Going on A Christmas Trip? Try These Budget-Friendly Destinations!

There's no place like home. Every Christmas season, for every Filipino family, this saying holds true. But amidst the Christmas shopping, reunions, and other related expenses to consider, traveling with your family does not often take priority. This year, why not update your holiday traditions by going to these budget-friendly local destinations with your loved ones?

1. Baguio. Living in a tropical country—not to mention all those Yuletide-themed movies—can easily make one dream of a white Christmas. While it doesn’t snow in Baguio, its eight-degree temperature is your next best bet.
   
   The City of Pines is not just about the chilly weather, though. As early as November, the Rose Garden of Burnham Park holds this year’s “An Enchanting Baguio Christmas” inspired by internationally popular Christmas fairs in Europe. Kids will be thrilled by the presence of Santa Claus, while the whole family can take souvenirs at a photo booth with a horse-drawn sleigh.
   
   Explore Session Road, plus its colorfully lit parols and giant Christmas tree. If it gets too cold, don’t worry. Numerous ukay-ukay stores offer stylish winter clothing at bargain prices. Extra tip: don’t leave Baguio without hoarding Good Shepherd delicacies that you can enjoy back at home.
   
   
2. Pampanga. Pampanga is not only known as the country’s culinary capital. San Fernando, its capital city, is also famous for being the Christmas Capital of the Philippines, thanks to the annual Giant Lantern Festival.
   
   Celebrating Christmas surrounded by world-renowned parols and mouthwatering dishes—what can possibly go wrong? Head to San Fernando and be amazed by kaleidoscopic lanterns as high as six meters. The festival showcases Kapampangan creativity in intricately designed parols made with locally crafted materials.
   
   Take a short trip to Angeles City for a much-deserved food crawl. Authentic Kapampangan dishes are a must-try, so make sure to indulge in richly flavored sisig, bringhe, and bulanglang. Feeling extra-daring? Go on a culinary adventure with your kids by sampling exotic eats such as kamaru (deep-fried crickets), tugak (stuffed frogs), and burung bulig (fermented mudfish and rice).
   
   
3. Dumaguete. Urban dwelling can get tiresome during holiday season. Escape to Dumaguete for a refreshingly serene Christmas. Watch the sunrise on Rizal Boulevard and quietly reflect on what you’ve achieved with the family this year. Go for a stroll while savoring the cool sea breeze or do some jogging to stay healthy and fit. Who says you need to wait for the new year to work on your resolutions?
   
   Christmas in Dumaguete wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Christmas House. For over three decades, owner Rico Absin has been opening his enchanting Spanish mansion to visitors itching to catch the holiday fever. Located on Hibbard Avenue, the ancestral home-turned-gallery is fully embellished with lavish décor and lights yearly. Rooms inside showcase Absin’s exquisite antique collection. If you want another dose of the holiday spirit, a trip to the children-approved Christmas Carnival in Freedom Park is in order, too.

The experiences and lessons you share on vacation with your loved ones put their importance in clearer perspective. Discovering new places with them helps make you realize that quality time should always be prioritized. How do you ensure that this is always possible?

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