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Juknokwon: Korea’s Most Popular Bamboo Forest In Damyang
Damyang, Korea’s claim to fame is a massive bamboo forest named Juknokwon (죽녹원). It is the most famous bamboo forest in South Korea. While this is the most famous and was even named one of the top things to do in Korea in 2019 by the Korean Tourism Organization, there is also the stunning Taehwagang River Bamboo Forest in Ulsan which features a huge number of brilliantly colored flowers in the spring and summer and one of the best kept secrets on Geoje Island, the Bamboo Theme Park. Bamboo forests dot the southern half of the country, but if you only have time to visit one, Juknokwon Bamboo Forest is the…
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Gunsan, Korea: A Guide For What To See, What To Do & What To Eat!
Wanting to get out and see something different, we decided to take a road trip to Jeolla and our first stop was Gunsan, Korea in North Jeolla Province, or Jeollabuk-do. This port city is a bit deceiving as you drive in as there are huge industrial parks and of course ports all over so it can seem a bit more like a manufacturing city. For me, the most I knew about the city was that it is home to Gunsan Air Force Base for the American military and that it is where the more popular Seonyudo Island is located. (I say more popular because did you know there is a…
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Seoul Station: What To See Nearby, Where To Eat, & So Much More!
How many times have you visited Seoul Station (서울역) in the heart of the city of Seoul, Korea? Whether you’re just passing through or heading to the KTX train to get out of the city, or just want a lively area to shop and eat, Seoul Station is a pretty good stop to make. Coming into Seoul from Incheon International Airport? You’re probably headed here. There’s way more to do around the station that is the central hub for the Seoul subway system though and I wanted to share some of the oft missed places so the next time you’re in the area, you won’t miss all of the fun,…
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How To Get To Seoul From Incheon International Airport: A Guide To All Of The Transfer Options
Are you traveling to Seoul, Korea soon? Most likely you’ll land at Incheon International Airport, Seoul’s airport, which is an amazing airport and the 22nd busiest airport in the world and serves more than 60 million passengers each year. The airport is one of the leading transit airports in the world and honestly, it’s absolutely stunning. Incheon International Airport is one of the few airports I enjoy getting to early because there is plenty of good food to eat, lovely architecture to see, and it’s a great airport with kids because there are play places to find too. Keep that in mind for your way out. To the business at…
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Troiareuke: A Review Of The Prescription Skincare Brand
Troiareuke takes its name from the ancient Greek word “foundation” or “beginning”. Their company offers holistic options like chroma therapy, aromatherapy, and herb therapy for skin concerns such as aging, blemishes, dryness and sensitivity. This is a cruelty-free Korean beauty brand that manufactures all of its products in Korea. The brand actually started as and still is a spa brand that caters to clients with acne and skin problems. Their clients were so happy with treatments at the spa and asked for products to take home so the brand expanded and produced prescription skincare cosmetics for home use. Whether your skin has been affected by environmental factors, emotions, or your…
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Where To See Cherry Blossoms In Korea 2024
Spring in Korea doesn’t really begin until those beautiful light pink cherry blossoms bloom. At least in my opinion. Are you looking for the cherry blossom blooming forecast? You’ve come to the right place. Let’s see cherry blossoms this spring. There are numerous places to see cherry blossoms in Seoul and around Korea with some being more popular than others. You could really walk down the most mundane neighborhood and see cherry blossoms though so while you should and probably will seek to find some of the more major spots, also just keep your eyes peeled for trees along the way. Last year, the first blossoms I noticed were down…
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Jumiso: Toner, Serum & Cream Review
About a year ago I was introduced to the brand Jumiso through the KBeauty Collective here in Seoul. The collective seeks to promote awesome clean Korean beauty companies and their products. Jumiso (주미소) is a Korean beauty brand that wants to “give smiles to their customers”. Their name literally means that with the words 주 (ju), to give; and 미소 (miso), smile. Jumiso is a subsidiary of the KBeauty brand Helloskin and the products feature some adorable design and packaging. All of the Jumiso products are manufactured in Korea and their top priority is listening to their customers. All of their products are cruelty-free and vegan friendly too. Want to learn…
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Where To Stay On Jeju Island in Korea
Jeju Island has been called the Hawai’i of Korea and it is gorgeous. There is a ton to do too whether you want to visit Jeju in the winter or the summer. The problem is, it’s definitely bigger than you might think so it’s super important to choose the right spot to stay to see exactly what you want. Don’t even think you can see the whole island in one weekend. You really need to think of the island as four quadrants and then stick to that one area when you visit and see what you can see there. Jeju Island is an absolute must visit if you’ll be spending…
