TAIPEI

Must-See Spots in Taipei

Taiwan’s capital city—and the country’s biggest—is sometimes overlooked; many travelers simply connect in the airport on their way to other places in Asia. But this bustling city surrounded by forested mountains stands tall as a destination in its own right. From food-filled night markets to cultural sites to outdoor recreation, here are the must-see spots any visitor to Taipei should consider.

Hot Springs

The volcanic mountains cradling Taipei offer a quick escape outside the city. For a longer day hike, visit

Yangmingshan National Park, home to numerous hot springs and Taiwan’s largest dormant volcano. If you want to stay in city limits, there’s plenty of volcanic activity to witness in Taipei itself. Head to Beitou Hot Springs, where numerous hotels and bathhouses have popped up around the natural, volcanic springs. There are gender-segregated soaking spots, and information about the history of the area in the free Beitou Hot Springs Museum. For a stroll, visit the Beitou Thermal Valley’s many walking paths that thread among volcanic hot spots.

Night Markets

Taipei is an incredible city for food lovers, and the city’s dedication to its culinary culture is certainly centered around its night markets. These sprawl-

ing collections of streetside vendors are iconic spots to eat and drink, and there are five worth checking out. Shulin Night Market is the city’s biggest, covering a staggering 12 acres with 400 vendors. Raohe Night Market is one of the most popular. There’s also the Tonghua Night Market, Snake Alley, and Ningxia Night Market. Keep an eye out for night market specialties like black pepper buns, oyster vermicelli, stinky tofu, and potato spirals. Elephant Mountain

Need some exercise after gorging on all that great food? Head to Elephant Mountain, where you can challenge your cardiovascular fitness by hiking the 600 steps to the summit. Come near sunset, when the day is hopefully starting to cool off, and you’ll be treated to views of the skyline illuminated by the setting sun. Stay til dark, and the city’s skyscrapers—especially the focal point, Taipei 101 Tower—glow and pulse with neon.

Taipei 101 Tower

If you’d rather ride an elevator to your viewpoint, hit the Taipei 101 Tower, the city’s tallest building. The high-speed elevators zip to the top, where you can take in all of Taipei’s skyline and its mountainous surroundings. The building opened in 2004, and held the title as the world’s tallest

building until 2010. There’s a Din Tai Fung dumpling house located here, too—it’s one of the world’s most popular spots for fantastic xiao long bao, or soup dumplings, along with an array of other doughy delicacies.

Huashan 1914 Creative Park

This modern complex has been transformed from its former life as a wine production facility and moth orchid breeding operation into a sprawling collection of craft vendors, artisans, cafes, and park space. Sprinkled among the maze-like pathways and courtyards are various performers, from musicians to sculptors and beyond. It’s the perfect place to wander shopping for souvenirs, trying locally brewed beer, and catching a performance.

National Palace Museum

As the Chinese Civil War raged (from 1929 to 1947), huge quantities of artifacts from Imperial China were ferried from the mainland to Taiwan. Now National Palace Museum in Taipei holds more than 70,000 of those items, ranging from tapestries to ceramics and beyond. The pieces span some 8,000 years of history represented here. The museum has free daily tours, including Englishlanguage tours, and audio guides that give in-depth descriptions of some of the standout pieces.

DAHLONEGA The Heart of the Georgia Mountains

A HISTORY

Nestled in the North Georgia Mountains lives a town named Dahlonega.

The first settler’s struck gold in the Fall of 1828. Once the word got out of this discovery, many came to search for newfound riches. By 1829, Dahlonega was the site of the first major gold rush in America. Gold mining was the leading industry in Dahlonega for over a century. The Federal Government even minted gold coins here from 1838 to 1861. Visitors of Dahlonega can see a complete collection of the coins on display at the Dahlonega Gold Museum State Historic Site.

Today, something is still sparkling about this mountain town, and it’s not just their gold. Dahlonega is full of hidden gems. From wineries to waterfalls to hiking or dining, there is an adventure for anyone to enjoy.

