Europe’s new culture capital: San Sebastian a feast for the eyes, palate

This is a two-part travel series on a weeklong journey to the new European capital of culture, San Sebastian, Spain, and through the heart of the country’s capital, Madrid. – Ed.SAN SEBASTIAN, Spain -- Located a mere stone’s throw away from the Spain-France border in the Northern Basque country hugging the Bay of Biscay is the quaint, gastronomy mecca coastal city of San Sebastian, Spain. Well on its way to becoming one of the hottest European vacation-spot destinations of the year, San Sebastia

April 15, 2016

[Around the hotels] Roundup of hotel events

Cantonese gala dinner at Millennium Seoul Hilton　Millennium Seoul Hilton’s Chinese restaurant Taipan is hosting a “Gourmet Circle” gala dinner on April 22 to showcase the restaurant’s new, Cantonese cuisine-focused menu.　The dinner will commence at 7 p.m. with Chinese traditional tea and Tsingtao beer. Appetizers will include Peking duck and suckling pig stuffed with shrimp paste. The dinner proper will feature an array of delectable dishes such as a Chinese barbecue and cold dish combination, d

April 15, 2016

[Travel bits] Outdoor activities for spring

Taean Tulip Festival　Scenic ride on Mungyeong Rail Bike　One scenic activity tourists will want to enjoy in the upcoming season is a ride on the Mungyeong Rail Bike, which runs along tracks winding through the pastoral landscape of Jinnam Gyoban, North Gyeongsang Province.  　The area used to be home to the country’s second largest coal mines back in the days of the coal industry’s boom.　Now, though the trains have ceased to run, the tracks have been repurposed to carry rail bikes, which carry up

April 15, 2016

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

Imperial Palace Seoul presents ‘Ciné & Dine package’　Imperial Palace Seoul presents Ciné & Dine package for guests looking to experience hotel dining and movies at the same time until April 24.　The package features one night stay in Deluxe or Business Room, two movie tickets, restaurant voucher worth 50,000 won, and a 20 percent discount at restaurants. Complimentary access to fitness club and indoor swimming pool will be also included.　The restaurant voucher and 20 percent discount offer can be

April 8, 2016

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

Natural sites in Germany　The theme for this year’s tourism in Germany is “A Vacation in Nature,” according to the country’s tourism office. Germany boasts over 130 natural sites comprised of 16 national parks, 15 UNESCO biosphere reserves and over 100 natural parks.　The office has selected 16 scenic sites to recommend to visitors -– including the orchid-filled Bliesgau UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the serene Elbe riverside, the wild and untamed Black Forest National Park, the Jasmund National Park

April 8, 2016

Arizona’s wildest ride: the Apache Trail

My hands gripped the steering wheel. My right foot rode the brake. I was easing a four-wheel-drive rental down a steep, narrow, curving dirt road in the Arizona wilderness, and I was beginning to wonder what I’d gotten myself into.　On the passenger side, a towering craggy stonewall threatened to dent the car and make me regret that I had declined the rental company’s insurance cover­age. Still, I stayed as close to that wall as I dared. On the driver’s side was a fate worse than a scrape: an abr

April 8, 2016

Electric bike tour gives cyclists taste of city’s trendiest restaurants

AUSTIN, Texas — These cyclists don’t choke down PowerBars or Gatorade. They’re not interested in going fast or finishing first. And Spandex shorts? Forget it.　Frankly, they prefer a slow-moving roll, fueled by bacon ravioli, glazed Brussels sprouts and trendy cocktails. As for appropriate gear, a dress and high-heeled boots will do just fine.　“I was a little bit scared, because I’m not the most coordinated person,” said Nicole Khalife of New York, who, along with her friend Mary Kenney of Chicag

