Getting The Most Out Of Taipei

Just off the coast of China you´ll find the beautiful island of Taiwan, which is small in size but rich in culture. After flying into the capital city of Taipei the smartest thing to do is hop on the bus and get busy- believe me, you don’t want to miss a thing!

Temples, Temples, Temples….and some Impressive Architecture

You don’t have to go overboard, but there is a lot to see. In a city of 2.5 million people, Taipei is home to nearly as many must-see religious sites! However, for an early morning start with a spiritual slant, head to 2-28 Peace Park where you can observe the locals practicing their daily tai-chi, relax and feel the calm of this morning ritual infuse your soul. Of course, you should also feel free to join them in their early morning contemplation if you think you have the discipline!

To being your temple trek the place to start is the Longshan Temple, built in 1738 it is always abuzz with visitors and worshippers alike. No matter the time of day, or day of the week, this temple always seems to attract a crowd, and no wonder; take the smell of incense combined with the musical chanting of the monks and one can’t help but be inspired. Like most temples in Taiwan this temple worships deities from Buddhist, Taoist and other folk religions, and makes for an interesting change from our churches of the West.

If its an incredible piece of architecture which you can´t resist, then come and enjoy the Chinese-style Confucius Temple. Modeled on the temple in Confucius’ home town, this site dates back to 1928. Each year a huge, costumed , music-filled celebration is held there on Confucius’ birthday and to make sure you don´t miss it this year get there before the  28^th September. It´s a night to remember!

Additionally, a trip to Taipei 101 should be a must on your architectural ”to-see” list. At 508 meters, once the world’s tallest building, this skyscraper offers phenomenal panoramic views. And for all thrill-seekers it should be noted that Taipei 101 holds the record for the fastest elevator in the world, taking only 40 short seconds to get from the ground floor to the 89^th floor observation deck.

The Night Markets

Although there are nearly as many wonderful night markets in Taipei as there are wonderful temples, it is the Shilin Night Market which is by far the most famous. This is for good reason; while lined with rows of shopping stalls, carnival games and more, the real treat is the mouth-watering array of food that´s available. Some grilled squid on a stick? Or perhaps some stir-fried intestines may be more tempting? No matter your choice, it has to be said that no visit is complete without sampling the famous stinky tofu.

River Cruising Through Europe

A trip to Europe sounds fascinating. The architecture, fashion, food, and wine – I can’t wait to experience it all! Some like to backpack and others like to spend their entire paychecks on a luxury hotel, but here’s a different option for you to consider.

Cruising

I’m not talking about a big cruise liner trudging down the Mediterranean, but of a trip on a different scale. Did you ever wonder what sailing through central Europe would be like? Well, when you hop on board one of the small ships run by Avalon Waterways you’ll soon find out. Avalon Waterways is bringing a new twist to European cruising and it’s a trend that’s catching on fast. With your accommodation and meals included it’s a great deal, a bargain! Plus, you have knowledgeable staff members on hand to help you plan all your sightseeing activities for stop-overs. This new way of traveling by river cruiser truly has it all.

The waterways that the Avalon ships cruise down literally run though the heart of Europe. Docking at medieval town squares and charming villages you are guaranteed to get the most out of your river cruising vacation.

Travel Longer: Keep Your Costs Low!

When you are on holiday you don’t want to start pinching pennies, but at the same time you do normally want to keep your expenses in check and within budget. If you are already traveling on a low budget you´re sure to find tips on cost cutting during travel very useful but the fact of the matter is that even when you aren´t restricting yourself to apples and bread, it helps to save money where you can so you have the opportunity to go crazy on those bigger, unmissable experiences. So, with that in mind here are some tips to help you keep those basic travel costs low and under control:

Plan your Travel Well!

Before you even start packing for your trip you can save hundreds of dollars simply by planning wisely. To begin with, chalk out your dates and then start by looking for the best airline deals; allow yourself to be slightly flexible on the dates and you´re in with a chance of cutting your costs significantly. It may be a good idea to sign up to newsletters from websites such as TravelAdvisor to get the most updated deals and discounts. It goes without saying that booking your tickets at least a month in advance will let you get the best possible rates while a willingness to travel with low budget airlines makes trips as cheap as chips!

