(37 Reviews)
100% Recommended

Gabrielle Estel

Cedar Rapids, IA

International Travel Leisure Specialist

I live to travel. I’ve invested over 4 years of my life living abroad.

I lived in Taiwan and explored Asia. Then, I moved to Egypt and explore the Mediterranean and the Sahara. From living with a host family in Spain as you...
Learn more about me.

I live to travel. I’ve invested over 4 years of my life living abroad.

I lived in Taiwan and explored Asia. Then, I moved to Egypt and explore the Mediterranean and the Sahara. From living with a host family in Spain as young teenager to honeymooning in Italy, travel has always marked my life milestones. Now I’m back in my Iowan home state to help others plan their own dream experiences across the globe. Travel is my life.

Let me share my life with you. 

ARTS & CULTURE

My husband is my main travel buddy. He’s a history guy; I’m a literature girl. Between the both of us, we have to see every museum, temple, cathedral, statue --- you name it!

Over my years of travel, I’ve learned art and culture is more than the highlight real. It’s also exploring a local Greek market, listening to a Korean grandmother describe her love of fan-painting, trying homemade Italian dishes at a rooftop dinner party, having a quiet moment in a café watching uniformed King’s College students rush through Canterbury to their morning classes, bargaining for a brick of tea in China.

These little moments of life are art and culture. 

FOOD & WINE

Food is the heart of a country. Food tours are journeys to the heart of a place---and the locals. Local food tour guides know every alley, and cooking instructors always welcome travelers into their family. They’re the best to ask for any last minute recommendations and to have a better understanding of culture through the kitchen. Sometimes the kitchen is the desert, like roasting chicken in Egyptian with a side of koshari. My personal favorite are moon cakes to celebrate Mid-Autumn festival and Scottish eggs in Bath.

Nothing is as engrained in a place as food. It an easy way to experience a place’s every day.

EXPLORATION & ADVENTURE

Let’s take the path less traveled.

That path might be a horse ride through the mountains, a dune buggy through the dunes, a hike up an along the spine of a mountain, a gondola ride above the jungle outside Hong Kong, or a peak at North Korea at the DMZ.

Whatever type of heart racing you’re looking for, I can find.

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Gabrielle Estel

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Taiwan Travel Expert

Embarking on the Road Up Taroko Gorge

I will always miss calling Taiwan home. When people ask where of all the places I've traveled I'd return, Taiwan is always my answer.

Taiwan is an island of gorgeous mountains that drop into ocean waves. It makes you stop, buy a bubble tea, and smell the Yellow Plumeria flowers. Plus, the clean rails and metros make exploring new places a breeze.

What more could one ask for?

Taiwan is a unique mix of Chinese, Japanese, and Taiwanese culture. The island has changed hands, and each hand has left its mark. I've combed my journals, notes, and photos to put together my top memories from each area of Taiwan.

My Heart - Taichung

I lived near the mountains in Taichung for years. This city will always hold my heart. Taichung has the biggest street market: Feng Chia. There are hundreds of restaurants, carnival games, and hidden bars! 

Bubble tea originates in Taichung! Pay a visit to the oldest bubble tea store and learn more about the creation process. I love brown sugar bubble tea, taro bubble tea, and warm ginger tea.

For hikes, check out the Dakeng Trails. The main entrance has a traditional market, and you will find little shops on the trail! My favorite trail is Dakeng #3. It runs along the spine of the mountain.

Not far from Taichung is Sun Moon Lake, a pristine lake is looped by a biking trail. Not feeling the walk? Take the boat taxis to one of the market hubs around the lake.

City Meets Mountain - Taipei

Photos of Taipei usually show the majestic Taipei 101. A ride to the top is a great way to familiarize yourself with the city. I recommend reserving your ticket for an early afternoon time, and then going to the tea shop on the second level or the duck restaurant in the basement.

The National Palace Museum is a jewel. The artifacts date back to the Neolithic Age and include pieces such as porcelain from the Ming Dynasty and jade carved to look like a cabbage.

Take a gondola ride to MaoKong and walk along the tea fields, brew traditional tea, and gaze at the mountain and city views from a tea house. My favorite tea house gives visitors a brewing instruction manual and offers "snow" tea.

Not far north of Taipei is Jiufen, my second favorite place in Taiwan. Jiufen inspired the famous Ghibli movie "Spirited Away." Jiufen is an old mining town perched high in the mountains. It's known for temples and Old Street (a street of traditional food stops). Stay a night to see the village change as the shops close and the faraway lights blink on.

Scootering to the Sky - Taroko National Park

Traveling by scooter is an essential part of Taiwanese culture. It's common to see a family of four all scrunched together on one set of wheels! Try out this slice of life culture on a ride to Taroko Gorge. The Liwu River cuts through the mountains and creates a marble gorge. Drive your scooter up the passes and look out for temples snuggled in the mountains. At the top, find restaurants with delicious food. My favorite is an unassuming, simple food stall with delectable dumplings and spicy mapo tofu.

Not far from the park - just a short train ride north - is the famous Kavalan Distillery. The whiskey from this distillery is award-winning and utilizes the island's unique levels of humidity.

Temples Old and New - Kaohsiung

For awe-inspiring temple photos, Kaohsiung is a must. There are two top stops: Fo Guang Shan and Lotus Lake. I recommend starting the morning at Fo Guang Shan, an active monastery. After walking through the entrance, your eyes will be greeted by eight pagodas leading up to one of the largest Buddha statues in the world. Meander around the lovely gardens and pagodas before entering the far building to see smaller bejeweled statues. Some pagodas may be entered; my favorite has an exhibit about calligraphy. Enjoy a scrumptious vegetarian spread and check out the tourist shops (some of the best in Taiwan - I got a tea set there) before returning to the city.

Back in the city center, find your way to Lotus Lake (also called Lotus Pond). This lake has numerous temples to traditional gods. Perhaps the most famous temple is the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas. It is good luck to walk through the dragon's mouth, to the top of it's pagoda, over to the top of the tiger's pagoda, and then out through the tiger's mouth. Consider walking around the lake at night as well to see the figures lit against the dark sky.

South of Kaohsiung is Kenting, the relaxed beach vacation side of Taiwan. Kenting is known for unique night market options, clean beaches, and being a short scooter ride from the southernmost tip of Taiwan. If you choose to journey to the most southern tip, take an hour to drive on the other side of the island as well. You'll be surprised at how the winds from the unending Pacific Ocean suddenly swell!

Ilha Formosa

It’s easy to see why Portuguese sailors called Taiwan “Ilha Formosa” - the beautiful island. I wish this article had a high word count so I could share more! 

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