By Danny Newman Staying present is a key skill for any traveller to develop. The more I reflect on it, the more I come to see the discipline of mindful travel as the only way to reap the full rewards on offer, whether you are traveling alone for the first time, or a veteran world …
Lion’s Head Mountain (also known as Shitoushan or 獅頭山) is one of the most underrated attractions in Taiwan. Whether you enjoy hiking, are interested in Taiwan’s Buddhist and folk religious culture, want to spend a night in a temple, or simply want to get off the beaten track in Taiwan, Lion’s Head Mountain should be …
Museums have never really been my thing. I lived in Taipei for five years before I ever stepped foot in the National Palace Museum, one of the most important museums in the Chinese-speaking world. But I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the comparatively small Museum of World Religions Taipei (世界宗教博物館), the only …
Looking back at our unforgettable honeymoon in Italy, the Cinque Terre portion of it was definitely the highlight. If you are considering having a honeymoon in Cinque Terre, or even just going there for a romantic getaway, then you will definitely not be disappointed. Cinque Terre, or “Five Lands” is a rugged coastal region in …
If you’re considering an Italy honeymoon or even just a romantic getaway in the boot of Europe, then we can’t recommend it enough. The romantic appeal of Venice’s canals, Cinque Terre’s cliff-hugging villages, and to-die-for Italian cuisine had us entranced before we even stepped foot in the country. Italy’s attractions include 54 UNESCO World Heritage …
Burma Street (Mandarin: 緬甸街) goes by many names. Myanmar Street is derived from the country’s official name today, while many still prefer the Southeast Asian nation’s former name, Burma. The actual street in Zhonghe, a crowded district of New Taipei City, is called Huaxin Street (華新街), while the New Taipei City government officially goes with …
Before I took my parents, wife, and one-year-old son on a trip from where we live in Taiwan to Phuket in Thailand (see the difference between Taiwan and Thailand here!), I was on a mission to find the best place to stay in Phuket for families. Most importantly, we wanted to be very close to …
Kyoto blew me away. Japan’s ancient capital is a mecca for temple lovers, with so many magnificent historical structures that the city was sparred during WWII campaigns. The city without any doubt deserves a top spot on your Japan travel itinerary. There are so many things to do in Kyoto that you really need four …
Qufu, China is a small but ancient town 550 kilometers south of Beijing in Shandong. This province is famous for three things: Qingdao beer, Tai Shan (Mount Tai), and Qufu, the hometown of Confucius. The Temple of Confucius Qufu is the largest and most important Confucius temple in the world, and together with the adjoining …
Meditation is an often-misunderstood word. For many it conjures up images of cave-dwelling ascetics or posh retreats in Bali. But meditation for travelers can come in many forms, and doesn’t necessarily require isolation, silence, or sitting in a lotus pose for set period of time. It can even be as simple as staying present while …
