Hipster Hangouts – Eat and drink in London’s coolest secret spots

Hipster Hangouts – Eat and drink in London’s coolest secret spots

by Audrey on March 1, 2015

Whereas London used to be famous for its vibrant theatre scene and Big Ben, in recent years the city has become synonymous with beards, craft ale and gourmet coffee. Hipsters are everywhere, but in the UK their spiritual home is definitely East London.
If you’re visiting the city for a long weekend or a quick break and are looking for the coolest hangouts, explore London like a local. Many visiting tourists are beginning to rent apartments in London, especially in the trendier neighbourhoods as well as visit some of these up-and-coming pubs and bars before they become overly popular (and thus uncool). You should probably grow a beard too, if you want to blend in with the locals…

Flickr Creative Commons – Travel Junction

The Old Blue Last, Shoreditch
This traditional pub is owned by hipster favourite Vice magazine and is frequented by a mix of staff members and readers. Drinks are reasonable (for East London), they often have live bands playing and it’s open later than most other pubs in the area. It’s a rough around the edges, which is part of its charm and you might up chatting to some of the Vice crew in the smoking area outside.
The Nest, Dalston
If you like clubs that are so dark you can’t see your own hand, you’ll love The Nest. It’s so dark that you won’t really be able to see any of your fellow dancers, but you can you be sure they will all be sporting trendy haircuts and/or beards. The Nest is a great place to go if you like house and techno music – they consistently have impressive line-ups and it’s open until the early hours.
The Blind Beggar, Whitechapel
For (grizzly) local history, you can’t get much better than Whitechapel. The area is famous for being the site of many of Jack the Ripper’s murders and it was also the Kray Twins’ neighbourhood. In fact, the Blind Beggar was where the Kray Twins committed the murder that finally sent them to prison. But don’t let that put you off – the Blind Beggar has a huge beer garden (complete with a tank of giant carp in the corner) and serves really good hot dogs and fries.
Cereal Killer Café, Brick Lane
Just up the road from The Blind Beggar you’ll find The Cereal Killer Café, which serves over 120 types of cereal from all over the world (their most popular cereals are crazily-coloured, insanely-sugary American cereals like Lucky Charms). When it first opened some journalists claimed it was a ridiculous idea, however the owners knew their target audience very well (hipsters) and the novel idea has really taken off.
Gokyuzu, Haringey
Green Lanes is the place to go in London for Turkish food, but Gokyuzu is one of the most well-established. The restaurant opened in 1999 and serves authentic Turkish food. It’s one of those places Londoners like to think of as ‘their secret spot’, so if you hate feeling like a tourist head to Gokyuzu. You might have to queue, but the prices are great and the food is delicious.
(Text from: http://www.backpacking-travel-blog.com/destinations/hipster-hangouts-eat-drink-londons-coolest-secret-spots/)



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Enjoy your vacation in Perth

Unleash your exploring mind and feel the alluring power of natural amazing wonders of Perth. Plenty of incredible attractions in and around the Perth are ready to immerse everyone with fun-filled activities. Perth is your perfect gateway to explore the Western Australia in a right way. What are the excited activities will you do there? Smash your time and divide it into various parts to enjoy the amazing man-made attractions, beautiful parklands, nature and marine life, art and culture, shopping and more.

