Going Places

Hello, In December, I traveled to Taipei, Taiwan, for a work trip lasting less than 48 hours. The journey itself was an adventure: I flew with Air China, taking approximately 24 hours each way from Frankfurt to Shanghai and then to Taipei. Despite the brief stay, the city left a lasting impression on me. ​ I arrived at my hotel, exhausted, on a Sunday afternoon. Yet, I was excited to explore and sample the local cuisine. I met my colleague at a downtown restaurant called Gan Mei Alley . The noodles were insanely good—juicy, chewy, and aromatic. A friend once called me opinionated; perhaps I am. In my view, Asian food is superior. Period.​ Taipei is young, proud, and lively. Taiwan plays an important role in the global tech industry as a leading chip manufacturer. The island holds strategic importance for both China—which claims Taiwan as part of its territory—and the US, which maintains economic ties with Taiwan without officially recognizing it as a sovereign state. Upon land...

Hola, Since moving to Germany, we started going to the Southern Hemisphere during winter. Two things help me survive the Berlin winter: seeing the sun and skiing. Many people in Germany prefer their "summer" holiday during winter. When in Rome, you need to live like a Roman. We chose Málaga this time. This Andalucian city has sunny days almost 99% of the year, making it a perfect winter destination. The whole trip was all about relaxing, eating, a little bit of sightseeing, and walking around. It does not promise a big adventure but is a pretty good deal. We arrive at our hotel (Hotel Vincci Seleccion Posada del Patio) which is very central. The location is perfect but you pay the price by waking up to street noises early in the morning. Zero noise cancellation in this old but pretty building. Our room was spacious and comfortable so we didn't mind that much. Plaza de la Constitución is 5 minutes by foot. There are lots of cafes in this lively plaza. It's big enough ...