Yilan

I made a booking for 5 people just two days before we wanted to go. The agency immediately reached out on WhatsApp to confirm and ask a few more questions. Our driver Jackie arrived right on time, and was wonderful - driving safely, giving guidance, and even providing umbrellas for when it rained. Our booking was for 8 hours which was, enough to cover Yehliu, Jiufen, and Shifen Waterfall. We arrived back in Taipei a little after the agreed time and were fully prepared to pay an additional fee for the extra time, but instead got mango jelly as a farewell gift from Jackie. Great experience overall and I can highly recommend!

First of all, the shopkeepers were very friendly. The guide who led the hike to Hill 401 on April 11th was very friendly and professional, and the instructor who brought up the rear was also very friendly. 1. This is really challenging; assess your own abilities, as the hot and humid weather will increase the difficulty. 2. Bring an extra set of clothes; you'll be soaked through after the hike, and your underwear will be completely drenched. 3. Bring a small handheld fan; the dense forest areas are windless, damp, and stuffy, with few well-ventilated spots. 4. Bring a parasol; you'll need it for the island loop. You won't need it for the hike itself, but it can be used as a walking stick. 5. Some steps are very slippery; wear shoes with good grip because it's very damp, and the fresh fallen leaves are sap-covered, making it very slippery. 6. Fog is normal, but without fog, the clear blue sky would be unbearably hot. 7. Get a massage when you get back; definitely massage your legs and stretch, otherwise your legs will be very sore. 8. We set sail promptly at 8:00 AM and returned to Wushi Port around 2:30 PM. We didn't see any dolphins or whales on the way there or back. The boat trip was half an hour each way, so we didn't need to take seasickness medication, but we still saw one or two people vomiting.

The scenery at Victoria Peak is absolutely stunning, and the friendly tour guide even treated us to scallion pancakes.

It was great to have the opportunity to travel around Taiwan by train, as it's not something you get to do often. There were three meals and two snacks, and drinks were unlimited at the counter. Beer was also available from 6 PM. The Sanrio decorations inside and outside the train were cute. There was even karaoke. However, the train was quite bumpy, which was a drawback. We got off at stations with long stops along the way to shop, and the 13 hours flew by. It's a train that can be enjoyed even if you're not a train enthusiast.