100% customisable travel idea
From Taiwan to Okinawa Ode to a Floating World
Taiwan - Taipei - Tainan - Okinawa - Naha - Okuma Beach
100% customisable travel idea
Taiwan - Taipei - Tainan - Okinawa - Naha - Okuma Beach
100% customisable for you
Night spent on the plane, arrival the next day.
Scheduled - At Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, located about 40 km (25 miles) from the city centre, a private driver will be waiting for your arrival. Once you have collected your luggage, you are immediately swept up in a whirlwind of Taiwanese experiences - a perfect introduction to the country. It begins with a refreshing stop at the Beitou thermal springs. Underground volcanic activity warms the waters to a delightful temperature. Then, without transition, you will find yourself chatting with a monk in a local Buddhist temple. Finally, lunch at a local farm in the area introduces your palate to the subtleties of regional cuisine. It’s an understatement to say that, upon your arrival in Taipei, you have already been introduced to some of the country’s customs and traditions.
Three-night stay in the central Songshan district. Behind the modern façade, the rooms play their part: they feature a classic, clean, and understated hotel style, are comfortably furnished, and benefit from large windows that open onto the outside. A terrace lets you make the most of the gentle hours of the day. The neighbourhood is full of restaurants and cafes, so the hotel does not need to run its own kitchen - with the notable exception of breakfast. Just a short walk away, you can find everything you could dream of in terms of Chinese cuisine.
Taipei is an ultra-modern metropolis that grew rapidly with Chinese immigration. It became the capital of Taiwan Province in 1887. Today, it is forging its own path and cultivating a decidedly avant-garde identity, confidently rivalling its prestigious international counterparts. In fact, the vibrant energy of the city, concentrated in the pedestrian area of Ximending, recalls Shibuya in Tokyo or Times Square in New York. Far from being limited to this role, it proudly celebrates its heritage through its Buddhist and Confucian temples, craft shops and small traditional restaurants. In its role as an ambassador, Taipei is more than perfect: it is self-evident.
Scheduled - Taipei in the footsteps of a local. Vincent has lived there for a long time and knows Taipei like the back of his hand. And it’s no easy task to keep up with the changes in such a dynamic city. This encounter comes with no instructions: sharing interests, curiosities or perplexities shapes the framework of the experience. Your wishes guide the journey; once set in motion, it unfolds naturally. Whether it’s shopping, exhibitions, sports, cuisine, tea, traditions, or temples, Vincent is a knowledgeable contact and a diligent guide. With him, you’ll quickly find your bearings and, afterwards, be free to explore on your own
. Optional - Introduction to traditional medicine.
Already planned - The tea ceremony at Gin's. The tea tradition in China has been passed down through generations since ancient times. Often accompanied by a ceremony, Gong Fu Cha - literally “preparing tea with skill and discipline” - is a subtle art that reveals all the aromas of the plant. With Gin, your Taiwanese guide, embark on a sensory journey as you taste three artisanal teas. You explore the terroirs, varieties and preparation methods for an immersive experience where tradition and sensory pleasure meet.
Optional - Tea harvesting and tasting in the countryside; cooking class with a local.
Private transfer to the station, then train to Tainan, where another private transfer takes you to your accommodation in the heart of the old town. Stay for two nights just off a narrow alleyway, a few steps from Fort Provintia. Your minsu (traditional guesthouse) has been completely restored by interior designer Jimmy Pan. He redesigned and restored this old Japanese house that had fallen into disrepair, infusing every corner with a touch of his boundless imagination. Your room blends retro charm with contemporary touches - white walls, soft lighting, wooden furniture, and accents of modern art.
Already included - evening meal featuring Taiwanese specialities. Enjoy a traditional seven-course dinner in a traditional house in the historic centre of Tainan. This is a chance to sample some highlights such as xiao long bao (steamed stuffed buns), beef noodle soup, san bei ji (chicken in soy sauce), lu rou fan (braised pork), mifen (rice noodles) and shaved ice. We’ll probably give the stinky tofu a miss! Tea, of course, accompanies the meal.
Tainan was the country’s capital for more than 200 years - and it shows. A former Dutch colony, Fort Zeelandia - as it was known at the time - was destined to outlast the decline of its founders. It was first the capital of the Kingdom of Tungning, then the prefecture of Taiwan followed by the Republic of Formosa before, perhaps weary at last, handing over its crown to Taipei. Its significance is still visible in the fabric of this cosmopolitan city, where people continue to visit temples in large numbers, praying to the Weaving Goddess or the Old Man Under the Moon, depending on the favours they seek.
On your itinerary - Buddhist temple and artisan village. An hour's drive from Tainan, in the suburbs of the major city of Kaohsiung, you’ll find Taiwan’s largest Buddhist monastery, Fo Guang Shan. This revered site comprises carefully tended gardens, majestic pagodas and a museum filled with ancient relics. And the highlight of the visit is Fo Guang Shan Great Buddha, a bronze statue standing 108 metres (354 feet) tall - one of the largest in the world. Next comes a visit to Meinong Folk Village - a mainstay of Hakka traditions, famous for its temples with curved roofs and traditional houses.