Flickr Creative Commons – claresnow

Refine your search and discover the unique of Perth by visiting the most spectacular Island destination Rottnest. Rottnest Island is one of the Australia’s most important Islands with clear crystal blue waters unspoilt by pollution. On arrival at Rottnest Island, love to headed for the Bike and Bus ride option to reach the Wadjemup Lighthouse. There Quokkas are almost everywhere on the Island that welcomes you with its tiny physic. The view is fantastic and a visit to one of those islands is, definitely, well worth it.
No one is not ready spoiling their entire Perth trip, without taste the most warming tourist destination of Perth that’s the Perth Zoo. Reach within five minutes from the heart of the city, the Western Australian’s iconic wonder Perth Zoo which filled with lush gardens and naturalistic exhibits that are home to over 1,200 animals from around the world.
There walk among the Australian animals and get to know your local wildlife and then explore the Asian Rainforest animals such as elephants, tigers, Sumatran Orangutans, or go on safari through the African Savannah in search of rhinoceros, lions and giraffe. Want to enjoy the animals in close up? Book one of the daily Eye to Eye animal encounters and you could have the chance to feed a giraffe and hand shake with a Galapagos Tortoise or be a Zoo Keeper.
Now this is a time to discover the underwater treasures of Western Australia’s vast Coastal line by visiting the Aquarium of Western Australia. There you would’ve a chance to watch the displays of WA’s most poisonous fish, octopi, shells and sea snakes. Wander through a 98m underwater tunnel along with the impressive sea spices such as gargantuan stingrays, turtles, fish and sharks.
Adventure seekers or thrill seeker can snorkel or dive with the sharks in the giant aquarium with the help of the in-house dive master. For this you’ve to book in advance. Everything is fine until we landed in a right accommodation. Plenty of people lost their happy trip by selecting the inappropriate accommodation spots, though you’ll find a diverse range of accommodation to suit all budgets and styles all across Perth, Book cheap hotels in Perth and completely enjoy your trip.
Various choices of hotels, motels, resorts, self-contained apartments and villas, caravan and camping sites, holiday homes and more are waiting to make your Perth trip awesome. Plan your trip in a right way and explore each stunning wonders of Perth.
(Text from: http://www.backpacking-travel-blog.com/destinations/enjoy-vacation-perth/)

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It’s Time to Explore Germany’s Black Forest

It’s Time to Explore Germany’s Black Forest

The first things that might come to mind when the Black Forest is mentioned are cute cuckoo clocks, sweet gateaux, or the much-less sweet Grimm’s fairytales. However, there is much more to this stunning part of Germany than many travelers realize. The region is the perfect spot for outdoor activities like cycling and hiking, and is also home to a variety of top-notch spas to soothe tired muscles after long days of exercise.

Source

Located along Germany’s border with Switzerland and France, the Black Forest area has been shaped, over the years, by both its history and its location. If you’re keen to see just what this region, immortalized in fairytales, has to offer, read on.

Dreamy Spas

Within the city of Baden-Baden, famous for its spas, lies the crown jewel health and well-being destination, Friedrichsbad. With stunning mosaics, a dome, and a Carrara marble pool, this popular bathhouse gives off a neo-Renaissance palace vibe, and combines Roman and Irish bathing traditions. The facility has been relaxing visitors for more than 125 years with a bathing sequence that involves 17 different steps. The long-ritualized process involves changes in temperature and baths, plus scrubbing, and dunking into the site’s thermal waters.
Famous novelist, Mark Twain, was a fan of the establishment, and once commented in a letter to a friend that “at the Friedrichsbad you lose track of time within 10 minutes and track of the world within 20.”
Another top spa is located within the decades-old Parkhotel Wehrle in Triberg. The Sanitas Spa has wrap-around windows to provide views over the nearby forested hills, plus a kidney-shaped pool for relaxing in. Sanitas, which opened in 2007, is home to a relaxing, waterbed meditation room, beautifully-tiled hammams, a whirlpool, sauna, and steam rooms.
Treatments at the spa are varied, with options including reiki, Ayurveda-based therapies and rhassoul clay wraps.

Source

Top Treks

Less than 10 miles east of the reservoir lake of Schluchsee, and near the pretty town of Bonndorf, there is a wild gorge called Wutachschlucht that is a top site to explore. The deep gorge was shaped by a fast-flowing river and is flanked by almost vertical rock faces. Here, on the southeastern fringe of the Black Forest, visitors will find a fascinating microclimate filled with flora and fauna such as ferns, spot orchids, lizards, and butterflies. Hikers can travel along the eight-mile trail that leads upstream to a rest house (once an old watermill and inn) at Schattenmuhle.
Another great spot to walk begins at the small hilltop chapel of Martinskapelle, at the head of the Breg Valley. The spot is around seven miles southwest of Triberg and sits at one of the sources of the Danube River. From the chapel, hikers can enjoy an easy and very scenic walk that winds its way through pristine forest to the lookout tower at Brendturm.

Source

Incredible Cycling Tracks

Cyclists are well advised to book a ticket on the Schauinslandbahn cable car that is situated around four miles south of Freiburg. The 20-minute trip takes travelers to the more than 4,000-foot Schauinsland peak where, apart from stunning views, there is a lookout tower and variety of cycling and walking trails to explore. In addition, biking enthusiasts can choose to make their way downhill on one of the longest off-road scooter tracks in Europe.
On a bike, the region around Freudenstadt is also well worth exploring. Forested valleys, quaint villages and spectacular landscapes sit around the fringe of the district town and provide a variety of interesting paths for tourists to follow. There is the over 50-mile-long Kinzigtal-Radweg route that goes to Offenburg, or the more than 40-mile Murgtal-Radweg track that runs north along the Murg River to Rastatt.

