We decided to take a short trip to Tainan to see in the New Year. Travelling in Taiwan is effortless, and the high-speed rail carries you from Taipei to the south with a smooth efficiency. Within a couple of hours, the pace had shifted. Tainan feels older, slower and more grounded.

Taipei is a second home to us. It is my partner’s hometown, and through him I have come to know it not just as a visitor, but with a kind of familiarity that feels personal. It is a city I return to with real affection. Friendly, vibrant, and unique, it carries a warmth that extends beyond the climate. Taipei really is a very special place.