Ripple Tours: Flavors of Taiwan

DAY 01 DEC 26 MANILA / TAIPEI - TAICHUNG

Upon arrival, we transfer to the city of Taichung where we will visit the beautiful Chungshe Flower Garden. Step into a 6-hectare flower bed with different species in bloom. They also have different backdrops on display that make the place Instagram-worthy. Then our culinary journey begins as we get a hands-on experience on MilkTea-making, Taiwan’s well-known drink. After that, we visit a local bakery where we will experience how to make Taiwan’s famous Pineapple Cake. We cap-off the day with dinner in Din Tai Fung, the Taiwanese restaurant which has been included in the Michellin guide book.

DAY 02 DEC 27 SUBURBAN TAIPEI

Today, we go out to the suburban part of Taipei and travel to Yehliu Geographic Park. Yehliu is famous for its natural rock formations which are an amazing array of artistic shapes created by erosion and other natural forces. Next, we go to Shifen. See their famous waterfall, also known as the “Niagara of Taiwan”, a 40 metre tall waterfall that creates a rainbow as it splashes into the lake, widely regarded as the most scenic in all of Taiwan. Not too far away is Shifen Old Street which is by a railway station. Here you can purchase different colored papers (each symbolizing something that you wish for) and turn it into a Sky Lantern that you can set off to the sky to symbolize your wish coming true. We end the day at Ximending Shopping District. This pedestrian shopping haven is one of the city’s culture centers where you can try different streetfood and clothes.

DAY 03 DEC 28 FOOD JOURNEY CONTINUES

Make sure to take a light breakfast today as our first stop will be the Binjiang Fruit & Vegetable Wholesale Market. The locals come here often since the freshness of the produce is unquestionable. You may purchase and taste fruits especially their sweet atis. From there, we proceed to Addiction Aquatic Development. This place houses the freshest catch of seafood. Lunch here where you get to pick what you want to eat whether it be sushi, crabs, uni or other seafood delights. We hope you are still hungry in the afternoon because are scheduled for another cooking class. This time, we get to make the delicious Xiao Long Bao! More shopping awaits at Yongkang Street and for dinner, get ready for a mouth-watering beef noodle soup.

DAY 04 DEC 29 DOWNTOWN CITY TOUR / MANILA

We start the day with a visit to a Jade Handicraft center where you see how this precious stone of Taiwan is polished into displays and jewelry. By this time, you must have already seen the Taipei 101 Building from afar. This is our next stop and it is the 2nd tallest building in the world! There are multi-level shopping malls and restaurants inside and you can also choose to go up the observatory deck (own expense) and have a panoramic view of the city. Enjoy a delicious peking duck for lunch. On the way to the airport, we stop by the Marty’s Shrine dedicated to the fallen soldiers of the country and a photostop at the 5-star Grand Palace Hotel.