THE WINE COUNTRY OF THE SOUTH

Dahlonega struck gold once again, but this time with grapes. Surrounded by mountains and rich soil, Dahlonega and Lumpkin County’s land is the perfect condition for growing grapes. Because of this, the ever-increasing list of wineries is why some consider Dahlonega to be the Napa Valley of the South. In 2018, the federal government designated the area as an American Viticultural Area called The Dahlonega Plateau.

FALL IN LOVE WITH FALL

When the trees turn golden, the mountains come alive. Hikers and Leaf Watchers flock to see the area in a new light. This is the time to explore the many waterfalls and outdoor adventures that Dahlonega has in abundance. If you would rather not hike, take a drive through the mountains or attend one of our Fall events. On the 3rd weekend of October, the beloved Gold Rush Days Festival kicks off our peak leaf season. The historic streets fill with visitors enjoying arts, music, food, and more.

THAT HALLMARK MOVIE MAGIC

The magical moments begin the Friday after Thanksgiving with the annual Lighting of The Square. This starts the season of Old Fashioned Christmas. Christmas lights, bows, and garlands can be found hanging on every building and tree. The clattering of hooves carrying guests on romantic carriage rides can be heard throughout the sparkling town. In the crisp mountain air, you can smell the fresh hot cocoa and fudge being prepared in one of the many confectionaries found in the historic downtown. These are the movieesque moments that make Dahlonega magical this time of year. You might even catch the film Christmas in Homestead on TV that Hallmark filmed here in 2016.

Make this town the top of your travel bucket list. Visit our website, Dahlonega.org, and discover the heart of the Georgia mountains.

Hocking Hills

Hocking Hills

The best word to describe the Hocking Hills food scene is “comfort”. Instead of franchise restaurants these hills are filled with local eateries featuring delicious, authentic comfort food. Locally owned gems are well known for legacy recipes that transport the diner to a simpler time.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day especially when your day includes hiking, canoeing and a host of other adrenalin pumping options. Start your day of exploring with whatever fuel you need to dive into one of Mother Nature’s jewels. Locally owned coffee shops and diners are found throughout the region. Best of all, local traditions are served up with local flair.

There’s a good chance, if you were raised in this part of Appalachia, you know how to make noodles. Homemade noodles are the base of the best comfort foods. They are served up in the Hocking Hills with big chunks of beef or chicken in gravy over mashed potatoes. Of course, the mashed potatoes are the real McCoy too.

Special occasions call for a special

experience. What may look like a simple cabin holds a treasure trove of taste. Fine dining in the heart of the forest increases the romance factor exponentially.

Two of the most popular comfort foods with the folks in these parts are BBQ and Pizza and both are found in all corners of the Hocking Hills.

Here the food scene is all about comfort. Local eateries are serving up their best family recipes and traditional techniques for a welcome break from franchise dining.

Be sure to visit during the Annual Comfort Food Cruise, a self-guided tour of more than a dozen local restaurants serving up a sample of a signature comfort food. The Hocking Hills Comfort Food Cruise takes place in January.

a culinary heaven in Holmes County

Holmes County feels both close to everything and like a secluded escape at the same time. A quick drive from almost anywhere lands you amongst its rolling hills and picturesque scenery, where you’ll find a relaxing getaway that invites you to explore. Go on a culinary adventure throughout the region and you’ll discover everything from down-home comfort foods to approachable but elegant fare. Try scratch-made baked goods and beautifully crafted cheeses. Explore expertly tended vineyards and modern breweries. You’ll even find bulk foods to take home to stock your pantry. Come take a trip through the culinary heaven that is Ohio’s Amish Country. Local Favorites

Billing itself as “A Gathering Place of Friends,” Rebecca’s Bistro in Walnut Creek makes its home in a log cabin dating back to the mid-1800s. Owners Rebecca and Jim Miller welcome guests with heart-warming breakfast and lunch dishes in the cozy cafe. Relax with a toasted marshmallow latte then dig into their signature stuffed French toast or creamed eggs with Swiss cheese on toasted sourdough. If you don’t order some of Rebecca’s tomato basil soup, you can purchase a quart to take home with you! Visiting The Inn at Honey Run is a full experience, with their cottages and Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired accommodations, Open Air Art Museum, upscale dining and more than 50 stunning acres tucked into Holmes County. To craft the menu at Tarragon, their in-house restaurant, they source locally as much as possible, like honey from their hives, produce and herbs from their greenhouses and gardens. The chef-driven menu at Tarragon showcases delicacies like littleneck clams, fried pig ears and grilled pork chops.

