I would prefer to stay in Vigan.
As for what to see and do, take a look at Vigan forum FAQ.
As for Laoag, you can refer to this trip report.
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Having been to both places I would also prefer to stay in Vigan. I agree with MH. Lovely place and UNESCO Heritage listed. Depending on your budget there are a few lovely places to stay, lovely things to do and great food.
My Vigan Trip Report:
Tommo
Partas, Farinass and other Buses from Baguio going to Vigan & Laoag (5 to 7 hours ride); better go straight to Laoag for overnight accommodation and see tourist spots within the area; after that visit Vigan and take a bus ride there heading to Manila..
Does it make sense to go to Vigan first, then to Laoag? time sensitive right?
@ Cyc
I would suggest going to Vigan, staying there for a day or 2 and going direct from there to Manila by bus. I am not totally sure if you have enough time for a side trip to Vigan and rushing to Laoag to catch a flight, unless you are ok with being in Vigan for less than a day.
Here is the info you seek -
Partas and Victory Liner have buses from Baguio to Vigan. Partas is better. Cost 400 pesos and takes around 5 hours. However do check the bus timings as there are few services every day.
My advice really would be to take the Partas bus Baguio to Vigan, stay 1-2 days in Vigan and take the direct Partas bus from Vigan to Manila. This may be quicker too.
The Vigan Manila Partas bus leaves daily at 10 am, is comfortable, and reaches Manila around 10 pm. It has rest and food breaks and I found the bus quality excellent.
In Vigan, just stay at any of the inns along Calle Crisologo (my vote coes to the ancestral house - Villa Angela, but there are a few other palces too in the vicinity)
Must see / do
1) Take a walk along crisologo street upto Plaza Garcia (at day and night)
2) Eat empanada at Plaza Garcia (yummy!) - pavement stalls
3) Take a calesa ride (horse carriage) around Vigan town (warning - most calesa drivers not speak English, many do not speak Tagalog)
4) If interested, drop by the few museums
5) Definitely see a few ancestral houses (Villa Angela would be top most on my list)
DO check the bus timings at Vigan too - (for Manila) bus services are scanty at Vigan.
This fool at Post # 2 has been spamming/self promoting today. I like what Jock calls it...spamsilog hehe.
Dont deal with a firm like stmichaelexplorertravelandtours who are spamming the forum with free ads against forum rules. Dont waste your time as your posts will be removed.
Tommo
@ Tommo
Spamsilog - now that is a good one! Maybe the carinderias will add it to their menu?