Travelers dreaming of a luxury South African safari but think it’s outside their price range may be in luck thanks to a new pay-what-you-can initiative aimed at helping visitors engage with their surroundings. 

It’s all thanks to Few & Far Luvhondo, a carbon-negative safari retreat in South Africa’s Limpopo province, which launched the reservation system as a way “to challenge the old ways.” The limited program opens the lodge “to anyone who needs it, regardless of budget.”

To participate, travelers must fill out an application covering their dates, the number of guests, why they are drawn to the property, and what they are able to pay. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

“Travel isn’t a frivolous indulgence—it’s a vital act of connection,” Sarah Dusek, a co-founder of Few & Far Luvhondo, said in a statement shared with Travel + Leisure. “It nurtures our well-being, strengthens global empathy, and fuels the preservation of our planet. We launched this initiative with the belief that when you truly experience a place, you begin to care—and when you care, you naturally want to give back.

“By removing cost as a barrier, we’re making transformative, purpose-led travel more accessible without diluting its impact,” Dusek added. “Today, true luxury isn’t just comfort or exclusivity—it’s a conscious choice. It’s choosing responsibility, choosing connection, and choosing to leave the world better than you found it.”

The luxury property, which was opened by the founders of the popular glamping brand Under Canvas, features six tented cliff suites in South Africa’s Soutpansberg Mountains, surrounded by UNESCO’s Vhembe Biosphere Reserve. Guests are treated to over-the-top amenities like private plunge pools and expansive decks to spot wildlife from, along with sustainably-minded design featuring highlights like locally-sourced eucalyptus wood.

Bespoke activities beckon from guided nature walks and scenic e-bike rides to excursions to Mapungubwe National Park where you can spot elephants, leopards, wildebeest, lions, and more. In October, the lodge plans to open a solar-powered cable car, offering a unique way to take in the landscape and wildlife that call the area home.

Few & Far Luvhondo also offers the opportunity to become a conservationist for a day, including participating in a vet visit or helping the carbon sequestration team plan shrubs, trees, and grasses.

The luxury experience is extended to dinners where you can feast on five-course tasting menus in the lodge restaurant or enjoy a torch-lit meal under the stars out in the bush.

Think of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Fran, Gaudí’s Sagrada Família in Barcelona, or the Taj Mahal in India—all those architectural wonders so iconic they instantly stand in for their home cities. Can you even imagine visiting and not being able to find them?

Yet that’s exactly the grand puzzle of Santorini: our famous blue domes in Santorini are shockingly hard to pin down! They’re on every guidebook cover, behind every honeymoon selfie, and even printed on Greek yogurt tubs in supermarkets thousands of miles away—so why do we locals insist on hiding them from you?

Here’s the thing we’re afraid to tell you: taking a half-decent photograph at that world-famous visual is something straight from Mission Impossible 99 or, if you like, Homer’s Odyssey. They sit behind mazes of alleyways, crammed into crevices between hotels, or atop private terraces. And when you do spot them, you’re more or less guaranteed to elbow thirty other travelers who had the same bright idea. If it’s not the other travelers, then it’s the pro photoshoots—or just the weather working against you, such as those dreaded low- and shoulder-season squalls.

The trick, as I learned the hard way throughout my years as a local tour guide, is timing. The rule of thumb being: the more famous the dome, the earlier you have to wake up.

So, here’s my guide to finding the famous blue domes in Santorini.

Here’s a snapshot:

Book now

Mamma Oia, Here We Go Again!

Oia is the one, the big drama queen teetering on the edge between a beautiful dream and an overcrowded nightmare. The twin domes in the 19th-century heart of the village have indeed launched a thousand ships, and booked just as many flights. And they are drop-dead gorgeous even to a jet-lagged visitor—but they can also ruin your whole vacation if you come at the wrong moment.

Rookie mistake number one: arrive minutes before the sunset the first time around, camera and group primed and ready. Gorgeous glow? Sure, if you’re fine taking a quick snap over the railing and then continuing on your way. But you would be cast entirely in the shadow, not to mention the sun setting behind the buildings, entirely out of your view. The skyline was fantastic, of course, but that’s when it dawned on me: Oia’s main domes are not for sunset.