Scenic Drives

If you’ve snagged cheap airfare through funjet.com or Flights.com to Germany and want to enjoy some scenic drives that are picture perfect, you won’t be disappointed in the Black Forest region. To learn about the story of clock making in the area, take the Deutsche Uhrenstrasse, the German Clock Route. This looping drive takes travelers through a variety of towns that have been creating the iconic cuckoo clocks for hundreds of years.
If wine is of more interest to you, take the Badische Weinstrasse route from Baden-Baden to Lorrach. The journey along the winding, 100-mile-long Badische Wine Road runs through Rhine Valley vineyards and past ruined castles. Travelers can stop along the way to sample and buy fine wines at co-operatives and private vineyards.

(Text from: http://www.backpacking-travel-blog.com/destinations/time-explore-germanys-black-forest/)

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Italy Travel Guide

Photo copy by PA2LS Lisa 

Italy is a country in Southern Europe. Together with Greece, it is acknowledged as the birthplace of Western culture. Not surprisingly, it is also home to the greatest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world. High art and monuments are to be found everywhere around the country. It is also famous worldwide for its delicious cuisine, its trendy fashion industry, luxury sports cars and motorcycles, diverse regional cultures and dialects, as well as for its beautiful coast, alpine lakes and mountain ranges (the Alps and Apennines). No wonder it is often nicknamed the Bel Paese (the Beautiful Country). Two independent mini-states are surrounded entirely by Italy: San Marino and Vatican City. While technically not part of the European Union, both of these states are also part of the Schengen Area and the European Monetary Union (EMU). Apart from different police uniforms, there is no evident transition from these states and Italy's territory, and the currency is the same. Italian is also the official language in both countries.

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Top Things to Do and See in Italy

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See the Venice Carnival 

Photo by Anne Hanley 06 Feb 2015

This tradition goes back centuries and is one of the biggest parties and festivals in Italy. If you have the funds, you can even pay to attend a traditional masquerade ball. Make plans early though – the entire city becomes packed and very expensive, so it will definitely change your Venice experience.

Explore Venice

Photo by Alex Wynick 27 November 2013

The city of Rome is a wonderful place of small streets and history. The city has so much to see and do, you’ll need to make several trips to even scratch the survace. Make sure you explore the Trastevere student neighborhood west of the river. It’s my favorite place in Rome, and it offers cheap food, great little bars, and tiny winding streets few tourists venture to.

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Visit Siena 

Photo by www.italia.com 

Everyone always says “I looooove Siena” and with good reason. It’s one of the best preserved medieval cities in Italy and has a labyrinth of lanes gathered around the arena of Piazza del Campo (where, during the summer, they have horses racing).

Visit Alberobello

Photo by admin, 9 July 2014

A Unesco World Heritage Site, this is an interesting and picturesque little town, which is well worth a visit between the months of November and April (to avoid the flocks and gaggles of tourists). There are a couple of museums to peruse through, in addition to some great restaurants, bars, and markets.

Admire the Vatican Museums

Photo by http://www.tours2dream.com/tour-rome/vatican-museum-st.-peters-basilica-3619

If you have the patience to wait through the lines, this is one of the most grandeur collections to see while in Rome. Founded in the early 16th century, it is a complex of museums on over five hectares of land. There are so many priceless highlights, you could spend hours just looking at them and glazing over the thousands of other pieces. Consider getting a guide to make the museum come to life.

Text from http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-guides/italy-travel-tips/, http://wikitravel.org/en/Italy

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Rome, Italy Travel Guide - Must-See Attractions and Tips

Kwan SO

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FINDING TIME IN THE COOK ISLANDS

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

FINDING TIME IN THE COOK ISLANDS

People often talk about 'island time'. Usually as a way of excusing slow service or a late departure or even the complete non-delivery of an expected holiday amenity. Typically imparted with a hearty laugh and a beaming smile, island time is either utterly charming or infuriating depending on the type of person you are. If you're a stickler for detail and precision, and expect slick, deferential interactions from robotic staff, then maybe the Pacific isn't for you.

Of course many tourism operations in the Pacific now deliver precision in spades but fortunately (for mine) island time still sets the tone and pace of life in many corners of this delicious part of the world. 

