48 hours in Milan

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/italy/milan/travel-tips-and-articles/48-hours-in-milan

by Paula Hardy· Oct 07 2014

News flash: Italy was not cryogenically frozen six centuries ago, and Milan is the pulse-quickening proof. After all, visitors flock here not only for La Scala opening nights and Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper, but also for spring and fall fashion weeks, chic designer showrooms and modern art fairs. Modern Milanese are audacious, industrious daydreamers. So why not jump in and join them in their intoxicating round of pursuits, be that precision shopping, browsing modern art galleries or downing an expertly mixed Negroni.

Pin this imageMilan's magnificent Duomo. Image by Dennis Matheson / CC BY-SA 2.0.

Day 1: Something old and something new

A morning view of the Duomo

Five hundred years in the making, Milan’s magnificent gothic cathedral sublimely dominates the city’s central piazza. No matter how many times you see it, its pearly white facade of petrified pinnacles elicits a little gasp of awe. Head up to the roof for a heavenly view of its spires and a vertigo-inducing perspective of the piazza with the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Europe’s oldest shopping mall, to your right and the Royal Palace to your left.

Then swap old for new next door in Milan’s modernist showcase, the Museo del Novecento. As you rise up the spiral ramp through 20th-century neo-impressionists, futurists, surrealists and spatialists, you can trace the story of the city through fascism, two World Wars and the dawn of the technological era.

Related articles:

Six reasons to visit Milan in 2015What to eat in MilanOpera in Milan

Pin this imageThe view from the Duomo's roof. Image by Jared and Corin / CC BY-SA 2.0.

Lunch with the locals

If you’re dazzled by the panoramic floor-to-ceiling views of the Duomo’s statuary from the Museo del Novecento, you can contemplate them further in its art deco bistro, Giacomo Arengario. But you won’t find many Milanese here outside cocktail hour. To lunch with locals wander out into the network of alleys around the Duomo. Traditionalists seeking superlative saffron risotto should head to Peck Italian Bar, the restaurant affiliated to the city’s best delicatessen. Or, if you’re feeling sociable, take a pew at the canteen tables in da Pino and order up bowls of bollito misto (mixed boiled meats).

Pin this imageShopping on glamorous Via Montenapoleone. Image by slayer / CC BY 2.0.

An afternoon of shopping and aristocrats

Via Montenapoleone, or 'Montenapo', is the most famous street in Milan’s Quadrilatero d’Oro (Golden Quad). Bo Derek must have been thinking of it when she quipped, ‘Whoever said money can’t buy happiness simply didn’t know where to go shopping’. Here, between Gucci, Pucci and Prada, tomorrow’s trendsetters offer a sidewalk scene that makes Milan’s Fashion Week runways seem entirely redundant.

For those immune to the siren song of the shops, retreat to the refined interiors Milan’s house museums (www.casemuseomilano.it): the Renaissance fantasy palace of the Bagatti Valsecchi, the historically-themed apartment of Poldi Pezzoli, and the modernist haute-bourgeoisie home of a sewing-machine tycoon, the Villa Necchi Campiglio.

Pin this imageAperitivo time! Image by Fabio / CC BY-SA 2.0.

Evening aperitivo

The early evening tradition of aperitivo is sacred in Milan. Come 6pm, bars all over town bring out platters of crostini, sushi, pasta, focaccia and smoked salmon. The offerings range from simple to exotic as bars compete for critical tastebuds. In the Quad, chic (and expensive) spots include the Piano Bar at the Four Seasons Hotel, the secluded gardens of the Bulgari Hotel, and Martini Bar, a collaboration between Martini and the Dolce & Gabana boys.

The best rooftops terraces are those at the ultra-contemporary Hotel Boscolo (www.boscolohotels.com), Ceresio 7 (www.ceresio7.com) and La Terrazza (www.laterrazzadiviapalestro.com), overlooking the public gardens. But for hipsters and cocktail aficionados the only place to go is Navigli, where rowdy crowds spill out along the city’s canals and Rebelot (www.rebelotdelpont.com) and Bar Rita (Via Angelo Fumagalli 1) mix the best drinks in the city.

Pin this imageA performance at La Scala. Image by MITO SettembreMusica / CC BY 2.0.

A night of culture

Opera and theatre aficionados should make a beeline for La Scala’s gilt-edged palchi (private boxes) or the risky little repertory theatre Piccolo Teatro.

