contributed by Bernard Supetran
A haven of nature and adventure, the province is blessed with mountains with lush vegetation, the iconic Taal Lake, rivers and biodiversity-rich seas, this veritable paradise takes pride in its tagline “It’s all here, it’s so near.” It can be reached via the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR), the Manila-Cavite Expressway (Cavitex), or Diokno Highway via Tagaytay City.
1. Hop around the shores of Balayan, Nasugbu, Tayabas, and Batangas Bays which are dotted with powdery sand beaches and cozy resorts. Among the towns with good beaches are San Juan, Nasugbu, Calatagan, Lian, Lobo, Mabini, as well as the islands of Tingloy, Verde, Sombrero, and Fortun.
Hamilo Coast Beach
2. Marvel at Taal Volcano up close at the lakeshore towns of Talisay and San Nicolas where the world’s smallest active volcano is closest. The lake is habitat of the rare tawilis and maliputo fish species which are sought-after local delicacies. Tanauan City, Balete, Agoncillo, Mataas na Kahoy, and Cuenca towns provide an equally magnificent view from different angles.
Kayaking at Taal Lake by Harvey Tapan
3. Travel back in time at the ancestral homes which give us a peek of the 19th-century way of life. Taal Heritage Village is one of the best-preserved colonial townships which has scores of ancestral houses which have become museums or tourist establishments. You can also swing by Malvar Shrine in Sto. Tomas, Museo ng Tanauan and Mabini Shrine in Tanauan City, Casa De Segunda in Lipa City, Museo Enrique Zobel in Calatagan, and Museo Puntong Batangan and Museo ng Batangas in Batangas City.
Casa De Segunda in Lipa City
4. Bike around the Spanish-era houses of worship such as the Saint Martin of Tours Basilica in Taal, San Sebastian Cathedral in Lipa City, Immaculate Conception Basilica in Batangas City, and the parish churches of Balayan, Tanauan, San Jose, and San Juan, among others. Other religious sites for prayer and pilgrimage are Padre Pio Shrine in Sto. Tomas, Montemaria in Batangas City, Marian Orchard in Balete, and Tombol Hills in Rosario.
Biking in Taal Basilica
5. Climb every mountain which is ideal even for newbies, such as Talamitam, Pico de Loro, and Batulao in Nasugbu, Maculot in Cuenca, Gulugod Baboy in Mabini, Lobo, Banoy and Naguiling in Lobo, Malepunyo in Sto. Tomas, and Malarayat in Lipa City. Each has a unique challenge and a panoramic view of either the lake or the sea.
Mt. Gulugod Baby in Mabini
6. Submerge into the amazing underwater world in Anilao, the birthplace of scuba diving in the Philippines. Enthusiasts will find diverse marine life in the 42 sites across Balayan Bay in Mabini, Tingloy, Bauan, and San Luis. The nearby Batangas Bay and Verde Island Passage are because of their location within the Coral Triangle, the center of the center of the world’s marine biodiversity.
Anilao’s school of jacks by Penn Delos Santos
7. Engage in watersports such as kayaking, stand-up paddling and sailing at the bays or the lake, which is recognized by Lonely Planet as the country’s “sailing mecca” due to the frequent tournaments at the Taal Lake Yacht Club in Talisay.
Sailing at Taal Lake
8. Pamper yourself with a wellness retreat atThe Farm at San Benito, a world-class medical eco-sanctuary tucked in the greeneries of Lipa City which offers restorative and preventive health services, organic dishes, and a wide variety of massage treatments.
The Farm at San Benito
9. Hit the fairways or learn the sport at the golf clubs of Mount Malarayat, Fernando Air Base, and Summit Point in Lipa City, Canyon Woods in Laurel, Calatagan Country Club in Calatagan, and Evercrest and Club Punta Fuego in Nasugbu. These courses boast of scenic greens, good food, and splendid lodging facilities.
Summit Point Golf Club & Residences by Gerry Laresma
Summit Point Golf & Residences
10. Feast on delectable local food such as bulalo, lomi, goto, beef tapa, and snacks such as tamales, suman, and kalamay, which are paired with the trademark kapeng barako.
Lomi by Liam’s Lomi House
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