Budget Travel | Hotel | Culture | Cruising

Author: Travel to Maui

Plan early when booking your trip. This will allow you to the best promotions available and will save you money as well. A good rule of thumb is 4-12 months prior to your travel dates will get you the best prices.
Hire a travel expert. As a Maui travel agent we are made aware of travel specials to Hawaii before they are made public. With our local contacts at the properties and insider information we have saved our clients hundreds of dollars on their travel packages to the Hawaiian Islands!
When packing your luggage consider what you can live without and what you can’t! With the new baggage fees checking in a second piece of luggage could end up costing you an additional $50-100 round trip.
If you do tend to over pack, or buy too much on your trip, then send yourself home a package! With the flat rate priority mail package you can send up to 20 pounds for as little as $10.70 to anywhere in the United States.
Get to the airport on time. Most airlines suggest up to 2 hours prior to flight time.
When traveling make sure and bring small bills to tip the porters, skycaps, and bellman. You don’t want to be searching for change when the time comes to tip.
Don’t leave your valuables in the trunk or under the seat of the car. Especially when renting a convertible or jeep.
When checking in to the hotel or resort please is patient if your room isn’t ready until check in time. Check in time is normally 3 pm or later. Check out time is generally noon. This allows the cleaning crew time to service your room.
When traveling during busy times please don’t expect an early check in or late check out. If you have a redeye flight home consider booking an additional night on the hotel if you want to check out later than noon.
Stay away from the in room minibar! Even better don’t take the key when you check in. Some hotels will actually charge you if you even move an item. I learned this one firsthand!

For more travel tips to Hawaii or to request a quote for a travel package please visit our website at www.traveltomaui.net

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-tips-articles/hawaii-travel-tips-2665641.html

About the AuthorTravel to Maui provides quality travel packages to Hawaii and beyond.

Tags: Travel Tips

Author: Jonathan Williams

Taiwan is also known as Treasure Island for its beautiful scenery and landscapes. The island is a popular destination for tourists who want to enjoy its grand mountains, theme parks, beaches, and cultural offerings. Enjoy its friendly people, fine weather, excellent tourist facilities, and convenient transportation.

1.) Mt. Yushan

Don’t miss seeing the Jade Mountain, Mt. Yushan, which is Northeastern Asia’s highest peak. Exercise your limbs by climbing this 3,952-meter-high mountain. You’ll be treated to crisp mountain air and a breathtaking view at the top.

2.) Yang Min Shan National Park

This a favorite place due to its hot springs, wonderful flora and wildlife and spas. Its mineral springs are popular with people from Taipei. Just 45 minutes by bus or 70 minutes by train, visitors can go hiking or have a picnic here.

3.) Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall

This palatial structure is also known as the National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall. Built to commemorate Chiang Kai Shek, the building represents the flag of Taiwan with its blue roofs, red flowerbeds, and white walls. Lush gardens flank the hall, and it is located close to the National Theatre and National Concert Hall.

4.) Penghu

Penghu is an archipelago of 64 islands between Taiwan and the mainland. It has sandy beaches, fishing villages, and delicious seafood. Its only city of Makung is a beautiful place with an outdoor market, fishing harbor, and temples.

5.) Tienhsiang

Located in Tienhsiang is the Taroko Gorge, probably Taiwan’s most beautiful tourist attraction. It is 19 km long with cliffs dropping away to a rushing river of water. The Eternal Spring Shrine straddles a waterfall and is a memorial to the 450 workers who died constructing the Taroko Highway.

6.) Lung Shan Temple

Also known as the Dragon Mountain Temple, this temple is very impressive for its architecture and religious practices where worshippers give offerings to the various gods here, the main one being the Goddess of Mercy. Offerings such as fruit, flowers, and money are made here to the deities, and this is done by burning paper money or putting it in the offertory box. The temple is situated in the Wanhua district, just near the Huashi Night Market.

7.) Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall

Don’t miss this great hall where a 30-foot statue of Dr. Sun Yat Sen, who played a pivotal role in Taiwanese history, adorns the entrance. Tourists can watch the changing of the guard. They can also watch world-class shows in the theatre on the upper floors.

