Highlights: Guided full-day city tour Trip to Chiufen
What you get
Taiwan was formerly known as "Formosa," meaning "beautiful," a name given by Portuguese explorers passing by on the way to Japan in the 16th century. It is its dramatic and fertile beauty that has made Taiwan attractive to foreign powers such as the Portuguese as well as the Spanish, Japanese, and Dutch - all of which tried their hand at colonial rule - and more recently tourists, who are just starting to learn of its charms.
If you are looking for world-class Asian art, you may be surprised to learn that 10% of the world's greatest Chinese artifacts are stored in giant catacombs in the mountain behind the not-to-be-missed National Palace Museum in Taipei.
Perhaps one of the main reasons why Taiwan is such an enjoyable country to visit is its rich spiritual heritage. Taiwan’s landscape is sprinkled with spectacular temples, their roof eaves curling heavenward to attract good fortune and repel evil, whether it be in an industrial park, commercial center, or farmers' fields, or at the end of a lantern-lined lane in a quiet neighborhood. The temple interior, far from churchly solemnity, is a feast for the senses and a riot of animation.
Taipei, the capital of Taiwan is a thriving metropolis, with soaring skyscrapers, shopping malls, nightclubs, chic restaurants and whatever you would expect from a thoroughly modern capital city.
On this holiday you will be able to take it all in. With a full day guided city tour you can explore what Taipei has to offer. You will also get some free time to explore (or shop) at your own leisure.
