (yet) sold in stores and come in limited quantity. Since the 'factory' is hard to get to, please call 442-7988 for more info.
• Choco Flakes - Mikasan Dark Chocolate.
• Peanut Brittle - If you like it with whole peanuts, classic style, Romana's. If you want finely ground peanuts in 'sheets,' nothing beats Good Shepherd. They have cashew brittle, too.
• Lengua de Gato - Rico's and Tartland have the exact recipe but Rico's has better packaging.
(Okay, Rico's has just changed it's packaging from that lovely yellow to bright blue, now they're "neck 'n' neck!")
• Longganisa - The ones sold at the SVD Seminary, now available at Paulite's store on Gibraltar. They will try to sell you other types of longganisa, so please specify the "SVD variety."
• Apple Walnut Cake - Ebai's Cafe at Narda's on Upper Session Road. I prefer the smaller sized whole cake as the frosting is just right, the large one (and those available per slice) is a little too dry for my taste.
• Best Baguio hotel locations can be found here
• NEW!!! Best unusual, cultural, educational adventure for boys and girls of all ages is the Balatoc undergound mines tour. We took the tour recently and we loved it!
• Best place to take young children for a pony ride would still be Wright Park Riding Circle at Pacdal near The Mansion because you can watch them riding aroung the two rings plus it's easier to photograph or video them from there.
• Best place to take young children for a pony ride would still be Wright Park Riding Circle at Pacdal near The Mansion because you can watch them riding aroung the two rings plus it's easier to photograph or video them from there.
• Best Horse Trail Ride - If it's a short trail you want, Camp John Hay Shalan di Kabadjo ('Way of the Horse') will do, but if you want a really good ride, Santo Tomas Mountain. There's really no point in taking a trail ride to 'Marlboro Country' at Tiptop anymore because you can't ride like the wind across mountaintops these days like we use to in the 1980's.
Read Ponies with Pink Hair @Baguio Insider
• Recommended Wright Park Pony Boy is Scott -- he has nice running horses, he is easy to spot (looks more like an Indian than a cowboy), and takes very good care of his customers. The teenagers love him!
• Best way to buy strawberries to bring home - ask to select each and every piece. Choose the ones that are not yet ripe as they ripen fast on the trip back down. If you get them very red, or choose the ones packed in a basket, they will be overripe when you get home.
• Perfect weather month - January (coldest of the cold) usually with no rains, and Baguio is at its most romantic. For information on the best times to come up and visit, please check out Baguio for All Seasons
• Best convention facilities - CAP Convention Center, Camp John Hay
• Best place to buy wooden furniture that's old Filipiniana or ethnic inspired - the stores at the parking area of the Maharlika Livelihood Center. They deliver, too!
• Best places to go for Ukay-Ukay are in the Ukay-Ukay page.
The Best Ways to Relax in Baguio
Take Long, Leisurely Walks.
On the east and south sides where there are lots of trees. Stay away from major roads.
Go for the 'Cosmic Journey'
The Maryknoll Ecological Sanctuary has a 14-station account of the evolution of the universe set in a secret garden in the middle of bustling Baguio City, in Camp Sioco, accesed via Marcos Highway. Picnic tables available, too.
Get a 'Home Service" Massage.
The rates here are only Php275-350 per hour and you'll get the best sleep of your life afterwards.
Read a Good Book.
Malls have bookstores where you can get best-sellers and second hand books. Or, better yet, bring one with you on your trip.
Play Golf.
Go for a round of golf in one of two of our naturally air-cooled courses. Even if you are not a member of Camp John Hay or Baguio Country Club, special guest passes are available at slightly higher rates.
Attend Some Art Lessons or Do Some Painting.
In Baguio, you are surrounded by natural beauty and there are lots of subjects to choose from. Art workshops are held at Tam-awan Village and at the Botanical Garden
Basically, do things for yourself that you have been postponing for the longest time, like having long conversations with your loved ones over cups of hot cocoa before a warm fire, or finishing the needlepoint you began a long time ago while the kids are out skating, or planning a meal using fresh ingredients from the Baguio City Market.
And the list will go on as I discover new things every single day! After more than 35 years of loving Baguio, this beautiful little city in the mist never ceases to amaze me!
And I'll give you a Baguio City like you've never seen before!
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Copyright ©2003 - 2009. All Rights Reserved. GoBaguio! Your Complete Guide to Baguio City, Philippines
As a member of the hospitality industry and a Baguio resident, I am constantly asked for my recommendations for various products, services and places of interest. As webmaster of GoBaguio! I get to play the role of "Baguio concierge on the web" -- a task I enjoy because I am able explore this beautiful place a little deeper and share all my discoveries with you.
(Please click this link for an extensive list of popularThe following are my personal favorites. You'll have to try them all out, together with other available brands, in order to prove me wrong. Both ways, Baguio wins!
*Please note that neither GoBaguio! nor I have received any payment in cash or in kind for these endorsements!
