Busan recognized as top incentive tourism destination

As Korea’s second-largest city, Busan boasts a wide array of unique cultural experiences, from hosting the largest international film festival in Asia to offering fresh local seafood. However, in addition to being a popular place to vacation, the port city is now recognized as a leading incentive tour destination for travel related to meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions.In fact, as a result of the city’s proactive marketing efforts, 12 medium-sized to large companies have visited B

Dec. 1, 2016

How to see Chichen Itza without the crowds

Sounds of the jungle were as thick as the humidity. Birds chirped and trilled. A deep hoot added a bass note. An almost mechanical staccato clicking joined in. I was following a Mayan guide, Juan Gualberto Tun Pat, down a garden path on the grounds of my hotel, where life is so insistent that young trees sprout in the middle of the gravel walkway.At a wrought iron gate, two guys sat at a weathered Formica-topped table, the young one working on math problems, the older one tuning a radio. They pa

Nov. 25, 2016

[Travel Bits] Upcoming festivals, travel news

Lotte World Christmas MiracleLotte World is gearing up to play host to its annual Christmas Festival every day until Dec. 27. This year’s festival will tackle the theme of “A White Christmas,” allowing visitors the chance to see spectacular Christmas decorations at every corner of the theme park. The park will also feature a Santa Village and a snowman photo zone for the children.There will also be a special snowfall show twice a day at the Adventure Park and during the new Christmas Parade. The

Nov. 25, 2016

[Travel Bits] Sights to see in Korea

Lotte World Christmas MiracleLotte World is gearing up to play host to its annual Christmas Festival every day until Dec. 27. This year’s festival will tackle the theme of “A White Christmas,” allowing visitors the chance to see spectacular Christmas decorations at every corner of the theme park. The park will also feature a Santa Village and a snowman photo zone for the children.There will also be a special snowfall show twice a day at the Adventure Park and during the new Christmas Parade. The

Nov. 18, 2016

Wonderful Waikiki: 5 ideas for millennials, 5 ideas for boomers

HONOLULU — If you consider yourself a traveler rather than a tourist, you might tend to avoid Waikiki Beach. It’s too commercial. Overcrowded. Too much of a South Seas cliche.But if you’ve been there you know there’s lots to love about the crazy scene: the platoons of newbie surfers dodging catamarans and outrigger canoes. The beach bars. The perfect sandy beach, with visitors from around the world playing beneath windblown palms in the shadow of distinctive Diamond Head.It’s fun for young and o

Nov. 18, 2016

[Weekender] From Grandma’s home to store shelves, Boksoondoga makgeolli goes global

ULSAN -- A recipe for homemade rice wine that started out as one humble grandmother’s hobby is now well on its way to becoming one of the country’s top brands. Architect Kim Min-kyu and mathematician Kim Min-kook took their grandmother’s recipe for Korean rice wine -- known as makgeolli -- and established Boksoondoga brewery last year just outside Ulsan.Min-kook focused on the science of said makgeolli, systemizing a larger-scale fermentation process, while his older brother Min-kyu focused on t

Nov. 11, 2016

[Travel Bits] Upcoming festivals, travel news

Bangeo Festival on JejudoThe annual Bangeo Festival returns to Moseulpo Port this month. This popular festival is held every year in November on the southern island of Jejudo. It celebrates the yellowtail fish, which is a prized seasonal delicacy of the area. Visitors can try fishing for yellowtail as well as sample other Jejudo specialties such as grilled black pig and galchi jorim (spicy braised white fish). Festival participants can not only enjoy fresh bangeo at the festival, but can also pa

Nov. 11, 2016

Flee crowded San Francisco for the serenity of Point Reyes

POINT REYES NATIONAL SEASHORE, California -- You’re in San Francisco and need a break from clanging cable cars and overpriced hotels? Break for the beach. Point Reyes is an hour and a world away.Before leaving home, sign up for a plein air pastel workshop with an overnight stay in a historic former Coast Guard lifeboat station hanging over the azure bay where Sir Francis Drake anchored in 1579. It’s just one of dozens of regular offerings by the park’s Field Institute. Awake to sea lions barking

Nov. 11, 2016

[Travel Bits] Upcoming festivals, travel news

Gunsan, Seocheon Migratory Bird FestivalThe annual Gunsan and Seocheon Migratory Bird Festival will take place from Nov. 18 to 20. The festival will be held throughout the Geumgang River Migratory Bird Observatory, Geumgang Wetland Ecological Park and the Seocheon Bird Village Exhibition Hall.Held by Gunsan-si and Seocheon-gun, the festival kicks off with an opening ceremony in Gunsan-si and will continue to offer participants a wide a variety of nature-intensive programs such as ecological hand