Think after sunrise but before the crowds (about between 7 a.m. and 7:45 a.m. in summer), when light pours in from the east and colors the village pale gold. Or, if mornings aren’t your thing, two hours before sunset (June to September timing)—just before the “gold” rush picture hunt begins.

What about the shoulder/low season, then, you may ask? Well, you’re in luck—March to April and October are a lot less high-stakes. The morning and pre-sunset rule still applies, but you’re on a much “looser” schedule there. 9 a.m. or one hour before sunset is just perfect!

The truth is, half the pleasure’s in finding them, especially before everyone else. Whoever said picture-taking couldn’t be competitive? On Santorini, it’s one of the two main extreme sports!

You turn off the main street down those curling, winding, gravity-defying alleys and discover that the pictures could never do it justice—the good, the bad and the wonderful.

Related read: How to Reserve the Best Romantic Sunset Restaurants in Santorini, Greece

Firo-Sorry, What Again?

Just a tiny, briefest piece of the hike to the north of Fira (the capital), is the tiny cliffside village of Firostefani, which boasts the second most famous magazine cover of the island: the Three Bells church, a former two-cave Jesuit infirmary from the 17th century. It has delighted photographers, travel writers and local guides for decades for a very simple reason—it’s the only one where you can park and shoot, that is, the only celebrity dome that can be considered accessible by any stretch.

The other positive aspect is, you do not necessarily have to be a dawn visitor here. Rather, we tend to plan the visit around the other activities and groups in town, finding a window of opportunity when it’s less busy. Somewhere around 8:00–10:00 a.m. when the light is optimal—light enough to illuminate the dome and the caldera, soft enough to avoid harsh shadows. And the crowds coming off the cruise ships? Those are still converging around Fira proper, though beware of an occasional wedding- and/or Insta-shoot.

The true challenge? Realizing you need to go up from Saint Gerasimos square, which is, by the way, another blue-domed beauty.

Related read: What to Expect and How to Book a Santorini Cruise

Instagramville

Of all the villages, Imerovigli feels the most like stepping into a photograph, with its clean, perfect white lines and sweeping angles. Perched the highest on the caldera rim (up to 1,000 feet), it’s more boutique than Oia and less commercial than Fira. Its most striking church, Anastasi, used to host an occasional destination wedding—and keeps “serving looks” and outclassing the competition.

The same rules as in Oia apply, though—come early or at the golden hour; beat the flying-dress people and other photo-chasers and enjoy the view.

Pretty-Steepos

Inland, beyond the caldera, is Pyrgos, a hilltop village boasting a former capital status, more churches than houses and UNESCO-status aspirations. Here, they seem to spring out of every place: above the courtyards, hidden away between sets of stairs, stacked higgledly-piggledly along the skyline.

What’s wonderful about Pyrgos is that there is no competition for space. As early as the morning (at sunrise in the summer) or as late as the sunset, you will typically find a place to yourself, such as the wonderful Franco’s Bar or Penelope’s Cafe (did you know it sits under a blue domed church of Transfiguration of Christ and has a picture of Yannis before he got famous on their little family picture wall)?

Climb to the summit of the destroyed kasteli (castle-like wall settlement typical of the Venetian rule in the Aegean), and you will find a vista of domes below, vineyards and sea to the horizon. It is less postcard and more living, breathing village—because it is.

Bonus Blue Domes in Santorini

Still here? Well, here’s a faithful reader’s bonus:

• Mesaria: Some of the best golden- hour shots I’ve ever taken—head over to the Argyros Mansion Museum / Markezinis Suites (yes, like the politician) and find Saint Dimitrios Church—you won’t be disappointed. A friend of mine and fellow guide who’s never ventured into these back alleyways truly fell in love with that view!
• Megalochori: Not famous for the domes, but it should be. Even the one above the new ferry port used to host bored kids gazing into the horizon.
• Perissa: Down by the Black Sand Beach by the final bus stop, and you can actually catch an evening service at ca. 7 pm. The domes here face the sea, not the caldera. Photograph them at sunrise, with the Aegean shimmering behind.