Time in the Pacific is a bit of a rubbery thing. It seems to sloooow down, and there's the international dateline to deal with (lose a day here, gain one there, arrive before you depart), it's madness. 

Kia Orana - Welcome to the Cook Islands.
The Cooks is a nation of 15 islands scattered across nearly 2 million square kilometres of The Pacific. That's roughly the same area as Mexico, and yet all 15 islands together make up a landmass of just 240 square kilometres - about the size of Canberra. Green needles in a blue Pacific haystack. Rarotonga - the main island and gateway to The Cooks is a jewel. Known to most simply as Raro, its mountainous, green heart is surrounded by concentric swoon-worthy rings of yellow, turquoise and deep, deep blue. Ringed by a single road that can be driven in 45 minutes or so, and plied by a pair of bus routes - Clockwise and Anti-Clockwise - Raro is pretty, almost ridiculously so. A dreamboat of lagoons, beaches, sunshine and hips that move to the beat of drums and traditional song in mind-bending ways. Life here is mostly slow. Like the tide. This is proper island time. 

Muri Lagoon, Rarotonga

Image courtesy of www.busaboutraro.com

A favourite with Kiwis for many years, and an emerging destination for Australians and North Americans (We're onto you, Kiwis), The Cooks are at an interesting point in their tourism development. Demand is building, but there are few large resorts or hotels, nor much space to develop new ones, and airlines are deploying limited capacity into Raro. Demand and supply circling each other, waiting for one to make the first move. The sprawling ruins of a false-start by Sheratonsuggests, perhaps, that we've been here before.

But Rarotonga is ready now. World class everything, pretty much. Quality accommodation from not a lot to a few thousand a night for all the bells and whistles and then some. Hole-in-the-wall restaurants and bars scattered every few metres it seems, never far from wherever you are, hills for hiking (if you must), impressive cultural and folkloric attractions, every water sport (no ghastly Jet Skis, thankfully) under the sun. Plenty of that, too. And a lovely, proud and welcoming people all in sync with a pace of life that seems eminently sensible when you experience it first hand. 

Dancing at Te Vara Nui Cultural Village

No matter what you get up to here, all the while the Clockwise and the Anti-Clockwise buses will rumble reliably around the island in opposite directions, picking up and dropping travellers and locals off at just the pace required. I reckon they affect the sense of time here. One going forwards. One backwards. Time slows, almost to a stop. Almost. For inevitably, someone will eventually tell you it's time to go. Back home where there is no Anti-Clockwise bus to temper things. Just the quickening of time.  

Captain Cook - for whom the Islands are named - never saw the speck that is Rarotonga. Don't live like Cook. Come. Find the time. There's plenty here.

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A motu in Muri Lagoon, Rarotonga



Low tide in Muri Lagoon, Rarotonga

The beach at Rumours Luxury Villas & Spa

View from a bed in the Platinum Villa at Rumours Luxury Villas & Spa

This would have been an interesting encounter

One of the friendly Muri Lagoon locals

      welcome to cook islands!

ZILIANG HE

HEZID1402

Top thing to do in FIJI

This museum captivates visitors with a journey into Fiji’s archaeological, political, cultural and linguistic evolution. To enjoy the exhibits in chronological order, start with the displays behind the ticket counter and work your way around clockwise. Original examples of musical instruments, cooking apparatus and jewellery – including chiefs’ whale-tooth necklaces – and a daunting array of Fijian war clubs and cannibal utensils give a vivid insight into traditional life. Taking centre stage is the massive Ratu Finau (1913), Fiji’s last waqa tabus (double-hulled canoe), which measures 13.43m long and includes an enclosed deck for inclement weather.

Nestled in rugged, grassy mountains, Navala is by far Fiji’s most picturesque village. Navala’s chief enforces strict town-planning rules: the dozens of traditional thatched bure are laid out neatly in avenues, with a central promenade sloping down the banks of the Ba River. All of the houses here are built with local materials; the only concrete block and corrugated iron in sight is for the school, Catholic church and radio shed (which houses the village’s emergency radio telephone). The rectangular-plan houses have a timber-pole structure, sloping stone plinths, woven split-bamboo walls and thatched roofs. Kitchens are in separate bure, and toilets in bure lailai (little houses).