You’ll feel like a kid in a candy store when you step through the doors of Miller’s Creamery in Millersburg. You won’t know what to try first! The flavor of the week? Orange or black cherry sherbet? Soft serve in a waffle cone? A scoop of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream? Miller’s always delights its customers with decadent treats like hand-dipped ice cream, burgers, and sundaes. Be sure not to miss the irresistible puffles — a fresh, made-to-order bubble waffle rolled into a cup and then stuffed with your favorite ice cream and toppings.

Amish Inspired

Dine on cuisine influenced by the area’s Amish culture. Der Dutchman lets you bring your whole crew to feast on home-style Amish meals and enormous desserts. Can’t decide? Hit up the buffet loaded with broasted chicken, roast beef, noodles, and mashed potatoes. Visit the bakery to bring a taste of Amish cooking home with you: cream-filled donuts, Dutch apple pie, sweet rolls, jars of apple butter or Amish peanut butter spread, and so much more.

If you want to know where the locals eat in Holmes County, find a seat at the counter at Boyd & Wurthmann Restaurant in Berlin. The Amish and Mennonite staff will make you feel right at home. Breakfast starts early with 99-cent coffee, buttery biscuits, and buckwheat pancakes. Lunch and dinner fill you up with hot roast beef sandwiches, noodles over mashed potatoes, cheeseburgers, and pork chops. And did we mention the pie? Boyd & Wurthmann serves up almost 20 different varieties! Local Sips

It’s not just what on your plate that’s special here. Several local wineries offer a fresh sip of flavor, too. Sunny Slope General Store in Big Prairie has been part of Holmes County for nearly a century, and in 2016 added a winery to the mix. Winemaker Tom Bright crafts a range of fruit wines in small batches. Kick back fireside with a Big Prairie White, a rich Elderberry wine or a cooling wine slushy while you savor deli sandwiches in the picnic area or catch local live music on the patio. In Dover, Breitenbach Wine Cellars’ signature offerings include the crisp and sweet dandelion wine, the luscious blueberry wine, and the tart cherry wine. Grab a glass and stroll through Breitenbach’s lush hillside vineyards, then order freshly made salads and woodfired pizzas from the cafe while you gather outside and listen to live music. To try everything on tap at Millersburg Brewing Company, you’ll

want to order a flight! Sip the hoppy French Ridge IPA or the grassy and floral Lot 21 Blonde ale. A visit to the brewery is an immersive experience: dig into hearty meals made with a gastropub flare like pot stickers and nontraditional fig and goat cheeseburgers while you watch brew master Marty Lindon at work through the glass. Doughty Glen Winery at Guggisberg in Millersburg offers the ultimate in wine and cheese pairings. Nearby Guggisberg Cheese Factory is famous as the birthplace of Baby Swiss cheese. Pair the signature Swiss with a collection of local meats and a glass of Gewurztraminer. Make a weekend of it at Guggisberg by booking an overnight stay and going horseback riding.

Step inside a piece of history at Baltic Mill Winery, a turn-of-thecentury flour mill converted into a winery. The old chutes and machinery offer a unique backdrop in Baltic Mill’s tasting room. Build a meat and cheese tray from local favorites like Pearl Valley Cheese and Baltic Country Meats. Their crisp Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio and Just Peachy are ideal summer sippers!

Speaking of wine and cheese, there’s Han’s Place, a winery and tasting room that’s part of Broad Run Cheese house in Dover. Build your own cheese melt from baby Swiss, Danish blue, or fontanelle, then pair it with a Cheesemaker’s Red, Han’s Favorite blend of cherry and cranberry wines or the always-popular Coal Miner’s Daughter watermelon wine.

No matter how long your stay in Ohio Amish Country, we want you to feel at home in our Holmes County. It’s about finding your way to unwind. Sleep in; eat cake for breakfast. Read your book beside the fire. Or wake early and sip some tea. There are adventures awaiting after all. Our hospitality hosts will help you make the most of your moments in Ohio Amish Country. You only have to ask and relax. Let us worry about making your stay great.