The Korea Herald

[Weekender] Sightseeing trains make hard to reach more convenient

Jul 18, 2014

Hoping to see vast rocky mountain ranges, but can’t face hiking? Want to see the crisp blue coast, but avoid the summer crowds? For summer travelers looking to enjoy Korea’s picturesque countryside, KORAIL’s sightseeing trains just might be the answer. The only question is: O, V or S? Early last year, the state-run rail operator launched the O-train and V-Train, with the goal of showcasing some of Korea’s hard-to-reach inland rural areas. Spring, summer, fall or winter, the exclusive sightseeing
[Weekender] Urban adventure at Seoul’s campground

Jul 18, 2014

Groups of adults sit around plastic camping tables littered with grilled meat and soju bottles. Children run between neat rows of orange and green tents, blasting each other with water guns. But in among the guitars and the cicadas you can hear the roar of an 11-lane highway, and skyscraper peaks rise up behind the tree line. Welcome to camping, Seoul style.Opened in 2009 as part of the Hangang Renaissance project, Nanji Camping Ground is the city’s largest public camping site, situated at the e
Taking the scenic route through the 49th state

Jul 18, 2014

ANCHORAGE, Alaska ― Our quest was emblazoned on the T-shirts we were given before we left for Alaska: “8 men, 4 highways, 5 days, 865 miles.” On motorcycles.We were a mixed group of Sunday motorcycle-riding friends. Roger and Rod, both 71, had been pals since high school, and Roger had brought his son Josh, 31. Chris and Jonnie, both 48, and Steve and John, 53 and 51, respectively, had ridden together for years. All were veteran riders.We set out from Anchorage under a leaden early June sky, an
Korail’s luxury train reopens after renovation

Jul 18, 2014

Luxury train Haerang, run by the Korea Railroad Corporation, has resumed service following renovations. Launched in 2008, Haerang, a combination of train trip and accommodation, has attracted more than 20,000 Korean and foreign customers. The renovation has added new suite rooms and routes. One of the new routes is a three-day trip around South Korea. In mid-August, the train will start a summer vacation tour that includes yachting off Haeundae Beach in Busan. An unlimited amount of beverages an
Kadayawan festival to celebrate harvest season

Jul 18, 2014

The Philippines will hold an annual thanksgiving celebration from Aug. 11-17 in the city of Davao. The Kadayawan festival, the name of which is derived from the Dabawenyo word “dayaw” meaning good or valuable, includes tribal performances, an exhibition of craftworks made by local people and fun activities. The festival also features a street dance contest on Aug. 16, a day before it comes to a close. It will conclude with the Pamulak parade of colorful flowers and fruits down the streets of Dav
Asics to hold 7 km run on Sept. 13

Jul 18, 2014

The sports brand Asics will hold a 7-kilometer run on Sept. 13. In the Asics Cool Run, 500 participants will run from Namsan Mountain Park along the northern highway. Registration starts on July 22 at the Asics Cool Run Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AsicsKorea. Tickets cost 40,000 won per person. Participants will receive a T-shirt, shorts and leggings worth 200,000 won. After the race, participants will be offered “Dinch” (dinner and lunch) at Banyan Tree Seoul. An after-party will also be
New travel standards remove unwanted trips from overseas itinerary

Jul 14, 2014

From Tuesday, tourists will be able to cross out unwanted stops, such as shopping centers, from itineraries when booking overseas trips with local travel agencies.This is part of the new standards on overseas tours unveiled by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Monday. They are designed to prevent conflicts between tour operators and tourists.Under the rules, travel agencies will not require tourists to join unwanted shopping trips. They will also inform tourists beforehand if they shou
Beach getaways less than an hour from Incheon International Airport

Jul 13, 2014

Incheon International Airport is not just a gateway to Seoul and other major Asian cities, it is aslo a gateway to clean sandy beaches along Korea’s west coast. Less than an hour from the airport by bus, there are stretches of sandy beaches. Their surrounding areas make ideal vacation spots for those looking for quick and affordable trips away from the bustling cities of Seoul and Incheon.The Korea Railroad Corporation runs the Airport Express Train and the West Sea Beach Train, which provide da
Park service calls development plans a major threat to Grand Canyon

Jul 11, 2014

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Arizona ― At the rim of the Grand Canyon, busloads of Chinese tourists jostled on a recent day with 20-something backpackers and an Amish family with rambunctious boys in suspenders and straw hats, all eager for a prime viewing spot.They gazed out on a dizzying sight of receding canyons and sheer rock walls, with the Colorado River cutting through the canyon floor more than a kilometer down.Generations of park managers have tried to preserve that natural vista, but of
French presidents’ holiday retreat open to public

Jul 11, 2014

PARIS (AP) ― It’s an old fortress on a tiny island, surrounded by pine trees and the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea: The Fort de Bregancon has been the very private holiday retreat of French leaders for decades. And now it’s open to the public. Socialist President Francois Hollande has decided to break with tradition and to show it to the masses for the first time instead of vacationing there, as a symbol of a toned-down presidential lifestyle in tough economic times. The stylish vill
U.K. enhances airport security measures

Jul 11, 2014

LONDON (AP) ― Britain has authorized airport security staff to require any traveler to turn on electronic devices as a way to test for hidden explosives. France and Germany are implementing similar measures, but only for travel to and from the United States.American intelligence officials are worried about new al-Qaida efforts to produce a bomb. Powering up computers or phones allows screeners to make sure that explosives have not been substituted for batteries or essential components. Travelers
Banyan Tree invites guests to 20 select resorts

Jul 11, 2014

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts is offering an accommodation package that includes 40 nights at 20 select Banyan Tree and Angsana resorts in 11 countries. Highlights of the 40-night itinerary named “Around the World in 20 Ways” include a thrill-seeking flight over Mauritius and an organic farm experience in the Seychelles; a lesson in falconry in the UAE desert; and relaxing in hot springs in China. Guests who book the package can start or finish their journey at
Singapore Food Festival offers diverse culinary cultures

Jul 11, 2014

The annual Singapore Food Festival celebrates the cultural and gastronomic diversity of Singapore from July 11-20 throughout the city. Themed “A Walk Down Memory Lane,” this year’s edition celebrates the festival’s 20-year history, offering an array of dining experiences and cuisines. Highlights include Nyonya Mobile, where people can sample various traditional and modern interpretations of Peranakan cuisine; BBQ by the Beach, which invites people to dine on Sentosa’s Palawan Beach with a buffet
Seoul offers discount coupons for tourists to four Asian cities

Jul 7, 2014

Seoul Metropolitan Government is offering special discount coupons from this week for Korean nationals who plan on visiting four Asian cities ― Tokyo, Delhi, Jakarta and Taipei.The coupon, dubbed the “One Asia Pass,” offers discount rates ranging from 5 to 50 percent to the cities’ various tourist attractions and accommodations, such as restaurants, tour buses, airfares and museums. The coupon, which can be downloaded for free at the website of Seoul Metropolitan government, can be used in all o
Home of ‘The Hourglass’ looks to expand tourism reach

Jul 4, 2014

For years, the East Coast beachside area of Jeongdongjin in Gangneung City, Gangwon Province has been riding the coattails of one of the nation’s most popular 90s TV dramas, “The Hourglass,” featuring Choi Min-Soo, Lee Jung-Jae and Park Sang-won. The SBS political crime series first aired in 1995 and is still considered one of the most significant and highest-rated TV productions in Korean drama history and had drama fans flocking to the coast to see first-hand some of the show’s iconic filming