by Cheryl Cruz

Created on: June 23, 2008   Last Updated: June 24, 2008

My favorite travel spots is Baguio City. It is so called as The City of Pine and also known as the summer capital of the Philippines. Why, because it has a unique environment that is relatively cooler by an average of 10- degrees celcius. It is the coolest compared to other areas in the country. It is likewise unique because of the abundance of the pine which is not very common in the country. As you get closer you that you are almost there because you can smell the pine trees.

As such, it has become a favorite destination for nature revelers and those that find lowland heat hard to take. Baguio boasts of 11 forest and watershed reservations covering an area of 521,233 hectares that helps the city maintain its climate and sometimes you can almost touch and feel the clouds in your face, be careful and dont stay late outside because in the evening you can not see anything but fog and clouds.

Whether for the intreped outdoor hiker or a the contemplative book-lover, Baguio offers a wealth of leisure and recreational activities. They have hiking and trekking. This place is a good place for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts because of some of its mountainous land area. You can carry with you a picnic baskets and blankets because this place is also ideal picnics. You will enjoy the place as you are viewing the scenic parks and offer the chance for a quite and tranquil afternoon getaway. You can shop till you drop. Do you know that Bagiuo City has earned a reputation as a mecca for bargain-hunters from all over the world? From furniture, clothes, handbags and jackets, strawberries, honeys, souveniers and everything in between. The best part is the prices are open to debate and nothing is fixed until the money changes hands.

Also the city and its park are perfect for jogging, running, skateboarding, and biking where the undulated slopes offer varying degrees of challenges and enthusiasts need not to worry about pollution or getting run over.

There are plenty of restaurants all over the place. They got american steak and potatoes meals,Italian pizza ad pastas, Chinese dishes , Japanese and Mongolian specialties and of course Filipino dishes. They have bakeries and pastry shop, you can buy homemade breads, native sweets and delicacies, cakes and the local blend strong, aromatic brewed coffee to warm the stomach. Not to mention fast food places with their ever popular burgers, fries, pizza, chicken, and sandwiches.

The City's main attraction is still its natural bounty of cool climate, panoramic vistas, its pine forests and gererally its clean environs.

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