The Beitou area of Taipei is renowned for its high concentration of thermal spa centres. There are establishments to fit any budget, from the low-priced open-air Public Hot Spring (modest swimwear required) to private hotels and resorts uphill, all offering hot spring baths at various price points. One option most resorts offer is renting a private room with a large bath that can be filled with hot spring water. The Spring City Resort in Beitou is a great mid-range option. A session here includes access to about a dozen thermal pools of varying water temperature (from seemingly boiling-hot to rather chilly), plus robe, towel, and slipper rental. They even offer a free shuttle bus to the metro station. For a luxurious spa treatment, look into the offerings of Hotel Regent Taipei, for example. Wellspring Spa offers a wide range of relaxing treatments including massages, body wraps, skin polishing and facials. Take the elevator to the top floor and unwind at this urban sanctuary.

Part of the Golden River Bank (Tamsui Jinse Shui'an Biking Trails), this is a well-maintained path running from Tamsui MRT to the Hongshulin MRT. Beautiful scenery and access to one of the region's few remaining mangrove swamps. Before you rent a bike and begin your journey at Tamsui MRT, try the iron eggs, fish balls, and Tamsui Agei (stuffed deep-fried tofu pockets) at the snacks stalls.

The Långe Erik — 'Tall Erik' or oficially 'Ölands norra udde' — lighthouse, perched on the northern tip of Öland on Stora Grund, is a 32-metre-tall structure built from limestone. Climbing the 138 steps to the balcony, positioned at approximately 28 meters, affords visitors a commanding view of the surrounding seascape.

The Tareq Rajab Museum houses a significant private collection of Islamic art, assembled over decades by its founders. Its diverse holdings, spanning over 30,000 items, include collections of historic jewellery, ceramics, manuscripts, costumes and metalwork. The exhibits provide a thorough overview of artistic development across the Islamic world, from pre-Islamic times to the modern era. As an institution born from a passion for preservation, it serves as a valuable and intimate resource for understanding the region's rich cultural heritage.