Travel bits

Dogye Station, a Steam LocomotiveKORAIL announced that the country’s sole switchback train will operate between Dogye Station in Samcheok, Gangwon Province, and High 1 Choochoo Park, the only mountain railway theme park in the country, from Jan. 9. A switchback refers to a zigzag railway in mountainous territory, which enables the train to run uphill. The train will depart Dogye Station twice a day, running for an hour toward its destination, High1 Choochoo Park located at the old Simpori Statio

Jan. 22, 2016

[Weekender] Korea’s urban regeneration projects

Instead of tearing down buildings and starting anew, regions across Korea have given neglected areas a new purpose for public use. Here are eight urban renewal projects that aim to transform rural, run-down or deserted areas into praised landmarks.　Seoul Station overpass SeoulThe Seoul city government plans to transform Seoul Station overpass, a 1-kilometer-long section of a flyover near Seoul Station, into a pedestrian walkway as part of its urban renewal projects. Dubbed Korea’s version of New

Jan. 15, 2016

[Around the hotels]

　Grand Hilton Seoul offers bridal shower 　Brides-to-be can prepare for their big day in style at the Grand Hilton Seoul.　The “Bridal Shower Package” features a one-night stay in a four-bedroom unit. The bridal party can hold their prewedding celebration at the Grand Suite, which is adjacent to the hotel. 　The hotel‘s flower shop Adiel will create a festive atmosphere by preparing a balloon decoration, and the hotel will offer a snack set including a bottle of Santiago Merlot red wine, two cans o

Jan. 15, 2016

[Travel bits]

Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival　Hwacheon in Gangwon Province, known for its rivers, lake trout, and natural scenery, is holding the “Sancheoneo (mountain trout) Ice Festival” this month. 　The festival features sancheoneo experiences such as ice fishing, lure fishing, and fishing with bare hands. 　Those who catch sancheoneo can ask to have it grilled or sliced into sashimi at the festival’s food centers.　State-run rail operator KORAIL is providing day-trip packages for this festival until Jan. 3

Jan. 15, 2016

L7 lifestyle hotel to operate as ‘non-Lotte brand’: CEO

Lotte Hotels & Resorts’ new concept lifestyle hotel L7 Myeongdong seeks to promote itself as “hip, fun and trendy,” targeting mostly young female tourists in their 20s and 30s. Hotel Lotte CEO Song Yong-deok speaks during a press conference at L7 Myeongdong in Seoul on Monday. (Hotel Lotte)“We basically want L7 to run as a non-Lotte brand ― a totally new hotel ― and move away from our existing image,” said Hotel Lotte president & CEO Song Yong-deok at a press conference at L7 Myeongdong on Monda

Jan. 12, 2016

Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul, urban oasis in the heart of city

Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul, urban oasis in the heart of city Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul is an award-winning urban resort located in the heart of South Korea’s capital. Overlooking the lush greenery of the Mount Namsan, it is the ultimate place to fully enjoy the serenity and privacy offered by the resort. The 21-story hotel is designed to offer relaxation and comfort with only four guest rooms on each floor. Each guest room is equipped with the hotel’s signature Relaxation Pool and other lux

Dec. 29, 2015

[Best Brand] The Ritz-Carlton Seoul -- height of luxury

The Ritz-Carlton Seoul offers guests a unique city experience with its private balconies overlooking Korea’s capital.　Located in the heart of the buzzing Gangnam area, the Ritz-Carlton Seoul boasts easy accessibility while setting itself apart from the busy cityscape, allowing guests to find a moment of quiet and luxurious retreat. 　In addition to its private guest room balconies -- provided by no other hotel in Seoul -- the Ritz-Carlton Seoul’s all-day fine dining restaurant also features an ou

Dec. 28, 2015

[Best Brand] Banyan Tree Club and Spa Seoul, urban oasis in the heart of Seoul

Banyan Tree Club and Spa Seoul is an award-winning urban resort located in the heart of South Korea’s capital. 　Overlooking the lush greenery of the Mount Namsan, it is the ultimate place to fully enjoy the serenity and privacy offered by the resort. 　The 21-story hotel is designed to offer relaxation and comfort with only four guest rooms on each floor. Each guest room is equipped with the hotel’s signature Relaxation Pool and other luxurious amenities. 　The hotel also offers diverse indoor and

