Surprise, surprise: It turns out you don’t need a lot of money to enjoy Tagaytay. For less than P1,500, you can hole up in a hotel with the gang, savor Tagaytay’s most delish dishes, and enjoy the Christmassy-cool weather.

Tipid Transpo
From Cubao, take the St. Agustin Bus at Alimall Terminal – the ride will only cost you P85. Another low-priced alternative: heading to Starmall Edsa and taking a serviced van that will bring you to Tagaytay for only P150 per person.

Sulit Stay
Bring the gang to the very homey Keni Po [110 Calamba Rd., Sungay West, Tagaytay City; (046) 483-0977]. For P4,000 for two nights (that’s P1,000 per person), you can stay inside the Family Room where there’s a comfy couch, cable TV, double beds, and even a kitchenette for you guys to cook your own meals.

Fun Food-Trippin’
In Tagaytay, the food choices are practically boundless. You have the hit Mushroom Burger with meals that go for only P100 [Brgy. Kaybagal; (046) 413-1330]. Or, sample the sausages, P55, and Pinoy entrees, P60, at Toby and Tony’s Fantastic Sausages [tel. no. (046)434-1824].

Tours and Treats
Make tambay at the Picnic Grove (entrance fee at P25), or Palace in the Sky, P15 per head. Try the exciting Tagaytay Ridge Zipline and Cable Car ride [tel. no. (02) 510-6115]. Rates start at P100 to P300.