A slower Baguio: Glamping, forest bathing, and green eating
I spent my five-day Holy Week break in Baguio City just days before news broke that the city was placed under a state of calamity due to an energy crisis. Even then, I could already feel the shift—quieter streets, fewer crowds, and conversations with vendors affected by cancellations.
And I felt for them. Baguio has always been more than a destination—it’s a place people return to, after all.
For me, it holds a deeper meaning. Some of my earliest childhood memories were shaped there, when our family lived in the city while my father worked at the Hyatt Hotel, and where my brother was born. Years later, it also became the setting of my first trip with my husband. Much has changed over the years but in many ways, Baguio still feels the same. Familiar places reconnect us with the memories that shaped us.
This time, however, I arrived with a different intention—to slow down and fully embrace what Baguio, in its quieter state, had to offer. I didn’t realize then how much that choice would matter.
A slower way to travel
We brought our dog Chia on this trip, our first time traveling far from home with her, and decided to make it our most stress-free vacation yet. I even submitted my Lifestyle Inquirer column just before leaving on Palm Sunday, leaving my laptop behind.
In the past, I would still try to squeeze in work. This time, I didn’t.
One goal was clear: to fully experience each moment. I let go of any fixed schedule and simply went with the flow—prioritizing ease and a sense of renewal, free from the pressure of a pre-planned itinerary.
Bringing the wellness escape to the next level
These simple, stress-free activities we experienced in Baguio made our vacation truly memorable.
1. Glamping: A more restorative way to camp
We booked our stay at the Good Shed & Dome in Gibraltar, Ext. Baguio for the second time, just a short 10-minute walk from Mines View Park. It was another memorable glamping experience—one we first discovered during the pandemic four years ago. We were especially happy to learn that it’s pet-friendly, making it the perfect fit for our trip with Chia.
Glamping, after all, is camping with comfort. Our dome allowed us to enjoy a nature-based setting without sacrificing the essentials of rest and recovery. Outside, a spacious area gave us room to cook, dine, and even exercise.
Even as we stepped away from our usual routine, our sleep and recovery rhythm stayed intact—made possible by the comfort of our stay, as we’d usually return by mid-afternoon for Chia’s naps.
The location also turned out to be ideal for my 6 a.m. runs. My route looked like this: looping around Outlook Drive, Wright Park, and the Baguio Botanical Garden, then uphill to Mines View Park before making my way back to the dome. The cool mountain air, the early morning quiet roads, and the surrounding greenery made each run feel less like a workout and more like moving meditation.
After each run, we did simple 20- to 30-minute bodyweight circuits—just enough to stay energized. Breakfast was just as simple: protein-and-fiber balls I brought from home, boiled eggs, and fresh strawberries from nearby stalls.
2. Forest bathing: Guided by nature, paced by Chia
We’ve hiked in Baguio many times before, often with the usual intensity that raises our heart rate and challenges our muscles. This time, however, we slowed down, letting Chia set the pace. We paused often, allowing her to sniff and wander. The entire 90-minute walk along the Yellow Trail at Camp John Hay felt like a completely different but meaningful experience.
What used to be a hike became something deeper. More about presence. Forest bathing (shinrin-yoku)—a Japanese practice that invites you to engage all five senses and fully immerse yourself in nature—means paying attention to the cool air, the sound of leaves, the scent of trees, and the uneven ground. A 2022 study published in Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine has shown that forest bathing supports the nervous system, strengthens immunity, improves mood, and enhances overall well-being.
As Nadine Mazzola, author of “Forest Bathing with Your Dog,” describes it, the practice allows nature to gently guide you back to yourself. When shared with a dog, it can also reduce stress and anxiety for both of you while deepening the bond.
In those quiet walks, whether along the trails of Camp John Hay or in places like the Baguio Botanical Garden and Mirador Heritage and Eco Park, our attention was drawn to the beauty around us and to the simple joy of watching Chia explore the cool, breathtaking surroundings that felt, in every sense, priceless.
I was reminded that nature has a way of bringing you back to your strengths, your purpose, and the people you care about most. Chia became part of that reminder by teaching me to slow down, be present, and appreciate the world with greater patience and love.
3. Green eating: Letting nature shape what’s on the plate
One thing we always look forward to in Baguio City is the food—specifically, the vegetables. There’s something different about them here. Fresher, crisper, more flavorful. It naturally makes you want to eat more greens, not because you have to, but because you want to.
And without trying too hard, we found ourselves feeling full and satisfied with these shared meals built on balance.
At Hill Station, we ordered a roasted veggie bowl, a chicken kebab, and slow-roast beef—swapping rice for extra vegetables. At Chaya, we had a vegetable hotpot, yasai itame, sashimi, and yakitori. At Canto, salads and BBQ ribs, with dressings on the side. And at Lemon and Olives, we enjoyed a Greek salad, chicken souvlaki, and beef gyros.
We didn’t deprive ourselves. We still enjoyed some of the city’s well-loved treats—apple pie from Vizco’s Restaurant and Cake Shop, suman, my favorite hot chocolate from Chocolate de Batirol, and a grilled cheese with ube from Hatch Coffee. But instead of mindless snacking, we shared portions and had them right after meals, not as standalone snacks, which helped regulate blood sugar, prevent overeating, and still allow us to fully enjoy the experience.