But beyond the grandeur of the historic centre Milanese students and creatives are remaking the image of this bourgeoisie city. Decorated with graffiti, Leoncavallo (www.leoncavallo.org) claims to be Europe’s largest anti-capitalist, creative squat, offering jazz evenings, debates and alternative theatre. Less provocative and colourful, the Fabbrica del Vapore (www.fdvlab.org) puts on avant-garde performances, exhibitions and weekend workshops.

Pin this imageGraffiti at Leoncavallo. Image by opethpainter / CC BY 2.0.

Day 2: Saints, science and the Last Supper

A morning of science and saints

It’s usually da Vinci’s Last Supper or the basilica of Saint Ambrogio that draws visitors away from the Duomo, but Milan’s superlative Science Museum reminds us that Leonardo would rather have been remembered as an engineer instead of a painter. Models of his proto-helicopters, catapults and cannons are displayed here alongside halls devoted to astronomy and horology, and hangars housing steam trains, planes and full-sized galleons.

Afterwards, grab a quick coffee at Biffi or Bar Magenta and toss a coin for your next stop: the golden sky mosaic and mummy of Saint Ambrogio at the eponymous basilica, or Bernardino Luini’s heavenly frescoes in the Chiesa di San Maurizio.

Pin this imageFrescoes in the Chiesa di San Maurizio. Image by Andrew Smith / CC BY-SA 2.0.

Al fresco lunch in the park

By now you’ll have circled the turreted Sforza castle several times. Behind it, Parco Sempione, the green lung of the city spreads northwards to Napoleon’s ironically named Arch of Peace. The park was originally the hunting grounds of the Sforza dukes before the French mooted the idea of a public park in 1891. It was a resounding success and today Milanese of all ages come to enjoy its winding paths and shady copses. Grab a panino at one of the park bars or head to the bright white cafe of the Triennale Design Museum, which overlooks the greenery.

Pin this imageView towards the Arco della Pace in Parco Sempione. Image by Dzhingarova / CC BY 2.0.

An alternative afternoon

In front of the castle catch vintage tram #1 and trundle south on its wooden benches to the neighbourhood of Navigli. Here, Milan’s medieval network of canals rise to the surface and are lined with bookshops, boutiques and bars. As the most fashionable Bohemian ‘burb in the city, Navigli is home to thriving community of artists and musicians making this a great place to stroll and shop.

Further west, over the railway tracks near Porta Genova, you’ll find edgier trends along Via Tortona and Via Savona. You may be tempted to stay on into the night in the leafy courtyard of Al Fresco (www.alfrescomilano.it).

Pin this imageThe Navigli canal district. Image by Irene Grassi / CC BY-SA 2.0.

The Last Supper

Before you leave, you owe it to yourself to indulge in two last suppers, starting with da Vinci’s Il Cenacolo. Prebook an evening or nighttime tour (www.tickitaly.com) and you’ll be guided through air-locked rooms to the golden glow of the refectory where Christ reveals to gasping disciples that one among them will betray him. So outstandingly good was Leonardo’s composition that it swept away the efforts of even the greatest masters before him, but his choice of oil paint was flawed. With over 80% of the original colour lost and the process of deterioration irreversible this isn’t a masterpiece to miss.

Nor is a Michelin-starred dinner at Il Luogo di Aimo e Nadia (www.aimoenadia.com), where chefs Fabio Pisani and Alessandro Negrini conjure culinary high art from even the simplest ingredients.

Getting around

By bike: The BikeMi (www.bikemi.it) public bike system has stations all over town.
By metro: Milan’s metro (www.atm.it) operates from 6-12.30am; a day ticket costs €4.50.
By taxi: These must be picked up at designated ranks; or call 02 4040 or 02 6969.

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America's Best New Romantic Restaurants 2014

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From Portland, OR, to Portland, ME, perfect meals seal the deal at the country’s most romantic restaurants.

From February 2014By Sarah Storms

What makes a restaurant truly romantic? Softly lit nooks and pages of Barolo may be catnip to Cupid, but if the food is forgettable, his aim isn’t the only thing that’s going to be off.

In expanding our list of America’s most romantic restaurants—from mountaintop huts to metropolitan marvels—we doubled down on the best new restaurants that not only offer seductive settings and intimate service, but also feature inventive, mouthwatering cuisine presided over by a host of renowned chefs.

