2025 Taiwan International Hot Air Balloon Festival

The Taiwan International Hot Air Balloon Festival will be held in 2025! This year marks the 15th anniversary of the event and the 45th anniversary of the Doraemon movie series, which is very familiar to anime fans all over the world. The organizers have made a big announcement: the officially licensed Doraemon-shaped hot air balloon will take off for the first time at Luye Highland in Taitung!

Dreaming of flying begins at Luye Highland.

Luye Highland, located in Luye Township, Taitung County, is one of Taiwan's most iconic hot air balloon landing and takeoff sites. The vast grasslands, magnificent sea of clouds, and the sunrise over the Pacific Ocean create a picturesque natural canvas, attracting countless domestic and international tourists every year. The 2025 event will be held... July 5 to August 21 For more than a month, a visual and sensory feast unfolded on this land embraced by mountains and blue skies.

Travel Agency Work Routine Vol.5 – At the Turning Point of Time

In this fast-paced city where you can barely breathe, there's a travel agency called Travel Mama. This place is not only where I work every day, but also the factory where we turn everyone's "dream vacation" into a "real itinerary".

In the early morning, before the city is fully awake, our day at Travel Mama begins with the vibration of our phones. Back in the days of sleeping on the floor, we rushed back to open the door; now that we've transitioned to an OTA (Online Travel Agency), our work environment has a more homey feel. Although we can't sit face-to-face with customers, the absence of that cold, impersonal desk makes us feel more like family when we're all sitting together.

Writing Stagnation – Lately, I've found myself struggling to write; the quantity has decreased, and the quality is unsatisfactory. The constant explanation has been a busy work schedule and lack of time. In reality, this explanation has become a habit, almost an unconscious form of self-comfort. Whenever someone asks why my writing has stalled, I mechanically reply, "I'm just too busy."

Is being busy the real reason?

However, this is the most common explanation in Hong Kong, applicable to all questions. Strictly speaking, this explanation doesn't explain anything at all. It's like a fig leaf, covering up deeper issues: a lack of inspiration, a creative burnout, or dissatisfaction with current life. Yet, these issues are often harder to talk about and harder to face than simply being busy.

Oita Prefecture! Explore fun places for families!

Oita Prefecture is not only a shining jewel in Japan's Kyushu region, but also a place brimming with artistic and spiritual heritage. Renowned for its natural beauty, such as the Yabakei Gorge and Beppu Onsen, these natural wonders offer visitors an excellent opportunity to escape the daily grind and make Oita a hidden gem worthy of in-depth exploration.

The charm and culture of Oita Prefecture

Oita Prefecture boasts abundant natural resources and a rich cultural heritage. From dense forests to hot spring towns, every place showcases the harmonious coexistence of nature and humanity. Among them, Beppu and Yufuin are the most representative hot spring towns, renowned for their unique bohemian charm and high-quality hot springs. Beppu's eight hot springs have been popular since ancient times, each with its own unique therapeutic properties and beautiful scenery.

Yamagata Tourism Information: As the winter snow gradually melts, spring quietly arrives in Yamagata Prefecture in the Tohoku region of Japan. This land boasts magnificent natural landscapes, especially in spring, when the beauty of Yamagata unfolds like a canvas, from cherry blossoms in full bloom to mysterious submerged forests, weaving together a dreamlike scenery that only blossoms briefly in spring. Mid-April to early May is the most vibrant time of year in this land; let's step into this spring feast together.

Tsugawa Weeping Cherry Blossoms: Pink Corridor and Nighttime Hanami (Fragrance Viewing)

Along the Kuratsu River in Tendo City, a 1.4-kilometer-long tunnel of cherry blossoms transforms every spring. This weeping cherry blossom path reaches its peak viewing period in mid-April, with cherry blossoms cascading down like a waterfall, creating a dreamlike scene. Strolling along the riverbank, a gentle breeze caresses the cherry blossom petals, creating a breathtakingly romantic atmosphere. Not only is it a famous cherry blossom viewing spot during the day, but the cherry blossoms are even more stunning at night when illuminated. The soft yellow lights reflecting on the pink petals add a touch of tranquility and romance to evening walks. Notably, it's located near the Tendo Onsen (hot spring) town, where visitors can relax in the hot springs after enjoying the blossoms and soak in the warm embrace of Yamagata's springtime.

In the hustle and bustle of city life, every family dreams of a special trip, taking their children and family away from the noise and finding a peaceful haven of their own. In Taichung, this dream can be easily realized through Travel Mama's family-friendly small group tours, allowing every family member to find their own happiness on the journey.

Extensive itinerary design

The Taichung family trip offers a rich and varied itinerary, meticulously designed to ensure both adults and children enjoy the journey. Day 1 departs from Hong Kong, arriving in Taichung and then heading directly to Miaoli, where the Dahu Strawberry Farm is a paradise for children. Led by a guide, families can participate in strawberry picking, personally picking each ripe, red strawberry and experiencing the joy of harvest.

Tokushima Travel: Tokushima Prefecture boasts a rich history and attracts countless domestic and international tourists every year with its natural wonders and unique cultural attractions. As spring arrives and nature awakens, this stunning region with its mountains and coastline is undoubtedly an ideal destination for spring travel.

Oogami Falls: Tokushima's "Waterfall Kingdom"

The Naga region in southern Tokushima is surrounded by magnificent mountains and is beautiful in all seasons, but especially enchanting in spring. The region boasts numerous spectacular waterfalls, earning it the nickname "Kingdom of Waterfalls," the most magnificent of which is the Daigo Falls. With a drop of 20 meters, the falls cascade down in three tiers, creating a breathtaking and awe-inspiring sight. Furthermore, the nearby Kamagosu Gorge is another stunning natural attraction, highly recommended for travelers to explore.

In-depth Bhutan tour: Exploring the mystical Shangri-La

In-depth travel in Bhutan, a land known as "Shangri-La," offers endless opportunities for exploration and profound cultural experiences. Travel Mama's small group tours in Bhutan aim to provide travelers seeking a comprehensive and unique travel experience. From meticulously planned itineraries to attentive service, every detail is designed to allow travelers to fully immerse themselves in Bhutan's natural beauty and cultural charm.

The starting point of the trip: Hong Kong to Paro

The journey begins in Hong Kong with an early morning flight to Paro, a breathtaking aerial journey through the Himalayas, offering stunning views of the mountains outside the window. Upon arrival at Paro Airport, the fresh mountain air greets you, marking the first step away from the hustle and bustle of the city and into the mystical land of Bhutan.

Speaking of the Lunar New Year, for many people it's just a "holiday," but for us, it's practically an annual competition! Starting from the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, the entire company's WhatsApp messages have been non-stop, like a symphony: some customers wanted to change their flight tickets at the last minute, and some only discovered their passports had expired when they got to the airport (we encountered all sorts of strange and difficult problems!). Our entire team of colleagues really had to work until the very last second to ensure that every customer who booked a flight or tour through us could depart safely before we dared to even think about "closing the fire."

Therefore, the annual "Travel Mama Reunion Dinner" is not just a simple meal for us; it is an important ritual for "collective rejuvenation"!

A trip to southern Taiwan sometimes feels like a meticulously planned dream. In this dream, filled with curiosity about the unknown, I boarded an early morning flight to Kaohsiung. The clouds outside the window resembled ocean waves, the plane was like a ship navigating between them, and I was a traveler about to embark on an unknown journey.

This trip was a small group tour carefully planned by Travel Mama, with the aim of allowing travelers to experience the culture and natural beauty of Tainan and Kaohsiung in a more private environment.