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This is my second trip to Taiwan. Our family loved it so much when we visited 3 years ago, that we decided to come back.

What is not to love? The accommodations are fairly inexpensive, it Is safe, clean, and there are a lot of things to see and do.

The first time we visited, we stayed at one of the 4 Tango Inm Hotel near Shillin Night Market, known for its vibrant night life of shopping and dining. This time, because there are 14 of us, we stayed at the Midtown Richardson Hotel in the center of Ximending area, another shopping district of Taipei. (As you may have guessed, my family’s trips always revolve around eating and shopping. (And at the end of each trip, we always wonder how we gained so much weight LOL).

A few tips:

1) If you’re going to Taipei, stay near Shillin or Ximending. Theyre not exactly Ritz Carlton type areas, but they are the real Taipei- busy and bustling!
2) For luxury shopping- head on to the two Breeze Malls or Taipei 101 (a mall at one of the talllest buildings in the world).

3) Don’t rent a car- they have an amazing bus, metro rail, taxi and inexpensive uber system. Use Googie Maps and you can choose the best option that fits your budget. It is so easy to get around and everything seems to be 15-22 min away.

4) Taiwan isnt just about shopping- they also have great street food choices.

5) Taiwan also has Uber Eats in case you prefer to stay in.

6) Taiwainese people are so kind, polite, and helpful. They don’t speak English as well Filipinos, but you will manage.

7) Taiwan is a small country- but there are so many things to do here and it has so many cool attractions from massive malls to cool museums to trendy restaurants to historical temples.

8) Check the weather before you visit! They have 4 seasons in Taiwan- so pack your jackets if you’re visiting in the winter months! (And swimsuits in the summer months).

When I first visisted La Boca in 2014, I thought “This awful place is a tourist spot?”

But much has changed in 9 years. The place is much more attractive and cleaner. It also has sooo many fun stores and trendy restaurants offering the most delicious meals!

La Boca is a working-class area with a cluster very colorful and vibrant homes and buildings. Steakhouses, cocktail bars and street artists surround Caminito, a narrow alley flanked by brightly painted shacks that evoke the district’s early immigrant days.

It is definitely a MUST visit if you’re ever in Argentina. To get here- get in a cab, show them these photos and they’ll know where to take you.

Just 3-4 blocks away from here is the world famous La Boca Stadium where they play football games at.

Note: Please come during the day- it is not an area you’d like to be walking around at night.

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  I have been to Argentina before (2014), while I loved it, I really had no intentions of coming back. But my friend Sarantos begged me. (I am not good at saying “No”).

Surprisingly, I loved it. I feel like it is a new city again. There are so many new things and the city is now so much cleaner, and more organized. Hotels are more upscale and restaurants, too. The city have undergone a massive makeover.

The downside- the prices have more than doubled since 2014. Hotels in Buenos Aires used to average $70/night. That’s gone now. Want to stay at the Four Seasons? That’s $650/night.

I stayed at 725 Continental Hotel just a few blocks from the Obelisk and enjoyed its central location.

But one thing remains – people here are still
insanely beautiful and kind. People always ask me, “Where do you think people are the prettiest?” I would say Argentinians always rank on my Top 5. I think it’s in the water.

Glad to be back! And I will come back again

If you’re ever in Buenos Aires and have an extra day, a trip to Colonia, Uruguay can be a good idea.you’re ever in Buenos Aires and have an extra day, a trip to Colonia, Uruguay can be a good idea.

You can visit its UNESCO World Heritage Site old town and have a taste of Uruguay cuisine.

The Banque Bus ferry takes about an hour and a half and it is a pretty decent ship (spring for first class if you can). They sell food on the ferry and have very clean washrooms. It even has a duty free store.

The ferry costs about $90 round trip, and about $125 if you want to Include a walking tour.

From Colonia, there are beautiful, modern buses that can take you to Montevideo if you want to explore further.

Not gonna lie- you have to check in (takes 20 min) and stand in line at immigration (another 20 to 30 minutes or so) in both countries. I wish they can streamline this process.

Five hours At Colonia Uruguay should be plenty of time to walk around and enjoy a nice lunch by the ocean.

We met this lovely and hilarious American woman, Charlotte, on the boat. She was a hoot! We love her!

At Old Town Colonia

This light house is the focal point of the small fortress village.

