[Around the hotels] Round up of hotel events and news

Taste of Peru at Grand Hyatt SeoulHosted by Grand Hyatt Seoul, a special Peru Food Festival promotion will take place at the hotel’s buffet restaurant The Terrace from July 29 to Aug. 11. In collaboration with the Peruvian Embassy, the event will offer some of the most iconic Peruvian dishes, including ceviche (raw seafood), chicharron (fried pork rind), Seco de Cordero (lamb stew) and aji de gallina (creamy chicken curry), all prepared by a visiting native chef. Diners can get a taste of Peru f

July 29, 2016

Bermuda’s gentle beauty, easygoing lifestyle makes being shipwrecked enticing

HAMILTON, Bermuda — This small island — only 55 square kilometers in size and 1,000 kilometers off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina — gave the world its eponymous shorts (still used as part of the island uniform), onions (still used in island cuisine), and grass (still used on the island’s ubiquitous golf courses).　Bermuda has earned literary cred as well. An early chronicler of its infamous Triangle, William Shakespeare used it as the shipwreck setting for his play “The Tempest,” maki

July 29, 2016

Next stop, your future spouse?

The Airport Express said on Sunday it will launch a monthly train service designed to provide romantic day trips to single men and women who want a relationship. Dubbed “Airport Express of Love,” this train will make a round trip from Seoul Station to Incheon’s Yongyudo beach with potential dates. Those wanting to come aboard can sign up at http://arex.couple.net and provide some personal details (name, age, education level, etc.) and a short bio. Selected participants will be asked to pay a fee

July 25, 2016

Jeonju to launch new nighttime tours through historic city

One of the country’s most traditional cities, Jeonju, is gearing up to host its first “Walk in Jeonju (Heritage Night and Heritage Story)” nighttime sightseeing and walking tour event starting next month. From Aug. 12 to 13 and Sept. 30 to Oct. 1, Jeonju’s Hanok Village will welcome visitors to attend night time festivities. The walking tours programs will include free outdoor performances, movie screenings and light shows as well as moonlight tours to some of the city’s most popular attractions

July 25, 2016

[Travel Bits] Round up of travel news from around the world

K-Travel Bus summer promotion　Visit Korea Committee is conducting a summer promotion event for the K-Travel Bus service from July 18 to Aug. 31, offering travelers discounted rates.　Participants who reserve a trip with the K-Travel bus during that timeframe via its homepage will receive a discount coupon worth $30, as well as an additional $10 discount for international students who present a university/college or language school ID card. 　A drawing will also be held for those who post reviews o

July 22, 2016

Indonesia’s hidden destinations beckon to the world

At a glance, Indonesia’s bustling capital Jakarta seems like many other metropolitan cities in Southeast Asia. Its streets are lined with cutting-edge skyscrapers and packed with cars and motorbikes that cause heavy congestion. Highrise buildings at the center of Jakarta, Indonesia. (Ock Hyun-ju/The Korea Herald)But only a few hours away, the tropical country, composed of more than 17,500 islands, boasts natural beauty in every corner -- from white sandy beaches and colorful marine treasures to

July 15, 2016

[Travel Bits] Round up of travel news from around the world

Busan Fireworks FestivalThe annual Busan Fireworks Festival gearing up for its 12th year, kicking off its festivities October 22 along Gwangalli Beach.Along with its breathtaking fireworks display show, the festival will feature a myriad of diverse events, including live music and street performances. The annual festival is one of the city’s biggest and most popular events, attracting more than 1 million national and international visitors every year.Although in the past the festival has been he

July 15, 2016

[Around the hotels] Round up of hotel events and news

Summer Family package at Lotte City Hotel JejuLotte City Hotel Jeju is presenting its Summer Family package starting at 280,000 won.To help families traveling with kids make the best out of their stays, the package offers various discounts and amenities including a one-night stay in a standard family twin room, a meal for 2 adults and one child at the hotel’s buffet-style restaurant C’cafe, deluxe chocolate from Hershey’s Kisses, free parking service at Lotte Mall’s Gimpo Airport branch, and mor

July 15, 2016

Seomun Night Market in Daegu aims to become a tourist hotspot

Ever since the Seomun Night Market first turned on its lights on June 3, the nighttime skies above Daegu have remained as bright and welcoming as the noonday sun.Selected as the first “Global Luxury Market” in a contest hosted by the Small and Medium Business Administration, the Seomun Night Market is the largest night market in Korea, with over 80 sellers, 65 types of food, 15 official product categories, and countless vendors and stalls.  Seomun market, Daegu, South Korea (Yonhap)In addition t

