Our small group means you’ll see more, learn more and experience more. You’ll get as close to real life as possible (without actually living here). You’ll have the unsurpassed knowledge of a local leader (an ex-pat from the US), taking you out of the guidebooks and into a world you’re waiting to discover. Our photographer leader, Henry, has traveled extensively, he has photographed in 30+ countries, and is recognized world-wide for his beautiful photography. He's been published, globally, in books, magazines, newspapers, brochures and on websites, including by the National Geographic Society, Discovery, Conde Nast Traveller, Forbes Traveler, Fodor’s, Frommer’s Travel Guides, Lonely Planet, Bradt Travel Guides, and Rough Guides, just to name a few. See some of Henry's travel photos on his website at Henry Westheim Photography
Adventure, Explore, Experience Asia, Travel, Photograph, Photography workshop
Our trips keep things easy to give you amazing experiences at a great price. We use 5 Star & centrally located accommodations and comfortable transport where there is plenty of room for you, your cameras and luggage.
Hotels have been specifically and carefully chosen for your comfort, as well as for their closeness to locations, to give you a good night's rest along with a great trip price.
Our bus is comfortable, clean and modern, and it offers plenty of room for you and your luggage.
Cheryl Robbins, born and raised in Southern California, came to Taiwan nearly 30 years ago. Cheryl is one of the most sought after tour guides in Taiwan, today.
Henry Westheim left his home in New York City and arrived in Taiwan 18 years ago. He has lived in Taiwan ever since. Henry has traveled extensively, he has photographed in 30+ countries, and has been published world-wide.
In addition to your accommodations and transport being taken care of, we also include breakfast, lunch and dinner, site entrance fees, aboriginal villages, pre, during and post-production photography workshops and:
Cheryl Robbins, born and raised in Southern California, came to Taiwan nearly 30 years ago. Cheryl quickly fell in love with Taiwan, the Taiwanese people, Taiwan’s incredible landscapes, its culture and history, and has lived here ever since. She is highly proficient in Mandarin Chinese, and is one of only a handful of native English speakers licensed by the Taiwan Tourism Bureau to serve as a professional tour guide. Cheryl’s M.A. is in Cultural Management from the University of Northumbria, Newcastle, England. In addition to developing specialty tour itineraries for individuals and travel agencies, Cheryl is CEO of Tribe-Asia Company (which is devoted to the promotion and marketing of Taiwan's indigenous cultural products and sustainable indigenous area tourism). Moreover, she has worked as an ecotourism consultant for the Alliance Cultural Foundation and has authored 4 books about Taiwan, including a series of 3 specialty travel guides entitled "A Foreigner's Travel Guide to Taiwan's Indigenous Areas.” With Cheryl’s experience comes unique and special access to local cultures and areas in Taiwan that are often inaccessible to other tours. She loves, and is excited to share, hidden gems that only people on our tour will experience, giving you an insider's look into the local culture and the beauty of Taiwan. Cheryl is a frequent contributor to magazines, newspapers and websites about Taiwan; her publications include: Travel in Taiwan (official magazine of the Taiwan Tourism Bureau), TAIPEI Quarterly, Taiwan News, China Post, CNA Newsworld, Taichung City Government website, Travel Alliance website and East Rift Valley National Scenic Area website. Cheryl’s nearly 30 years of living in Taiwan, her proficiency in both English and Chinese, her degree in Cultural Management, her expertise and experience working with the Taiwan Tourism Bureau, cultural foundations, and others, as well as her constant travels and exploration in Taiwan, have made her the go-to-choice for leading tours for VIPs visiting Taiwan; these VIPs include Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Asia executives, American Institute in Taiwan Director, the Netherlands Representative to Taiwan, the Solomon Islands' Ambassador to Taiwan, the Palau Ambassador to Taiwan, a Vancouver City councilman, the Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for US EPA’s Office of International and Tribal Affairs (OITA) as well as other OITA officials, YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization) members group (YPO is the world’s premier peer network of chief executives and business leaders) and even Steve Vai, American guitarist extraordinaire. Cheryl Robbins is one of the most sought after tour guides in Taiwan, today.