Optional - explore Tainan on foot with a guide.
Return train journey to Taipei and private transfer to the airport. Flight to Naha, gateway and capital of Okinawa Prefecture. Scattered between Taiwan and the southern tip of Kyushu, these southern islands reveal an entirely unexpected side of Japan. Until the end of the 19th century, they had no connection with Japan apart from trade, nor with China, their first occupants. Between the two, a 450-year period of independence (ended by the Meiji era) made the Ryukyu Islands quite distinctive. The legacy of that autonomy is still present today, between Japanese delicacy and the gentle warmth of subtropical Asia.
Pick up your hire car and drive a short distance to your accommodation, located 5 km (3 miles) from the airport. Stay for two nights at this modern hotel, which offers many amenities and delivers all the comfort you would expect from a good-quality international chain. The rooms are comfortable, bright, and simply decorated for broad appeal - those on the upper floors have a lovely view of the city. As you would expect from this type of establishment, there are many different ways to unwind: a gym, hot tub, two restaurants, two bars and a pleasant outdoor pool.
The most populous city on Okinawa Island, Naha is the gateway to the archipelago. Its airport connects the city to the rest of Japan. Like many Japanese cities today, Naha is something of a hybrid, blending sites of strong cultural and historical significance with clear signs of modernity - as seen on its main street, the lively Kokusai-dori.
Included - Naha Like a Local . This walking tour with a local guide lets you experience the city through the eyes of one of its residents. Explore the city’s trendy spots, markets and street food stalls - but above all, its hidden neighbourhoods. It’s about blending into the crowd or, on the contrary, escaping from it, while chatting about daily life on the archipelago. On this unpretentious encounter, nothing is planned in advance - not even the itinerary - as the walk unfolds to suit your interests, what’s on locally, and the plentiful recommendations of your new ‘friend’.
What to see and do - Wander along Kokusai-dori before getting lost in the side streets, following the covered arcades all the way to Makishi Market; prepare for a rejuvenating experience at the stalls selling umi-budo, (seagrapes) beni imo (purple sweet potato), and shikuwasa (a citrus fruit similar to lime); try the salted ice cream; visit the Karate Kaikan, which brings together several dojos and a museum dedicated to the martial art born in Okinawa.
Set off for Okuma Beach. Having your own vehicle means you can make a few stops along the way. That works out well, as the itinerary offers plenty of options. First of all, Yomitan is famous for its pottery and invigorating seaside air. And then there’s the Fukugi-namiki-dori in Bise, a long path lined with about 20,000 fukugi trees. Entwined in an eternal embrace, the loving garnicias flanking the entrance stir something in everyone. Not far from there, Kouri Island - a small piece of land accessible by a 2 km (1.2 miles) bridge - is well worth a visit. With its fine strips of sand and clear water, Kouri-jima is known as the Island of Love. Some say it gets this name because the man and woman who founded humanity lived out their romance in one of these caves; others say it’s because of the heart-shaped rocks that rise out of the waves at Tinu Beach.
Upon arrival in Kunigami, check in for three nights overlooking the sands of Okuma Beach.
This accommodation - a Japanese-style resort - has gladly traded proximity to shops and other places of interest on the island for a peaceful spot beside the water. Above all, people come here seeking a retreat, at the northernmost reaches of Okinawa Honto. On site, everything is designed so that guests do not have to go out unless they wish to. Days are usually spent alternating between swimming and long meal breaks. A perfect combo, as in both of these areas, there is no shortage of choice. When it comes to food, there are two Japanese restaurants (one of which is a teppanyaki), a venue specialising in barbecue, and a beach cafe. As for the buffet breakfast, it does justice to the most important meal of the day. For swimming, there is the same wide range of options: a main pool, a sports pool, a pool with water jets, and a children's pool. There is also the pleasant beach right next door - parasols and other equipment are provided. Would you like to add some activities to your agenda? From treating yourself to a massage or sauna, to heading out on the water by kayak or paddleboard, there are lots of options. Hiking in the forest of nearby Yambaru National Park is also a possibility. You could almost forget to return to your room, set among a string of small white buildings. The atmosphere is rather village-like and the service is faultless.
Two days is just enough to experience all that the accommodation has to offer. You could quite simply spend your entire holiday here, and there would still be more to see and enjoy. On the other hand, the northern side of Okinawa Honto is full of interesting sites that are well worth exploring too. So, whether we like it or not, we step outside. And surprise, surprise - you won’t regret it!
What to see and do - Go all the way to Cape Hedo, the northernmost point of Okinawa Honto; venture into the subtropical jungle to find Hiji Otaki Falls; explore Yanbaru National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; marvel at the karst formations of Daisekirinzan that look as if they belong to another world; discover the unexpected shape of Okinawa Rail Observation Deck (we won’t say any more).
Return journey to Naha Airport, flight to Taipei, then direct international flight home. Night spent on the plane, arrival the next day.
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
Let us create your trip
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
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