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Taiwan Travel Guide
My travel guide for Taiwan, formally known as the Republic of China, covers my insights on the top places to visit, what to expect, how to get around, safety, scams, logistics, and more to help you plan your visit. Top Attractions In Taiwan Taipei Taipei is Tawian’s capital. Nestled between the sea and the mountains, it offers a unique blend of modernity and traditional Taiwanese culture. From the iconic Taipei 101, a symbol of national pride in its skyline, to the more the traditional architecture and brilliant colors of its best temples, like Longshan and Baoan Temple, and exploring one of its oldest streets, Dihua Old Street, lined with well-preserved…
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Best Things To Do In Taipei | Night Markets, Landmarks, & Day Trips
Nestled between the mountains and the sea, Taipei is a fusion of modernity and tradition, with a variety of fun and engaging things to see and do. You can enjoy the vibrant energy of its famous night markets and try its tantalizing street food, see its iconic landmarks, like the Taipei 101, explore ancient temples, learning about their deities, and discover its past at historical sites and museums. And if you want to escape the city, there are many picturesque day trips, like Jiufen Old Street, Shifen Old Street, serene waterfalls, rejuvenating hot springs, and more. This post highlights the best things to do in Taipei, and a glimpse into…
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Dragons, Deities & Love At Longshan Temple Taiwan
If you only have time for one temple in Taiwan, I recommend Longshan Temple. The primary deity of the temple is Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, although there are many more deities here. One of its other most famous deities is Yue Lao, the deity of Love and Marriage, who also draws a lot of attention. He can help you find a love match or, if you’re already part of a couple, strengthen your relationship. There’s also Mazu, the Sea Goddess, Wenchang Dijun, the God of Literature, Guan Yu, the God of War, and more, making this a very beautiful and interesting temple. This post covers Longshan Temple in Taiwan,…
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Magical Shifen Old Street, Its Sky Lanterns, & Its Waterfall
Visiting Shifen Old Street makes a perfect day trip from Taipei for its captivating blend of tradition and beauty. Experience the train that runs through it very narrow main street, which is lined with shops and cafes, make a wish by releasing a sky lantern, try a variety of Taiwanese foods, shop for souvenirs, and see impressive Shifen waterfall tumbling over a rocky cliff. This post covers Shifen Old Street, its train, its magical wishing lanterns, and its waterfall, as well as how to get here and what to expect. Shifen Old Street The town of Shifen was built around the rail line here over a hundred years ago, which…
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Experience The Healing Waters Of Jiaoxi Hot Springs
Set in the lush landscape of northeastern Taiwan, Jiaoxi Hot Springs (also known as Jiaosi Hot Springs) is a sanctuary for relaxation and rejuvenation. Jiaoxi is known for its mineral-rich waters and the peaceful atmosphere of its hot springs, making it a tranquil escape that’s just under an hour from Taipei. It’s easy to visit as a day trip, or, stay a few days to enjoy a resort with a hot spring bath in your room. This post covers how to get to Jiaoxi, what to expect there, and where to stay if you decide to stay longer. Jiaoxi Hot Springs Taiwan is rich with thermal springs as it sits…
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Gems of Jiufen | Day Trip to Charming Old Street
A day trip to Jiufen Old Street from Taipei will charm you with its traditional hillside architecture, narrow streets and quaint hillside steps lined with colorful lanterns, shops with a variety of tempting Taiwanese foods, tranquil teahouses, brilliant temples, and magnificent coastal views. If you can stay for a day or two instead, it’s even better, as you can add in the ambiance of seeing the blazing colors of its lit lanterns and temples. You can also add in additional excursions, like learning about its gold mining history, as Jiufen was once the most prosperous gold mine in Taiwan, and some picturesque day hikes. Jiufen As noted above, Jiufen was…
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Hiking Teapot Mountain To Discover Its Breathtaking Views
If you only have time for one hike in Taiwan, I recommend hiking Teapot Mountain for its breathtaking views of the northern coast of Taiwan and the sea beyond. The trail is full of lush greenery, rolling hills, a rocky cap that looks like a teapot (which is how this mountain gets its name), and three red pagodas that offer a stunning backdrop to the scenery that unfolds around you. In this post, I detail out how to get to Teapot Mountain, what to expect while hiking there, and share some of its unforgettable views. Hiking Teapot Mountain Teapot Mountain is a moderately challenging hike in northeastern Taiwan. It’s located…
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Republic of Slovenia Travel Guide
This travel guide for the Republic of Slovenia features the top places to visit, what to expect there, how to get around, safety, scams, logistics, and more to help you plan your visit. Top Attractions In Slovenia Ljubljana Ljubljana is Slovenia’s capital and an enchanting city to visit. You can explore Medieval Ljubljana Castle, which sits majestically on Castle Hill overlooking the old town. Learn its legends and myths and see spectacular views of the city from the tower. Especially near sunset. In addition to its historical significance, there are also cafes and restaurants here to dine in its elegant atmosphere with a view. You can even taste Slovenian wines…
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Discover The Best Things To See In Trieste | Hidden Gem Of Italy
Nestled on the east coast of the Adriatic between the sea and Slovenia, Trieste is an interesting town that entices travelers with rich history, grand architecture, delicious food, and a vibrant cultural scene. Often overshadowed by its more famous Italian neighbors, Trieste offers a unique blend of Italian, Austrian, and Slovenian influences from its diverse past, making it an off-the-beaten-path destination. From exploring its elegant Piazzas, to its grand palaces and castles, old Roman ruins, and fresh local cuisine, Trieste promises an unforgettable experience. This post covers the best things to see and do in Trieste Italy. Best Things To See & Do In Trieste Have Coffee At Piazza Unita…
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Tiny Home, Big Adventure | My Eco Stay Escape In Slovenia
When I travel, I look for unique hotels and Airbnb’s to have different experiences in different cities, often changing my accommodation every two to three nights. When doing this, I prioritize places owned by locals to ensure my dollars go to locals instead of large corporations. I also stay at places that are more environmentally friendly, to make sure I’m travel more sustainably. On my trip to Slovenia I stayed in several interesting places, some with fabulous views, but one of the most interesting stays was an eco stay in a tiny home in the woods. It was located near several charming cities near the Adriatic coast and run by…