These antique plates were so beautiful

Beautiful handcrafted hats by the locals

Okay, the water isn’t exactly crystal clear or emerald. But it is still a charming town.

There are so many stray dogs- but they all look healthy and were very friendly.

Iguazu Falls seems like a world away, and to be honest, it kinda is. But it is definitely worth the trip.

You can reach Iguazu via a 2 hour plane ride from Buenos Aires or an hour flight from Rio Brazil.

There are many tour groups available from either countries, but to be honest, you don’t really need to join a tour group. The town of Iguazu is very small and it is very easy to get around.

My friend Sarantos and I flew from Buenos Aires, his dream destination. But as soon as we landed in Iguazu, he quickly said “Iguazu is a lot more magical than Buenos Aires.” And it is true.

Many Argentinians don’t speak English (I speak a little Spanish). But we got lucky and our taxi driver Carlos, who drove us from the airport in Iguazu to our hotel, was so kind and friendly.

He was so kind, friendly and nice that we bonded immediately. I asked for his Instagram account and we asked him again to drive us into the town later that evening.

He was soooooo sweet, he showed us around the town and helped us run errands too.

He took us around several places which was great. Because the following day, we had to bolt out of Iguazu to go home to the Philippines for my mom. So it was great that we got to see quite a bit.

He drove us around to show us where the locals live, the other hotels, and to a park where the borders of Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina meets.

As a thank you, we took him to a nice restaurant. When the bill came, this 22 year old kid asked us how much his share was for his meal (it would have cost him his entire day’s wage). He was such a class act.
He was such an amazing kid- so nice, fun, trustworthy and well mannered. We will definitely stay in touch.

The following day, he drove us to the Iguazu park. It costs about $12 to get in. Wear hiking shoes because you will need to walk around the park through pathways, bridges and rocky paths to get around the park.

Tip- try to get to the park on weekdays, or exactly at 8 am when it opens! You will have the entire park to yourself!

There are two sides to the waterfall- the Argentina side or the Brazil side.

We planned on seeing both but due to a personal emergency, we had to leave right away. This gives me reason to come back!

I have always wanted to explore Southwest Utah and Arizona’s National Parks but never had the chance. Living in LA, it’s oddly difficult to convince friends to drive anywhere north of Las Vegas. Finally I was able to drag my friend John – a National Parks junkie to come along for the ride.

Our first stopover was at Zion National Park. We started our trip from Los Angeles and left midday. From LA, it’s an eight-hour drive passing through the endless miles of desert scenery (which is always easier to bear with a good playlist). Halfway through, we stopped in Vegas for an early dinner and to refuel, then headed directly to Zion, which was another three hours away. Note to self: Every guide book will tell you that summer is the best time to visit the parks. I think it’s far too hot. Temps can reach up to a humidity-free heat of 110 degrees. It is arduous to hike in such conditions. Visiting in spring is ideal for me; the weather was bearable and the wildflowers abundant.

Greece is a beautiful country with a rich history and culture. If you are planning a trip to Greece, here are some tips to help make your travels more enjoyable:

1. WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO GO? To get the best deals, the best time to visit are the months of April and May, or Sept and October. Hotels are more affordable, weather is also a bit cooler and beaches won’t be as packed. June through August are the peak months and hotels are more expensive. Greece is pretty much closed for business from mid October through mid March.
2. BOOK AHEAD. To avoid long lines and overcrowded attractions, plan your trip in advance and book your accommodations, flights, and tours ahead of time. It is hard to go wrong with hotels on the islands. Greek locals and hoteliers have great taste when it comes to accommodations. They love to entertain and are obsessed with cleanliness. Even inexpensive hotels are beautiful and clean.
3. DRESS AND PACK LIGHT. Greece can get very hot during the summer months, so be sure to dress in light, breathable clothing. However, remember to dress appropriately when visiting religious sites, such as churches and monasteries, by covering your shoulders and legs. No need to bring special shoes – the official footwear in Greece are flip flops during the day and stylish sandals at night.
4. TRY THE LOCAL CUISINE. Greek cuisine is delicious and varied, so make sure to try as many local dishes as possible. From fresh seafood to souvlaki and tzatziki, the food in Greece is sure to delight your taste buds. Ask your hotel owner for suggestions. They know all the secret places that are good and inexpensive.
5. BRING CASH. While credit cards are widely accepted in larger cities and tourist areas, it’s always a good idea to carry cash with you. Many small shops and restaurants only accept cash, and some rural areas may not have ATMs.
6. LEARN BASIC GREEK WORDS. While many Greeks speak English, it’s always appreciated when tourists make an effort to speak the local language. Learn some basic Greek phrases such as “hello” (yasou), “thank you” (efharisto), and “please” (parakalo).
7. BE KIND AND GENEROUS. The tipping practice, according to handbooks, is “just leave your change” after dinner. WRONG! The American tourists ruined this for everyone. Always leave at least 10% for the staff (15% if you’re REALLY happy with your meal and service).
8. BE RESPECTFUL OF CUSTOMS. Greece is a surprisingly a conservative country, especially when it comes to public behavior. Always be respectful of local customs and traditions, especially when visiting religious sites. At the beach, you can wear whatever you want. But when going out at night, dress nice.
9. BEFRIEND THE LOCALS. If a local invites you to dinner at their home- don’t even think about it, say “YES”. Greek people are such kind, hospitable and loving people. Once they welcome you to their home, you are FAMILY to them. They would give their own bed for you! An amazing Greek friend’s family insisted I stay at their house for 2 weeks. They also fed me non stop and loaned me their car during the duration of my stay.
10. EXPLORE BEYOND. While Athens, Santorini, and Mykonos are popular tourist destinations, Greece has much more to offer. Consider exploring some of the lesser-known islands, such as Patmos, Ios, Antiparos, Naxos or Paros, or visiting some of the smaller towns and villages on the mainland.
11. PACK FOR COMFORT. Wear your most comfortable outfits. Remember that whatever you bring, you have to haul this around from one island to another. I have traveled to Greece for a month with one small suitcase. I generally wash my clothes and they dry easily. They also have inexpensive laundry services around the island.
12. BE STYLISH! The Greek islands are probably one of the most instagrammable countries in the world, so BRING FABULOUS outfits! You will be the envy of all your friends. Everyone looks like an influencer here. LOL.
13. THE ATHENS AIRPORT IS VERY FAR FROM TOWN. It is an expensive cab ride ($50 to $60). So plan your trip accordingly. If you’re visiting the islands, it may be faster, easier and cheaper to take a ferry.
14. USE THE FERRY. The inter-island ferries between islands is absolutely beautiful (and generally safe). They are almost never on time, but they are beautiful inside. If you have an option between a large or a small ferry, go with the larger one. The larger the boat, the more amenities it has. GET TO THE FERRY 15 MIN BEFORE DEPARTURE. Most passengers think that they have to be there 1 hour before your ferry schedule. Arrive about only 15 minutes before arrival. You will just be burning under the sun. Most likely, the ferry will be late anyway. LOL.
15. YOU CAN HAGGLE. If you visit during off season, you can haggle. I have done this at rental car companies. You can get as much as 20% to 25% off if you have bargaining skills. “Hi, the other rental car company only charges 40 Euros a day (they are not LOL), but they don’t have the type of car I want. Can you match it?” If they have 10 cars on their lot, they will match it.
16. VISIT SANTORINI ANYWAY. Yes, Santorini is insanely touristy. But you have to visit it at least once in your lifetime. Stay in Akrotiri, a less touristy part of the island.
17. AVOID THE CROWD. If you want to avoid the crowd, walk around Oia and Fira (or any touristy town) from 7:00 am to 10:00 am. That is before all the cruise ship people show up, or from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm, when all the cruise ship crowd are gone. It will be just you and the local cats. LOL.
18. BUY A SIMM CARD. There are many kiosks that sell them for under 10 Euros and they are good for 1 month. It will keep you connected to the world.
19. PARTY FIRST! If Mykonos is on your itinerary, visit Mykonos FIRST. You would most likely party a lot. And it is best to get the partying out of the way, and you can recover in other islands after. You won’t want to fly back to the US with a massive hangover.
20. ATTEND THE LOCAL EVENTS. If you find yourself in Greece during Easter Sunday, that is their most celebrated holiday. You are in for a treat! You can partake in this local, festive tradition and you can party and dine with the locals. They have many other holidays and cultural events (like dance or concerts) that are geared for locals. Try to ask your hotel owner or locals if they know of any events in town.

Overall, Greece is a beautiful and fascinating country that offers something for every type of traveler. With a little preparation and an open mind, your trip to Greece is sure to be a memorable one.

