Be prepared for a bit of hiking on your way to Lake Pandin (wear comfy shoes!), but once you arrive, you'll be welcomed with incomparable views. This pristine lake is tucked away just a few minutes from the city center, completely accessible by commute. Though it is the closest of the seven lakes (apart from Sampaloc Lake) in distance, you'll never find it overcrowded.  

If you're ready to spend a whole day in the lake, you can rent a raft to go out into the water. Go swimming (don't let its relatively small size fool you--the lake is actually really deep) or just hang out and bask in the sunshine as you float on the lake's emerald waters. Bamboo raft rentals also come with the option of food, where friendly locals will prepare a meal of grilled tilapia fish, ensaladang pako (fern salad), and rice for you. You can also enjoy a delicious halu-halo dessert to cool off. 

On your way to the Japanese Garden, be sure to take in the sights around Caliraya Lake. The verdant roads along this large man-made lake actually make for scenic drives, especially by sundown. If you've got time, make a stopover at the lakeshore and walk along the reddish clay soil. Have a breather while appreciating Caliraya Lake's natural splendor. There are loads of resorts around the lake where you can enjoy water activities such as boating, kayaking, jet ski riding, and zip lining, among others, should you fancy a stay in this part of Laguna.

There are countless eateries offering bulalo in Tagaytay but you should head straight to Mahogany Market for the most authentic (and budget-friendly) bulalo. Mahogany Market is famed for its selections of the freshest and most tender beef cuts and with the eateries located right above the market stalls, you'll know their bulalo is always cooked fresh. Apart from the bulalo, try the crispy tawilis (straight from Taal Lake), okoy (shrimp fritters), and--if you're adventurous--papaitan (an Ilocano soup with beef or goat innards).

Other than the abundance of meats, Mahogany Market is also a great place to shop for vegetables, herbs, and flowers. There's a great variety at very low prices--plus, you can always bargain with the friendly local merchants.

Don't miss out on pasalubong when you're on your way to Puzzle Mansion! If you're taking the Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road, definitely stop by Rowena's for a selection of great food items to take home. You can buy everything from pies to raw honey to bottled sardines here, along with more traditional Filipino pasalubong like polvoron, cornick, otap, tarts, etc.

If you want to stop for coffee, a good place to head to is Bag of Beans. A popular coffee shop, there are a bunch of branches throughout the town. Bag of Beans not only offers delicious coffee creations and rustic comfort food, they also have some of the best interiors in Tagaytay, not to mention some of the grandest viewing points to see the beautiful natural landscape of Tagaytay.