Green Travel Demystified

It is a fact that most people are likely to envision difficult travel and multiple discomforts when the term ‘green travel’ is mentioned. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. The hard truth is that, even when you are traveling, all you need to do to preserve and protect the environment is make an effort! It is nowhere near as difficult as many people think and to make things even easier, there is the sure satisfaction of knowing that you have significantly reduced your carbon footprint on this earth.

So, what is Green Travel?   

“Green-travel” has become a buzzword in the travel industry and amongst environmentally conscious people. It is known by many different names; “responsible travel”, “eco-travel” and “sustainable tourism” are but a few. While the meanings of these terms may differ by degrees, they essentially infer that you make the effort to protect and preserve the natural environment you are visiting, to embrace it as it is rather than trying to adapt it to your own requirements or expectations. “Green” travel encompasses environment-friendly voyages, accommodation and activities, but on a broader scale it speaks to respecting native cultures and traditions and contributing to the local community.

Poetic Framing – A Pilgrimage to Neruda’s Homes Gives A Deeper Meaning to Traveling in Chile

If the prospect of planning a trip to Santiago de Chile seems overwhelming at first, why not take a novel approach: organize it around a pilgrimage to the homes of native poet Pablo Neruda. Because major events in the poet’s life repeatedly intersected with significant moments in Chilean history, you’ll be amazed how much you can learn about Chile’s past and cultural heritage just by traveling to and walking through the former residences-turned museums that inspired and sheltered this artist during politically turbulent times. Though certain themes pervade all three of the poet’s remaining homes in and near Santiago (such as unusual layouts, an organic add-on-as-you-like rambling expansion, and a penchant for collecting all things bizarre and nautical), each manages to express something distinct about the owner and to maintain its own flavor. One house, La Chascona, can be found in a bohemian quarter of Santiago. To visit the other two, you will have to venture just outside the city for a pair of easily accomplished day trips to the nearby towns of Valparaíso and Isla Negra—it’s a great excuse to see something of the region surrounding the capital.

Start out in your base: Santiago. Tucked away in a corner of the ever-trendy and artistic barrio Bellavista where antique homes, street performers, and restaurants/clubs pulsating with music after dark are all equally common, you’ll find La Chascona. The home shares its name with Neruda’s longtime lover (and eventually third and final wife), Matilde Urrutia, whom he nicknamed a Quechua word for a woman with wildly unkempt of disheveled hair. The place was conceived of as a clandestine love nest for the pair while Pablo was still with Delia del Carril—in fact, he discretely kept Matilde cloistered there for an full year before officially leaving Delia and moving into La Chascona, himself. The home is permeated by a sense of connection between the two down to the last details: even the iron bars across the windows spell out the letters “P” and “M.” Befitting a lover’s hideaway are the secret passageway, tiny spiral staircase, and bedroom stowed away in the top of a tower that all contribute to the romantic charm of this home. It also played an important role in the last chapter of Pablo’s life. Immediately following his death, La Chascona was raided and vandalized by the military and then flooded. Nevertheless, it was the site of his wake; and mourners marched from La Chascona to the cemetery where Neruda’s body was originally interred. Pinochet’s coup d’etat had succeeded only days before, and he had explicitly forbidden public morning for Neruda. Deliberately violating curfew and marching from La Chascona to the cemetery, thousands of Chileans participated in what was essentially the first public protest against the new regime.  

South Korea: A Tour to the DMZ

It’s one thing to visit a site that was once a part of history, but it’s a totally unique experience to be able to visit a place that is still very much a part of history in the making. North Korea and South Korea have been at war since WWII and the Demilitarized Zone is a heavily guarded part of that reality.

