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Gongdeok District In Seoul May Surprise You
There are some districts of Seoul that seem like straight forward business districts and nothing more. Gongdeok has always been one of those areas for me. I’d pass through the area on the way from Hongdae to Itaewon or visit when I was going down to Yeouido to see the annual fireworks festival, but until last year when I was working in Gongdeok, I hadn’t really stopped to look around. Glad I did though. While there are a ton of businesses in the area, there are also cool cafes, reclaimed spaces, and some good good good eats. So, if you are around and want to try something different, don’t hesitate…
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The Rainbow Zip Wire: The Longest & Tallest In Korea
Gimcheon is a city in Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea and is easily accessible via the KTX train line that connects the capital city of Seoul to the coastal city of Busan. In recent years, the city has been getting amped up and looking to get more tourists to the region and might just be the next hot spot for the thrill seekers and adventure hunters in Korea. If you’re looking for a weekend away in Korea, consider Gimcheon especially if you like zip wires, suspension bridges, and breathtaking views. This city in South Korea isn’t super popular but maybe it should be. Plan a trip to Gimcheon, Korea: (This post contains affiliate…
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Why Namsan Tower Is A Must See In Seoul
If you’re a tourist headed to Seoul, South Korea, chances are you’ve heard of the iconic N Seoul Tower. Nestled atop Namsan Mountain, this observatory offers unforgettable views of Seoul. As one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, this towering structure boasts not only breathtaking panoramic views of the sprawling metropolis but also a rich cultural significance and should definitely be on your Seoul itinerary even if you’re in the city for a short time. Plan your trip to N Seoul Tower now: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to you. Thank you…
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Camp Greaves: An Abandoned Military Base With An Artistic Future In The Korean DMZ
The DMZ has never been calling to me so much as it has this year. I didn’t visit the area for most of the past decade living in Korea and somehow have been quite a few times in just mere months. Here’s the thing, I like authentic historical sites and have never been interested in the touristy/photo zone spots and somehow the DMZ mingles between both. It’s an odd thing for me to go someplace that has so much meaning for separated families and people that fought here, then to see an amusement park and photo zones really throws me. Some areas along the line are worth the trip and…
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7 Places To Get A Great View of Seoul From Above For FREE
Looking for the best views in Seoul, Korea? We’ve got the list for you. Seoul Sky Observatory is so worth the ticket price in my opinion, BUT if you want a few other options that will make that trip to Seoul very budget friendly, here is a good list of places to check out. They may not be as tall, because the Seoul Sky Observatory is way… way up there, but these buildings Seoul will give you some great cityscape and tall perspectives of the streets of Seoul. If you’re looking to check out the Seoul Sky Observatory, get your tickets online before you go. You don’t have to wait…
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Namyangju: Strawberry Picking, Abandoned Train Stations & Snow!
There’s a small peninsula that juts out into the Han River where it splits into two rivers just east of Seoul in Namyangju and that is where we found strawberries, abandoned train stations and more this past weekend. If you’re looking for some place that isn’t too far out of the city but will afford you with fresh air, great views and some fun too, then keep reading and look for Nungnae Station, strawberry farms, and even some good food! Plan a trip to Namyangju: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to you.…
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Heyri Art Village In Paju: A Guide To The Sights, Sounds & Eats
Intriguing places, pretty cafes and art too is what you’ll find if you head north into Paju to the delightful artsy spot known as Heyri Art Village (헤이리 예술마을). This is just one thing to do in Paju, but there is really a ton! The Heyri Art Village is less than an hour northwest and was the vision of a book publisher many years back. Home to photographers, painters, artists of all kinds, musicians, architects and writers means it is quirky, artsy and very fun as well as home to galleries, museums and more. To give you an idea about where to start in this eye catching village check out…
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Yongma Land: The Abandoned Amusement Park in Seoul
Yongma Land (용마랜드) is a small failed amusement park in northeastern Seoul that has become popular with photographers and photo-op seeking teenagers in recent years. The abandoned amusement area offers some of the standard rides like the iconic carousel and the “Viking” as well as a mini train that is now covered in vines. Whether you’re looking for abandoned places in Seoul or want to film your own Kpop video to mimic your favorite artists, this is the place to go in Seoul. It’s not the most common addition to a Seoul itinerary, but it’s a cool spot if you want something unique in the capital of Korea. Plan a…
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Cafe Valor: K-Drama Filming Location, Coffee & More!
