Fremantle (Freo), Perth’s maritime center, offers a pleasant change of pace from the nearby state capital. From the Victorian Fremantle Markets to the convict-built History Museum to the strikingly modern Maritime Museum, Fremantle is an elegant and energetic spot. Head south and enjoy patio dining on the Cappuccino Strip, famous for its great beaches and boisterous nightlife.

The charming Vietnamese capital has aged well, preserving the Old Quarter, monuments and colonial architecture, while making room for modern developments alongside. Hanoi may have shrugged off several former names, including Thang Long, or "ascending dragon," but it hasn't forgotten its past, as sites such as Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and Hoa Lo Prison attest. Lakes, parks, shady boulevards and more than 600 temples and pagodas add to the appeal of this city, which is easily explored by taxi.

With its rich natural resources, Taoyuan has unique mountain and coastal sceneries! Visit the North Cross-Island Highway region, Shimen and Hutou Mountain, and refresh your mind and body by strolling; you can enjoy the phytoncide and admire the scenery that changes with the season. Other must-see locations include the treasure of the sea – the millennium-old algae reef, the one-hundred-year-old stacked stones, Xucuogang Wetland, and the reflective pond. Taoyuan has a colorful fusion of ethnic cultures from Hakka, Southern Fujian, aborigines and new immigrants. There are also several well-renowned tourism factories, showcasing the unique tourism charm of the City.

The shrines and temples of Kyoto offer a rare link between modern life in the city and its very ancient past. The Shimogamo Shrine dates to the 6th century and seems suspended in time, its serenity and spiritual power still palpable. Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, then see the life-sized Thousand Armed Kannon statues of Sanjūsangen-dō. Enjoy traditional geisha performances, then savor a tranquil meal at a restaurant overlooking the Kamo River.