While visiting the DMZ (Demilitarized War Zone) might sound a little scary, I’m here to tell you that I’ve been there and the tours are extremely professional and you’ll walk away like you just had an out of body experience. Most companies offer either a half day or full day tour and so let’s look more closely at what might be right for you.

The First Step

I’m going to state the obvious. You want to fly into South Korea. Let’s not be confused as to who our friends are. South Korea is an extremely tourist friendly country and also has the world’s best airport! Be sure to fly into Seoul and you can make DMZ arrangements from there.

Safety Tips for Women Traveling Alone

We are women and nothing can hold us down! We’re independent, savvy and we want to see it all. Traveling solo has many benefits, but here are a few tips to make sure you stay safe along the way.

Dress Appropriately

You may be tempted to pack that new little sleeveless dress or those comfortable short shorts that show of your new tan but little do you know that what you’re really doing is setting yourself up for disaster.

You are being watched. Let’s face it, it’s true. Especially if you’re going to a homogenous country, you will stand out. A very important tip to safe traveling is to blend in with the crowd. I can’t emphasize that enough. This is not the time to look overly sexy or to encourage guys hitting on you.

Remember that anything that glimmers or is shiny is bad. Flashy jewelry screams that you are rich and that you will have lots of money on you to rob. Also stay away from costume jewelry. The thieves won’t know the difference and you will still be a target. 

Wine Tasting Tours in South Africa – The Eco Friendly Way

Located at the southern tip of Africa, South Africa is a country of diverse cultures and languages. Thirty miles east of Cape Town is a little town called Stellenbosch which is known for its tasty wine and gorgeous scenery. This charming town will take your breath away as you explore the array of vineyards and beyond.

To Tour or Not to Tour

As the second oldest town in South Africa, Stellenbosch is considered by most to be the hub of the wine industry. One has the option of visiting multiple vineyards on their own, or booking a tour. While I was there I decided to go with a tour company.

Let’s Be Responsible Tourists – The Eco Friendly Tour

When you think of wine tours you may not automatically think of your Eco Friendly tour options, but I’m here to tell you that you should. Hiking and biking are two very good ways of seeing the local terrain although there are other options too. I have highlighted a few top touring companies below, each having their own unique twist.

The Other Side of São Paulo – Brazil’s Working City Is a Surprise Hit with Art Lovers

Many visitors to Brazil make Rio de Janeiro their first (and only) stop. While the city has earned its reputation as one of the most beautiful places in the world, you’ll find that São Paulo, a little over 200 miles to the southwest, deserves a thorough exploration as well. Think of them as sisters: Rio is the glamorous favorite, while São Paulo is the more serious, hardworking, and often-overlooked one. As the financial center of Brazil, this is where the country roles up its shirtsleeves and gets down to business; but that doesn’t mean São Paulo is lacking in creative energy. Quite the opposite.

With a larger population than any other city in the southern hemisphere, São Paulo was bound to produce its own distinctive brands of art and to host some of the world’s most exciting cultural events. In fact, it is home to an internationally-renowned Art Biennale, Fashion Week, and International film festival as well as many museums exhibiting works by major artists of the past and present. If you have any doubt that São Paulo is an important player on the world’s art scene, make Instituto Tomie Ohtake (Avenida Faria Lima 201; http://www.institutotomieohtake.org.br/) your first stop. Not only will the bold architecture stop you in your tracks, but once you step inside, you’re likely to view works by artists and designers ranging from Karim Rashid to Jean Dubuffet.

Travelling By Road: Planning for a Road Trip

A road trip can be very adventurous and exciting. It can be thrilling to drive past scenic routes, meet different people along the way, experience different cuisines and cultures and bring back happy memories that can last a lifetime.

However, if you have not planned for your road trip well, this thrilling adventure can quickly turn into a nightmare. If you got lost for a long time, or if did not know that the weather forecast of your destination was heavy rains, it could spoil your entire trip. Similarly, if you have not carried enough supplied that you are going to need on the trip, you will find yourself spending loads of money on buying essential stuff instead of spending it on things and activities you like. That is why it is very important that you carefully plan for your road trip.