Travel in Style with Jill Paider

Overview: Taiwan is a zen refuge and an often under-acknowledged destination that's easily accessible on the Asian continent. Even in the hustle and bustle of Taipei, there's an underlying peace and calm that make Taiwan a very pleasant place to visit. Great culture, food and a beautiful natural landscape make it one of Asia's best-kept secrets.Inspiration: I had visited most countries in the region and Taiwan was still calling my name. I'm a lover of oolong tea and all foods Asian, so it was a must-stop on my list. It was also on the short list for my books, Modern Refuge and Asian Design.Highlights:Shilin Night MarketTraditional tea ceremonyNatural spas of Beitou (especially Villa 32)Beitou libraryYinYang MuseumMaokong GondolaNational Palace MuseumFood & Wine: Don't miss oolong tea, pineapple cake, plum wine, dumplings, noodle and rice dishes and other street snacks and treats.Ideal for: City lovers; adventure lovers; foodies.Getting There & Away: Direct flights daily from several major U.S. cities to Taipei.Recommended Length of Stay: A minimum of 4-5 days.Best Time of Year to Visit: April through June and September through November.Good To Know: Taiwan tends to be very safe. English speaking is limited in the countryside.Budgeting Tips: Great deals can be had in the city by booking through non-Western sites.Packing Considerations: Plan for modest looks and layers.JILL'S TRAVEL TIP OF THE DAY: To boost immunity, take supplements (zinc and vitamins C, D3, B6 and B12) three days prior to your departure and three days after your return.Copyright 2021. Jill Paider Photography, Inc.

Destination: Hong Kong

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2021 11:03

Overview: Hong Kong is Asia on crack, and a major business, foodie and nightlife capital of the world. It's also a tourist-friendly introduction to Asia, and it's extremely easy to navigate. Beyond the bright lights and action of Central (the central business district, or CBD), the city's culture and traditions run deep. Hong Kong keeps visitors stimulated, well-fed, and returning often.Inspiration: A lover of Asian cities, I'd had Hong Kong on my list for a long time. My book, Asian Design, made it a must-stop for business purposes.Highlights:Dim sum at Tim Ho Wan in Mong KokBuddhist templesLunching in the central business districtIsland-hoppingExploring the backstreets of Hong KongNightlife, Hong Kong-styleFood & Wine: Hong Kong is one of my favorite places to eat in the world. The city offers a range of cuisine from Szechuan to Cantonese and Japanese to French for a range of budgets. You will not go hungry.Ideal for: City dwellers; adventure travelers; foodies.Getting There & Away: Direct flights daily from several major U.S. cities to Hong Kong.Recommended Length of Stay: A minimum of 4-5 days.Best Time of Year to Visit: October through December.Good To Know: English is widely spoken. It's not uncommon to meet friends out at midnight for dinner.Budgeting Tips: Hong Kong can be a budget challenge. To save, look for accommodations beyond the CBD. Taxis are cheap and plentiful.Packing Considerations: Hong Kong is dressy by night, but during the day you'll likely want more casual clothes and comfortable walking shoes.JILL'S TRAVEL TIP OF THE DAY: Before leaving home, send a friend or family member your itinerary, a copy of your passport, and ideally a copy of your credit card (front and back) in case of an emergency.Copyright 2021. Jill Paider Photography, Inc.

Destination: The Philippines

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2021 11:08

Overview: An archipelago of more than 7,000 islands, the Philippines hosts some of the best diving and beaches in all of Asia. Although it's not as developed for tourism as some of its neighbors, its friendly locals, unique culinary scene, wellness resorts and hidden island retreats will win you over. Inspiration: I was interested in photographing The Farm at San Benito for my books, Modern Refuge and Asian Design. Highlights: Exploring the many lakes and islands Wellness pursuits at The Farm at San Benito Experiencing Filipino hospitality Self-guided walking tour of Intramuros Ayala Museum Afternoon tea at Fairmont Makati Shopping in Makati Marikina City Footwear Museum Food & Wine: Get ready for a variety of seafood and wellness delicacies for almost any palate. Philippine cuisine tends to be a fusion of Indian, Chinese, Spanish and American flavors. Ideal for: Adventure travelers; island lovers; wellness retreaters. Getting There & Away: Direct flights daily from several major U.S. cities to Manila. From there it's a short hopper flight to many of the islands. Recommended Length of Stay: A minimum of 5 days. Best Time of Year to Visit: November through April. Good To Know: Allow enough time for traffic when getting around Manila and neighboring villages. Budgeting Tips: The Philippines is generally budget-friendly, but island hopping can add up. Research transportation options between islands, as they will likely be one of your higher expense categories. Packing Considerations: Expect generally warm weather. Casual, beach-chic clothing will get you almost anywhere on the islands and mainland. JILL'S TRAVEL TIP OF THE DAY: Have prepacked toiletries and travel necessities on hand to reduce packing time and keep you ready for last-minute diversions. Copyright 2020. Jill Paider Photography, Inc.