Why Timing is Everything

I’m repeating it, because it’s the most important piece of advice of them all: the more well-known the dome is, the earlier you will need to set your alarm clock.

• Oia’s duo (the third one’s a belltower!)? Get there early, around 7:00 a.m. if you want them without a crowd.
• Firostefani’s Three Bells? Mid-morning is okay, but by midday the light is too harsh and the heat gets you down.
• Imerovigli? Don’t step on any skirt trains!
• Pyrgos? Pretty much whenever, although at sunrise and sunset it’s bathed in special magic.

And if you’re tempted to go for Oia at sunset, don’t do it where the domes are. As another friend-colleague of mine does, come after dark—and admire the beautiful illumination of the glowing pools and Venus / Afroditi star in the sky.

Related read: A Guide to Ecotourism in Santorini

Ready to Find those Blue Domes in Santorini?

Santorini’s domes are its hallmark, but they weren’t built to be easy on your feet (just the eyes!). In fact, their location tended to be a sort of anti-pirate defence, protecting the families’ most precious relics. It takes early mornings, stubbornness, and a whole lot of patience.

But then, they’ll yield the photograph you crossed the seas for—and perhaps something more: a perfect moment when everything just comes together for you, the light is soft, and the domes are radiant because, and perhaps only because, they are yours to admire, if not touch—exactly like the sky they seek to mirror.

We have just wrapped up another trip to Taipei, yes, not even a year after our last one because we just felt like there was still a lot about the city that we had not explored yet.

In this article, we’re listing out the most IG-worthy attractions or the trendiest spots that are a hit among locals and tourists alike, or both!

Note: This is not in any particular order. The numbers are just there for easier reference.

1. Qingtiangang Grassland

When I first saw photos of this place online, it took me a while before I realized it was located in Taipei. It looks a bit like a Studio Ghubli scene, a bit like a K-drama location, and a bit like our very own Batanes. But this is Qingtiangang Grassland. And yes, it really is within the Taipei City limits.

Perched about 800 meters above sea level in Yangmingshan National Park, Qingtiangang Grassland is a sprawling plateau formed by ancient volcanic lava flows. But today, this is a scenic park where locals gather for picnics, tourists enjoy a leisurely stroll, and cows peacefully graze. Yes, you’ll find lots of cows here, often lowkey but sometimes photobombing tourist selfies.

They say that these almost endless green hills are in its most aesthetic state when slightly covered in fog, fostering a more cinematic atmosphere. When we visited, however, it was clear and sunny as clear and sunny could be, but it was still wonderful because it meant sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and the concrete jungle that is Taipei City in the distance.

There’s also a well-maintained walking trail that scribbles the grassland, perfect for casual walkers, reluctant hikers, and people who packed cute outfits instead of trekking gear for that slightly-leaning-on-the-fence poses. Just don’t expect a quiet moment on weekends, when it gets packed. For fewer crowds and clearer paths, aim for a weekday morning like we did! We visited on a Wednesday morning and it was pretty chill.

How to Get to Qingtiangang Grassland

• From Taipei City Center: Take the MRT or bus to Jiantan Station. From the station, catch Bus S15 to Qingtiangang. Then, walk to the park.
  Travel Time: 1-1.5 hours
• From Yangmingshan Bus Terminal: Board Bus 108, then hop off at the Qingtiangang stop.
  Travel Time: around 35 minutes

If public transpo feels like too much work, a taxi or Uber can take you straight to the trailhead.

2. Datun Falls

This is still part of the Yangmingshan National Park. To be honest with you, our intended destination here was the Yangmingshan Flower Clock, a giant clock artwork in the garden by the western entrance. However, during our visit, they had just removed the flowers to replace it for the next season. Thankfully, there’s another picturesque site not too far away. Enter Datun Falls, a multi-tiered waterfall tucked into Yangmingshan’s back trails.

To get here, you’ll have to walk for 10 minutes, and along the way, you’ll see a platform, which is a great lookout. Then, after that, you’ll stroll through an enchanting mossy arcade that will make you feel like you’re stepping into another world.