Dec. 28, 2015

[Best Brand] Fraser Suites downtown leads serviced apartment business

Located just minutes away from central of Seoul, Fraser Suites Insadong offers all its guest a rich cultural experience with palaces, traditional markets and museums all within walking distance.　Fraser Suites has 213 fully furnished suites from a single up to four bedrooms, along with its penthouse suite. The luxury apartment hotel also features a heated indoor swimming pool, with a separate children’s pool, and a fully-equipped gym to ensure its guests stay fit during their stay. 　As a leading

Dec. 28, 2015

[Best Brand] Grand InterContinental Seoul honored for service quality

Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas has achieved a series of outstanding recognitions both in Korea and abroad this year.　It has gained the five-star hotel status this year as the first foreign luxury hotel chain in Korea. Also, the hotel has earned the ISO 22000 certification for its excellence in food safety management system.　Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas topped the country’s Korean Standard-Service Quality Index, which measures companies’ quality of services, for seven consecutive year

Dec. 28, 2015

[Travel Bits] K-Travel Bus connects Seoul, countryside

K-Travel Bus connects Seoul, countryside　A bus service connecting Seoul with other provincial areas has commenced, the Visit Korea Committee said.　The so-called “K-Travel Bus” is available for foreigners who wish to visit notable sites outside the capital, including those in Gangwon, Chungcheong, Jeolla and Gyeongsang Provinces. 　An overnight package is also available. After its tentative run this year, the bus will start operating on a regular basis in 2016 in time for the PyeongChang Winter Ol

Dec. 18, 2015

Top 3 places to avoid during Christmas in Seoul

With Christmas just around the corner, people are wondering where and how to spend some quality holiday time with their loved ones. Some of you may get some ideas from Korean dramas in which couples watch the ball drop at a hotel party or walk on streets aglow with the Christmas spirit.But try that in real life, and there’s a good chance that you won’t be able to recover by the New Year, getting shoved and bumped by the huge crowds. So, if you happen to be in Seoul during the holiday season, for

Dec. 14, 2015

Travel bits

Record tourists to GermanyThe German National Tourist Board said that it had a record number of days inbound tourists stayed in Germany as of the end of the third quarter.Statistics show a total of 62 million overnight stays at accommodation facilities of at least 10 beds from January-September, up about 5.3 percent from a year ago. In 2014, Koreans stayed in Germany for an average of 500,000 days, and the number is expected to grow to 600,000 days in 2020, the German tourism board noted.Germany

Dec. 11, 2015

[Travel Bits] Korea to see increase in cruise tour

　Jecheon, Muju, Tongyeong -- 2016 travel destinations　Korea has chosen Jecheon City in North Chungcheong Province, Muju County in North Jeolla Province and Tongyeong City in South Gyeongsang Province as the country’s main travel destinations in 2016.　The Korea Tourism Organization said that it will work with the two cities and the county to develop and promote tourism programs for local and overseas tourists.　The move is in line with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s efforts to boost

Dec. 4, 2015

Relive Korean dramas at Yongin theme park

YONGIN, Gyeonggi Province – In the middle of nowhere surrounded by hills and fields in Cheoin-gu, the largest district in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, stands a large complex of outdoor sets with replicated royal palaces, houses and castles. The set of Hwagidogam, or the Gunpowder Weapon Center where Joseon King Gwang-hae (played by Cha Seung-won) inspected weapons before delivery in “Hwa Jung,” stands in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. (Park Hyong-ki/The Korea Herald)This was where the Korean Wave, or

Nov. 25, 2015

[Weekender] Skywalk in Chuncheon offers beautiful scenery for bike riders

For a bike rider hoping to explore a new cycle track beyond the Hangang River, a bike pathway in Chuncheon, the capital of Gangwon Province, could be the perfect destination. 　Spanning from Uiam Dam to Sinmae Bridge, the 30-kilometer-long bicycle road, which is flat and smooth, allows even beginners to enjoy their ride, offering the breathtaking scenery of Lake Uiam.　When you depart from Seoul, it takes one hour and 15 minutes from Yongsan Station to Chuncheon Station via the high-speed train IT

Oct. 16, 2015