Travel
An elegant and romantic cruise journey—explore Europe, Hawaii, and Alaska
Cruise itineraries are available around the world, but those in the Mediterranean of Europe are arguably the top choice. Not only are the waters calm and the natural landscapes stunning, but the region also boasts diverse cities rich in cultural and artistic heritage. The Italian MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, founded in 1988, operates a modern fleet of 12 luxury cruise ships that sail to destinations worldwide, with a specialization in Mediterranean and Aegean Sea routes.
Tainan’s Golden Shower Tree Flower Season to Kick Off Next Week – Petals Falling Like “Golden Rain”
Due to climatic factors, the blooming period of the golden shower trees in Tainan’s Hutoupi Scenic Area started later than in previous years. Coupled with days of heavy rain recently, many flowers were knocked down by the downpour. The floral display is expected to be more splendid next week. After evaluation by the Tainan City Government, this year’s expanded Golden Shower Tree Flower Season has been postponed to officially begin on the 8th.
"Top 10 Islands in Asia" Annual Ranking: Thailand’s Koh Samui and Phuket Make the List
Thailand, a beloved travel destination for Taiwanese, has long been a favorite vacation spot for visitors from around the world. A renowned international travel website recently ranked the "Top 10 Islands in Asia," with Thailand taking home 40% of the awards. Phuket, Koh Samui, and Koh Tao were all selected, earning their place among the top islands for their stunning sunshine and ocean views.
Ride with the Horses: Summer Camp Horseback Riding Experience at Taichung Houli Horse Farm
Equestrian activities have traditionally been an aristocratic sport, and even in modern times, few members of the general public have had the opportunity to participate. To promote domestic equestrian sports and encourage healthy leisure activities among young people, the Taichung City Government and the Taichung City Youth Corps Committee of the China Youth Corps are hosting the “Horse Racing Frenzy – Galloping Houli” summer camp at Houli Horse Farm, with registration now open.
The most touching visit ever: Visually impaired visitors “explore” Shilin Official Residence with their hands
For people without disabilities, visiting historical sites or museums is an everyday activity, but for friends with visual impairments, exploring any kind of architecture or artifact is an extremely luxurious wish—especially for those who are congenitally blind, as they often lack the ability to imagine and can hardly grasp such experiences even through guided tours. The main building of Shilin Official Residence has specially planned a sensory experience activity to encourage visually impaired individuals to go outdoors and appreciate the beauty of Taiwanese culture.
Live seafood is directly pressurized into high-quality treats—Kamakura’s “Octopus Senbei” is bigger than your face
“Every trip leaves behind a unique ‘flavor’ that lingers in your memory.” Known as the “Cat Island,” Kamakura is surrounded by the ocean, with lush greenery adding a perfect vacation vibe to the island. But on Kamakura, this exclusive “flavor” isn’t the saltiness of the sea or the fresh scent of the breeze through the trees—it’s the island-wide “octopus aroma.”
No need to travel all the way to Taitung — you can also admire seas of golden needle flowers in Xinshe, Taichung
Want to enjoy seas of golden needle flowers? No need to go all the way to Liushizhi Mountain in Taitung. In recent years, large areas of golden needle flowers have been planted in Choutengkeng Leisure Agriculture Area in Xinshe District, Taichung City. From May to September during the peak blooming season, the vast fields of golden flowers are breathtakingly beautiful, and the fame of Xinshe’s golden needle flower seas is gradually spreading.
Eyeing the summer travel market across the Taiwan Strait, TransAsia Airways launches Kaohsiung-Xuzhou route
In response to the peak summer travel season, TransAsia Airways is advancing both its scheduled flights and charter services to capture the cross-strait tourism market. The airline announced the launch of a new Kaohsiung-Xuzhou charter service starting June 3, offering two round-trip flights per week. A inauguration ceremony was held today (June 3) at Kaohsiung’s Xiaogang Airport.
2013 Ocean Music Festival Kicks Off — Tamsui Preliminary Round Draws Huge Crowd
The international Ocean Music Festival will take place from July 10 to 14, with the highly anticipated "Ocean Indie Music Awards" revealing its list of 30 shortlisted bands. Three preliminary rounds will determine the top 10 acts that will perform on the main festival stage. The first preliminary round kicked off yesterday (2nd) at 4 PM in Tamsui. Despite the scorching heat of 35°C (note: likely a typo in source as 5°C would be freezing), the area in front of the stage was packed with people drawn in by the energetic performances of the competing bands, immersing themselves in the charm of Taiwan’s original music.
The Night View Lights of the Seaside Long Causeway, the "Little Shanghai" of Budai Port – A New Way to Play in Budai Port from Morning Till Night
Is visiting Budai Port all about eating seafood and taking photos of the High Heel Chapel? There's a new nighttime spot in Budai Port perfect for photos now – the Seaside Long Causeway is lit up with magical light shows. How can you not be tempted? During the day, you can also check out adorable cat murals.