It’s not a single waterfall but a charming series of cascades, each tumbling over boulders. The main upper falls tumble nearly three stories high, while lower tiers are perfect for dramatic close-ups or even daring foot dips. It looks best in the rainy season but since it was peak summer when we visited, it wasn’t as splashy as usual. But it’s still so photogenic, especially the arch bridge straddling it. And you can also use this bridge as your vantage point for shots with the falls in the backdrop. Either way, they make for fantastic photos.

You can reach Datun Falls via public transport. Take bus lines 128, 129, S8, S9, or the 260 series to the Yangmingshan Park area, then walk to the falls. It’s a very easy trail.

How to Get to Datun Falls: Make your way to Yangmingshan Bus Terminal, then catch Bus S8 or S9 to Yangmingshan Park area (Hushan Road Sec 2). Travel on foot for 10 minutes to Datun Falls. You’ll find plenty of signs along the way.

3. Bamboo Lake

If Qingtiangang and Datun Falls can be described as vibey and moody, Bamboo Lake, also known as Zhuzihu, is the total opposite. It’s an explosion of color, like a pastel garden fiesta — flower power at its most Instagrammable. Tucked into a volcanic valley, this former lava-formed lake is now a lush field occupied by independently run gardens. Some grows calla lilies, some cosmos, hydrangeas, daylilies, and more, on rotation depending on the season.

From March to May, white calla lilies dominate the scene. Then, from May to June, violet hydrangeas and orange daylilies paint the valley in brighter hues. We visited in July, and it was mostly hydrangeas. At Liang Chien Garden, you can follow a path in between hydrangeas. Other gardens have their own installations for photos too, some even have their own café. Entrance fee is usually NTD 100 per garden.

But if you want a proper meal, head over to nearby Shanzhongyuan Wild Herb Restaurant, which serves mostly Taiwanese favorites including Hakka stir-fry, which is pork belly, dried tofu, leeks or spring onions, and garlic in soy sauce; pineapple shrimp balls, which are battered and fried shrimps with pineapples, drizzled with tasty mayonnaise and spinkled with, uhm, oddly enough, sprinkles, it’s like a party plate.

We also enjoyed the stir-fried white water snowflake stems. It’s like water spinach or morning glory, but firmer and thinner, and had a nice crunch to it and retains the flavor of its sauce really well. We also had mapo tofu, which we also liked because it wasn’t overpowered by Sichuan peppers.

How to Get to Bamboo Lake: From Yangmingshan Bus Terminal, catch Buses S8 or S9.
Travel Time: 40–60 minutes

4. Taipei Botanical Garden

The first three I mentioned are all in Yangmingshan National Park and within the city limits, but if you’re looking for something within the city center, look no further than the Taipei Botanical Garden.

It’s so green and tranquil inside that it’ll be hard to believe you haven’t left the bustling city. Yet, here we are, surrounded by nature right smack in the heart of Taipei. Established as a nursery in 1896 and officially becoming Taiwan’s first botanical garden in 1921, this eight-hectare oasis now hosts over 2,000 plants scattered along well-marked paths and wooden boardwalks through 17 themed zones, usually by plant type. There’s also a Buddhism garden. But the main attractions here are its lotus ponds, which lie just next to the National Museum of History.

On the other end of the park stands the Guest House for the Imperial Envoy, which is a historical landmark. Unfortunately, it’s temporary closed, so we could only admire its beautifully painted gates for now.

Whether you’re after a botanical immersion or a bit of history or just some good old peace and quiet, the Taipei Botanical Garden can give you a city escape packed with scenery.

In case you need a drink, you’ll be glad to know that just outside the garden are a couple of good coffee shops: the library-esque Peloso Coffee Roasters and the understated FF.Coffeeholic. We’ll discuss these in detail in a separate Where to Eat in Taipei article.

Opening Hours: Daily, 5:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Entrance Fee: FREE

How to Get to Taipei Botanical Garden: Take the MRT to Xiaonanmen Station (Exit 3), then walk for 10 minutes.