Destination: Luang Prabang, Laos

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2021 15:12

Overview: Luang Prabang is the chill capital of Southeast Asia. With beautiful architecture, a zen vibe and welcoming hosts, it's the perfect place to relax either as a destination in itself or as a part of a larger trip in the region. Its gentle beauty and serene streets make it the ideal location to explore on bike or by foot.Inspiration: I wanted to experience the resorts of Luang Prabang and explore the country for my books Asian Design and Modern Refuge.Highlights:Exploring the city on foot/bikeLuang Prabang Night MarketBoutique resortsMekong River Cruise in a traditional boatAlms Giving Ceremony with Buddhist monksFood & Wine: The spice level is less intense in Laotian food than in other cuisines of Southeast Asia. This is the sticky-rice capital of the world, and French-inspired dishes are also plentiful.Ideal for: Lovers of bohemian luxury; adventure travelers; spa/wellness vacationers.Getting There & Away: Direct flights daily from several major U.S. cities to Bangkok or Hanoi. From either place, it's a 1.5-hour flight to Luang Prabang.Recommended Length of Stay: A minimum of 3 days.Best Time of Year to Visit: October through April.Good To Know: The city is easily accessible via foot, bike or rickshaw.Budgeting Tips: There are many guesthouses and boutique hotels to accommodate all budgets.Packing Considerations: Casual clothing is the norm and good walking shoes are a must.JILL'S TRAVEL TIP OF THE DAY: Keep emergency snacks and medications in your personal carry-on item. You never know when you'll be delayed or disenchanted with airline food.Copyright 2021. Jill Paider Photography, Inc.

Destination: Cambodia

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2021 12:22

Overview: Cambodia enthralls visitors with a traditional kingdom and modern influences, offering an authentic and varied experience. Angkor history, more recent history, and the kingdom’s positive outlook give visitors a unique trifecta of a travel experience. The spirit and ultimate triumph of the people make this a warm and welcoming place to visit.Inspiration: Cambodia had long been on my list, and while I specialize in modern architecture, I was thrilled to see the ancient architecture of Angkor and the urban-chic combination of new and old that came to be featured in my books Asian Design and Modern Refuge.Highlights:Cambodian cuisine and cooking classesSiem Reap temples (especially those inside Angkor Archaeological Park)Exploring life in the Cambodian countrysideRoyal Palace and Silver PagodaNational Museum of CambodiaKhmer Rouge Killing Fields and S-21 PrisonPhnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue CenterFood & Wine: Amazing food is available at very affordable prices. Trending bars and cafes fill the streets of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.Ideal for: Adventure travelers; lovers of ancient architecture.Getting There & Away: Direct flights daily from several major U.S. cities to Phnom Penh. From there it’s a 45-minute flight to Siem Reap.Recommended Length of Stay: A minimum of 7 days.Best Time of Year to Visit: May to OctoberGood To Know: Roads are not great; stick to air travel for movement between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.Budgeting Tips: Cambodia is a budget-friendly destination. Prices increase during high season and Chinese New Year, so finding alternative times to visit will increase your monetary bandwidth.Packing Considerations: Casual attire, good walking shoes and multiple changes of clothing during warm days at the temples are a must.JILL'S TRAVEL TIP OF THE DAY: Like airfares, hotel rates go sale from time to time. Watch your favorite booking sites for discounts and keep in mind that fares are sometimes lower when booked via a mobile app.Copyright 2021. Jill Paider Photography, Inc.

Destination: Iceland

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2021 11:28

Overview: Nature lovers, look no further: Iceland will rock your world. From the Northern Lights and natural spas to the beautiful South Coast, Iceland hosts the most dramatic and stunning landscape in the Northern Hemisphere. Thanks to a burgeoning hospitality industry, it is easy to make the most of your time here, be it a two-day layover or a longer sojourn. Inspiration: The landscape had me sold, and I wanted to feature the architecture of Harpa and the Silica Hotel in my books, Scandinavian Design and Modern Refuge. Highlights: Exploring South Coast Harpa, Reykjavik’s modern opera house Northern Lights expedition Natural spas Landscape photographing Walking tour of Reykjavik at night Food & Wine: Expect excellent fish and seafood. Ideal for: Nature lovers; adventure travelers. Getting There & Away: Direct flights daily from several major U.S. cities to Reykjavik. Recommended Length of Stay: A minimum of 3-4 days. Best Time of Year to Visit: June through August. Good To Know: Everyone visiting Iceland seems to be after the same thing in a similarly limited amount of time. Plan your excursions in advance if possible. Budgeting Tips: Look for package deals that include excursions, which can help avoid inflated prices. Packing Considerations: Pack extra layers for cool nights. Food is relatively expensive in Iceland, so you may want to pack treats and extra snacks. JILL'S TRAVEL TIP OF THE DAY: Gain travel points through credit card reward programs and airline credit card offers. Keep an eye out for travel credit cards that offer no transaction fees for international purchases. Copyright 2020. Jill Paider Photography, Inc.