April 1, 2016

[Travel bits] Spring getaways

 Spring hiking trips around the country　The Korea Tourism Organization has selected 10 hiking trails as “pleasant paths to stroll along” for the month of April.　Included in the list are the Ansan Jarak-gil on Seoul’s Mount Ansan, filled with cherry blossoms in the spring, the Namsan trail on Seoul’s Mount Namsan, the pathway next to Daecheongho Lake in Daejeon, South Chungcheong Province, and the Taehwagang River trail in Ulsan, South Gyeongsang Province.　Also included is the fossil trail in Hwa

April 1, 2016

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

‘Brunch at the Park’ at Park Hyatt　Park Hyatt Seoul is presenting the “Brunch at the Park” promotion at its Italian restaurant Cornerstone, Cucina Italiana from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends.　The brunch includes buffet-style appetizers and desserts; a main dish choice of fish of the day, steak, lobster, grilled lamb or beef burger; a glass of champagne, cocktail, or juice; and a cup of coffee or tea.　Buffet menus will change weekly. The brunch buffet is priced at 99,000 won for adults and 50,

April 1, 2016

Is Korea Asia's next casino tourism hub?

With China’s continued crackdown on corruption, revenue is plummeting at Asia’s major casino and gambling hub Macau. 　Meanwhile, the lackluster performance of Macau’s casino tourism is lending credence to Korea. Many investors argue that Korea is an ideal alternative destination that can attract tourists who want to gamble at casinos. 　Korea is pushing to increase its number of integrated resorts, which refer to large-scale resort complexes that include a wide-range of entertainment and leisure

March 31, 2016

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

Sheraton Ladies Night Out Package　Sheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel presents “Ladies Night Out Package” through Dec. 31 for those planning the perfect girls’ night.　The package features a one-night stay at Executive Suite or Honeymoon Suite with one bottle of sparkling wine, finger foods and desserts. Guests will also be provided with complimentary aroma therapy bath amenity and access to Sheraton Fitness and swimming pool.　The package is priced at 345,000 won and 410,000 won, respectively, for t

March 25, 2016

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

Korail-KTX joint railway package to Pohang, Ulleungdo Island　Korail and KTX are launching a joint railway package on March 28 which will operate between Seoul, Pohang and Ulleungdo Island. A train will depart from Seoul Station at 6:50 a.m. daily and arrive at Pohang at 9:26 a.m. A clipper will depart from the Pohang harbor at 10:50 a.m., arriving on Ulleungdo Island at 2:10 p.m. A boat returning to Pohang leaves the island at 3:40 p.m. 　The package will be available at 171,800 won on weekdays a

March 25, 2016

New Zealand’s hiking trails offer one spectacle after another

The hike had been invigorating — invigorating, as in just this side of grueling. A 6-mile ascent into Mount Aspiring National Park had brought us to an overlook of Routeburn Falls, a thundering multilevel cascade of crystalline water (standard for New Zealand) jumping from the rock face above our heads and rushing into the deep valley below us. There we could see the Routeburn River winding through the high-shouldered Humboldt Mountains on its way to Lake Wakatipu.　　We were breathless not only b

March 25, 2016

Reach Korea’s regional cities via bus

An exclusive bus tour program connecting the capital city of Seoul with six regional destinations was launched Friday, as part of governmental efforts to offer unique travel experiences to foreign visitors.Named K-Travel Bus, the program offers overnight travel to various regions in Korea via bus. The list of destinations includes Daegu, Gangwon Province, South Jeolla and North Gyeongsang Provinces as well as Busan and Ulsan in southeastern region. The program also carries tourists to Tongyeong,

March 25, 2016

[Travel Bits] Upcoming festivals in Korea

Chicken and beer in Daegu　The 2016 Chimac Festival, featuring Korea’s beloved combination of crispy fried chicken and cold beer, returns to Daegu.　The local government has approved selling beer at this year’s festival and fried chicken and beer will be sold in large quantities at booths throughout the festival grounds. Musical performances by K-pop stars will accompany the food and drinks.　The festival will take place at Duryu Park in Daegu’s Seongdang-dong from July 27-31. For inquiries, call (

March 18, 2016