Yongpyong to kick off annual ski festival

Under the theme of “Endless Friendship,” this year’s 34th annual Yongpyong International Ski Festival will be kicking off its winter sports festivities from March 4 to 6 at the Yongpyong Resort in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province. 　An annual winter sports event and competition for foreigners living in Korea, the Yongpyong International Ski Festival was first held in 1983 for the development of the domestic ski culture and takes pride in being the nation’s only international ski festival. A scene fr

March 2, 2016

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

Jeju Hueree Apricot Flower Festival　Jeju Hueree Maehwa (apricot flower) Festival is taking place at Hueree National Living Park until March 1.　The festival features numerous activities and contests in celebration of the apricot flower bursting into bloom.　As part of the festival, visitors can enjoy apricot flower photo contest, face painting, and calligraphy exhibition and contest as well as signature activities of Jejudo including picking tangerine and horseback riding. Visitors who want to par

Feb. 26, 2016

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

Belle-Essence Seoul Hotel to hold graduation celebration promotion　The Belle-Essence Seoul Hotel welcomes the graduation season with a complimentary meal worth 69,000 won to 140,000 won for the students graduating or entering an upper level school until March 6.　The promotion is for families enjoying a lunch or dinner buffet at Café Elysee or Ultimate Lunch Buffet or Dinner Set Menu at steakhouse Manhattan Grill. A minimum of three people including the alumni must be present and a graduation cer

Feb. 26, 2016

Grand Hyatt Incheon seeks to be hotel for weekend leisure

Four months into his new job as the general manager of Grand Hyatt Incheon, Adam Myott is trying to learn everything he can about Korea -- its language, people, food. Adam Myott, Grand Hyatt Incheon general managerComing to Korea for the first time from Australia, the 51-year-old Hyatt executive said it was always a challenge when relocating to a new place with a different culture, people and business climate.“Although it is challenging to learn about different culture, that’s what makes this jo

Feb. 19, 2016

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

Gremillet named Grand Hyatt Incheon’s pastry chef　Grand Hyatt Incheon has appointed Julien Gremillet the hotel’s new executive pastry chef. 　Gremillet, who has more than 15 years of experience, will oversee the pastry and dessert items for all the hotel’s restaurants and events.  　Prior to joining Grand Hyatt Incheon, Gremillet was the executive pastry chef at Raffles Praslin in Seychelles.　Born in France, Gremillet began his pastry career in 1999, working at a variety of pastry shops and cateri

Feb. 12, 2016

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

K-Smile Campaign to greet foreign tourists　Visit Korea Committee conducted K-Smile Campaign at Myeong-dong Theater on Feb. 12 to celebrate Korea Grand Sale held as part of 2016-2018 Visit Korea Year. The campaign aims at building a culture of kindness and raising the level of tourists’ satisfaction by improvements in the tourism sector, including accommodation, transportation, food, and shopping. Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Kim Jong-deok, “Non-summit” members Alberto Mondi and Nikol

Feb. 12, 2016

K-Travel Bus offers special deal for February

The Visit Korea Committee is offering a special promotion this month for foreign travelers using the K-Travel Bus.The promotion is part of the Korea Grand Sale, a month-long shopping and tourism festival taking place in Seoul and major cities around the country from Feb. 1 to Feb. 29. During the festival, tourists from overseas can take advantage of large discounts in shopping, food, entertainment, Korean cultural experiences, transportation and accommodations.Promotional image for the K-Travel

Feb. 11, 2016

Travel bits

The Crane tour in CheorwonKorea Tourism Organization provides tourists with a special opportunity to explore cranes in Cherwon, Gangwon Province, from Jan.18 to Feb.29. Crane, designated as Natural Monument No. 202, is an endangered species having a worldwide population of only about 2,000-3,000. Cranes fly toward the DMZ in Cheorwon which has not been inhabited by human beings for more than six decades.The crane tour will be a day-trip departing from Seoul by DMZ train and exploring red-crowned

Feb. 5, 2016

Major tourist hot spots in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, crowned as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, is home to some of the finest spectacles of natural beauty known to mankind. An island considered to be en route to paradise, surrounded by both the Indian Ocean and the mystique of an enduring and diverse history -- fascinates both the eyes and soul.Arab, Portuguese, Dutch and British influences all in their own time have converged in the present day to leave a markedly distinct cultural flavor and experience; only to be found in countries wi

Feb. 3, 2016

New Zealand’s Hawke’s Bay is prime dining, drinking destination

(TNS)　When you walk down the street in the center of Napier, a coastal town in New Zealand’s Hawke’s Bay, a wine-producing region, you nearly expect to spot Greta Garbo, in full flapper regalia, crossing the street. The town, a perfectly preserved Art Deco masterpiece, would make a fine set for one of her films.　In most cities, Art Deco buildings were built amid the architecture already standing, but in February 1931, an earthquake decimated Napier. The city was almost entirely rebuilt in the th

Jan. 29, 2016

[Around the hotels]

Romantic getaway at Hyatt Regency Jeju　Hyatt Regency Jeju is launching the “Romance Package, Love in Paris” event for couples looking to get visit Jeju-do Island to celebrate Valentine’s Day. 　Available from Feb. 13 to March 14, the event features additional benefits alongside those included in the hotel’s “Romance” package. The additional benefits include a free upgrade to an Ocean View room and a complimentary box of chocolates from La Maison Du Chocolat, a French luxury chocolate brand.　The s

Jan. 29, 2016

[Travel bits]

The 2016 World Eco-Friendly Design Exhibition 　South Jeolla Province will host the 2016 World Eco-Friendly Design Exhibition at Naju Agricultural Research Center on May 5-29. The exhibition is expected to add design value to the province’s agro-fisheries farmland image. The exhibition, defining vague concept of “Eco-Friendly Design” as “All actions planned and done thinking of humans and nature,” will present seven exhibitions related to eco-friendly design including “Natural Dyeing Exhibition,”

Jan. 29, 2016

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