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The Coolest Rest Stop In Korea Has An Illumination Theme Park
I’ve been in Korea for thirteen years and been driving for six of them. I’ve been on buses that pulled off at rest stops and pulled off at many on my own road trips and up until this month, I didn’t know there could even be a “cool” rest stop, but there is. Generally, rest stops in Korea feature a large cafeteria space with tables and chairs to eat food from one of multiple fast options. There is a convenience store and large bathrooms. There are also a few coffee shops too, but that’s about it and that’s pretty standard. You don’t really need much more out of a rest…
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Rugby Clubs In Korea & The Seoul Rugby Charity Dinner
Rugby is a sport that may not have a ton of history in Korea but it definitely has some avid fans and those fans have even gone on to start rugby clubs around the country. Whether you want to play, promote, or support these programs, there’s a chance to be apart of the sport from Seoul down to Busan. Recently, I was invited out to the Seoul Rugby Charity Dinner. Hosted every four years in the run up to the Rugby World Cup, this event held at the JW Marriott this year, raises money for a number of charities here in Seoul, Korea. The event is hosted by the South…
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Off The Beaten Path In Korea: The Hamchang Art Road In Sangju
There are some great places to go in Korea to see artworks and some are so off the beaten path, you really need to be an art lover… or maybe a small town fan. Personally, I love visiting small towns in Korea and hitting townie festivals like the Icheon Sansuyu Festival or visiting the small Hanok Village in Seongju, Gyeongsanbuk-do. Small towns are charming and the people, too. Hamchang in Sangju lived up to my small town expectations with friendly people and the bonus was the scavenger hunt for art. If you want to get off the beaten path in Korea, take a day trip from Seoul or maybe stay…
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Daytrips From Seoul: Oido Island & Daebudo Island
There is more to Korea than Seoul and so often people just miss it. Did you know there are islands just off the west coast and some are even accessible via the Seoul subway system? We took a day trip down to Oido Island and Daebudo Island and it definitely reminded me that I need to get out that way more. Want to take a trip outside of Seoul for the day or the whole weekend? There are awesome islands to visit like Yeongjongdo Island and Ganghwado Island to name a couple and here are two more spots to look into. You won’t be sorry. From ocean blues and salty…
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The Hangang Parks: A Guide To The 11 Han River Parks In Seoul, Korea
The Han River, also called the Hangang, is a symbol of Seoul, Korea and a popular place to spend a day for most Seoulites especially during the hot hot summer. Year round, visitors can be found biking, walking, running, picnicking, or just enjoying the view. The Seoul City Government has done a lot to make the parks that line the river all the more visitor friendly in the past decade and there are now art installations to be found, skateboard parks to be enjoyed, outdoor concert venues, museums and just sooo much more to do, aside from the fantastic swimming pools that are also there. One of the questions I…
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Where To Surf In Korea: Surfyy Beach
Surfing and Korea are two words that don’t go hand in hand for most people. Ask around about where to go surfing, and people might think of Australia, California, or Hawaii, but surfing is becoming more and more popular for beach goers in this country that is surrounded on three sides with beaches and waves and Surfyy Beach has been on the forefront of the momentum. Want to have fun this summer in Korea? Here’s where to go! While it would have been pretty bizarre to see surfers just a decade ago, it’s a trendy sport now. I still remember the first time I saw surfers on the east coast…
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Gangnam, Seoul: What To See, Do, Eat & Where To Stay
Gangnam is an area of Seoul known for being home to the wealthy, celebrities, and it’s not uncommon to see people walking around with bandages on after they’ve gone to one of the high-end cosmetic surgery spots in the district. Literally meaning “south of the river”, Gangnam gained international attention in 2012 when Psy released his hugely popular song “Gangnam Style”. The area is actually rather new compared to other districts in Seoul having only been built up and developed in the 80s, and while I’ve most often frequented the west side of Seoul, I have gone to Gangnam from time to time throughout the years and thought it was…
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Andong, Korea: Everything You MUST See, Do, Eat & Try!