Take rock-star restaurateur José Andrés’s latest endeavor, the glass-and-wood-enshrouded Mi Casa, set against the turquoise waters of Puerto Rico’s Dorado Beach. While the swaying-palm sound track and sand-between-your-toes vibe may draw you in, it’s the spicy lobster asopao and rum-soaked coquito (served in a coconut shell from the beach mere steps from your table) that make for an unforgettable date.

For those whose palates run a tad more trad, Jeffrey’s, in Austin, TX, may be just the ticket. Brass martini carts roll by velvet-upholstered booths, and melt-in-your-mouth osso buco is served alongside lipstick-red currants. Similarly retro but no less exciting, Miami newcomer The Cypress Room (the crown in the city’s brilliant Michael Schwartz’s triumvirate) serves frog legs and lamb tartare at white cloth–draped tables flanked by aquamarine tufted banquettes.

With our list of America’s best new restaurants for romance, even on the off chance your date is a dud, you can be sure your taste buds are hitting a homer.

Europe's Most Beautiful Villages

http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/europes-most-beautiful-villages

From the Alps to the Mediterranean, these frozen-in-time European villages will make you appreciate the beauty of taking it slow.

From December 2014By Ingrid K. Williams

The notion of postcard-perfect villages steeped in old-world charm has inspired centuries of travelers to fan out across Europe, seeking its secluded hamlets.

As a result, the continent’s scenic spots rarely remain hidden for long. It doesn’t take much to make a charming village feel uncomfortably popular. Consider the five fishing villages that make up Italy’s Cinque Terre, where an evening summertime stroll often feels like shuffling through a packed amusement park, complete with overpriced restaurants and souvenir shops.

But just a few miles down the coast from those crowds is Tellaro, another beautiful seaside village that is less accessible and thus blissfully unspoiled. A similar sense of discovery is the major draw in overlooked regions that house pint-size gems like the Alsatian village of Colmar, France, where bakeries sell both croissants and kugelhopf.

The first requirement of a beautiful village is a scenic location, whether among the Norwegian fjords or the sun-splashed Greek isles. But the finest also have distinctive features like the plaza ringed with high-gabled pastel façades in Telč, Czech Republic, or the unforgettable Victorian castle rising above the thatched roofs of Cong, Ireland.

Reaching some of these European beauties requires extra effort, yet the rewards are dazzling. Your eyes will thank you.

Best All-Inclusive Family Resorts

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Some of the greatest values for families can be found at all-inclusive resorts, which offer plenty of diversions and schedule flexibility.

From July 2013By Bree Sposato

The kids want to go ziplining—for the third time in two days. But you don’t need to think twice. When you’re staying at an all-inclusive resort, nearly everything is included, so the pressure is off to constantly tally the cost of your vacation.

The all-inclusive concept has gotten a recent makeover—better food, spruced-up décor, more varied activities—and many are perfect for families. Activities are on-site, so there’s no need to wake up early and usher the troops out the door only to wait in traffic or long lines. Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa offers four themed villages, 19 restaurants, a 45,000-square-foot water park, a Scratch DJ Academy, a surfing simulator, an Xbox Play Lounge, and Sesame Street characters.

The best all-inclusive family resorts also have programs that give grown-ups a little space. Vermont’s Tyler Place Family Resort runs nine camps tailored to specific ages, each with its own facilities; parents meet up with their brood for lunch and activities, but can enjoy dinner in the adults-only restaurant.

These are the kinds of distinguishing factors to look for before booking. “The devil is in the details, so do your homework with special attention to size, quality, and the staff-to-guest ratio,” says Zachary Rabinor, CEO ofJourney Mexico. 

At Kenya’s Lewa Safari Camp, families can customize the experience, say, with earlier mealtimes. Before each morning’s game drive, hot chocolate is delivered to the door. Now that should keep the whole family happy.

America's Top Free Attractions

http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/americas-top-free-attractions

Cheers to these great-value museums, tours, and other attractions that remain free for all.

From June 2013By Allison Kade

Imagine seeing masterpieces by van Gogh, entertaining your kids with activities, and strolling a hilltop garden with waterfalls and beautiful views at sunset.

Now imagine doing it all for free. That’s how your day could play out at the Getty Museum in L.A., where admission doesn’t cost a thing.

