Sally Riggs

Taipei, Taiwan is rapidly becoming one of Asia’s most popular destinations—and for good reason. It’s warm nearly year-round, blends a modern tech-forward vibe with deep cultural history, and is far easier to navigate in English than many nearby countries (plus, no visa needed for US travelers!). With three national carriers—China Airlines, EVA Air, and Starlux—offering direct flights from the US, getting there is surprisingly easy (truly easier than Thailand). It’s also way less crowded than Japan and much more affordable, while still offering dramatic mountain scenery, beautifully restored temples, and incredible Michelin-recognized food. I watched countless YouTube travel vlogs before visiting myself in October, but none addressed the chronic-illness angle—so, spoon-permitting, my own vlog will be up soon. What surprised me is just how chronic-illness-friendly Taipei actually is: hotels won’t blink if you request an air purifier, masking is completely normalized, and the weather is comfortable if you avoid peak summer (I went in mid-October and didn’t need cooling sheets even on my “big sightseeing day”). The humidity can actually be helpful for many conditions, and avoiding gluten or dairy is very doable with Taiwanese cuisine—just watch out for soy sauce. And unlike Japan, food allergies are understood in a more American way, and takeout is widely accepted.

Sedona may top US wellness lists, but is it chronic-illness friendly? The 4,350 ft (1,326 m) elevation, a two-hour, mountainous drive from the airport, and a hiking-centric culture can be off-putting. Stop there, though, and you’ll miss a destination that can genuinely support recovery: glimmers from the red-rock landscape, clear air, bright but often cool sunshine, and phenomenal stargazing—before you even get to the vortexes. With a few simple tweaks, Sedona can be an accessible choice for people living with a chronic illness.

I don’t ski and I don’t love the cold—so winter ski resorts are wasted on me. But here’s a great secret: many of the world’s top ski areas are fantastic summer bases. You get cooler air, wide paths, reliable transport, and plenty of accessible facilities. If you live with chronic illness and want a cooler summer destination that actually works, Niseko–Hanazono (one of Japan’s best ski resorts) delivers in summer too.

Hakone is one of the most popular side trips from Tokyo, offering a very different side of Japan: nature, onsen, mountains—and if you’re incredibly lucky, Mount Fuji. Like many destinations in Japan, it comes with a long checklist of “must-do” activities. In fact, Hakone even has its own “classic loop,” sometimes called the “round course,” which strings together five different modes of transport to circle Lake Ashi: the Hakone Tozan Railway, the ropeway, a boat across Lake Ashi, and walking sections. And finally, the Hakone Tozan bus line. That sounds great in theory—but for many of us (myself included, living with chronic illness) it’s simply not realistic. I spent three nights in Hakone and managed just one of those activities: Lake Ashi! And that was enough. Instead, I recommend setting one intention for your weekend or short stay, and letting that be your focus. Maybe it’s soaking in an onsen (if your illness allows—mine doesn’t), savoring the fresh mountain air from a terrace at a beautiful hotel, grounding your nervous system in nature, or lingering over a traditional multi-course kaiseki meal. Whatever you choose, Hakone is best experienced slowly, not by racing through a checklist.

For those of us who live with an energy-limiting chronic illness, like Long Covid or ME/CFS (often self-referred to as Spoonies, after Spoon-Theory) Miami can be an ideal and accessible short break destination. With direct, quick flights from the Northeast and Southwest, or a reasonable drive from other parts of the South, it’s easy to get to. Between December and April, the weather is perfectly sunny, with temperatures ranging from the 70s to low 80s and mild humidity — making it ideal for those with temperature sensitivity and/or MCAS. The weather is neither too hot nor too cold, striking a perfect balance. And with a variety of hotels, including many at the higher end (which will in turn offer in room air purifiers, portable wellness equipment and other things that we might ordinarily fill our multiple suitcases with), it can also be a less stressful visit. And for the day(s) when you do maybe have more spoons, there are many activities to suit different interests, including beaches, water sports, urban culture, food (and wine!), nature and more —there's something for everyone.

I used to think Miami was just about South Beach (which isn’t my vibe), but after visiting twice since I started living with chronic illness (October 2022 and February 2025), I’ve been pleasantly surprised. As a big-city person, I’ve felt right at home in Brickell!

Exploring the breathtaking Norwegian fjords by cruise is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and something that had been on my bucket list for a while. In active recovery from my chronic illness in August 2023, with a huge focus on nervous system support work. This was the perfect vacation for me, as I knew even on a bad day I could lie on the couch in the conservatory of my cabin and the beautiful nature would help with expansion.

With the right planning, the Norwegian fjords can be accessible to travelers with varying mobility needs. All the major cruise lines offer similar itineraries to the one I took. Here's a breakdown of some of the most commonly visited cruise ports in the Norwegian fjords, based on my recent solo journey.

Also of note: I live with POTs and MCAS and ME/CFS. While I am an ambulatory wheelchair user (and always use one at the airport) as a solo traveler, I often don’t have someone to push me, or access to a motorized wheelchair. I can walk short distances, but have to be careful of hills and my heart rate, as well as my energy envelope. The joys of living with disability is that all of us are different, so please use this info to modify things to your disability accordingly.