Henry Westheim left his home in New York City, for Asia, nearly 20 years ago; he arrived in Taiwan 18 years ago and has lived in Taiwan ever since. Henry has traveled extensively, he has photographed in 30+ countries, and is recognized world-wide for his beautiful photography. Henry’s photos have been published, globally, in books, magazines, newspapers, brochures and on websites, including by the National Geographic Society, Discovery, Conde Nast Traveller, Forbes Traveler, Fodor’s, Frommer’s Travel Guides, Lonely Planet, Bradt Travel Guides, and Rough Guides, just to name a few. It has been said that, "His integrity, sense of adventure and appreciation for the inherent beauty in people, and their respective cultures, is represented clearly in his work. His photos depict stunning, real life images of people, culture, and history. Mood, emotion and light are tools Henry uses to draw viewers into his images." Henry’s photographs have also been published for commercial usages, including advertising, product packaging, annual reports as well as other corporate and commercial usages. In addition to travel photography, Henry has photographed many VIPs in Taiwan, including Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou for the cover of USA Today, Taiwan's Olympic gold medalist for L'Equipe magazine in France, the Dalai Lama, business leaders, models and everyday people. Henry is a member of the Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club (TFCC) and has photographed important events in Taiwan such as The World Games – his opening ceremony photos were published by Washington Post and Yahoo News. Prior to becoming a photographer, Henry earned an MA in Education from New York University and taught Social Studies and History in a New York City public high school. It was at that time that he became especially interested in Asia’s rich and ancient cultures and history. Henry’s love of travel, people, history, and culture, combined with his teaching experience (both on the high school and university levels), along with his skill as a photographer, will help ensure that you return home with a wealth of knowledge about photography. You’ll also return home with photographs and stories that will be the envy of your family and friends. When Henry is not photographing, he teaches photography workshops and runs a stock photography agency representing other photographers’ work in addition to his own. In addition to many of the pictures here, more of Henry’s travel photography can be seen on his website at http://www.henrywestheim.com/galleries/travel-photographer-taiwan .
Experience / Difficulty: Beginner, amateur, hobbyist, serious hobbyist, semi-pro and pro photographers. Recommended gear: DSLR, Speedlight / Flash (Recommended), Tripod (Recommended), Laptop computer with Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Bridge (Recommended). Non-photographers are, of course, also welcome. Travel by minibus. Arrival Airport: Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. You will be greeted at the airport and travel time to the hotel is around 1 to 1.5 hours. Travel Visa: Please consult with your travel agent and/or visit Taiwan’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Ministry of Foreign Affairs website at http://www.boca.gov.tw/content?mp=2&CuItem=1443 to see if you need a visa. Sunrise / Sunset: January 12, 2017: Sunrise @ 6:42 AM / Sunset@ 5:29 PM, August 22, 2017: Sunrise @ 5:35 AM / Sunset@ 6:25 PM Weather: Northern Taiwan is subtropical and southern Taiwan is tropical; the Tropic of Cancer runs through the middle of Taiwan. While winters are a usually a comfortable temperature it can feel very cold due to humidity and moisture in the air. Summers are hot and humid. A typical annual average temperature is 71.6 F (22 C). In Taipei, in the winter, average low and high temperatures range from 55 F (13 C) to 64 F (18 C), however the temperature can drop into the 40s F (5-8 C). In the summer, the average temperature in Taipei is 86 F (30 C); in the south temperatures may average in the mid 90s F (32-35 C). The temperature combined with humidity can make the weather feel very cold or very hot. Recommended Clothing: Casual and comfortable clothing is recommended. Western fashion is the norm in Taiwan. Winter: Dress in layers. We recommend a light winter coat and perhaps a scarf for the mountain areas. While the temperature isn’t very low the humidity and breeze can make it feel much colder than it actually is. Comfortable walking shoes are a must. Summer: Lightweight layers. We recommend light and loose fitting clothing; Taiwan is very humid in the summer and fitted t-shirts, for example, will cling to you. Comfortable walking shoes, sneakers and/or sandals are recommended. A long sleeve shirt and sweatshirt should keep you warm in higher elevation areas and shorts and long pants are a must. Taiwan is not a conservative country with regards to dress, so for women shorts and skirts can be any length you’re comfortable with. We recommend you bring what you’d be most comfortable wearing in hot and humid weather. Electricity: Taiwan uses 110V – 120V (the same as the USA and Canada). Bring a three to two prong adapter as many electric outlets are only two prongs. Internet: Taiwan is one of the most wired places in the world. Free Wifi is available nearly everywhere, such as hotels and cafes, but you may have to ask for a password. Health: Our tour is for people of average physical capabilities and in good health. If you have any health concerns please inquire with us before making your reservation. Your registration for our tour acts as certification that you do not have any health or physical conditions that would create a risk for you or any other tour participants. Diet: Please inform us of any dietary needs and/or diet restrictions, i.e. food allergies, if you’re a vegetarian, etc.