Guling Historic Site "You Hall" Owners Unwelcoming to Tourists; County Government No Longer Recommends It
You Hall was built in the 31st year of the Qianlong Emperor’s reign during the Qing Dynasty (1766) by Huang Baiwan, an ancestor of the Huang family, as a schoolhouse. It is the only building in Kinmen featuring a garden with ponds—an uncommon sight in all of Taiwan. In 1988, the Ministry of the Interior designated it as a second-class historic site, and the Kinmen County Cultural Affairs Bureau spent tens of millions of New Taiwan dollars on its renovation in 1999. Currently, the owners have chosen not to open it to visitors due to concerns over privacy.
Travel to space in Tokyo — Embark on an "interstellar manhunt"?
“Hey, there’s a fugitive sitting right among you, and we’re about to start the chase!” The camera suddenly pans to my friend, capturing their panicked expression and displaying it at the top of the screen. Immediately after, a flurry of action kicks off as part of the “fugitive hunt.” We’re seated in high-pressure flight vehicles, speeding through various terrains to escape this international manhunt.
"Ode to Matsu" as the Wake-Up Call – Nostalgic Memories of a Bumpy Ride on the Taiwan-Matsu Ferry
"Are you sure you want to take the Taiwan-Matsu Ferry? It takes eight hours!" Even on the day of departure, my friends were still warning me. Because the airport had been temporarily closed, we were notified the previous day that we had to take a boat at night instead. But perhaps the same childlike determination I had in second grade—when I begged my dad to ride the "Sky Shuttle" at Janfusun Fancyworld—still lingered in me. So I didn’t give up on this trip to Matsu, even if the mode of transport was the "Taiwan-Matsu Ferry," which would sail through the sea all night long. And I thought to myself: how many more chances will I get to board the Taiwan-Matsu Ferry by such an "unexpected" opportunity?
Hualien Spends Big to Prepare for Summer Love Carnival; A-Mei and Jolin Tsai to Perform
Summer vacation is just around the corner! Hualien County Government has invested heavily in organizing the “Summer Love Carnival” to boost tourism in the region. Magistrate Fu Kun-chi hopes the event will help establish Hualien’s international image as a “City of Music.” The eight-day outdoor concert series will feature top-tier idols who consistently sell out stadium shows, aiming to ignite a summer travel boom to Hualien.
Crafted from three truckloads of scrap wood — Tainan designer homestay exudes “memorable fragrance”
In a city steeped in ancient capital heritage, no matter where you go, if you pause and observe carefully, you can savor a unique aura of culture and thought. Hidden in a quiet corner of Anping’s residential area in Tainan lies a quaint homestay infused with the scent of wood, constructed using about ten types of timber and the unique creativity of carpenters.
Ancient Wonders of Tamsui Awake at Night – Stay Overnight at the “Little White House” and Sleep with History
Want to go on a heritage adventure in Tamsui? Or perhaps spend the night in the “Little White House”? The New Taipei City Government’s Department of Cultural Affairs has specially organized the “Ancient Wonders of Tamsui Awake at Night” experience camp, allowing children from third to sixth grade to explore Tamsui’s historic sites more deeply through a 3-day, 2-night program and directly experience the area’s unique local life.
A dazzling diversity of bird species — the Yunlin, Chiayi, and Tainan Marathon goes “bird-crazy”
Organized by the Yunlin, Chiayi, and Tainan Coastal National Scenic Area Administration (hereinafter referred to as the Yunlin-Chiayi-Tainan Administration), the “2013 White Yunlin-Chiayi-Tainan International Birdwatching Marathon” challenges participants to spot and record the most bird species to win the championship. Scheduled for October 19 and 20 (Saturday and Sunday), registration is now open for a total of 25 teams on a first-come, first-served basis. Bird enthusiasts and the general public are welcome to join in the fun.
Pinching Tainan with Your Fingers – The Marathon Photography Contest Kicks Off
Pinching Tainan’s traditional architecture between two fingers and holding it up to admire closely, with the city’s green trees and blue skies in the frame. This photo of Tainan, which won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2012 Tainan competition, captures the contemplative gaze of appreciating the ancient city. On July 27 and 28 this year (2013), Tainan hosted the “12th City 24-Hour Marathon Digital Photography Competition,” showcasing Tainan through creative photography.
The Northeast Coast Dragon Cave Carnival Sets Sail – Little Heroes of Beihai Call on Kids and Families to Join the Fun
Longdong Yacht Port is the only dedicated yacht harbor on Taiwan’s Northeast Coast, primarily used for mooring various recreational vessels, with comprehensive entertainment and leisure facilities nearby. To enliven the harbor area and maximize its tourism economic benefits, the Northeast Coast & Yilan National Scenic Area Administration under the Tourism Bureau has organized the “2013 Northeast Coast Dragon Cave Yacht Port Ocean Carnival” themed around “The Adventures of the Little Tin Soldier.” In addition to game challenges and exciting band performances, there will also be a lucky draw activity.
U.S. Visa Waiver Is Awesome – Head to Hawaii and the U.S. West Coast with Ease
With the implementation of the U.S. visa waiver program, American travel has once again become a hot trend. Hawaii, the closest U.S. destination to Taiwan, along with the U.S. West Coast, have become popular travel choices for this summer vacation. White sandy beaches, melodious music, active volcanoes, and water activities are the first things that come to mind when thinking of Hawaii.