5. Dihua Street

This is said to be Taipei’s oldest street, dating back to the 1850s! This wasn’t our first time here, we’d been here just a couple of years ago. But this is our first time exploring it in style! And by style, I mean wearing traditional attires, which you can use for FREE. Just head to the Dadaocheng Visitor Center, then you just need to give a deposit worth NTD 1000, which is refundable as long as you return the garments without damage.

You can choose from any of their wide selection of attires, and you also get an accessory, which can be a bag, a pipe, or a hat. And while in your period drama era, explore the historic street, which is flanked by shophouses selling traditional medicine, tea, herbs, fabric, and more. It has always been like this for centuries! But today, you’ll also find more modern cafes and milk tea stalls.

One of the largest buildings here houses the Yongle Market. Built in 1896, this kaleidoscope of textiles spans multiple floors filled with silks, satins, lace, and tailor services. The street-level wet market is where you’ll find freshest produce, herbal teas, and snacks, too.

On the 8th floor of the same building, you’ll find Dadaocheng Theater, a branch of the Taipei Cultural Center. This is a great venue for performances, and even to this day, you can catch traditional puppet plays here. There’s also a mini-museum showcasing the various types of puppets and the history of puppetry in Taipei.

Then, just down the street is the small but extremely popular Xia Hai City God Temple. Completed in 1859 in honor of the the City God, Chenghuang, who ensures local peace and prosperity. Later on, a statue of his wife was added. Today, many visitors, especially tourists come here to pray for a happy love life.

So whether you’re hunting delicate fabric rolls, seeking divine romantic luck, or slipping into vintage threads for a retro shoot, Dihua Street is the place for you — with layers of culture, color, and charisma.

Traditional Attire Use: Rental Fee, NONE/FREE; Deposit, NTD 1000 (refundable)

6. Dadaocheng Wharf

Depending on which part of Dihua Street you’re coming from, walk for 5-10 minutes westward and you’ll eventually find Dadaocheng Wharf Plaza. From its origins as a bustling trade pier on the Tamsui River to its 21st-century renaissance as a riverside hangout, it mixes history with modern fun.

The murals on its super lengthy wall are top-notch, depicting various scenes of Taipei. You can even bike alongside it. YouBike stations and bike rental shops are available, offering an easy way to explore the 18 km riverside cycling route, which leads to Guandu or back to the city. Bike rental costs NTD 80 per hour. YouBike is much cheaper. By the way, Guandu is another underrated attraction in the city. You can read more of that and other under-the-radar places in Taipei here.

If biking isn’t your thing, how about a boat cruise? Here, you can hop on a sunset‐time river cruise heading upriver toward Tamsui and beyond. A ride offers a scenic drifting shot of iconic bridges, lush riverside parks, and of course, Taipei’s skyline, which is magnificent at sunset. You can even spot Taipei 101 from here! And it’s surprisingly affordable too, at only NTD 300 for an hour-long cruise.

It’s best to visit in late afternoon and evening, when the wharf really comes to life, especially at the Pier-5 Container Food Park, where you’ll find dozens of stalls pumping out craft beer, boba, burgers, seafood, Thai, Korean, and Italian. Grab a table seat (some atop containers!), let the river breeze flow, and snap those casual food shots as city lights glimmer across the water.

Bike Rental: NTD 80/hour
Boat Cruise: NTD 300/hour
Closest MRT Stations: Beimen or Daqiaotou Station

How to Get to Dadaocheng Wharf:

• From either Beimen or Daqiaotou Station, you can get there on foot in five minutes.
• From Dihua Street, it’s a 5-10-minute walk.

7. Huashan 1914 Creative Park

Once a 1914 winery turned art-lovers’ playground, Huashan 1914 Creative Park is Taipei’s ultimate blend of industrial charm, indie creativity, and pop-culture chic. Wandering through its weathered brick warehouses and green lawns, you’ll find everything from laid-back cafes and indie cinemas to spontaneous performances and street-art backdrops — an endless scroll of photo ops waiting to happen.

And it changes a lot! Last year, when we visited, there was a completely different set of pop-up stores and attractions. This time around, Doraemon was dominating the site. There was an ongoing 100% Doraemon and Friends exhibition and a gigantic 12-meter inflatable Doraemon attracting kids and kids at heart alike.

