I’ve put my wheels on trains, used bike ramps at
stations, and slept in quaint B&Bs. Rental outlets, bilingual signs and bike-only trails are ubiquitous.
The infrastructure is there, and drivers are used to sharing with two wheelers.
A bike tour of Taiwan can be as strenuous
or as laidback you want it to be. Escape to serenity in asAsheville, North Carolina. BY KATIE SKRZEK
NESTLED IN THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS, Asheville, North Carolina, touts a reputation as a healing escape. Take a neighborhood tour of the different parts of Asheville to experience the city’s healthful offerings. To learn more about Asheville while exploring the city on foot, take a self-guided walking tour on the Urban Trail. The 1.7-mile loop starts downtown at Pack Square and features 30 stations in total with sculptural markers detailing historic moments from the city’s past. vie salt to be King of the Mountains AshevilleOlympians embraced the cave trend, offering a variety In the highlands, a world-class route awaits hardcore bikers. From of options in and around the city. Asheville Salt Cave & the Pacific, the & marble of Taroko Gorge, the brutaloffer Spa,through Shoji Spa Lodgecanyon and The Salt Spa of Asheville yet beautiful KOM ascent to 3,275m (10,745ft) in a mere salt therapies as wellclimbs as massage and other spa treatments. 105km (65 Among elite riders taking on this Formiles). a unique experience, book a tour withchallenge Ashevillein Wellness Tours. Thegold tourmedallist company offers a variety of 2015 was Olympic Lasse Norman Hansen. options including yoga hikes, forest bathing, urban wellness tours, mobile massage and private group yoga. PARTNER TOUR OPERATORS A visit to Asheville isn’t complete without experiencing Supera Tours www.superatours.com the city’s booming beer scene. Several of the city’s best STA Travel US www.statravel.com SITA World Tours breweries host events combining beerwww.sitatours.com and fitness. Archetype Mango Tours www.mangotours.com Brewing, located in West Asheville, hosts a weekly yoga Majestic Vacations class. Hi-Wire Brewing andwww.majestic-vacations.com One World Brewing West both Hana Tour USA www.hanatour.us offer hour-long weekly runs. All fitness levels are welcome.
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Goway Travel www.goway.com Avanti Destinations www.avantidestinations.com Asia Getaway www.asiagetaway.com globaltravelerusa.com LEISURE LIFESTYLE | JUNE 2020 Asia Answers www.asiaanswers.com
We w h o l i v e f o r c y c l i n g n e e d t o k n o w Ta i w a n — a m u s t - v i s i t d e s t i n a t i o n f o r a d v e n t u r o u s r i d e r s .
Mountain Retreat For all ages and abilities
Unforgettable hospitality Taiwan, one of the world’s safest destinations for tourists, is also one of the friendliest. Police greet me warmly when I stop at rural stations to refill my bidon. Countryside folk press tea and yummy Taiwanese fruit on me. And everywhere I hear the phrase locals shout to offer encouragement: jiayou - “go for it!”
Year-round cycling events There’s no bad season for riding in Taiwan, but each year I mark two events in myhip-hop diary. The Tourand de Taiwan Highland Brewing Co. offers two weekly fitness options: classes a
ARTISTIC
(www.tourdetaiwan.org.tw) is held in the first quarter. Come fall, LANDSCAPES running club. Biltmore Estate (top), Taiwan Cycling Festival (http://taiwanbike.tw) encompasses Asheville delights diners with itsthe many award-winning restaurants specialand Pack Square in KOMout race and other events. izing in farm-to-table, seasonal fare.the Check Rhubarb orthrilling The Market Place downtown Asheville (bottom) for seasonally driven, regional dishes. Vegan and vegetarian restaurants like For complete details of other highlights, biking and Laughing Seed Café and Rosetta’s Kitchen prove popular among both locals PHOTOS: © FOTOLUMINATE non-biking, see http://eng.taiwan.net.tw. - DREAMSTIME.COM, and tourists. © SEAN PAVONE Don’t leave Asheville without visiting the Biltmore Estate. The historic DREAMSTIME.COM house museum opens daily for tours. In addition to the house, gardens and grounds, enjoy an on-site winery and shopping, dining and an exhibition village. Three lodging options include The Inn on Biltmore Estate. Take advantage of the property’s on-site spa with massage, skin care and beauty treatments for a rejuvenating experience. Whatever your goals, Asheville has something to ensure you return home rested and rejuvenated.