Taipei has held a special place in my heart since I first visited in 1994, the summer before I went to university in Britain to study Chinese, a language I was drawn to because of my interest in Taiwan and its unusual international situation. After periods studying and working in Taipei over the years, I returned full-time in 2019 as the Reuters Taiwan bureau chief. I have covered everything from elections and semiconductors to the thriving pop music scene, a blast from the past given the hours I spent as a young man perfecting my Chinese skills at all-night karaoke sessions. Taiwan is so much more than microchips and geopolitical tensions. Here is how to spend time in the capital and its environs, the local way: An exhibit at the National Palace Museum. REUTERS/Ann Wang Where to...
Read MoreYear: 2025
Whether you’re visiting solo or with your significant other, Armenia has everything to make this Valentine’s Day unforgettable While Armenia is often associated with its rich history and stunning landscapes, it is also a hidden gem for a romantic winter escape. This captivating country provides everything from exhilarating outdoor adventures to cozy, intimate retreats. Here’s why Armenia should be at the top of your list this winter season. Adventure Awaits: Thrilling Winter Activities For those seeking adventure, Armenia delivers an array of winter activities to match every thrill-seekers desires. Skiers and snowboarders can explore the scenic slopes of Tsaghkadzor, a charming resort town nestled in the stunning Mount Teghenis, or head to the modern MyLer Mountain Resort n...
Read MoreThis Ramadan, Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island invites guests to indulge in a memorable celebration filled with tradition, exquisite flavours and breathtaking views. As always, the resort promises a remarkable Iftar and Suhoor experience, but this year, there are even more reasons to celebrate. An Exquisite Iftar Experience The Iftar buffet at Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island is a grand affair. The buffet features a rotating menu to ensure a fresh and diverse experience for returning guests. Authentic Ramadan specialties such as lamb ouzi, chicken biryani, grilled lamb kofta and shrimp moghrabieh. The live-action stations, featuring freshly prepared chicken shawarma and Arabic mixed grill, are guest favourite. A variety of flavourful soups, fresh salads and hot starters add to the...
Read MoreRed Bull Skydive Team member Max Manow has redefined the boundaries of aerial adventure in a stunning world-first. Over the dramatic landscapes of the Little Colorado River Tribal Park, Navajo Nation - a side arm of Arizona’s iconic Grand Canyon - the German skydiver leapt from a helicopter, latched onto a nosediving plane in mid-air, and ascended out of Hell Hole Bend canyon. From there, he embarked on what he calls his “endless skydive,” an achievement that is as daring as it is unprecedented. Luke Aikins flying his experimental plane with Max Manow and Marco Fürst above the Little Colorado River Canyon during the Endless Skydive project on the Navajo Nation in northern Arizona, USA on November 11, 2024. Photo: Michael Clark / Red Bull Content Pool Highlights The Feat: Mano...
Read MoreThailand launches year-long tourism and sports celebration targeting 40 million visitors and 3 trillion baht in revenue Thailand has officially launched the "Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year 2025", a grand initiative celebrating the nation's cultural heritage, diverse tourism experiences, and world-class sporting events. The campaign will feature year-round tourism festivals, high-profile sporting tournaments, and exclusive travel privileges, reinforcing Thailand's position as a global leader in tourism and sports. With an ambitious goal, Thailand aims to attract 39 million international visitors and generate 3 trillion Baht in tourism revenue by 2025. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatrastated: "Tourism is a key driver of Thailand's economy...
Read MoreLooking to discover a renewed sense of wellbeing or to escape for a weekend of top-to-toe pampering! You can reset and recharge with AvaniWell’s new signature wellness retreat packages. Available exclusively at Avani+ Hua Hin Resort, multi-day Reset and Recharge programmes combine accommodations, healthful meals and curated activities ranging from physical to aesthetic and meditative, ensuring a holistic wellness journey. The two-night Reset Retreat is the perfect weekend escape, offering a supervised system reboot in a serene environment. For those looking to deepen their commitment to wellbeing, the four-night Recharge Retreat provides a more comprehensive experience, ideal for planning out a personalised wellness roadmap and achieving long-term health goals. Both packag...
Read MoreLodge manager and chef, George Newling-Ward, has once again transformed the food and beverage offering at a popular southern Thai ecolodge — Anurak Community Lodge beside Khao Sok national park in southern Thailand. His aim is to make food and drink at Anurak Lodge a reason to visit as much as hiking, biking, kayaking and planting trees in one of the most visually spectacular nature settings in southeast Asia. After a previous stint as manager at the ecolodge between 2018 and 2022, Newling-Ward, an acclaimed chef from the British Virgin Islands, returned to Anurak Community Lodge in October 2024. His motivation, second time around, was to offer mouthwatering southern Thai specials with high quality international favourites, while using the lodge’s own herb garden and locally-...
Read MoreA New Zealand mountain is granted personhood, recognizing it as sacred for Māori
A mountain in New Zealand considered an ancestor by Indigenous people was recognized as a legal person on Thursday after a new law granted it all the rights and responsibilities of a human being. Mount Taranaki — now known as Taranaki Maunga, its Māori name — is the latest natural feature to be granted personhood in New Zealand, which has ruled that a river and a stretch of sacred land are people before. The pristine, snow-capped dormant volcano is the second highest on New Zealand’s North Island at 2,518 meters (8,261 feet) and a popular spot for tourism, hiking and snow sports. The legal recognition acknowledges the mountain’s theft from the Māori of the Taranaki region after New Zealand was colonized. It fulfills an agreement of redress from the country’s government to Indigenous...
Read MoreMinor Hotels has announced the upcoming debut of NH Collection in Spain’s Balearic Islands, with NH Collection Ibiza to launch in April. Sir Joan hotel in Ibiza, recently acquired by AX Partners, will undergo a refurbishment in line with NH Collection's premium standards before relaunching under the new brand this spring. Following a comprehensive refurbishment in 2017, this current renovation will further enhance both the quality of its facilities and its services, including the gastronomic offering which will feature a new restaurant and cocktail options. With this, the new five-star NH Collection Ibiza aims to become one of the benchmarks of premium tourism in Ibiza, now with the service and benefits of a great brand to provide unique and unforgettable experiences to its customers. ...
Read MoreAvartana, known for its blend of tradition and innovation, has quickly become a culinary destination that’s transforming the way we think about South Indian food. Avartana expanded its legacy to ITC Maratha, Mumbai a year ago. Since then, it has been offering an entirely new dining experience, one that takes you on a gastronomical journey through South India’s rich flavors with a modern twist. But Avartana isn’t just a place to eat, it’s an experience. Each dish is a work of art, thoughtfully crafted by chefs who take months to perfect recipes. Every bite offers a story that mixes old-world traditions with creative techniques, making you feel, taste, and see food in a whole new way. Chef Diptii Jadhav, the heart of Avartana’s kitchen, has been with the restaurant since its incep...
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