Next door, a whimsical Tomica toy car pop-up revved up nostalgia with mini-streets and model-display zones.
Our new friend Andrea also brought us to Legacy, the park’s signature music venue inside one of the old red-brick warehouses. She said don’t expect a mainstream club or pop scene, though, because it mostly showcases homegrown indie rock bands and performers.

Just a stone’s throw away is Syntrend Creative Park, Taipei’s go-to gadget mall packed with tech stalls selling phones, tablets, cameras, drones, and even home appliances. And when you need a caffeine recharge, Simple Kaffa Huashan Flagship is the chicest pick. Again, we’ll be discussing this more in a separate article.

8. Xinzhongshan Linear Park & Chifeng Street

Another site that we made sure to return to this trip is the Xinzhongshan Linear Park. On the surface, it’s adorned with sculptural benches, floating walkways, and seasonal blooms. But underneath is a whole new world. Welcome to the Zhongshan Underground Book Street, a hidden treasure trove of literary finds, mostly in Chinese but you’ll also find English books.

Then right across is the Eslite Underground Music Store (anchoring the Eslite Spectrum Nanxi mall), which is a paradise for music lovers looking for specific records. There are vinyls, CDs, DVDs, and others, ranging from contemporary pop acts like Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter and Chappel Roan to legends like Michael Jackson and David Bowie. There’s Milli Vanilli, too!

A few steps off the path lies Chifeng Street, once the town’s auto-parts alley but has reinvented itself as a hipster sanctuary of vintage boutiques and indie cafés. Andrea highly recommended her favorite shop here called PAR Store, which sells garments, accessories, and music records. We also visited Mitty, which sells pre-loved vintage clothes.

But the real reason we came back here was the FOOD! One of the most iconic here is Mian Xian Ding, which serves bowl after bowl of piping hot mee sua or rice flour noodles and Master Spicy Noodle Zhongshan Restaurant, famous for its well, spicy noodles and beef noodle soup.

Also within the area is the highly underrated Tiao Tong, which is Taipei’s “Little Tokyo” as it is lined with Japanese restaurants, ramen bars, izakayas and even kawaii-culture and trinket shops like Gacha Hunter (扭蛋獵人), with wall-to-wall gachapon or capsule vending machines and blind-box collectibles on display.

The Xinzhongshan Linear Park and Chifeng Street is sandwiched by the MRT Zhongshan and Shuanglian Stations, so depending on your target attraction, either could do. Tiaotong and Underground Book Street is closer to Zhongshan Station.

Closest MRT Stations: Underground Book Street (Zhongshan Station); Chifeng Street (Zhongshan or Shuanglian Station); Tiao Tong (Zhongshan)

9. Ximending

This list won’t be complete without the OG IG paradise — Ximending. I mean, I can’t think of any other free site that attracts more social media natives than the rainbow six crosswalk right by the entrance to Ximen Walker. And it’s not difficult to understand why.

Ximending is where Taipei shows up in full color — think Harajuku with a Taiwanese twist. It’s loud, it’s crowded, it’s chaotic…and it’s a vibe! This pedestrian zone is packed with fashion shops, sneaker stores, street food, and more selfie backdrops than your phone can handle. Yes, it’s gotten so touristy these days — but let’s be real, it’s trendy for a reason.

This is where local teens still hang out, artists perform, cosplayers gather, and subcultures thrive in full technicolor. But that’s not to say there are no quiet corners.

Just walk a bit further and you’ll reach Taipei Cinema Park, a chill spot with street art-covered walls, outdoor installations, and an open space where skaters, dancers, and lowkey photographers hang out. It’s way less crowded than the main square and gives off serious indie-cool energy.

There are lots of food spots, too!

Closest MRT Station: Ximen Station

10. Taipei 101 and Xinyi District

You can’t visit Taipei and not see Taipei 101. This 508-meter, bamboo-inspired mega-skyscraper once held the title of tallest building in the world, and it’s still the undisputed icon of the city. Whether you want to take photos of it or take photos from it, Taipei 101 is going to be involved in your camera roll one way or another.