8.) The National Palace Museum

Comparable to the best museums in the world like the Louvre, the National Palace Museum contains one of the most extensive collections of Chinese artifacts and objects d’art. It is twin to the Palace Museum in Beijing, which was split in twain by the civil war, which also resulted in the formation of Taiwan. It contains masterpieces which provide glimpses of Chinese craftsmanship.

9.) Taipei 101

Taipei 101 is the tallest building in the world standing at 509 meters. Opened in November 2003, it is shaped like a Chinese pagoda with 8 floors in each pagoda roof and was designed according to traditional feng shui principles. It is situated near the Taipei Exhibition Convention Center, the Grand Hyatt Hotel, and the Japanese department stores of Sogo and Mitsukoshi.

10.) Guang Hua Night Market

This is a street food market made up of food stalls catering to local residents. This exciting array of snack shops offer tasty and cheap treats such as soup made from beef bone stock and different kinds of dumplings, pancakes with tangy sauce, and roti bread. In the market you will find locals who come here to grab a bite or buy food to take home.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/ten-essential-things-to-do-when-you-visit-taiwan-329533.html

About the AuthorJonathan Williams is the travel writer for Destination Guide TV – the place to share travel videos. Visit http://www.destinationguide.tv/taiwan to view or share Taiwan travel videos.

Tags: tourists, travel information, Travel Tips, trip

Author: Frank Johnson

A gem in the China Seas, Taiwan embodies a unique entangling of ancient and modern, East and West. From the bustling commercial center of the capital city, Taipei, to the cascading volcanic mountains of Yushan National Park, Taiwan offers the world traveler an unmatched experience. It is no coincidence that Portuguese explorers named this island ‘Ilha Formosa’, or the beautiful island.

To Travel to Taiwan is to Understand Diversity

Officially known as the Republic of China (R.O.C.), Taiwan should not be confused with the People’s Republic of China, which refers to mainland China. Within the past 200 years the island has been ruled by the Dutch, become part of Japan, has been “returned” to China and is currently striving to become an internationally recognized sovereign nation. Taiwan’s tumultuous and fascinating history of the Aboriginal, Taiwanese and Chinese people is revealed through the many cultural festivals held throughout the year. Travel to the island in February for the Taiwan Lantern Festival or in June to watch the world-famous Dragon Boat Races during the Dragon Boat Festival.

One of Taiwan’s most prominent cultural symbols is Taipei 101, the world’s tallest building, measuring 508 meters and 101 floors. Finished in 2003, the tower signifies Taiwan’s substantial economic growth from the periphery of the global economy to become one of the four Asian Tigers, as well as the government’s dedication to a democratic society separate from that of China. Tainan, the oldest and fourth largest city on the island, offers a more authentic and less commercialized window into Taiwanese culture. Temples and Memorial Arches define this city where the Ching Dynasty once prayed to the God of War.

The Taiwan Terrain: Recreation and Ecotourism

Exploration of the thriving urban centers is only one of many ways to get in touch with Taiwan. The rugged topography of Taiwan is adorned with magnificent peaks, lush valleys and dramatic waterfalls. Yushan National Park is home to the island’s tallest peak, Jade Mountain, which towers at 2,610 meters. Hike to the summit and take the more technical route down or simply enjoy the breathtaking view from the Tatachia Visitor Center, accessible directly from the new Central Cross-Island Highway. From Jade Mountain, descend deep into Taroko Gorge on Taiwan’s rocky and secluded east coast. This 12-mile-long canyon is home to the natural open-air Wenshan hot springs and the Atayal people, one of Taiwan’s remaining aboriginal tribes. The rocky cliffs at the canyon’s end are a starting point for those who wish to travel farther into Taiwan’s history. The surrounding Pacific Ocean is sprinkled with beautiful green islands that have unique native histories and are mostly accessible by plane or ferry. Most of the pristine and dramatic destinations are protected by Taiwan’s National Park Department, which offers an array of lodging and guiding services and has proven to be a well-organized resource for the outdoor sightseer.

From the island’s tallest building to its tallest peak, Taiwan has something exceptional to offer every kind traveler. Travel Taiwan’s thriving society and come face-to-face with an Asian Tiger.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/expand-your-global-horizons-travel-to-taiwan-21234.html

About the AuthorFor more information on travel to Taiwan and other locations in Asia, and discount airfare to Taiwan, visit http://www.cfares.com and http://www.cfares.com/taiwan/

Tags: travel information, Travel Tips, trip