Recommend December 2010 - (Page 45)

low res Following a route that girds the island from Taipei and Keelung in the north all the way to Kenting National Park in the south, the trip touches on places such as Tainan, Taichung and Hualien, where a more sedate side of Taiwan is in evidence. Stopping at most of the island’s worthwhile sites, Goway’s Taiwan in Depth tour (approximately $1,200 pp dbl) visits cities, lakes and mountains plus a large number of exquisite villages, forests, pagodas and temples. Ranging from approximately $1,506 pp dbl, Lassen Tours (415-421-2171; lassentours.com) in San Francisco offers Taipei Special, a superb 7-day package ideal for a first brush with Taiwan. This land-only tour offers the option of a free stopover in either Hong Kong or Macau. Led by English-speaking guides, visitors have the chance to visit outlying attractions like the hot springs at Yangmingshan National Park, the aboriginal village at Chiufen, the Taroko Gorge and a Taiwanese folk arts center near Taipei. Lassen’s 4-day Deluxe Round Island Tour (from about $548 pp dbl), uses five-star accommodations and takes visitors through a loop around the island via bus and train. Stops are generally left to the discretion of the traveler. Top-notch English-speaking guides escort the group through the entire journey. Majestic Vacations (888-288-7528; majesticvacations.com) has one of the most appealing land packages in its 8-day Taiwan Discovery tour (from $729 pp dbl). It offers superior accommodations in its circle around Taiwan. Highlights include stops in places like Chihkan Lou, a rich and historic town; trips along the Love River in Kaohsiung, the country’s second largest city; a visit to the Literature and Warrior Temple in Wenwu and ends by following a northern route to Taipei, with an overnight stop in Taitung to enjoy the spa and spring baths there. New York City-based Pacific Holidays (800-355-8025; pacificholidaysinc.com) lists a 10-day Taiwan tour that will captivate most visitors. Dubbed Taiwan Horizons (from approximately $2,165 pp dbl, depending on the season) this Taiwan trek takes visitors around Sun Moon Lake, where the group participates in Buddhist rites, continuing on a southbound course before heading north to Taipei with stops in the enchanting city of Chihpen, famous for its nearby hot springs. The tour crosses Yehlie Natural Park and pauses to give visitors the chance to marvel at eerie rock formations with unlikely names like “Queen’s Head” and “Fairy Shoe.” There, too, is a stop in Wulai, the charming aboriginal village where passengers will ride a push-car deep into a natural ravine. Artisans of Leisure (800-214-8144; artisansofleisure.com) also in New York City, has a tour package that fits the eclectic makeup of the company. Discover Taiwan ($6,890 pp dbl) is a land-only package that explores a facet of Taiwan regular visitors ordinarily would miss. The tour spotlights the best of Taiwanese culture, cuisine and scenery, with accommodations in the best hotels and most exclusive resorts in the country. All touring is done with a private interpreter, guide and driver and focuses on the most interesting sites, significant temples, night markets and aboriginal settlements. The tour also allows ample time for shopping and private sightseeing. Ritz Tours (888-345-7489; ritztours.com) of Alhambra, CA, offers a smaller package that manages to give visitors an in-depth look at the wonders of Taiwan in a relatively short time. Beginning in early-2011, the company will unveil its Taiwan in a Week (from $859 pp dbl) package designed to highlight some of the most pristine areas of the island along with the vibrant city life and diverse cultures found within the country. This package consists of three nights in Taipei, followed by one night on the shores of Sun Moon Lake before heading into the scenic and enthralling areas of Kenting, Taitun and Hualien. There, too, are stops at Kaohsiung, the colorful seaport that’s Taiwan’s second largest city where travelers are taken for a stroll along the banks of the Love River after having spent the day exploring Taroko National Park. • TOURISM BUREAU, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS, REPUBLIC OF CHINA (2) T13 http://www.ritztours.com http://www.lassentours.com http://www.majesticvacations.com http://www.pacificholidaysinc.com http://www.artisansofleisure.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend December 2010

Editor's Notes
Hotel Desk-Marriott International
Tour Talk-Globus
Services-SABRE; Apple Vacations & Travel Impressions
Ritz-Carlton
Hertz & Hawaii
Las Vegas
Tauck World Discovery
Florida
Southwest Airlines
France
Ireland
Italy
Delta Air Lines & Rail Europe
China
Thailand
Singapore Airlines
2011 Taiwan Travel Planner
Tahiti & Goway Travel
Costa Rica
Brazil & Avanti Destinations
Egypt
South Africa
Abercrombie & Kent & Isram World of Travel
Israel
Jamaica
Sandals & Beaches Resorts
St. Lucia
GOGO Worldwide Vacations
Cancun
RIU Hotels & Resorts & Apple Vacations
Riviera Maya
Celebrity Cruises & Royal Caribbean International
Princess Cruises
Carnival Cruise Lines & Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Crystal Cruises & Viking River Cruises

Recommend December 2010