Travel bits

Ride on Korail’s Oriental Express

Korail Tourism Development is launching a package featuring the luxurious “Eastern & Oriental Express,” a train that runs on the 1,943 kilometer-long international railway.

The rail ride will pass through Bangkok, Penang and Singapore, boasting a spectacular view of Southeast Asia.

Trains will be departing on Dec. 25, Jan. 3 and 26 and Feb 7, 16, and 25.

Visitors will depart from the Incheon International Airport via airplane and arrive at the Bangkok International Airport, then transfer to the train.

A formal dinner party featuring a live piano performance will take place on the first night aboard.

Visitors will be able to see key Singaporean sights including the Singapore Flyer, Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands. The journey will last three days and five nights. A ticket costs 5,847,000 won ($5,100) per person. For inquiries, call (02) 1544-7755 or visit www.korailtravel.com.


Take ‘warm’ vacation overseas

Hana Tour said that it will launch tour packages for people to take their year-end holiday vacation in Guam and Hawaii.

Under the concept of “Taking Rest Warmly,” it will introduce programs for tourists to visit and enjoy such warm destinations with budget airliners.

T’way Airlines flies to Guam, while Jin Air will launch a new flight service to Honolulu, Hawaii, in December.

Hana Tour will be introducing its “warm” packages via its online travel fair with special events until the end of this month.

Offers will include golf tourism, resort stays and hot springs. For more informatino, visit travelshow.hanatour.com/main.asp.


Hawaii gears up for Christmas spectaculars
 

Hawaii Tourism said that it will launch various festivals across the island in December, beginning with the “Honolulu City Lights” Christmas event on Dec. 5 in Oahu.

The annual Honolulu City Lights marks the 31st anniversary this year, and visitors will be able to see large decorated Christmas trees and Santa Claus sculptures.

There will also be an exhibition featuring a variety of Christmas trees during this event.

Also, the 18th annual Lighting of the Banyan Tree will be held in Maui on Dec. 5-6. Some 6,500 lights will be decorated on banyan trees.

Following these two annual festivals, Kona will launch the 31st Christmas Parade on Dec. 10. For more information, visit www.gohawaii.com/kr.