Enjoying what America has to offer can get expensive fast: in 2011, the U.S. travel industry made $813 billion, and some of America’s most popular cities are also its most expensive. Travelers of all budgets can appreciate a good deal, and with high gas prices and airline fees, it’s refreshing to know that there are still some venues like the Getty that give another meaning to the land of the free.

In our search for the top free attractions, we bypassed public parks and train stations to focus on experiences you wouldn’t necessarily expect to be free: a guided tour of Gothic-style Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah; an afternoon with cute baby animals at Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo; and a behind-the-scenes look at a Harley-Davidson factory.

Money-saving strategies for New York, the priciest U.S. city for visitors according to Hotels.com, include taking advantage of free admission evenings at museums and timing your trip to July and August, when hotel prices drop. One of our favorite freebies year-round is a ride on the Staten Island Ferry for views of the Statue of Liberty and downtown Manhattan. When you’re done, you might pay your respects at the free National September 11 Memorial not far from the terminal.  

Tim Leffel, affordable-travel expert and author of the book Make Your Travel Dollars Worth a Fortune, points out that during the summer in particular, cities cater to both locals and tourists with “a packed schedule of freebies, from outdoor concerts to art walks, plays in the park to outdoor movie screenings.” Spoiler alert: we know where to find free ukulele and hula classes.

Find out just how far $0 can get you from coast to coast—and share your favorite free experiences in the comments below.

America's Best Baseball Stadiums

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The best baseball stadiums bring their A-game all season with regional food, great sightlines, and plenty of traditions.

From June 2012By Yelena Moroz

As summer gets into swing, the Miami Marlins are stepping up to the plate in a swanky new baseball stadium, with a South Beach-worthy pool, two 450-gallon aquariums, and guacamole-jalapeno-topped Tater Tots.

It’ll take time for the Marlins Park to establish its own traditions and records, but the rookie stadium already reflects its flamboyant hometown. “Baseball stadiums are epicenters of community pride,” says Wayne McDonnell, clinical associate professor of sports management at New York University. “It’s an extension of who they are; each park has something that the others don’t.”

The best ballparks play to their particular strengths, whether it’s an easily accessible location with skyline views, exhibitions honoring bygone greats, or craft beers served by fire pits overlooking left field. Some classics like Fenway Park, which celebrates 100 years in 2012 and still has hand-operated scoreboards, keep baseball’s history alive, while others have introduced decidedly modern features like the synchronized music and light show that follows every home run at Detroit’s Comerica Park.

The fusion of sports with entertainment has grown tremendously over the last decade, and as a result, you no longer need to bleed your team’s colors to embrace the ballpark experience. With around 70 million people pouring into parks each season, many stadiums are rivaling amusement parks. “When you walk through the turnstiles, you’re getting one-stop shopping for the entire family,” says McDonnell.

Kids can unleash their inner baseball star via MLB 2K12 consoles at Target field in Minneapolis, for instance, or tackle the Coca-Cola Superslide, 465 feet from home plate at San Francisco’s waterfront AT&T Park. Adults, meanwhile, can enjoy wines sourced from nearby Napa Valley and paired with Dungeness crab sandwiches.

The fun may not always be old-fashioned these days, but it’s still part of the all-American tradition of a day out at the ball game. As Walt Whitman put it: “Baseball has the snap, go, fling of the American atmosphere. It is the place where memory gathers.” So take yourself out to one of the best baseball stadiums and start building those memories.

World's Best Beach Hotels

http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/worlds-best-beach-hotels

From February 2013By Stirling Kelso, Travel + Leisure Staff

How to explain the difference a beachfront hotel makes? “More than unobstructed views, it’s about the freedom of not having to look both ways to cross the street before feeling sand between your toes,” says Matt Thomson, founder of Wavecation.com, a surfing-focused vacation rental company.

That’s the thrilling sense of liberation that comes with a stay at properties like Lizard Island Resort in Australia, where your suite’s private terrace overlooks the Great Barrier Reef, with only the occasional yacht breaking the kaleidoscope of blue and green waters.  

Travel + Leisure readers were so taken that they voted Lizard Island Resort the No. 3 best beach hotel in the world, as part of our annual World’s Best survey. The top-scoring hotels and resorts all offer a captivating beach setting, yet they are also culturally and architecturally distinctive. They span 13 countries and islands on four different continents, and their interiors range from minimalist to cozy and traditional.