Inside, 101’s lower floors are decked out with luxury brands, art installations, and one of the world’s fastest elevators that’ll shoot you to the top in just 37 seconds.

I remember my very first visit climbing to the 89th floor observatory more than a decade ago. It was mostly the view and the tuned mass damper, that 660-ton golden ball which holds the building together in shaky times. But these days, the observation deck is also bursting with installations and photo spots and it changes every time I visit.

If you wish to go up to the observation deck, you can secure your ticket in advance online through accredited booking sites like Klook!

✅ GET YOUR TAIPEI 101 TICKET HERE!

Outside, cross the road to the Xinyi Shopping District, which is a complex of malls, bursting at the seams with all sorts of shops and restaurants. This pedestrian-friendly zone is lined with gleaming malls like ATT 4 FUN, Breeze, Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, and Eslite Spectrum, where you can shop, dine, and strut. And oh, the Apple Store at Xinyi A13 is also just around the corner. Two stories of minimalist shop with floor-to-ceiling glass walls, floating staircases, and those crisp, clean displays that make you want to splurge.

By the way, Taipei is a bona-fide shopping destination. It’s not just the number of malls or the diversity of the shops, but also the competitive prices. We always find that the costs here — be it perfumes, luxury items, or even the usual chains — are much lower than in most other countries. Yes, cheaper than the Philippines, too.

And I almost forgot, don’t leave without getting that “mandatory” low-angle shot of Taipei 101!

Where to Stay in Taipei

Here’s a list of the hotels and hostels we tried in Taipei:

Search for more Taipei Hotels!

Have Peace of Mind While Traveling!

Getting a travel insurance is optional, but we highly recommend this, especially when traveling abroad. Travel can be unpredictable, and though we hope we’ll never use it, having it gives us peace of mind in case of unexpected delays, cancellations, or emergencies.

For international destinations, consider PGA Sompo’s TravelJOY Plus insurance. You can GET IT HERE. Don’t forget to use WORTHIT for a special affordable rate.

Updates Log

2025 8 29 – First uploaded

The island of Sint Maarten is known for its beautiful beaches and one of the most unique airport runways in the world, and it will soon welcome one more thing: Southwest Airlines.

The carrier will launch flights between both Orlando and Baltimore to the island’s Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) next year, according to Southwest. This marks the airline’s first new international destination since 2021.

Southwest will launch daily flights from Orlando International Airport (MCO) on April 7, 2026, followed by weekend service from Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) a few days later.

“These nonstop routes allow roundtrip connections with more than 45 airports across the U.S.,” Southwest wrote in a statement, calling the destination “one island” with “two heartbeats.”

The Caribbean island is split into two sides: the Dutch Sint Maarten and the French Saint-Martin. The main airport is on the Dutch side and known for its incredible plane spotting with the chance to see low-flying aircraft right from the nearby beach and snap memorable photos from the ocean or the sand with an up-close plane in the background. Travelers to the island can also sample classic Caribbean eats, hang out at one of the many popular beaches, head out on a scuba diving expedition, enjoy sailing excursions, and more. 

Travelers looking to get a jump start on their spring break or winter getaways can start planning now since Southwest also opened its flight schedule through June 3, 2026.

Beyond Sint Maarten, Southwest is also making it easier for travelers to head to Asia thanks to a new partnership with Taiwanese carrier EVA Air. This marks Southwest’s third airline partnership, joining similar agreements the carrier has with Icelandair and China Airlines.

The expansion comes as Southwest undergoes a host of changes. In May, the airline ended its long-standing (and often tested) policy of offering free checked bags. And in January 2026, the carrier will debut its new assigned seating policy, putting an end to its open seating format. The carrier is also overhauling its fare classes, introducing new options of “Basic,” “Choice,” “Choice Preferred,” and “Choice Extra.”

And this week, Southwest also changed its plus-size seating policy, advising customers who need more room to purchase their extra seat during booking. Previously, Southwest allowed plus-sized passengers to either request a free additional seat at the airport or pay for the extra seat and receive a refund after the flight. The new policy will go into effect on Jan. 27, 2026.