On the second day, we'll continue our southward journey, only with a slight twist. Whereas yesterday was all about the coast, after leaving Hualien we'll head inland and drive through the bucolic East Rift Valley, a wide expanse of greenery with towering mountains on both sides. After lunching somewhere around the Tropic of Cancer, we'll take a few hours to cycle on exclusive bike paths that pass through wetlands, rice paddies & the flower filled fields of local farmers. That evening, we'll reach the city of Taitung, a laid back town with a definite tribal vibe.

It's the middle day of the tour, so it makes sense that today we'll be curving through Taiwan's southern banana belt region before turning northward up the western coast. We'll spend much of the day exploring the grounds, pavilions and statues of Taiwan's Fo Guang Shan Buddhist monastery, the largest of its kind in Taiwan. Afterward, we'll head to Tainan and explore Taiwan's spiritual capital (and oldest city), stopping to experience some of the city's famous culinary delights.

On Day four we'll dive in for a deep exploration of Tainan, Taiwan's oldest and arguably most culturally significant city. We'll walk along cobblestone streets built during the Qing dynasty, visiting ancient temples and fortresses once belonging to various colonial powers looking for a toehold in Formosa. In the afternoon we'll visit the Guanziling Mud Spring for a healing soak before heading north to spend the evening at the tour's next port of call, the town of Chiayi.

After breakfast in Chiayi, we'll head out to the old town of Lugang, which boasts 200+ temples dedicated to a variety of folk deities. We'll wander the old streets stopping to explore some of the town's most important temples (including the Longshan and Matsu temples) before delving further into the towns craft and culinary traditions. After spending the day immersed in history, we'll head out to the art filled city of Taichung.

On the tour's final day, we'll head to one of the most beautiful spots in Taiwan, majestic Sun Moon Lake, whose azure water and picture-perfect shoreline have inspired poets for centuries. Enjoy the scenery by taking a leisure boat and visiting the top attractions around the lake. We’ll visit the beautiful Antique Assam Tea Farm and experience the nostalgia vibe. If you are charmed by the Taiwan tea, bring some with you before heading back to Taipei.