Natural sites in Germany

The theme for this year’s tourism in Germany is “A Vacation in Nature,” according to the country’s tourism office. Germany boasts over 130 natural sites comprised of 16 national parks, 15 UNESCO biosphere reserves and over 100 natural parks.

The office has selected 16 scenic sites to recommend to visitors -– including the orchid-filled Bliesgau UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the serene Elbe riverside, the wild and untamed Black Forest National Park, the Jasmund National Park known for its white cliffs, the Kellerwald-Edersee National Park for an active holiday of water-sports fun, the Hainich National Park, an ancient woodland in the heart of Germany and more. For more information, visit www.germany.travel/nature. 


Shinan Tulip Festival

Shinan County, a region that has long been famous for its tulips, is holding the ninth annual tulip festival at Shinan Tulip Park, South Jeolla Province until April 17. The region, abundant in sunshine and fertile soil, is home to the country’s largest, 120,000-square-meter tulip park. Three million flowers in 73 different species are in full bloom now. Activities available during the festival include flowerpot making, horse riding and cycling. Visitors can also enjoy traditional experiences including yuho, an ancient folk game of throwing sticks into a canister, and making rice cakes by pounding repeatedly on rice dough using a giant wooden pestle and mortar.

The park’s address is 216-17, Imja-ro, Sinan-gun, Jeollanam-do.

For more information, call (061) 240-4041 or visit tour.shinan.go.kr. 


Danjong Cultural Festival

The 50th Danjong Cultural Festival will be held at the Jangneung Royal Tomb area at Yeongwol, Gangwon Province, from April 29 to May 1. The festival was established in 1967, in memory of King Danjong, the sixth monarch of Joseon who became a victim of his uncle’s ambition to take the throne. The festival will feature memorial rites for Danjong and his loyal subjects, including the reproduction of a state funeral. It will also feature a number of art performances and folk games such as a traditional Korean tug-of-war contest. Exhibitions will also be held.

The address for the venue is 190, Danjong-ro, Yeongwol-gun, Gangwon-do.

For more information, call (033) 375-6353 or visit danjong.co.kr.


KTO suggests 10 spring hiking trips

The Korea Tourism Organization has selected 10 hiking trails as “pleasant paths to stroll along” for the month of April.

Included in the list are the Ansan Jarak-gil on Seoul’s Mount Ansan, filled with cherry blossoms in the spring, the Namsan trail on Seoul’s Mount Namsan, the pathway next to Daecheongho Lake in Daejeon, South Chungcheong Province, and the Taehwagang River trail in Ulsan, South Gyeongsang Province.

Also included is the fossil trail in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, home of many dinosaur egg fossils and animal and plant life.

The Haeparang Trail of Sokcho, Gangwon Province, the Noeul-gil of Taeanhaean National Park in South Chungcheong Province, and Jejudo Island’s Jeju Olle Trail, which has installed a track for wheelchairs, have also been listed.

For details, visit www.koreatrails.or.kr.  


Jin Air to open Busan to Guam route

Jin Air will be operating a route between Busan and Guam starting April 29. Reservations at a special discounted price are available.

The service will operate four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Flights will leave Gimhae Airport at 7:30 a.m. and arrive at Guam at 12: 35 p.m. Returning flights will leave Guam at 1:45 p.m. The B737-800 aircraft, which seats 189 passengers, will service the route.

The discounted prices will begin at 202,800 won ($177).

Jin Air also operates flights from Incheon to Guam and will open an Incheon-Saipan route on June 9.

For more information, visit www.jinair.com.