July 13, 2016

Jeju Island most popular destination for Korean travelers

Jeju Island was the most traveled to destination for Koreans in the first half of the year, according to a report by the online travel agency Expedia Korea on Monday.  Jeju Island (Instagram user @sosohan_rin)Listing the most in-demand cities by the volume of hotel reservations, Jeju Island, the resort island off the southern coast of Korea, jumped 75 percent compared to the same period last year, pushing it from third to first place. 　Osaka took the No. 2 spot followed by Seoul, Okinawa and Tok

July 11, 2016

[Around the hotels] Round up of hotel events and news

Bastille Day Gourmet Dinner at Millennium Seoul HiltonMillennium Seoul Hilton’s French restaurant Seasons will present a Bastille Day Gourmet Dinner on July 14, in celebration of the French National Day.　The gala dinner will start with a welcome cocktail followed by a French-themed dinner paired with French wines.　The menu features a mixed platter of Alaskan King crab, oysters on ice, scallops with crunchy vegetables and sturgeon caviar sauce, and wagyu beef Wellington.　The gala dinner is priced

July 8, 2016

K-Travel Bus shows foreigners sights beyond Seoul

　DAEGU -- Launched on March 25, the foreigner-exclusive K-Travel Bus was rolled out by the Visit Korea Committee with one major aim – to showcase that there is more to Korea than the glitzy urban sprawl of Seoul. The travel bus began as part of the 2016-2018 “Visit Korea Year,” with the goal of attracting more than 20 million international tourists to Korea annually. With a large majority of travelers to Korea choosing to solely remain in the confines of the capital city, the Visit Korea Committ

July 8, 2016

Guide to visiting Rio for the Olympics

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) -- With the Olympics just a few weeks away, Brazil faces a litany of problems: an economy in freefall, the Zika virus and a political crisis with an impeached president. But for those brave -- or foolhardy -- enough to make the trip, Rio de Janeiro is a city rich with potential rewards. Broadcasters have already deemed the city’s backdrop for the Summer Games the most telegenic ever. But no matter how good this teeming seaside metropolis -- where the urban jungle and the lite

July 7, 2016

[Travel Bits] Round up of travel news from around the world

Buyeo Seodong Lotus FestivalThe annual Buyeo Seodong Lotus Festival is a celebration of all thing lotus flowers, while also highlighting the importance of preserving wild flowers. As part of the festival celebrations, the event features a variety of programs such as lotus paper origami and flower soap making. This year’s festivities will run from July 8 to 17 at Buyeo’s Seodong Park. Although nowhere near as popular with tourists as Seoul and Busan, Buyeo continues to strengthen its image as a t

July 1, 2016

Caribbean culture, hotel mergers among travel trends

A couple of developments in the travel industry have been making headlines recently. They may not be in the biggest type, but they’re notable. They’ve gotten me thinking. They’re indicators, I think, of what may be trends that will affect your travels in the near future.What do you think?Culture in the CaribbeanCuba’s hot. Its new prominence at the top of Americans’ list of places to see has gained most of the attention. But Cuba’s new rock-star status is also making waves among government and t

July 1, 2016

[Around the hotels] Round up of hotel events and news

Escape summer heat at the Ritz-Carlton Seoul The Ritz-Carlton Seoul presents Sunday Escape package for guests seeking a relaxing Sunday break.The package includes 12-hour stay at the Superior Deluxe room during the daytime and lunch at the Oksan Buffet for two adults and one child under the age of 6. The guests could choose to check in either at 9 a.m. or at 10 a.m., avoiding the relentless heat of midsummer.The guests will also be allowed access to the hotel’s indoor swimming pool during the st

July 1, 2016

[Weekender] Ghost hunting in the dark alleys of Seoul

Amid modern skyscrapers in Seoul, it’s hard to imagine that some horrifying murders or traumatic suicides occurred. But the northern center of the capital city is in fact where many major historical events with dark stories behind took place. 　Korean history and its appalling stories fascinate Joe McPherson, president of ZenKimchi food blog and the guide of the Dark Side of Seoul tour that runs every Friday and Saturday in the bustling areas of Jongno, Gwanghwamun and Cheonggyecheon Stream. 　“Th

July 1, 2016