Road Trip: Caleruega, Don Bosco Retreat House and Tagaytay

Last Friday morning, my husband and I were thinking of where to go this weekend before my long Holiday vacation ends and go back to my busy days again.  So, I started Googling these different "places to visit" way down south and saw this place named Caleruega.

I began checking out forums and reviews about this place on which, coincidentally, one of my FB Friends posted pictures of it.  I initially thought this place is OK, considering my hubby who likes seeing old building structures and heritage places, so I forwarded him different websites about it.

Come Friday night, after our evening stroll at Bonifacio Global City (BGC) with our son, we never talked nor planned about it.  I was thinking, he might already be tired to do so.

Saturday morning, I got so surprised when my husband suddenly asked me to check on how to go to Caleruega!  So, in a hurry, I've downloaded a map on how to go there while we were preparing stuffs to bring for our "so-called" Road Trip*.
* - This is our second spontaneous Road Trip, on which the first one is posted separately. 

And so, off we go!


Details of "How-To-Go-To's"...

From Pasay City, we head on going to Magallanes and then Skyway.

Along Skyway

From Skyway, we took SLEX and then the Sta. Rosa Exit.

Our first stop was Nuvali, Sta. Rosa.

The well-known Koi Lake at Nuvali

We went out quite late (around 10:30am) and even encountered a minor traffic jam along EDSA-Taft Rotonda due to the crowd of travellers at the Provincial Bus Terminals.  So we've decided to have our lunch at Nuvali.

After lunch, we then head-out to continue our trip.

We just cruised along the Sta. Rosa Road.

At the end, we reached the Tagaytay-Calamba Road, Tagaytay.

It's a T-Road on which we turned right.

Go straight and you'll reach Tagaytay Rotonda.

From Rotonda, go circular and take the road on the left (the road where you can see BPI and Bag of Beans).

You'll pass-by the famous Bulalo Restaurant named Leslie's.  By this time, you are now cruising along the Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway.

You'll pass by the following:  Dencio's, Starbucks, Max's, Taal Vista Hotel, Mushroom Burger, Residence Inn, Splendido and two (2) Petron Gas Stations located on both sides.

Just continue and you'll pass by another Petron Gas Station (this time a smaller one).  Turn left.

This road will then lead you to:  Evercrest and Chapel on the Hill – Don Bosco.  Just go straight.

When you see a sign indicating Caleruega, turn right.  It's a very bumpy road going downhill but it's quite a scenery.

The scenery going to Caleruega

At the end of the road, you'll see Caleruega.

There are Parking Spaces everywhere BUT, just go straight ahead until you reach the gates of Caleruega.  The assigned Security Guard will ask you to pay 30Php per head.  Upon payment, the Security Guard will give you Pamphlets Tour Guide and will open the gate to let you in.  Glad we were able to secure a parking slot.  There was a wedding at that time so, we've considered ourselves lucky to be able to park inside the premises.

The facade of Caleruega

Inside, you'll be captivated by the place.
The cool breeze of Tagaytay and the calmness it has.

There are a lot of spots for you to just sit down and contemplate.

When we were done, we then head out back to path that we've went through.

Our next stop was the Don Bosco Retreat House.
I've had my High School and Church Choir Retreats at this place.

This place is indeed a sanctuary.

It has a number of gardens and quiet ambience for you to reflect and recollect.

After having our own recollections, we then head back to Tagaytay.
We attempted to go to Sky Ranch but...as expected...it was insanely crowded!!!
Literally, no parking!

So we just head out to our favorite restaurants in Tagaytay...no other than...LESLIE'S, where we've finished our road trip with some sizzling sisig!