At the historic Ocean House in Rhode Island (No. 13), for example, formal Victorian rooms have fireplaces, upholstered chairs, and Doric-columned terraces overlooking the wild Atlantic bluffs. Guests in thatched-roofed bungalows at the Four Seasons Bora Bora (No. 8), on the other hand, have direct access to Pacific waves via private decks.

Modern Mexican craftsmanship—woven palapas, cool Saltillo tiles, and a saltwater pool filled by the sea—is on display at the romantic La Casa Que Canta (No. 12) on Zihuatanejo Bay. In contrast, rooms in the rock-facedLodge at Doonbeg (No. 10), located on Ireland’s windswept West Clare Coast, are snugly outfitted with argyle wool blankets and floral-printed curtains.

Keep in mind that not all beach hotel rooms are created equal. “Avoid partial view or ground-floor rooms that may have obscured lookouts due to vegetation or shrubbery,” reminds T+L A-List agent Manny Beauregard. Or simply go with the guarantee of the Four Seasons Resort, Hualalai in Hawaii: all 228 rooms overlook the Pacific.

Read on for more inspiring hotels, starting with the No. 1 beach vacation pick.

—Stirling Kelso

Tokyo Travel Guide

http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-guide/tokyo

Navigating the world’s largest metropolis—home to almost 13 million people—can be a daunting prospect for visitors. Tokyo’s maze of neighborhoods seems to offer up every imaginable sight and sound—some of them cacophonous and modern (speeding bullet trains; herds of hurrying, be-suited businessmen; bizarrely futuristic toilets), and some of them ancient (centuries-old shrines and temples; the waddling combat of sumo wrestlers). The trick here is to explore one enclave at a time; for instance, starting in Ginza or Shibuya for shopping, then heading to Shinjuku or Roppongi for nightlife. And if you get lost, just ask for help—Tokyo residents are some of the politest city-dwellers in the world.

Once a fishing village, Tokyo has evolved into an economic powerhouse with a population of 13 million. It's a city of delightful contrasts, where skyscrapers demand as much attention as Zen-style gardens. Ready to book your trip? Craft the perfect itinerary using this Tokyo travel guide.

Things Not to Miss in Tokyo

Anime fans should check out the Studio Ghibli, nicknamed the Disney of the East because it showcases characters from various Studio Ghibli films and exposes the animation process. Other top activities include:

• Buddhist temples and ancient pagodas 
• Mt. Fuji day trip
• Tokyo Tomin Golf Course
• Tokyo Joypolis
• Designer shopping in midtown

When to Visit Tokyo

Weather in Tokyo is generally mild, with hot summers and mild winters. Typhoon season peaks in August and September. Many festivals take place during the month of July, when Mount Fuji is also open for climbing. Springtime is the best time to not only beat the tourist rush, but also see the landscape at its most lush. October is also lovely.  

Tokyo has many cultural celebrations. Every two years in May, thousands flock to see the elaborate floats at the Kanda Matsuri Festival. Other festivals include the Bunkyo Tsutsuji Matsuri (Azalea Festival) in April and Hinode Matsuri (Sunrise Festival) in May.

• An afternoon wander through the city’s most peaceful oasis, Meiji Jingu in the Shibuya district—where a gorgeous Shinto shrine is surrounded by 175 acres of forest, gardens, and walking paths. (If you’re a morning person, substitute a visit to Tokyo’s oldest shrine,Sensoji, before it fills with crowds.)
• Diving into Tokyo’s unique, fantastical culinary offerings—either by visiting the legendary fish stalls inTsukiji, tasting local delicacies at Isetan Depachika, sampling libations at a sake seminar, or digging into street-food staples like yakitori and ramen.
• Embracing the city’s wild (sometimes just plain weird) youth culture, from Harajuku’s mod-Goth Lolitas to the manga shops and “maid cafes” of Akihabara.

ABOUT TAINAN CITY

http://tainancity.wordpress.com/about-tainan-city/

ABOUT TAINAN CITY

Old Temples blend with commerce and the bustle of daily life in the city center.