Sawa-i-Lau is the odd limestone island amid a string of high volcanic islands. The underwater limestone is thought to have formed a few hundred metres below the surface and then uplifted over time. Shafts of daylight enter a great dome-shaped cave – 15m tall above the water surface – where you can swim in a natural pool. With a guide, a torch and a bit of courage, you can also swim through an underwater passage into an adjoining chamber. The walls have carvings, paintings and inscriptions of unknown meaning. Similar inscriptions also occur on Vanua Levu in the hills near Vuinadi, Natewa Bay and near Dakuniba on the Tunuloa (Cakaudrove) Peninsula.

The Yasawa Islands are a sea kayaker's delight; a region of sparkling azure waters and white sandy beaches fringed by coral reefs. For five days we paddle through the beautiful, remote islands following an itinerary dictated by the tides and the sun. We kayak for three to four hours each day, leaving plenty of time to enjoy snorkeling an underwater paradise, visiting traditional villages and relaxing on palm fringed beaches.

Snorkel the Fijian coral reefs, swim in the blue water or simply relax and enjoy the natural beauty on this Fijian full-day cruise.

Your cruise includes continental champagne breakfast, beach BBQ lunch and all beverages including beer and champagne, so come aboard, and let yourself be pampered for a day.This is the ultimate cruise to the Fijian islands. You'll visit Snorkel Island, located in the Mamanuca group.Take the opportunity to snorkel the coral reefs as all snorkel equipment including masks, snorkels and fins will be provided. Your cruise includes a continental breakfast, beach BBQ lunch and beverage service. All beverages are included, such as soft drinks, beer, wine and spirits along with tea, coffee, milk and fruit juices will be available during the entire day free of charge.Cruise Route: You'll visit a private and exclusive uninhabited 'schooner' island paradise plus you'll also sail by four additional islands namely Malamala, Vunavadra, Bounty and Treasure Islands within the Mamanuca groupChampagne Breakfast includes:

• Freshly baked scones, danish, toast, fresh fruit served with Champagne, fruit juices, coffee and tea

BBQ Lunch includes:

• Chicken, fish, roast beef, sausages served with coleslaw, potato and tossed green salad, fresh bread, dessert and fresh fruit. All meals are freshly prepared on board by the chef.

This national park protects over 80% of Taveuni's total area, covering about 150 sq km (57 sq mi) of rainforest and coastal forest. The park has the three Tavoro Waterfalls near the falls' visitor centre, each with natural swimming pools. The first waterfall is about 24m (78ft) high and only 10 minutes' walk along a flat cultivated path.

The second waterfall, 30 or 40 minutes along, is a bit smaller but also has a good swimming pool. The track is quite steep in places but has steps, handrails and lookout spots to rest. If you are a keen walker, try the Vidawa Rainforest Trail.

Take a leisurely boat trip up the Navua River, passing traditional villages and through untouched beauty of waterfalls and gorges, join in a Kava ceremony, enjoy a Fijian lunch and swim in the fresh mountain water on this full-day tour.

You'll be picked up from your selected hotel to begin your journey on a motor boat which takes you up the river past villages and through beautiful scenes of untouched nature before arriving to Nukusere village. Meet the locals and enjoy a traditional Kava ceremony followed by and tropical Fijian lunch. Enjoy a swim in the clear fresh mountain water and visit specialty shops before returning down the river. You'll arrive at your hotel at approximately 6:30pm This tour operator is the winner of the "AON 2007 Fiji Excellence in Tourism Award for Inbound Operator of the Year.

Milly Wang

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Thing to do in TAIPEI, TAIWAN

Looking for things to do in Taipei? No visit to Taiwan is complete without a stop in its capital.

Steeped in history and culture, Taipei provides its visitors with world-class restaurants, picturesque monuments, exotic night markets, and intoxicating temples – all in a safe, cosmopolitan cityscape.

There’s a little something for everyone in Taipei, and it’s the ideal place to use as a stepping-stone for exploring the rest of Taiwan.

Things to do in Taipei

One could easily live in Taipei for years without seeing all that it has to offer.

However, if you’re only in Taipei for a few days, there are certainly a few major attractions to include on your bucket list.

Taiwan Temples

Taiwan is primarily a Buddhist nation; temples to various gods are present all over the country. In Taipei, be sure to check out the following temples:

The Longshan Temple is one of Taipei’s oldest, dating back to 1738. It is a multi-denominational temple worshiping Buddhist, Taoist and Matsu deities.

Longshan Temple

The Confucius Temple is devoted to the memory of Confucius, China’s greatest teacher, and offers free tours and classes to further its tradition of education.

