Day 1: Taiwan by Coincidence

Back in 2022, during our kids’ first flight to Europe, we discovered that some airlines offered stopover programs (Incredible offers to consider and search on your next flight). That is how we came across the Emirates offer and booked a 24-hour stopover in Dubai.

It was THE best decision we made for that trip. By the time we arrived in Dubai, I was completely exhausted. I hadn’t slept at all during the first leg of the flight ensuring the kids sleep as comfortable as possible. Fortunately, thanks to the stopover program, we were taken directly to the hotel, where I finally got some sleep—and in a proper bed!

The next day, we felt fully recharged, and our tummies were also full since the program included a buffet breakfast (It also included hotel transfers 🤩. It was also my birthday! Because of the stopover, we were ready to explore, so we hired a tour and spent the day getting to know Dubai while celebrating my birthday.

Here is us in Dubai back in 2022:

This time, we knew we wanted to do the same thing—break up the trip with a long stopover somewhere mid-way and take advantage of these stopover programs.

After searching online, we came across the stop over offer from China Airlines, which offered us a 24-hour stopover in Taiwan, along with a 45% discount at the Taipei airport's Hyatt Regency. And the cherry on top? They provided two 23 kg checked bags for each of us ---- including the kids! (In 2025, this is practically unheard of!) It was a no-brainer; we booked it immediately.

Finally, the day arrived, and after checking-in seven pieces of luggage (we had originally aimed for four, but we ended up with way too much weight😅), we boarded our China Airlines flight to Taipei.

China Airlines was great. They gave the kids some crafts, toys and coloring for the flight, which was a nice touch. The crayons they provided were especially great—I’ll definitely be getting some for future trips I already found them on Amazon HERE.

Everything else was smooth sailing. The seats were comfortable, the in-flight entertainment was varied, and the food was decent (see additional info for more details).

The kids were excellent on the flight; they both fell asleep as soon as we took off. This was also the first time they tried out the kids’ beds/seat extenders, and they loved them. The extenders are small, foldable, and perfect for keeping their feet from dangling while they sleep. (You can find them HERE)

After a few movies, we arrived in Taipei around 7 a.m., not knowing exactly what to expect. We took the train for one stop and arrived at the Hyatt Regency airport hotel (which, by the way, is also the name of the train stop).

From my research, I knew they charged extra for early check-ins, and that we’d have to wait until around 2 or 3 p.m. for the official check-in time. However, we wanted to freshen up, change clothes, and leave most of our bags so we could head out to explore. The receptionist explained again that early check-in was not possible. However, as I was getting ready to pack the bag we’d take out, he returned and told me that he’d spoken to his manager and that we could check in right away --- at 8 am! It was completely unexpected, and I hadn’t even asked him to check with management. Maybe it was my exhausted/sleepy face or the kids, but this small act made our whole experience in Taipei so much better. It really set the tone for the rest of the day and made us say, “Taiwan is awesome.”

I took a quick nap in the room, and before the breakfast buffet closed, we got up to try some local breakfast delicacies.

Disclaimer: this was Razi’s plate, I’m not this adventurous 😊

The hotel also helped us arrange a tour, taking us to all the main sights that can be visited in a single day.

Our driver even recommended a restaurant serving authentic Taiwanese food, and we all loved it. It was absolutely delicious! As a side note, I’m very picky about Asian fried rice because I believe Peru has the best fried rice in the world (specifically Peruvian Chifa😋), but this rice was unbelievable—definitely a strong competitor. (So sorry I can not find the name of the place but I will keep searching)

Afterward, we headed to the Taipei 101 observatory. Although there was a bit of a queue, the experience was worth it. Once we reached the top, the view was stunning, and there were several sections and installations to explore. The kids really enjoyed it.

Finally, we returned to the hotel for a quick 2-hour nap (at least, that’s how much sleep I managed to get) before heading to the airport for our flight to Frankfurt.

Here is us in Taipe, it really was awesome:

Additional Information:

• Stopover Program: Many airlines offer stopover programs. The conditions to apply for them vary, but it’s always worth checking on your next flight to see if they offer one and how to apply. Typically, you’ll need to book through the airline’s website (at least that’s how it works in my experience). Sometimes, the stopover option won’t be visible during the booking process, so it’s best to do a quick Google search using the airline’s name and the word “stopover” (e.g., China Airlines Stopover), which will direct you to the information and booking details.

  - The info for China Airlines stopover program you can find HERE

  - The info for Emirates stopover program you can find HERE

• Luggage Weight on China Airlines: China Airlines is quite strict about luggage weight. Make sure each suitcase is 23 kg or under. We had to rearrange our bags because two of our suitcases exceeded the weight limit, even though we had an allowance for 8 bags and only planned to check in 4.

• Kids’ Meals: Don’t forget to specifically book kids' meals. Unlike some other airlines that provide meals based on age, China Airlines requires you to request them in advance.

• Taipei Train System: You can pay for the Taipei metro/train with a credit card, so there’s no need to buy a separate ticket or train card.

• Airport Hotel Shuttle: The airport hotel is just one station away, but we only found out late that there’s a shuttle service available. It’s best to contact the hotel directly for their shuttle schedule.

• Airplane Beds/Seat Extenders: I bought airplane bed/seat extenders on Amazon. Here’s the affiliate link

• About Me: I’m Gabriela, and I’m traveling through Europe in a motorhome with my husband and our 5-year-old twins (Boy and a girl). Be sure to follow me for travel tips, traveling with kids, and self-care on the road content! 😊