If you need a travel agent to help plan your trip- my friend Mina’s travel agency is one of the most reputable Greek travel agencies. Visit their website at: https://www.travelive.com/ or call 1-888-377-5483. They can help you in planning the most perfect itinerary that fits your budget. PLEASE TELL THEM THAT EDWIN REFERRED YOU! You will get an extra special attention!

I don’t know a single a person who went to Greece and did not have an amazing time.

My Greek posse in Paros! They are all so amazingly kind, generous and thoughtful. Top – Christos, Giannis and Nikos. Bottom row – Vasilis and Sarantos.

My two Greek BFFs who I met in Paros. I met Sarantos (right) one evening when he found my wallet at the restaurant he works at. I was island hopping during COVID and felt lonely halfway through the trip. “Come back here to Paros,” he said, “You have friends here.” So I came back and he introduced me to his family and friends (who later became my friends too). They have visited me in LA twice, and I have visited them in Greece twice.

The whole posse during my good bye dinner in Greece.

My Greek posse in Paros! They are all so amazingly kind, generous and thoughtful. Top – Christos, Giannis and Nikos. Bottom row – Vasilis and Sarantos.

My two Greek BFFs who I met in Paros. I met Sarantos (right) one evening when he found my wallet at the restaurant he works at. I was island hopping during COVID and felt lonely halfway through the trip. “Come back here to Paros,” he said, “You have friends here.” So I came back and he introduced me to his family and friends (who later became my friends too). They have visited me in LA twice, and I have visited them in Greece twice.

The whole posse during my good bye dinner in Greece.

As I was driving from Calgary to Lake Louise over the weekend, I had my Volvo blasting with Michael Buble’s Christmas Album. What could be better? The best Christmas album, sung by my favorite Canadian singer (Sorry Celine), as you drive across the most beautiful part of the Canadian Rockies. It was such a phenomenal experience.

It’s supposed to be springtime in Alberta, but they’re still getting tons of snow, which is something my local friends are not pleased with,

I’m While I love Italian food, it kinda got too much after 3 days. In Sicily, the food selection is kinda limited- pizza, pasta, and panini at every corner.

So when I learned that there is a Filipino restaurant a mile away, I was determined to go despite the rain and my exhaustion. I took the Bird (rental scooter) in the rain, and drove on cobblestones just to go buy pancit, sisig and menudo with rice. My sister was like “Please don’t hurt yourself”.

Thankfully, I got back safely and we devoured it in our hotel room! Yummmm! It was definitely worth risking my life for .

We have a cousin who lives in Palermo and we have not seen her in over 30 years. I asked the restaurant owner if she knows her since there are only 1,000 Filipinos in Palermo. By coincidence- they know each other and she even called her for me. So we got to facetime each other and got caught up. The owner of the restaurant and her son were so incredibly kind and friendly.

Tsibog is at Via Ugo Basi 41, Palermo. When you visit, please order their Bihon. It is absolutely out of this world!

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I have stayed at several hotels in Germany and so far, Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof is the best hotel I’ve ever stayed at in the country. My room was very spacious, nicely fitted and luxurious. The bed was so big and comfortable, I was tempted to stay there all day. The bathroom had very beautiful fixtures, Egyptian towels, marble flooring, robes and a great choice of toiletries.

It is located in the heart of the city within walking distance to the shopping district, financial district and the old town. Everything is within walking distance including the train station and the scenic river two blocks away. If you choose to hire a limo or a cab, the airport is only within 12-15 minute drive. If you’re a foodie, you don’t need to go far. They have a Michelin-starred restaurant right in the hotel.

When I made the reservation, I requested for a room on the lower floor. Upon arrival, I was assigned a room on the 2^nd floor. I was very impressed. This sounds like a simple request, but you have no idea how many times a hotel doesn’t read their notes.

The following afternoon, the front desk offered to take my shopping bags up to my room when they found out that I was running late to my next appointment.

The turndown service came on time every single night and replaced all our used towels and straightened our bed. The staff at the spa were also so accommodating and friendly. If you have time, make sure you try their tea service at the lobby – IT IS DECADENT (and surprisingly inexpensive).

All 261 rooms and 42 suites, enjoy an ambiance of luxury and first-class service. If you’re looking for an amazing (and luxurious) place to stay at – Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof is THE place.

Photo by: Edwin Santiago