The 4-Day Inca Trail: A Day-by-Day Guide

A guide to doing the Inca Trail 4 Days Hike

The classic 4-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the world’s great hikes. It is the same route that the ancient Inca rulers used for reaching the sacred Citadel and New World Wonder. Along the way, there are half a dozen other major ruins, plus countless more smaller ones. Today, the 4-day trail …

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A Guide to Visiting Ollantaytambo Ruins in 2023

A guide to the main ruins at Ollantaytambo Peru

The Ollantaytambo Ruins (Ollantaytambo Archaeological Site) in Peru’s Sacred Valley is second in importance only to Machu Picchu itself. These prominent ruins overlooking Ollantaytambo townsite were the site of the only major Inca defeat of Spanish forces. Today, they are also one of the most accessible ruins around Cusco because you can walk to them …

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(2023) How to Get to Alishan from Taipei, Chiayi, Sun Moon Lake

Alishan, Taiwan

Alishan is one of Taiwan’s most popular attractions, along with Sun Moon Lake and Taroko Gorge. It is famous for its sunrises over seas of clouds, cherry blossoms, misty forests, and high mountain teas. However, getting to Alishan, and getting around the park once you get there, IS COMPLICATED! So it’s something you should plan …

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5 Must-Try Restaurants in Ollantaytambo

A guide to the best places to eat in Ollantaytambo Peru

One of my biggest surprises when visiting the Sacred Valley in Peru was the exceptionally high quality of the food. Again and again, I enjoyed high-end restaurant food and presentation, but for surprisingly low prices. Ollantaytambo, my favorite town in the Sacred Valley, is home to only a few thousand people. It is most famous …

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Visiting Taipei and Taiwan in June 2023

June is the end of spring and beginning of summer in Taiwan. Temperatures and humidity soar to levels that you will may love or hate, depending on the person. Periods of intense sunlight are balanced with higher than average rainfall, often in the form of late afternoon downpours. The event of the month in June …

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15 Awesome Things to Do in Ollantaytambo in 2023

A guide to the top sights and attractions in Ollantaytambo

Ollantaytambo is my favorite town in Peru’s Sacred Valley, and I’m not alone. So many visitors rush through Ollantaytambo on their way to Machu Picchu, or as a part of a Sacred Valley day tour like this one, and wish they had budgeted more time for it. Personally, I fell in love with Ollantaytambo from …

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30 Impressive Ruins in Cusco Region (besides Machu Picchu!)

The best ruins in Cusco region

People often associate Cusco, the ancient Inca capital, with Machu Picchu, the most famous Inca site. Many visitors fly into Cusco, rush to see Machu Picchu, and then fly out. But did you know that the Cusco region has nearly 100 other major archaeological sites, and countless other smaller ones? In this article, I’m going …

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Summer in Taiwan: Everything You Need to Know

A guide to spending summer in Taipei and summer in Taiwan

Summer in Taiwan is a season that I deeply loathe yet still look forward to every year when living in Taiwan. The summer weather in Taiwan is at its most extreme, with crushing heat, humidity, and a sprinkling of typhoons that wreak death and destruction on the island nation. Yet enduring a summer in Taiwan, …

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