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A visit to Tainan should definitely be part of your Taiwan itinerary. Not only was Tainan the official capital of Taiwan between 1624 and 1887, it is also Taiwan's oldest city. And did you know that this part of Taiwan was once a Dutch colony (between 1624-1662 and...
A visit to Tainan should definitely be part of your Taiwan itinerary. Not only was Tainan the official capital of Taiwan between 1624 and 1887, it is also Taiwan's oldest city. And did you know that this part of Taiwan was once a Dutch colony (between 1624-1662 and 1664-1668)? Tainan is therefore the perfect destination to learn more about Taiwan's fascinating history and the best place to visit some of the oldest and most beautiful temples in the country. In this guide, I share all my tips for what to do in Tainan, with top attractions, historical sites and beautiful temples. Plus some useful travel tips for when you plan to visit Tainan. Things to do in...
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For true foodies, Tainan is a must-visit on your Taiwan itinerary. There's a reason why this city is known as Taiwan's food capital. I spent 4 days (3 nights) in Tainan and discovered many great places to eat or have coffee during that time. Whether you're planning to...
Located on Taiwan's east coast, near the city of Hualien, lies the spectacular Taroko Gorge National Park. With its impressive marble cliffs, dramatic landscapes, ancient temples, and intensely blue water, this is definitely one of the highlights of my time in Taiwan....
A city trip to Taipei might not be the most obvious destination given the time it takes for most of us to get there. But if you're planning to spend more time in Taiwan, then visiting Taipei will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your trip. I begin and end my...
If you still need a reason to travel to Taiwan... the food is fantastic! The charming street food stalls on every corner, the amazing night markets, the strong influences from both Chinese and Japanese cuisine, and of course, authentic Taiwanese food. In this Taipei...
Taiwan is an amazing country to visit. It is quite modern, so you don’t have to worry much about getting from A to B or finding places to sleep. However, for many of us it’s a country on the other side of the world with from time to time its own ‘instructions’. Are...
Taiwan is one of those destinations where you really feel that you're traveling. I don't speak the language, you won't run into Western tourists all the time, there's delicious food on every street corner, and it has the most stunning nature. I have 2,5 weeks to...
I'm spending two weeks in Chiang Mai. With all the stories I'd heard about digital nomads choosing this city as their base in Thailand I figured there must be enough to do and see to keep me busy for two weeks. After the first two days I'm wondering if maybe I was...
I know, writing about where to eat in Bangkok (or Thailand) and not mentioning street food is kind of unacceptable. But with so many stories already out there about where to find the best street food, what Thai food you must try, etc.... I thought I'd focus on another...
Tourists and digital nomads have clearly discovered Chiang Mai, Thailand’s second city. Mostly known for the over 300 Buddhist temples, these days you’ll be just as impressed by the number of hotels, restaurants and trendy coffee shops. They’re everywhere. Finding a...
Whether you're visiting Thailand to lie on a tropical beach or explore the hipster coffee scene in Chiang Mai, your first stop is probably going to be Bangkok. I'm not using Bangkok simply as a jump-off point to visit the rest of the country. It's my first time in...
I’m currently in Bath (the city, not the tub) where I’ll be ringing in the new year. It’s the last day of the year. The final blog post of 2018. Time to make travel plans for 2019 and look back at the beautiful places we visited this year. I didn’t travel as much as...
When Lonely Planet chooses a photo of one of their top sights as the cover for their Indonesia guide, you want to make sure you've seen it before leaving the country. Which is why after 4 days in Yogyakarta, I'm taking an eight hour train to Malang in East Java. With...
After the first couple of days in Tokyo, we continue our trip through Japan in Kyoto. By now the worst of that terrible jet-lag (that never seems to end) is behind us. And we're getting better at finding our way in this country that feels so structured and organised,...
Trying to kill some time on my flight from New Zealand to Malaysia, I start thinking about how I want to spend the coming days. And I realise how little I know about this country, and Kuala Lumpur - my first destination - in particular. I’ve seen pictures of those...
Before we dive into this Bali travel guide I have to warn you. If you're looking for a super active, packed low-budget itinerary, this is not the post for you. There was just one goal I had in mind when I was planning my trip to Bali and that was to enjoy every second...
I'm spending the last three days of my three month trip in Singapore. Three days and three nights before I'm flying back to Amsterdam. It's a strange thought that once I leave Singapore, I'll have to start thinking about everyday life things again. Work, cleaning my...
The Warehouse Hotel in Singapore may look brand new, but there's a lot of history here. Yes, the hotel opened its doors earlier this year, but the heritage building - built in 1895 - has had several other purposes before it was turned into the modern design hotel it...
Visiting Penang in Malaysia wasn't really planned. At least not when I started my three-month trip. I knew I would end my journey in Singapore, but when that moment came closer and closer I still didn't know where I would be the week before. The original plan - as I...
I'm seeing snow on the side of the road. And I'm cold. So incredibly cold. We just arrived in Koyasan (Mount Koya) after a long journey from Osaka to stay at a Buddhist temple. It took a metro, three trains, one steep cable car and a bus to get here and to...
There are normally three reasons why I would like and recommend a hotel. One, the interior design looks modern and beautiful. Two, the hotel is super luxurious and has thought of the little details to make my stay very comfortable. Or three, the staff is so nice and...
"And this is Charlie Chaplin and his wife, having a tea ceremony with my aunt in this room." I'm looking at the black & white picture and love that even though she has probably showed this to many of her guests over the years, you can tell that she also...
Blog posts with lists, like 8 interesting things to do & see in Yogyakarta can be practical when you're planning a visit to Java, Indonesia. But it doesn't really show you what the city looks and sounds like, the people, the weather, how impressive some of the...
When you take many photos - whether it's on your phone of with a big expensive camera - you'll sometimes get one shot that stands out. One you keep looking at. It doesn't necessarily have to be perfect, it may not be fit to show in an art gallery,...
After two weeks in Japan, I'm starting my three weeks Indonesia in Yogyakarta. What a transition! The traffic with what seems like millions of motorcycles, the heat, the squat toilets (toilets are becoming a theme on this trip), the smell of food, and men asking...
If you think Tokyo is just another big city, comparable to New York and London, then you're up for a big surprise. This city is different! It's organized and chaotic, calm and loud, crazy and overwhelming at the same time. As much as you hear about Tokyo, you have to...
It doesn't matter how long you plan to stay in Japan. It will never be enough. After your first day you'll want more. More food, more interesting (and often quirky) culture, more beautiful sights, more cities, more nature. And life will never be the same again...