Conrad Seoul named Korea’s leading hotel

An exterior view of Conrad Seoul, located in Yeouido, Seoul (Conrad Seoul)Conrad Seoul, the Yeouido branch of Conrad Hotels & Resorts, was named South Korea’s leading hotel and ranked first place in four other categories at the 2015 World Travel Awards.　The hotel has swept an unprecedented series of wins, it said in a statement, nabbing the top spot in the following categories: Asia’s Leading Lifestyle Hotel, Asia’s Leading Luxury City Hotel, South Korea’s Leading Business Hotel, South Korea’s L

Nov. 1, 2015

On the road again, casinos to canyons

This is a second and final story on the two-part travel series following a weeklong West Coast road trip from the bayside city wonders of San Francisco, California, to the frills and thrills of Las Vegas, Nevada. -- Ed.LAS VEGAS, Nevada / GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Arizona -- Known as the city where jet-setters are openly encouraged to let go of their inhibitions and indulge themselves in the seedier pleasures of life, Las Vegas is called the sin city for all the best reasons.Following the seas

Oct. 30, 2015

Travel Bits

Smile for foreign touristsThe Korea Tourism Organization said that it is expanding its “K Smile” campaign with the retail and tourism industries in an effort to boost inbound tourism.The K Smile program is aimed at promoting the Korean culture of kindness and reliable tourism and retail services for local and foreign tourists.It has established ties with regional governments such as North Jeolla Province and interest groups including the Visit Korea Committee to boost K Smile.Under the theme of

Oct. 30, 2015

See, eat with K-pop stars in Gangnam

Apgujeong-dong in the affluent Gangnam district is considered the Beverly Hills of Korea, where people can catch the latest trends in fashion, food, music and entertainment.If Chungmuro in Jung-gu, central Seoul, is considered the movie town, Apgujeong is a town for K-pop artists and fans.GangnamDol art dolls designed based on K-pop stars on K Star Road  (Park Hyong-ki/The Korea Herald)With rows of restaurants, gift shops and malls next to famous record companies and talent agencies on the stree

Oct. 29, 2015

Olle echoes Santiago trail

JEJUDO ISLAND -- What is it about hiking and backpacking on a long trail that is so alluring?There have been movies like “The Way” and “Wild” that tell the stories of characters trekking long distances to their destination.Like in the movies, it is physically painful and challenging while on smooth, rocky, sandy and uphill roads.But at the end, people can gain a sense of accomplishment, and most importantly, let go of sorrow, clear their minds and start anew like those characters endeavoring alo

Oct. 28, 2015

Travel Bits

Rice festival in IcheonThe 17th Icheon Rice Cultural Festival will be held in the country’s rice production hub of Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, until Sunday.Under the theme of “Joyful Union, Sharing Happiness,” the five day festival, which kicked off Wednesday, will feature a variety of programs and competitions.Visitors will get a chance to learn how to cook rice and rice cakes in a traditional style using conventional cooking utensils, and participate in rice-cooking contests.There will also be

Oct. 23, 2015

On the open road, from the Golden State to Sin City

This is a two-part travel series on a weeklong West Coast road trip from the bay side city wonders of San Francisco, California, to the frills and thrills of Las Vegas, Nevada. -- Ed. 　SAN FRANCISCO/MONTEREY/CARMEL/BIG SUR/DEATH VALLEY, California -- Can’t decide whether your next big trip should be sightseeing and shopping in a thriving metropolis hot spot, finding tranquility by the crisp sea coast, tackling your intrepid spirits in the scorching desert heat or throwing your inhibitions to the

Oct. 23, 2015

[Weekender] ‘Two wheels good, four wheels bad’

As with most Western inventions of the 19th and early 20th centuries, bicycles landed in Korea relatively recently. 　Although it has not been confirmed, Korean independence fighter Soh Jai-pil, also known as Philip Jaisohn, is credited to be the first Korean man to ride one on local soil in 1896.　After the 1950-1953 Korean War, bicycles gradually became more commonplace and gave rise to a thriving industry with local manufacturers punching out nearly 1.2 million bikes in 1994. 　Over the years, b

