It was 10 years ago that Alexander Payne’s quirky little film, “Sideways,” landed on the silver screen. Merlot was trashed. Pinot noir began its ascendancy. A Saab bit the dust. And as sad sack novelist Miles and his about-to-be-married buddy, Jack, wove their way past country lanes and vineyards, it suddenly dawned on filmgoers that this was not Napa.“Sideways” put Santa Barbara’s wine country on the map ― and won an Oscar, two Golden Globes and American Film Institute movie of the year honors,

Jan. 2, 2015

LENNO, Italy ― Silvia Givera is standing on the picturesque bank of Lake Como. She winds up, underhand, to throw a tennis ball to her dog Diego. The dog stands transfixed until the ball sails far out into the lake, and then he happily swims after it. He brings it back but is reluctant to return it to Givera. Eventually she gets the ball and the two walk back to Bar il Golfo in town. She helps run this place, which serves traditional Italian fare. The view of the lake is stunning from the restaur

Jan. 2, 2015

South Korea has become the third most popular destination for mainland Chinese tourists after Hong Kong and Macau. The number of Chinese tourists to Korea has seen double-digit growth over the past couple of years. The figure is expected to reach 6.1 million by the end of this year, up about 40.9 percent from 2013. The number grew 51.5 percent from 2012 to 2013. Korea benefits from the growing number of mainland Chinese travelers, which is expected to exceed 100 million by the end of this year.

Dec. 29, 2014

AUSTIN, Texas ― Lounging poolside, sipping $18 mini-margaritas under sprawling live oaks, our eyes and wallets opened wide to a life of luxury we didn’t really know existed in the city we once knew so well.Austin’s drastically changing skyline was visible from our plush loungers at the small but otherworldly St. Cecilia Hotel. To fully see downtown, though, we had to look over the giant neon sign at the end of the hotel pool, which simply reads “SOUL.” It reminded me of Austin’s late, great musi

Dec. 26, 2014

Looking for the perfect spot to watch the sunset and sunrise that is not too far from Seoul? Incheon, situated on the west coast, recommends eight top places to watch sunset and sunrise for the New Year. The Incheon Development and Tourism Corporation suggests four great places to bid farewell to 2014: Jeongseojin, Mount Seoksan in Songdo, Sunset Village in Janghwa-ri, Ganghwa and Wangsan Beach. Jeongseojin, located at the starting point of the Gyeongin Ara waterway, is known for a beautiful sun

Dec. 26, 2014

The Renaissance Seoul Hotel in Seoul (Renaissance Seoul Hotel)Hotel / WeddingRENAISSANCE SEOUL HOTELIn celebration of the New Year, the Renaissance Seoul Hotel is offering special “Discover Packages” for those looking for a relaxing weekend without having to deal with the hassle of packing up and leaving town. The “Cinema Paradise Package” is designed for a relaxing time and includes one night in a deluxe room with free in-room Wi-Fi and two Megabox movie tickets. However, for those who prefer

Dec. 23, 2014

Hotel Hyundai UlsanHotel / Business / ProvinceHotel Hyundai UlsanWhether you’re traveling to Ulsan for business or tourism, Hotel Hyundai Ulsan is the place to stay. As a five-star hotel in Ulsan, an industrial city which is home to the world’s largest shipyard, Hotel Hyundai is ideal for business travel, meetings and seminars as well as weekend getaways. It is renowned for having accommodated many celebrities and internationally famous guests, such as the Brazilian soccer team, including star

Dec. 23, 2014

The interior of the Oakwood Premier Coex Center Seoul’s one-bedroom superior apartment. Oakwood Premier Coex Center SeoulServiced Residence /World WideOAKWOOD PREMIER COEX CENTERThe Oakwood Premier Coex Center Seoul, the city’s first deluxe furnished serviced residence, combines the elegance and services of a luxury hotel with all the comforts of a private home. The property offers 280 furnished apartments including studios and one- to four-bedroom apartments. Each residence has separate living

Dec. 23, 2014

A painting displayed in the lobby of The Ritz-Carlton, Seoul (The Ritz-Carlton, Seoul)Hotel / Luxury The Ritz-Carlton, SEOULNext year, The Ritz-Carlton, Seoul will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its opening and its luxury hospitality service that has left a lasting impression on foreign and Korean guests since 1995. The hotel, one of the first foreign luxury hotel chains in Korea, has become an ideal destination for business and leisure travelers and a frequent home for world stars, includin

Dec. 23, 2014

A night view of Sheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel (Sheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel)Hotel / GreenSheraton Seoul D Cube City HotelSince opening in 2011 as the third Sheraton hotel in Korea, Sheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel has provided business and leisure travelers with access to diverse activities in southwest Seoul. Located near sights, shopping, entertainment and offices in Guro-gu, Seoul, the hotel is also connected to D-Cube Department Store and D-Cube Art Center. It has served as a conveni

Dec. 23, 2014

Serviced Residence / International Luxury PremierSomerset Palace SeoulThe Somerset Palace Seoul is near the largest palace in the capital city, Gyeongbokgung Palace. Its location is ideal for those who seek both homey comforts and urban amenities, not to mention easy access to the magnificent palace, one of Seoul’s flagship tourist spots.The 18-story residential facility is in the heart of Seoul’s diplomatic, business and administrative district. It is within a walking distance from must-see tou

Dec. 23, 2014

Despite the increasing number of Muslim tourists and expats in Korea, finding decent halal restaurants is a challenge for many Muslims here. The state-run Korea Tourism Organization has released a guidebook on Muslim-friendly restaurants to help Muslims here find halal cuisine more easily. The guidebook, available only in English for now, classifies 118 selected restaurants into five groups according to their degree of Muslim-friendliness. The five groups are halal-certified, self-certified, Mus

Dec. 22, 2014

LOS ANGELES ― While children waited in line to snap photos with Santa Claus, the aroma of freshly steamed tamales and hot cocoa lingered in the warm fall air.“Yay, it’s snowing,” a teenage girl screamed at the tiny bubbles that masqueraded as the white stuff sprayed from electric blowers hidden in nearby trees. Christmas tunes blared from outdoor speakers, the music mixing with the rumble of a roller coaster speeding along steel tracks.The holidays have arrived in a big way for the first time at

Dec. 19, 2014