The Korea Herald

Strolling through Istanbul neighborhoods

Apr 18, 2014

ISTANBUL (AP) ― Istanbul, the noisy metropolis on the Bosporus Strait lauded by many a travel ranking, has much more to offer than grand mosques and bazaars. Away from the din of typical tourist haunts, a walk around the neighborhoods of Karakoy, Balat and Kuzguncuk will peel back the surface to reveal the city‘s multilayered history, and the lifestyles of those who’ve lived it. And while headlines persist on Turkey‘s uneasy political situation, which included a recent government shutdown of Twi
Finnair allows in-flight use of electronic devices

Apr 18, 2014

Finnair passengers may use handheld electronic devices -― smartphones, tablet PCs and e-readers ― during takeoff and landing. The company said on Tuesday that passengers may use handheld devices during all phases of a flight as long as they are kept in flight mode. The company has received approval from the Finnish Transport Safety Agency to change rules on the use of portable electronic devices during takeoff and landing. But the company said passengers may still be asked to switch off their de
Free shuttle bus to operate from Seoul to Gangwon

Apr 18, 2014

Gangwon Province will run free shuttle buses that stop at venues of local festivals from May 2 to January 2015. The bus departs from Donghwa Duty Free shop in Gwanghwamun and makes stops at towns in the province. From May to June, the bus will stop in Inje, Yanggu and Gangneung, venues for local festivals. Inje promotes the region’s specialty ― dried pollack, or hwangtae in Korean ― from May 2 to 6. Yanggu holds a festival promoting local plant gomchwi from May 16-18. Various food and products m
Around the Hotels

Apr 18, 2014

Children’s Day event at Grand Hilton Seoul Grand Hilton Seoul’s buffet restaurant and Atrium Café are holding a special two-day event in celebration of Children’s Day on May 4-5. The restaurants will be decorated under the theme of magic and offer a special menu for kids featuring traditional pasta, pizza, burgers and ice cream. Interactive events such as a magic show -- including levitation, card magic and other tricks -- by local magician Joo Woo-hyuk and face painting will take place. The hot
Korea celebrates Travel Week in May

Apr 15, 2014

The first and second weeks of May will be full of travel promotions across Korea. The country will celebrate the 11-day “Travel Week” from May 1, designated by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Tuesday. In cooperation with provincial governments, more than 1,168 restaurants, travel agencies and hotels will participate in Travel Week. Royal palaces will offer 50 percent discounts on admission, 26 cities nationwide will conduct special city tour programs and national parks will be ope
Following Gwangju’s Old Road

Apr 11, 2014

Mudeungsan, the country’s newest national park, draws visitors with its rock formations
Pele says Brazil airports a big World Cup concern

Apr 11, 2014

SAO PAULO (AP) ― The Brazilian government’s World Cup ambassador Pele says he’s concerned about the country’s outdated airports less than 10 weeks before the tournament begins. Brazil’s greatest football star says it’s worrisome how the country is handling all the visitors for the World Cup in June and July.Pele said at a Monday event in Sao Paulo that authorities “are still building” the airports as the event approaches.His comments come after infrastructure experts told The Associated Press th
Provence and French Riviera’s diverse charms

Apr 11, 2014

The traditional vacation destinations in the French Riviera and Provence regions boast natural beauty, rich architectural heritage, great food and good wine. The diverse charms of the region enables travelers to plan themed tours according to their tastes. “People should know what they want to see and experience in the region. If you are a wine lover, you can visit different wineries and try a variety of wines. Think about whether you want to enjoy its natural beauty, appreciate paintings of Van
Daemyung Resort pioneers trekking programs

Apr 11, 2014

Daemyung Resort Jeju is running an Olle Trail trekking program, which consists of a pick-up service, a professional guide and course completion certificates. The program is available until the end of this month. Guests can walk along Olle Trail sections 6, 7 and 20 on Wednesdays and Saturdays in the second and fourth weeks of April, and can hike two courses on Mount Hallasan on April 19. The package is available only when more than 10 people apply. The price is 20,000 won for adults and 15,000 w
Virgin America tops U.S. airline performance ranking

Apr 11, 2014

WASHINGTON (AFP) ― Virgin America, JetBlue and Hawaiian Airlines emerged as the best-performing U.S. air carriers in 2013, a year that generally saw improvements in air travel.Overall, airline performance “was the highest since 1991,” according to the 24th annual Airline Quality Rating, compiled by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Wichita State University.There were fewer involuntary denied boardings and customer complaints compared to 2012, although performance dipped somewhat in terms
Around the Hotels

Apr 11, 2014

Estuary oyster specials at The PlazaThe Plaza’s Japanese restaurant Murasaki is offering a special menu featuring estuary oysters, a delicacy in Korea during the spring, until April 30. The estuary oyster is an oyster native to Korea that is caught near the mouth of the Seomjin River in North Jeolla Province. The oyster is also known as the “cherry blossom oyster,” because it grows to its fullest size and tastes the best during the spring season. The special menu includes butter-roasted estuary
[Weekender] Seoul Forest: A grassy woodland with waterfront views

Apr 4, 2014

Looking to get a break from the metropolitan pandemonium of gridlocked streets, deafening noise and the never-ending labyrinth of mile-high concrete buildings? Now that spring is finally here and the foliage is starting to return, it is the perfect time for you to venture outside and see the cherry blossoms and remind yourself of what you have been missing all winter. From peaceful strolls down dirt paths surrounded by sprawling trees to biking or rollerblading, Seoul Forest offers visitors oppo
Rock climbers and herb gatherers

Apr 4, 2014

Busan’s sprawling Mount Geumjeongsan draws hikers from many walks of life
China, Asia-Pacific will power world tourism: survey

Apr 4, 2014

MADRID (AFP) ― The Asia-Pacific region, led by China, will be the main force driving world tourism in the next 10 years, a consultancy survey forecast on Wednesday.The tourism industry as a whole will grow faster than overall economic activity, the survey estimated. “The major trend is the continued growth in Asia, that is really driving the global travel industry forward,” economist Andrew Tessler at Oxford Economics which published the survey, told AFP.“Overall, globally, the industry is growi
Florida Keys includes shipwrecks, diving museums

Apr 4, 2014

KEY WEST, Florida (AP) ― From the treasures of a 1622 shipwreck to 4,000 years of diving history, more than a dozen museums are spread across the more than 160 kilometers of islands that make up the Florida Keys. Besides the water and sky views on either side of the toll-free Overseas Highway, the scenic drive south from Miami to Key West (about three hours) also includes plenty of opportunities to take in the island chain’s rich history. Sites include a Civil War fort, a World War II plane, an