-- S. Profeta, Woodbridge
A: Taipei has a vibrant dining and shopping scene. Here are a few places I recommend:
- MTV Asia singing sensation Jay Chou's film Secret is the inspiration for a funky resto called Mr. J French-Italian Restaurant (mrj-tw.com, No. 43, Lane 308, Guangfu S Rd., Taipei). Big on film props and self-framed portraits, the cuisine is French and Italian, the multi-talented celebrity's favourite fare.
- The Five-Dime Driftwood House restaurant (No. 8 Lane 32, Neihu Rd. Sec. 1, five-dime.com.tw/html/homepage.htm) is the creation of artist-turned-culinary maverick, Hsieh Li-Shiang. Her obsession with recycled material and driftwood shows in her decor, which includes Spanish influences in an architectural style reminiscent of artist Salvadore Dali and architect Antoni Gaudi. A southern belle (from Tainan county), Hsieh's haute Taiwanese cuisine is served in Fred Flintstone-like bowls and plates. Food is plenty so bring your business colleagues.
- In the the Ximending district's network of pedestrian zones, you'll find many shops and the Red Theatre, which showcases spoken-word and vocal performances. The city's oldest traditional market -- Ximen -- offers many opportunities to spend some cash.
- For upscale purchases, Dragon Fly Gallery (11 Songkao Rd., dragonfly.com.tw), is known for its funky designs. My favourite items: A George Gina and Lucy Anything Goes bag for about $165 and a silver ant pendant for $132.
Also, check with the hotel concierge for dining and shopping areas near your hotel.
Q: Is it worth visiting the Luxor Museum? We're going on an organized tour of Egypt but will have a few hours free time during a visit in Luxor.
-- F. Perelli, Woodbridge
A: If you love Egyptian archeology and learning about this country's ancient history, this place will not disappoint. Smaller than the Cairo Museum, the Luxor Museum opened in 1975 and has several rare collections, mummies, statues, coffins -- and a connection to Ontario.
The mummy believed to be Pharaoh Ramsee I spent 140 years at the now-closed Niagara Falls Museum before being returned to Egypt in 2003.
Q: My husband and I purchased a Eurail Select Pass this spring. We travelled by rail from Vienna to Budapest and then from Vienna to Venice. Sadly we encountered a problem while travelling through Slovakia enroute to Venice. The ticket taker said we must pay extra as travel through his country wasn't covered by our pass even though it was not our final destination. I was shocked to learn about the extra charge which, at the time of booking, our ticket agent in Canada never mentioned. We are upset and reluctant to consider future rail trips across Europe.
-- P. Trung, Mississauga
A: I consulted Rail Europe's (raileurope.com) Canadian representative Derick McQuarrie for comment.
Derick explains that the couple had purchased a four-country select Eurail Pass that was good for travel in Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic and Italy. Even though they were not stopping in Slovakia, it did not cover travel through that country.
Eurail passes are a good deal and if you do decide to use them for future travel, McQuarrie suggests you use a map when planning your journeys. "Many times by looking at the two cities you wish to travel between you can see if another country has to be crossed." If you are still unsure ask before you leave.
ILONA@MYCOMPASS.CA
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