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Three things to do in Taipei tonight

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The sun has just set in Taipei, and after finding accommodation and strolling through the 228 Peace Memorial Park, you want to enjoy the bright lights of the city. But what to do? Here are a few suggestions…

Visit a night market

These celebrated staples of Taipei come alive after dark, offering a colorful assortment of food vendors, clothing shops, arcades, karaoke bars and more. Many night markets are within walking distance of Taipei Metro stops, so be sure to bring your sense of adventure. You’ll also want to bring your appetite as you’re sure to want to sample the likes of black pepper buns, meat pockets, stinky tofu, Chinese fried chicken and oyster omelets from the various vendors. The most well-known are Shilin Night Market, Huaxi Street Tourist Night Market (also known as Snake Alley) and Raohe Street Night Market.

See a show

When in a city as culturally rich as Taipei you cannot miss out on experiencing its performing arts. The National Theater & Concert Hall is two interconnected venues which hosts ballets, orchestras, operas and both traditional and international drama. Taipei is also home to several multiplexes, including an IMAX theater in Zhongshan and a number of English-language theaters.

Eat!

What good is a trip to Taipei without enjoying its one-of-a-kind cuisine? Influenced by China, Japan and local traditions, food in Taipei is as eclectic as it is delectable. Try a succulent pork-filled Taiwanese hamburger – known locally as gua boa, salty rice pudding, or an iron egg – a quail egg drenched in soy sauce and then air-dried, to get a real taste of Taipei. If you’re in the mood for dessert, try the flaky cake containing maltose known as a suncake, or aiyu ice jelly, a fig-based gelatin decked with fresh fruits and served with ice on hot summer nights.

Three things to do in Bergen on a rainy day

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As Norway’s second most populous city, Bergen is home to a bevy of enjoyable outdoor activities, such as riding the funicular to the top of Mount Fløyen for a spectacular, panoramic view or taking a quiet stroll around Lille Lungegaardsvannet, the five-acre lake at the center of the city. However, autumn is the wettest time of year in Bergen, with rainfall averaging over ten inches in both September and October. Fortunately, there is still plenty to do in Bergen on a rainy day.

Play a game

If you enjoy puzzles with an interactive twist, visit one of Bergen’s popular escape game rooms. In either a pair or on a team with up to six people, you will be expected to solve a mystery to obtain the key that allows you to exit the room. There’s only one catch: you have to solve the mystery within 60 minutes.

Grab a bite

While staying at any one of Bergen’s many apartment rentals, you can always prepare a meal without leaving home—but it is so much more fun to dine out! Sample a local dish at one of the city’s many restaurants or try something from outside of Norway, such as Horn of Africa, a restaurant offering both Eritrean and Ethiopian cuisine. For those craving American food, there is even a TGI Friday’s, and if you love beer and music, the Apollon Platebar is a record store offering a variety of brews among its vinyl records for sale.

See a show

As Norway’s film industry continues to flourish, catch a flick at the Bergen Kino to sample the local cinema. The Bergen International Film Festival usually takes place in September or October and offers a great showcase of both Norwegian movies and films from abroad. For something more upscale, buy tickets to see the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra at the Grieghallen, a concert hall with strikingly impressive architecture, even in the rain.