[NOW CLOSED] Cafe Valor (카페발로) first drew my attention when I was planning my trip out to Incheon to stay at the immaculately designed Nest Hotel some months back but I didn’t get a chance to visit the cafe/studio until recently. Not having spent terribly much time in Incheon, I wanted to know what there was to see and one tool at my disposal was, of course, Instagram. I ended up with a great itinerary for the westernmost coast of Incheon that included Incheon’s Chinatown, the Fairytale Village and more but just couldn’t find the time to get to Cafe Valor which really took my fancy. Was it a cafe? Was…
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Fish Markets In Seoul: Noryangjin and More!
Again and again, I’m asked for information on the Noryangjin Fish Market. How to get there, what to order and how to make the most of a trip there. I’ll be honest, I’ve been there a handful of times and though it is the most popular fish market in the Seoul, I just want to say that it isn’t the ONLY fish market in the city and definitely not the only fish market in Korea. Noryangjin is the most centrally located of the fish markets in Seoul so I’ll give all of the info you need to know to get in, around, and up and down in the space but…
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The Complete Guide To Celebrating The Holidays In Seoul, Korea
In the States it seems like everyone has started putting up their holiday decorations well before even Thanksgiving has passed. Once that was taboo but these days clearly what was taboo is not anymore (you know what I’m referring to, right?). In Korea, sometimes you can be hard pressed to see any holiday decor to get into the spirit before or after Christmas. It is there, if you know where to look though! (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking. These funds go to maintain the site… and if there’s any left over, to a bottle of…
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The S(e)oul Derby: Sign Up Now!
Come for some fun. With clues in hand, teams will race to find as many locations as possible from cultural hot spots to traditional architecture and even some friendly local eateries too. The event will be a cross between scavenger hunt searches and amazing race-esque missions. How much do you know about Seoul? Come test your knowledge with some great people and if you have the stuff, you can even win some fabulous prizes. There are more than W1,000,000 in prizes! The event will kick-off near Hapjeong Station and will culminate at 3 Alley a local expat owned pub in Itaewon where we will tally the points while you sit…
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The Soul of Seoul Tours: Hanboks, Tea & Gold Recap
This past weekend, The Soul of Seoul Tours held our Hanboks, Tea & Gold event and boy was it fun, not to mention beautiful! The group started at a Hanbok rental shop at 10:00am and was dressed head, and some, to toe in traditional Korean clothing. Each person chose from a selection of brightly colored skirts and tops, changed and then had their hair done. They had the option to carry a provided purse as well so the whole outfit could be in the style of traditional Korea. After the group was dressed and good to go, we headed to Unhyeongung Palace or royal residence. The residence provided a chance…
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My Top Ten Adventures of 2015!
Much like 2014, not all of the adventures I undertook this year involved traveling yet this year managed to be extremely adventurous and full of first time experiences. I love looking back at my year and appreciating everything that I’ve done. It’s always fun to reminisce and be thankful for the experiences, events, people and more that I have had, gone to and met. I hope that everyone takes the time to recall their year as we near the end and I hope that everyone has at least a few moments to smile upon and be grateful for. Here are my top ten adventures of 2015! (This post contains affiliate…
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International Lifestyle: Moving Abroad In Your 20’s
Last year I was approached by some fellow expats in Thailand about writing a chapter for a book they were putting together. Laura Gibbs and Jason Berkeley wanted to compile stories from people that had moved abroad in their 20s. They wanted to give some perspective to those students back home just graduating and considering the big move abroad. What is expat life like? What are the great possible outcomes and of course the inevitable detriments? One major purpose of their book was to explain why moving abroad in your 20’s is by far the best time in one’s life to take advantage of such an adventure. The book was…
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My Top Ten Adventures of 2014!
This year was full of new adventures for me and for my husband and not all of them included travel. I used to think traveling someplace new was all an adventure could be but, this year I learned that adventures can come in all shapes and sizes and experiences. 1. New Orleans, Louisiana: For our trip home this year we didn’t exactly go home. Instead of heading to my home state of Ohio, we headed to the Big Easy with my family to celebrate some big birthdays. We enjoyed the beautiful historic buildings and homes that lined the streets of the French Quarter and filled our bellies with the very filling…