This temple values simplicity, and lacks some of the adornment popular in other temples.

Confucius Temple

The Xingtian Temple is one of Taipei’s busiest, and is dedicated to Guangong, the god of war and martial arts.

Xingtian Temple

At many of the temples in the city you’ll find people praying with incense sticks and leaving food for the gods.

It is also common to see people throwing small oracle blocks to the ground. This is a method of fortune telling, in which ‘yes/no’ questions can be answered via the way the blocks land.

 Sun Yat-sen Memorial

Sun Yat Sen

Sun Yat-sen is considered the founder of modern China; the Sun Yat-sen Memorial serves as a monument to the leader as well as a social and educational center.

There is a decent museum that provides information on Dr. Sun, although little of it is in English. The changing of the guard is an interesting watch.

Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial

Chiang Kai Shek Memorial

In addition to the Sun Yat-sen Memorial, be sure to stop by the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial.

The memorial grounds include the National Concert Hall and National Theatre, a beautiful area to wander with locals on a late afternoon. Tourists can also climb the stairs at the memorial to view the colossal statue of and tribute to the late Chiang Kai-Shek.

 National Palace Museum

National Palace Museum

If you enjoy museums, then a visit to the National Palace Museum is a must.

Taiwanese have a running joke that this is the place to go should China ever decide to bomb as it is filled with the world’s largest collection of Chinese art.

Some of the pieces date back thousands of years into Chinese history, including Buddhist artifacts inherited from the Forbidden City.

Yangminshan Park

For nature lovers, we recommend a stop at Yangmingshan Park.

Just on the outskirts of the city, Yangmingshan has mountains to climb, rivers to trace, and gardens to wander. There are options for all fitness levels, and the mountains are truly stunning.

Best Neighborhoods To Explore in Taipei

Danshui

One of the amazing things about Taipei is that one moment you can be walking past towering skyscrapers and world-renowned stores like Gucci or Prada, and the next you can be meandering down small alleyways with traditional red lanterns adorning small, family owned restaurants.

Our advice would be to set out in any direction and get lost.

• Da’an is a great district to start your explorations. The contrast between old world charm and modernity is everywhere.

• Danshui is a quaint, riverfront neighborhood on the outskirts of Taipei. Check out its bustling Gongming St and waterfront walkway, where street vendors, performers and carnival games are plentiful.

• Beitou is the best neighborhood in Taipei to experience hot springs. Stay at a chic hotel with private hot springs, or simply take a dip in the public hot springs open daily. Remember to bring your swim cap though—they’re required!

Where To Eat In Taipei 

The night markets!

If you want to truly understand Taiwanese culture, then experiencing a Taiwanese night market is a must! They’re chaotic and crowded, but night markets provide an intimate look at how many Taiwanese spend their weekends. And of course, the food is delicious!

Be brave and try the stinky tofu or chicken hearts on a skewer, or opt for the safer oyster omelets and fried chicken. Be sure to wash it all down with a signature pearl milk tea.

If you are looking for a sit-down dining experience, be sure to visit Din Tai Fung. The famous dumpling house has venues all around the world, but it originated in Taipei.

For an eccentric, one-of-a-kind restaurant, try one of Taipei’s theme restaurants. It’s not so much about the food as the ambiance; remember to bring your camera! Some of the more popular options are the Barbie Café, Hello Kitty Sweets, and the Modern Toilet (where, you guessed it—all the food comes served in toilets!)

While the food is just average, a stop at the Taiwan Beer Brewery is a great place to sample the local brew and enjoy live music.

You Can’t Visit Taipei Without Eating?

Beef noodles

Taiwan’s national dish, there is even an annual beef noodle competition where chefs compete to create the most scrumptious variation.

A pile of noodles, chunks of fatty beef, and a simple beef broth combine to create this sensational dish. Each restaurant has its own unique flavor; experiment until you find your favorite!

Where To Stay In Taipei

Unfortunately, accommodation costs much more in Taiwan than in many other Asian countries.

Don’t expect to find $7 a night guesthouses like you might in Vietnam! We haven’t had huge luck with hotels in Taipei and much prefer to use a website like Couchsurfing or Airbnb to find accommodation.

However, there are lots of options, especially if you don’t mind spending a bit of money on this aspect of your travels.