Oct. 16, 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

History meets modernity in Dresden

DRESDEN, Germany -- Dresden is often associated with the past. Sitting at the midway point between Prague and Berlin, the city is famous for hosting the oldest Christmas market in Germany, for its Saxon history, and for being a part of the former East Germany. However, it is less well known for the revival it has experienced since the end of the Cold War, during which it rebuilt its old glory and began creating a modern counterpart to its historic areas. Today, Dresden offers a balanced tourist

Oct. 16, 2015

Travel Bits

Cultural events in YeongcheonThe Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said there will be a variety of special cultural events in Yeongcheon, North Gyeongsang Province from Oct. 16-18.The Month of Culture events will be introducing traditional cultures of Yeongcheon in line with efforts by the ministry to promote regional cultures. The ministry has started to promote regional cultures since last year in Gwangju City.Yeongcheon will have art festivals and exhibitions of Korean young artists, an

Oct. 16, 2015

October festivals to usher in the autumn

As the leaves begin to turn and nighttime temperatures start to plummet, October in Korea is one of the country’s most outdoor festival-filled months.For those looking to break out of the capital Seoul and venture beyond the city limits, the peninsula has an endless selection of scenic, interactive, historical and fun-filled cultural festivals worthy of a day trip or a quick weekend getaway. Busan International Fireworks FestivalFollowing in the footsteps of Seoul International Fireworks Festiva

Oct. 4, 2015

China’s Yunnan offers cultural diversity, spectacular natural scenery

An elderly Yi woman, who belongs to one of the biggest ethnic minority groups in Yunnan, wears a traditional Yi costume for a dance performance. (Claire Lee /The Korea Herald)YUNNAN PROVINCE, China -- While it may not be home to the Forbidden City or the Oriental Pearl Tower, China’s southwest province of Yunnan is where one can get a glimpse of one of the most unique and culturally rich sides of the country.The location of Yunnan, which means “the place of the colorful clouds in the south” in C

Oct. 2, 2015

[Travel Bits]

Enjoy autumn at Taebaek ForestLocated 700 meters above sea level, tourists can enjoy the autumn breeze and landscape at the Taebaek Highland Natural Recreational Forest in Taebaek, Gangwon Province.The Korea Tourism Organization said that, beginning in October, visitors to the recreational forest will be able to see firsthand the change of season to autumn. The fall comes to Gangwon Province before any other part of South Korea.Travelers can not only enjoy fresh air but also take long walks in t

Oct. 2, 2015

[Travel Bits]

Experience Finland’s polar nightFinnair, the flag carrier of Finland, is looking for explorers to participate in its program to experience the country in the winter.In partnership with Finland Tourism, the 100 Days of Polar Night Magic program will take participants on a ride on Alaskan huskies dogsleds to see the aurora, go on a camping, and ice climbing and diving in Lapland.Pasi Ikonen, Finnish orienteering competitor and winner of the 2001 World Orienteering Championships, will be joining wi

Sept. 18, 2015

[Travel Bits]

Miniature Garden at EverlandEverland, Samsung group’s amusement park and the biggest in Korea, is launching the new “Miniature Garden” theme zone on Sept. 11, featuring a miniaturized version of the park in a 330-square meter space. Nine popular rides including the T-Express, Lost Valley, Aesop Village and Sky Cruise  will be available, scaled down from one-tenth to one-fiftieth their original size, alongside a display of over 191 miniature trees. Tiny versions of Everland’s symbolic cartoon cha

Sept. 11, 2015

[Travel Bits]

Share your Haerang travel stories Korail Tourism Development will hold a travel story contest on its flagship rail cruise Haerang to celebrate its seventh anniversary.Participants can submit their stories and experience riding the Haerang from Sept. 3-13, and the rail tour operator will announce the winners on Sept. 18.The winners will be offered the chance to ride the “hotel train” for two days starting in October, and see Korea’s beautiful landscapes and seascapes.The Haerang, launched in Nove

Sept. 4, 2015

A river runs through Pyeongchang

PYEONGCHANG, Gwangwon Province -- The morning light reflects off the surface of the Pyeongchanggang River glittering with the sound of the flowing water echoing in the quiet atmosphere.As the county’s main event -- a buckwheat blossom festival commemorating the 1930s writer Lee Hyo-seok -- is about to kick off this week attracting visitors to its vast field of white flowers, this river and its water valleys will also be filled with avid fly fishers.Fly fishing in Pyeongchang River (Park Hyong-ki

Aug. 31, 2015