Nov. 4, 2016

Escaping to a writer’s colony in Eureka Springs

EUREKA SPRINGS, Arkansas — People suffering pain and illness were once lured to this spot nestled in the forested Ozark Mountains, tucked in the northwest corner of the state.Native American folklore told of healing springs with miraculous abilities to cure the infirm. This area of isolated wilderness, dotted with bubbling water, sprung into a town 137 years ago. The surrounding geography made the water mineral rich and word of its healing attributes spread and attracted settlers.Today, its fame

Nov. 4, 2016

[Travel Bits] Travel news from around the world

Gunsan, Seocheon Migratory Bird FestivalThe annual Gunsan and Seocheon Migratory Bird Festival will take place from Nov. 18 to 20. The festival will be held throughout the Geumgang River Migratory Bird Observatory, Geumgang Wetland Ecological Park and the Seocheon Bird Village Exhibition Hall.Held by Gunsan-si and Seocheon-gun, the festival kicks off with an opening ceremony in Gunsan-si and will continue to offer participants a wide a variety of nature-intensive programs such as ecological hand

Oct. 28, 2016

Despite its struggles, Acapulco still sparkles

ACAPULCO, Mexico -- Sorry, but for this story we’ll skip the standard references to Elizabeth Taylor’s third wedding, JFK’s honeymoon and cliff divers.Acapulco. Gorgeous, still -- much of it. But it has problems.First, the news: Grupo Autofin, already a strong tourism-industry presence here, announced plans this summer to invest $1 billion in new construction and upgrades along the Pacific coastline well south of the heart of the city and its famous bay. Included are high-end hotels, renovation

Oct. 28, 2016

[Travel Bits] Travel news from around the world

Seoul Lantern FestivalFirst launched in 2009, this year’s annual Seoul Lantern Festival will be held from Nov. 4 to 20 at the Cheonggyecheon stream in Seoul. As one of the most anticipated festivals in Seoul, the annual festivities attract roughly 3 million visitors every year. Visitors can expect to see beautifully lit lanterns scattered all along the 1.2 km-long Cheonggyecheon, stretching all the way from Cheonggye Plaza and Supyogyo Bridge. The lanterns will be lit daily starting at 5 p.m. un

Oct. 21, 2016

Santa Fe inspires with art, history and natural beauty

Nestled at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and surrounded by acres of desolate beauty, Santa Fe often surprises first-time visitors with its wealth of offerings, from culture, history and a vibrant culinary scene to outdoor pursuits such as hiking and skiing.Settled by the Spanish in the early 1600s, Santa Fe is the oldest capital city in the U.S. It nurtures links to its rich history and to its blend of Native American, Latino and Anglo cultures. Even the newest buildings pay homage

Oct. 21, 2016

[Travel Bits] Travel news from around the world

Korean Folk Village Historical Drama Festival The Historical Drama Festival, a festival dedicated to Korean historical dramas, is being held daily at the Korean Folk Village until Nov. 13. At the event, K-drama historical fantasies come to life as the folk village is transformed into a center for Hallyu. The village offers entertainment such as performance arts and hands-on programs related to historical dramas and drama parodies. There is also the chance to dress up as characters from historica

Oct. 14, 2016

Making the rounds in Muhammad Ali’s hometown

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky -- Above the bar at Jack Fry’s, a favorite Louisville dining destination on busy Bardstown Road, the walls are adorned with pictures of racehorses and people who know racehorses. In a corner are photos of The Greatest.Almost everyone in the city and in the world beyond Bardstown Road knows the man in those photos. Louisville is inviting everyone to get to know him a little better.Muhammad Ali died on June 3. He was 74. He was brought back to Louisville, where he was born in

Oct. 14, 2016

[Travel Bits] Travel news from around the world

Jeonju Bibimbap FestivalBibimbap is inarguably one of Korea’s most well-known foods and iconic dishes, while Jeonju in North Jeolla Province is home to the country’s most famous rendition of this classic. Often noted as one of tourists’ favorite Korean dishes, visitors to this festival can discover more about this signature dish by learning to cook traditional bibimbap, including how to make the best bibimbap, participating in cooking competitions as well as sampling other local recipes. This ye

Oct. 7, 2016