Budget

Happy Family Hostel – A basic but clean hostel with an excellent location across the street from the bus station. It’s simple, but at around $15.00 for a 4-person dorm, it’s also a great value.

Mid-Range

Most hotels in Taipei will fall into this category. There are literally hundreds of hotels going for around $60-$100 a night. Expect small rooms with mediocre ‘western’ style breakfasts.

Luxury

W Taipei - It commands an ideal location in the Xinyi district and boasts a large contemporary art collection from around the world. We haven’t personally stayed here, but we have heard good things.

Shopping and Markets in Taipei

Shopping at Wufengpu

If you’re looking for unique, budget purchases, then head to Taipei’s night markets.

Along with food and beverages, you’ll find clothes, trinkets, souvenirs, shoes, and home goods. You can find almost anything! Shilin is Taipei’s biggest night market and one of our favorites.

Taipei has a weekend Jade and Flower market. This is the best place to pick up handcrafted souvenirs and jewelry. The local disabled population makes most of the handicrafts, so it’s also a great way to give back to the community.

If you’re looking for clothes, nothing beats shopping at Wufenpu. Here you’ll find over 100 wholesale clothing shops. You can literally find anything here, including purses, belts, women’s clothing, men’s clothing, baby clothing, puppy clothing (seriously), jewelry and shoes.

Wufenpu is as inexpensive as it gets in Taiwan, and all of my proudest purchases have come from here.

Festivals and Events in Taipei

Taiwan’s numerous festivals are reason enough to visit the island!

If you’re in Taipei after Chinese New Year, be sure to check out Lantern Festival, which portrays hundreds of large themed lanterns, traditional Chinese lanterns, and modern electric lanterns.

Every spring, the small town of Jhuzihu outside of Taipei is overcome by white, delicate Calla lilies, as field after field bursts into nearly two million blooms during the Calla Lily Festival.

Finally, in June, attend (or even take part in!) the dragon boat races in honor of Dragon Boat Festival.

Best Place For A Night On The Town? 

Remember that Taiwanese don’t party so much. If you want to drink with Taiwanese, your best bet is to head to a local restaurant with large, round tables.

Often Taiwanese will invite you to join them, and before you know it you’ll be taking shots of Taiwan beer all night long. Remember, the term ‘gambe’ means bottoms up!

There are many western style bars and clubs to keep you going until the wee hours of the morning. Revolver and The Brass Monkey are almost always packed with foreigners and good places to socialize.

Dance the night away at the club Luxy, where occasionally there are performances by popular artists like LMFAO.

Getting Around Taipei

Taipei is an extremely easy city to navigate.

The MRT (metro) can get you just about anywhere in the city at a very affordable cost.

There’s also numerous bus lines and of course taxis. Most locals drive scooters, though you will need a Taiwanese license to rent one and it can be extremely dangerous driving in the traffic if you’re not used to it!

Finding Wi-Fi in Taipei

Wi-Fi is available for free at most cafes and restaurants, and even some convenience stores.

You’ll also find visitor/tourist information centers at many metro stops, where there is always free Wi-Fi and computers available for use.

But it even gets easier than that – if you have a local phone number, visit a tourist center and pick up your free registration password for iTaiwan, a free Wi-Fi network throughout the island.

Best Time Of Year To Visit Taipei?

One of the biggest downsides to living in Taiwan is the constant rain. The winters are surprisingly cold, too. We prefer the months of October and May, when the weather is comfortable and the skies very blue!

Favorite Side-Trip from Taipei?

Long Dong Taiwan

Travel in Taiwan is very convenient with its intricate train, high-speed rail, and bus networks. Plus, Taiwan itself is quite small, making trips around the island easy!

There are tons of options for day trips from Taipei, but our favorite would definitely be Long Dong – stunning scenery, world-class rock climbing, and great hiking and scuba diving.

If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, you’ll love Long Dong. The east coast of Taiwan is arguably the most beautiful, and just a few hours away from Taipei by train.

Best Insider’s Tip for Taipei

Whatever it is you need, head to a 7-eleven first. These stores are so much more than the convenient stores we are accustomed to in the west.

You can mail packages, pay bills, buy full meals and coffee (and underwear), fax, buy concert tickets, pay speeding tickets… the list goes on and on!

I love Taipei because _____?

There are so many reasons why we love Taipei, but the first answer is always the people.

Taiwanese are incredibly hospitable and generous, going above and beyond to help foreigners. I have never felt so welcome anywhere in the world!

Milly Wang

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