About Tainan City (台南市)

Tainan is the oldest city in Taiwan. It was the site of the main Dutch colony on the island, and after their defeat it became the country’s first capital under Chinese supervision. It was the capital of the island from 1662 until 1887 when the capital made a brief appearance in Taichung before settling in Taipei. The Japanese did a lot of urban planning and restructuring of the city in the early part of the 20th century, but since then, the city has become more of a historic tourist destination than a cosmopolitan hub.

Find treasures down any random alley.

At first glimpse, many people are a little disappointed when the see Tainan. It’s reputation of being the Kyoto of Taiwan feeds a lot of romantic images of a bygone era. Most buildings in Tainan are anything but historic and many streets are the same 7-eleven-filled streets found anywhere on the island. But after visiting a few temples and wandering down a few winding alleys, most people are really taken by the city’s charms. It really is a culture-rich and traditional city, and rarely a week goes by without some special religious celebration or parade.

Tainan is known for its history, temples, traditional lifestyles and traditional snack food. It sees a lot of domestic tourism around holiday times, but not much international tourism. By some accounts, there are over 500 Buddhist and Taoist temples within city limits. Many of these are among the oldest and most important in the country. Tainan has eight first class National Historic Sites, eight second class, thirty-seven third class, and numerous “city class” protected heritage sites.

Tainan has a population of about three-quarters of a million people, making it the fourth largest city in Taiwan. The downtown area is fairly dense, but it spreads out into low-rise sprawl very quickly. Sky-rise apartments of around 14 stories are popping up everywhere, but throughout much of the city the buildings are between two and five stories. By Asian standards it is a small city and has a small-town feel to it. People from Taipei refer to it as the countryside.

Even in the heart of the city, there are still many low-rise buildings.

The city is completely flat and much of it is below sea level. It is a coastal city, but the main areas of the city are inland. In the early years, settlements developed on both an island that is now Anping, and in what is now the historic areas of downtown Tainan. The older parts of downtown were once along a harbor, but steady silting filled in that area and now Anping is no longer an island. Much of the silted land has become a rich ecological area and has been designated a protected national park.

At Lin Mo Niang Park, the goddess' statue watches over the sea.

Tainan is south of the Tropic of Cancer. Like most of Taiwan, it has a subtropical climate, but Tainan borders on a tropical wet-dry sub-climate. It enjoys a mild and dry climate in the winter. December and January are particularly free of rain, and blue skies can last for weeks throughout the winter. November, December, March and April are usually the most pleasant months for most people. Temperatures in January and February can sometimes dip down below 10°C (50°F) for a few days (which feels colder than it sounds due to humidity), though there can just as easily be daytime highs around 25°C (77°F). Jackets and sweaters are necessary for cooler days and nights. Summers can be insufferably hot and humid. The heat cranks up to the thirties (90-100°F – which feels hotter than it sounds due to humidity) around mid-May and stays there until mid-October. The summer is also the wet season and rains are more frequent. Typhoon season is also at this time. Typhoons usually occur between June and November, with the highest number of weather watches coming in August and September.

Public transportation in the city is lacking, and most people drive scooters to get around. There is a bus system, but it is under-used and infrequent. Taxis are available and affordable, but you can only be guaranteed of flagging one in the busiest parts of the city. Scooters and motorcycles are the best way to get around as they whip through traffic and narrow lanes with greater ease than cars. You can also park them both more readily and free of charge. Bicycles are good in winter, but you may get sweatier than you’d wish in the summer months. Helmet laws are enforced for scooters and motorcycles, but not bicycles.

Many foreigners find Tainan to be a very appealing place to live and there is a well-developed expat community. The nightlife is not big-city, but expat bars can be very friendly and welcoming. Generally, most locals are also very welcoming of foreigners. While many people will go out of their way to help you if you need it, foreigners are very common and it is unlikely you’ll be stared at or doted upon. The government is trying to make the city more international, but there are still not a lot of bilingual signs around. Learning at least some Chinese will make getting around a lot easier. While many young people have learned English in school, spoken English is not widespread. Not many taxi-drivers, restaurant staff, or shop owners will be able to speak much English. Some of the older people don’t even speak intelligible Mandarin, as they prefer Taiwanese.

Down every alley there is a temple.

Whether you are visiting or living in Tainan, take time to soak up the relaxing vibe and explore the numerous hidden treats that exist all over the city. If you really get in touch with the city’s history, its culture, and its friendly people, you may never want to leave.