A Trip to these Places will Make Your Christmas Getaway Extra Special

Many of us could only dream of experiencing “White Christmas”, where pine trees covered with snow abound in our backyard, and the weather begs for the thickest of blankets and sweaters. But before you dismiss this dream, we can still have a White Christmas-like experience here in our country and that is in Baguio.

Baguio is known for its “sweater weather” that only gets better during the month of December. The mountainous city is also known for its pine trees and huge Christmas tree display at Burnham Park. Baguio Country Club is also known for their Christmas Village, a great attraction that they open every holiday season.

Boracay is known to draw thousands every summer, so why not visit the famous island during your Christmas vacation? Aside from enjoying its famous white-sand beach and incredibly blue waters, Boracay will surely be a sight to behold after being closed and restored for six months.

If your heart is already set on spending your Christmas in Boracay, be prepared as wild parties are now prohibited on the island. Make sure to also book your flights and accommodations ahead of time as the government wants to limit the visitors of the island to 19,000 a day.

You might be wondering why Dumaguete is on the list, but the City of Gentle People also has a couple tricks up its sleeves. For one, Dumaguete is rich in history and culture. You can roam around the city and explore places like the Silliman University and Rizal Boulevard, and have a relaxed yet fulfilling vacation.

Unbeknownst to many, Dumaguete also has a popular Christmas attraction that is the Dumaguete Christmas House. The Spanish ancestral home, property of Dr. Rico Absin, turns into a Christmas spectacle every holiday season. Each year, Dr. Absin comes up with a different theme and welcomes visitors for a small entrance fee of PhP15 children and PhP25 for adults.

Davao might be too far from home, but it also offers a couple of activities and attractions that make it a great holiday escape. For one, places like Pearl Farm Beach Resort and Samal Island are just a couple of hours away from Davao. If you prefer to stay in the city, make sure to have a bite of the infamous durian fruit, or at least have a sip of durian coffee from Blugre Coffee.

Davao also has its own Christmas attraction in the form of Roseville Christmas Mansion. Come December, the three-story mansion becomes filled with hundreds of Christmas lights and décor and becomes open to the public during the holiday season.

For us Filipinos, Christmas always means we get to enjoy a tremendous amount of good food. One city known for their food is Bacolod. You can start your culinary journey here by dining at Manokan Country, and taste their famous inasal or charcoal grilled chicken. Craving for a hot bowl of noodles? Make sure to also stop by at 21 Restaurant, well-known for their batchoy (noodle soup with pork offal and cracklings). To wash all the savory dishes, you can head to Calea and cleanse your palate with any of their delectable cakes.

Once you’re done eating your way through Bacolod, make sure to take home some of their popular snacks. Grab a pack or two of piaya (muscovado filled flatbread) and napoleones (mille-feuille custard slice), and you’re good to go.

Check out our list of trips and tour packages in the Philippines or browse the Travel & Tours category in the Yoorekka Directory.

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