Queen Elizabeth II visited Korea and asked to be taken to the most Korean place in Korea and was taken to Andong, so the story goes. If she had asked for the most historical city, she might have been taken to Gyeongju instead. Andong, also called “the capital of Korean spirit”, in Gyeongsangbuk-do is famous for a number of things including wooden masks, a spicy chicken dish called jimdak, the Andong Hahoe Village, and the Andong Mask Dance Festival to name a few. It took me more than a decade to finally visit, but don’t make the same mistake. This charming city has a lot to offer and plenty to…
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Greenhouse Cafes Are Trending In Seoul
Trends can come and go pretty quickly in Seoul, Korea and they’re often at the whim of whichever K-drama is hot at the moment or a sudden burst of attention on Instagram, but I, for one, am hoping the newest trend of greenhouse cafes continues. I’m not sure if it’s due to the higher than normal dust levels the city of Seoul has suffered over the past year, or if it’s just an aesthetically pleasing design that was bound to happen at some point, but greenhouse cafes are trending big time around Korea right now. I went to a few last year and now they’re just getting bigger, better, and…
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Internet Detox & Healing At Healience Seonmaeul Near Seoul
Living in Seoul, Korea can be amazing, fun, and there’s a ton to see but it can also be overwhelming, stressful, and busy. For those times when the city is a bit too much, there are healing and wellness hotels and resorts around Korea and Healience Seonmaeul is one of the best. A big trend in Korea right now is refocusing the ‘self’ and more healing and wellness-centered hotels and resorts are popping up to help people living the fast-paced life rekindle and replant their roots in nature and take a breath. This year I’m in a Wellness Tourism group that is sponsored by the Korea Tourism Organization so I’m…
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Paradise City Resort: THE Hot Spot Near Incheon International Airport
Recently, I had the privilege of heading out to Paradise City Resort in Incheon, a luxury hotel and resort here in Korea, to write an article for Forbes Travel Guide. I was blown away by the new art and entertainment resort near Incheon International Airport. I had actually gone out to the stunning resort last year but didn’t even go inside. You might ask how, but at the time I was just there to check out some of the amazing architecture… which I’ll get to in a bit. After finally going in to the stunning five-star resort not far from Seoul, Korea, now a few times, I can honestly say…
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What To Do Near Incheon International Airport: Beaches, Parks, Cafes & Flowers
Incheon International Airport sits on Yeongjong Island (영종도) just outside of Seoul, Korea and most people visiting Korea will land and leave as quickly as they arrived departing to to places like Seoul, Busan, or Jeju. There’s plenty to do on this island in Incheon though and we’ve headed out a few times over the years to see what there is to see and take advantage of the numerous spots that there are sans crowds because everyone else is trying to get to the mainland. Enjoy the scenery though people… enjoy the scenery! Have a 24 hour layover at Incheon International Airport? Check out those Instagrammable spots in the airport…
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The Seoul Derby: The Summer Scavenger Hunt Event 2019
The Seoul Derby is an event I have been putting together for at least five years now… maybe six. When I started it was all about planning a fun way to get people out and about and see parts of Seoul that maybe haven’t and do it in a competitive way. Since it’s debut, there have been between 15 and 20 teams that rock up each time. Some years there is just one event in the beginning of the summer and some years there has been two. Teams of four (or more) get together and run around with a scavenger hunt clue list of items that can really only be…
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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 New Zealand Wine Festival Is BACK in Seoul & Busan
The Kiwi Chamber is hosting the 11th annual wine festival here in Seoul on May 25th. After attending last year, I can say it’s one fun event so don’t miss out. I’ve cleared my calendar. Will you? Don’t worry if you don’t live in Seoul though, there is a second addition that is held down in Busan on June 8th. Hosted by the Grand Hyatt Hotel, the backdrop couldn’t be better in the spring. Stand next to the waterfall, grab a picnic blanket and lounge on the grass, or stand around a table as you sup on some delectable eats and of course sip on some wine, wine wine. If…
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Ulleung-do: A Guide To The Secret Island You NEED To Visit In South Korea
Set 120 kilometers off the eastern coast of South Korea, Ulleung-do, or Ulleung Island, is about as off the beaten path in Korea as you can get. While plenty of people know of the island, it’s not the easiest place to get to and many people just don’t have the time… and you’ll need some time. If you do get to this remote island only accessible via ferry, you’ll be delighted with karsts rising from the emerald blue seas, towering lush green mountains and island life rarely seen in Korea. Brave the erratic weather that surrounds the secret island and you will be rewarded with views for days and a…
