Taipei is one of the most open and progressive cities in Asia. A visit to the Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA) near Taipei’s Main Station will make that very clear with its thought provoking exhibits that I didn’t expect here and haven’t seen much elsewhere in Asia!
If you are surprised too, check out my Destination Guide Taipei to find out more about this interesting city!
Category Archives: Discover Destinations
While most visitors to Taiwan focus on Taipei, Taiwan has some amazing wilderness to explore. The mountains across the island are steep, the forests dense and the mountain streams crystal clear. My favorite place to hike is Taroko Gorge, a short high-speed train ride from Taipei, Taiwan. It’s a great nature getaway from the busy city and worth a side trip!
But it all starts in Taipei, so check out my Destination Guide Taipei to plan your own trip to Taiwan!
Melaka Fort Afomosa
Melaka in Malaysia has an interesting colonial history, with the Portuguese, Dutch and British each in control of the important harbor for 150 years. Throw in the presence of Chinese, Arab and Indian traders and you get a veritable melting pot with hundreds of years of history. Fort Afomosa sits on the hill above the city and offers great views over the city and glimpses into the past!
To plan your own getaway, check out my Destination Guide Melaka!
Nha Trang in South Central Vietnam is blessed with endless beaches. You can walk for miles along the boardwalk or sandy shore and enjoy the view out over the warm see. You’ll find some quirky spots like “Happy Beach” along the way – first time I saw a piano right on the beach walk! And that beach is available on a budget, with prices for 4- and 5-star hotels under $100 – what’s not to like?
Check out my Destination Guide Nha Trang to plan your own beach getaway.
Manila has an interesting colonial history and is rapidly becoming a modern city. A great place to see the contrast is at Fort Santiago, the historic, Spanish colonial fortress, with a view across the Pasig River onto the skyline of the city!
To plan your own trip to Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, start with my Destination Guide Manila!
Visiting Africa to see its wildlife is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and Etosha National Park in Namibia is a great place to do it! You can hang out at the waterholes and watch the wildlife come to you or you can go on wildlife drives, trying to find animals across the park. Either way, you’ll have an amazing experience!
Start planning your own wildlife adventure with my trip report Cape Town to Victoria Falls Adventure
Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai, the “Rose of the North”, is Thailand’s second city and a great place to escape to from bustling Bangkok. It’s a little calmer and cooler, set in the Northern mountains of Thailand. One place you shouldn’t miss is Wat Phratat Doi Suthep temple. The buddhist temple sits on top of Doi Suthep mountain and offers stunning views over the valley and the city.
Do plan your own trip to Chiang Mai, the Rose of the North, for a weekend getaway (or more), check out my Chiang Mai Guide with things to see and places to stay and eat!
Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, is one of the most popular cities in the world – and one of the busiest! If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle, Hua Hin has been the beach getaway of the Thai Royal Family – and many locals. The beach stretches for miles and you’ll find anything from little huts to villas to luxury hotels!
To plan your own royal getaway, start with my Destination Guide Bangkok and the Getaway Hua Hin!
Melaka Tricycle
I’m usually not a fan of tourist-oriented attractions, but a tricycle ride in Melaka’s Old Town, especially at night, is a fun treat: I have never, anywhere in the world, seen tricycles (or rikshas or any other public transport) seen as decorated as here. In the old days, the decoration would be elaborate flower arrangements. In 2019, they are over-the-top light shows. You can even pick a “Hello Kitty” tricycle for your tour of town.
To plan your own getaway to Melaka, Malaysia, easily reached from Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, check out my Destination Guide Melaka!
Conde Nast has published the results of their annual Readers Choice Awards, conducted with the votes of more than 600,000 readers. 50 of the best spa hotels and resorts around the world have been ranked as the best of the best. And while one can certainly argue about which one is truly the best, the list makes for a amazing … Continue reading