The Korea Herald

Meditation in the mountains

Feb 24, 2012

One activity that always seems to make it on the to-do list of people planning a trip to Korea is taking part in a Templestay.A Templestay at the historic Sudeoksa in South Chungcheong Province, however, is anything but average.A temple two hours southwest of Seoul amongst the serene Deoksung Mountains, this 6th century national treasure is nestled in natural surroundings far from the hustle of city life.The activities and rituals available to visitors are far different from the everyday experie
Book of unique accommodations

Feb 24, 2012

The Korea Tourism Organization published on Monday an English-language book introducing unique accommodations throughout South Korea. The book “Korea’s Most Unique Accommodations” offers 50 alternative hotels and other types of lodging, showing readers that there is more to Korea than stereotypical hotels. Divided into five themes ― Unique Designs Featuring Special Themes, When Comfort Meets Convenience, Discovering Korea’s Traditional Culture, Beautiful Places with Picturesque Views and Luxury
JW Marriott Seoul launches spring Talk! Talk! Package

Feb 24, 2012

JW Marriott Seoul offers the “Talk! Talk!” weekend package, from March 2 to June 30. The Talk! Talk! package consists of two packages: “Healthy Talk” and “Wine Talk.” The Healthy Talk package brings guests a personal trainer and secret formula, created by JW Marriott Seoul, for creating the perfect body, while the Wine Talk package offers a bottle from a choice of three wines suggested by Jung Ha-bong, one of Korea’s best sommeliers, and a guide to their chosen bottle of wine introducing both th
Benikea accepts reservations on 1330 hotline

Feb 24, 2012

Benikea, the hotel chain run by Korea Tourism Organization, can be reached at 1330, the nation’s tourism information phone number. Tourists can call 1330 and make reservations or get information about Benikea 24 hours a day, year around. Services are available in Korean, English, Japanese and Chinese. Following the trial period from Feb. 20 to 29, the service will officially launch on March 1. Foreigners who arrive through Incheon International Airport can also make reservations or get informati
Korail presents overseas travel packages

Feb 24, 2012

Korail announced on Thursday that it will offer various overseas travel packages at its online website starting March 5. Visitors will be able to compare and choose from a wide range of overseas packages, train-travel packages, hotels and rent cars. Korail contracted with Modu Tour, one of the leading travel agencies in Korea, on Feb. 22, which adds variety to Korail’s travel packages. Some packages will be exclusively sold through Korail’s website. For more information, call www.korail.com.
Philippines offers roundtrip ticket to Manila to SNS users

Feb 24, 2012

Philippine Department of Tourism is holding the “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” event which offers various gifts including a roundtrip ticket from Inchon to Manila or a Samsung camera. The department will draw the winners among those who posted stories or photos related to the Philippines at cafe.naver.com/phltourism, cafe.daum.net/phltourism or on the PDT facebook (www.facebook.com/PHLTOURISM), twitter (twitter.com/phltourism), or on YouTube (www.youtube.co/user/PHILTOURISMS?feature=watch ).
Grand Canyon National Park gets more visitor friendly

Feb 24, 2012

Visitors to the Grand Canyon National Park this year will find new water-bottle refilling stations, a South Rim bicycle rental and bike-tour operation is expected to open, a multiuse trail is expected to be finished, and more.Grand Canyon National Park, the 5-million or 6-million-year-old granddaddy of Arizona tourism, logged 4.3 million visitors last year.Rangers say that’s a dip of 3.7 percent from the year before, but the canyon remains among the nation’s most visited parks. And despite its a
Dozens injured by Thai hotel pool chlorine leak

Feb 19, 2012

More than 30 people, many of them foreign tourists, were rushed to hospital Saturday on the Thai resort island of Phuket after a chlorine leak at a hotel swimming pool, local officials said. (Bloomberg)The accident occurred shortly after 10:00am (0300 GMT) at the Phuket Orchid Resort and Spa hotel o
4 arrested for eating endangered tortoises

Feb 19, 2012

Four Chinese nationals were arrested in Bikita, Zimbabwe, for capturing and killing 40 endangered tortoises for consumption, officials said.In a joint raid by police, the National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and The Save Valley Conservancy Anti-Poaching Unit, 13 live tortoises were found
Son wants 98-year-old mom evicted

Feb 19, 2012

A Connecticut man attempting to have his 98-year-old mother evicted from her home said he wants her out of the house for her own good.Peter Kantorowski, 71, eldest son of Mary Kantorowski, said he wants his mother out of the Fairfield home she has occupied since 1953 because "she would be better off
Jeju Air opens new route between Incheon and Ho Chi Minh City

Feb 17, 2012

Jeju Air will open on April 5 a new route connecting Incheon and Ho Chi Minh City. The new daily flight to Ho Chi Minh will depart Incheon International Airport at 8:05 p.m. and arrive in Ho Chi Minh City at 11:20 p.m., local time. The return flight will depart Ho Chi Minh City at 0:20 a.m. and land at Incheon International Airport at 7:25 a.m. The roundtrip airfare starts at 340,000 won, fuel surcharges and airport taxes not included. Reservations can be made through the Jeju Air website. Fligh
Lotte Hotel Jeju offers D.I.Y. weekday package

Feb 17, 2012

Lotte Hotel Jeju offers the 2012 Weekday Package through March 8, for those looking for an economical getaway to Jeju Island on weekdays. In addition to the basic offer of a one-night stay in a lake-view room at Lotte Hotel Jeju and breakfast for two, guests can also choose from six additional privileges, each worth 20,120 won. The six privileges include up-grading to a Deluxe Ocean Room with a commanding a view of Jeju’s blue ocean; breakfast for one which you can choose among Korean cuisine, b
Strawberry dessert buffet at InterContinental Seoul COEX

Feb 17, 2012

The Lobby Lounge at the InterContinental Seoul COEX offers a spring-themed strawberry dessert buffet until April 22. The lounge is running a strawberry cocktail promotion that offers strawberry-based juices, soft drinks, smoothies, and cocktails. The dessert buffet is held from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. It costs 28,000 won which includes the variety of strawberry desserts as well as coffee and tea. Strawberry cocktails, which are available at any time, are priced at 17,0
Grand Hyatt Seoul offers Chinese dumpling and noodle specials

Feb 17, 2012

The Chinese Restaurant at Grand Hyatt Seoul presents a variety of Chinese dumpling and noodle delicacies created by the chefs from Grand Hyatt Beijing from Feb. 16-28. The chefs from the award-winning restaurant Noble Court at Grand Hyatt Beijing introduce 17 varieties of Chinese dumplings and noodles. The a la carte dim sum selections range from 7,500 won to 25,000 won, exclusive of tax and service charge. For more information, call (02) 799-8163.
Just in time for Carnival: Beginner’s guide to Rio

Feb 17, 2012

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) ― “Brazil is not for beginners,” the late, great Brazilian composer Tom Jobim once quipped. Nowhere does the remark hold more true than for the country’s pulsing, chaotic oceanfront metropolis, Rio de Janeiro.This is a city of contrasts, where vastly different worlds rub shoulders, and the unexpected lies lurking around every corner.Hang a right during an aimless stroll through the chic beachside neighborhoods of Ipanema or Copacabana and you might just bump into a lush tropi