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ShuShu and Sassy: The Kid Friendly Skincare Brand & The Kids Beauty Salons In Seoul
There are kids’ cafes all over Korea but now there are also kids’ spas and beauty salons too! If you’re looking for the cutest most Instagrammable places to take your kids in Seoul, it has to be ShuShu and Sassy (슈슈앤쎄씨). When our little lady was younger we visited the Tayo Kids Cafe and the Pororo Kids Cafe but she is quickly getting too old for all of that madness it seems. One of the hottest trends in Korea right now is taking kids to get their own manicures, pedicures and glittery hair extensions and my daughter really jumped right onto that bandwagon. Children wanting to mimic their parents is…
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The Australia Chamber Of Commerce Australia-Korea Business Awards 2020
This past weekend I was invited to attend the prestigious Australia-Korea Business Awards hosted by the Australia Chamber of Commerce, or AustChamKorea. The Australian Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AustCham) was established in 2008 and now consists of more than 250 members representing Australian services, manufacturing, energy and financial industries. AustCham supports Australian companies in Korea and Korean companies looking for business opportunities with Australia to meet the interests of both countries. Getting to attend these events as a bystander that isn’t affiliated with a Korean or Australian company makes for a unique experience where I become more of a spectator and it’s brilliant to learn about some awesome companies…
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Signiel Hotel: The Tallest Hotel In Seoul With The Best Views Of The City
SIGNIEL Seoul is one of the best luxury hotels in Seoul, Korea. It is in the tallest building in Korea and that should tell you that it most definitely features the best views of the city. You will literally be seated above airplanes and helicopters. I looked out the window after a massage to see helicopters flying at least five floors lower than where we sat. That is just amazing and I could have easily spent my entire stay just gazing out the window watching the tiny ants below and the lights flicker on in the evening. SIGNIEL Seoul is not only amazingly high, but it is gorgeous and the staff…
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Petite France: How To Get There From Seoul & What To Do There
Petite France (쁘띠프랑스) is one of those popular spots for tourists to get away to when they head out of Seoul. It’s in Gapyeong, an area that has a lot to do so it’s a great area to take a day trip from Seoul to see not one, but multiple fun things. From gardens and parks with light festivals to farms, islands, and unique villages, there’s a ton to do in the area. So, it’s no wonder there are tours that head out there daily and often include a stop at Petite France. Petite France is one of those Instagrammable hot spots to the east of Seoul in Korea that…
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Did You Know There Is A Golden Temple In Seoul? Find Suguksa Temple
I have lived in Seoul, Korea for quite awhile and I have seen a lot of Buddhist temples here. I love a visit to a temples in South Korea. They are peaceful and calming and beautiful. Often set up on the mountain or in forests, the views are good and the ambiance lovely. Most temples in Korea are painted reds and greens and maybe there’s a bit of yellow and white in the artwork. That’s pretty standard so when I saw a glimmer of gold as I drove down the street near my house and saw a sign for a temple, I was intrigued. After visiting Suguksa Temple (수국사), I…
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O’Sulloc Tea: Why It’s The Best Souvenir Or Gift From Korea
Ever wonder what the best souvenir in Korea is? It’s one of the top asked questions in expat groups. People are headed home and want to take a gift. Family is coming and want to take gifts back. While there are various options, I think O’Sulloc tea is the absolute best souvenir and gift from Korea. Not only is it from Korea and homegrown, but it’s also a premier product. O’Sulloc Tea is one of those brands that can convert people I think. It’s just that good. Honestly, I’ve given a ton of Korean-centric gifts in the past decade while living in Korea from the metal chopstick sets with holsters…
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A Guide To Gyeongju, Korea: What To Do, See, Eat & Where To Stay
If you haven’t heard of Gyeongju, Korea yet, then you need to! Though Andong, Korea is often referred to as the most traditional city in the country, I’d say that Gyeongju is the most historical you can visit. Gyeongju is referred to as “the museum without walls” because everywhere you turn you can find another site with historical relevance to see. The city actually has more tombs, temples, pagodas, palace ruins, and other historical artifacts than any other place in Korea. I’d say it’s a must see, but that term is so overused at this point. I visited Gyeongju for the first time over a decade ago and found it…
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An Epic Travel Guide To Seoul, Korea For The First Timer
Seoul, Korea is huge and has gained a ton of attention in the past decade for not only a beautiful culture but also the Hallyu wave that has swept over the world. When you begin to plan your trip to the capital city of Korea it can seem overwhelming and you may not know where to begin. While I’m known for promoting the off the beaten path spots in and around Seoul and promoting new hot spots to check out, I wanted to create an essential guide for the first time visitor to this busy and fun capital of Korea. Having lived here since 2006 when I first came as…
