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Instagrammers In Seoul: This One’s For You!
It’s a wonder it took this long for someone to decide to make a business based solely on the -gram. But that is exactly what Instasia (인스타지아) seems to have done and good on them. Whether you like taking photos as a hobby or taking photos just for that Insta shot, this is the place for you. Instasia is one photo zone after photo zone after photo zone just outside of Seoul in Songdo, Incheon. It’s basically like you stepped into a studio with different sets but instead of getting the expensive photographer that comes with the studio, you have a friend take your photos, bring a tripod… or maybe bring…
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The Kiwi Chamber Is Back With Their Annual New Zealand Wine Festival In Seoul & Busan!
The Kiwi Chamber is celebrating their 10th annual wine festival here in Seoul on May 26th and I’ve cleared my calendar for it, have you? If you don’t live in Seoul or May 26 doesn’t work for you, fear not, as the event is happening TWICE! The second event will be held in Busan on June 2nd. I have learned much about wine after attending various events hosted by and hosting with Ian from Vineworks so I think I’m ready to sip, gurgle and sniff my way around some Kiwi wines. The event in Seoul will be held in the scenic outdoor waterfall garden of the Grand Hyatt Hotel and will…
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The Goyang Flower Festival At Ilsan Lake Park
Each spring and autumn, the Ilsan Lake Park in Goyang, Korea, a city just outside of Seoul is decorated with flowers for a gorgeous flower festival that is the perfect way to welcome the new colorful season. We went a few years ago and have kept going back each year to just watch as it has gotten bigger and better each year. Here’s a little guide to Ilsan Lake Park and how to enjoy a day out in the area. Get ready to explore the Ilsan Lake Park this spring or autumn to take advantage of the beautiful flower festivals: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a…
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Where To Go Glamping Near Seoul: Club Lespia
This past weekend, I got a group of 25 people (9 of which were toddlers) together for a glamping adventure just outside of Seoul in celebration of my birthday. Today, I turn… well, I was born in 1984, so I’ll let you figure it out. I LOVE LOVE LOVE getting into nature or just being outside. I’m not so sure my husband feels the same way all of the time though and that’s why I thought glamping would be a good compromise for some fun this year. Last year we enjoyed a great picnic with friends so I upped the ante and this year, glamping it was. BONUS!: It was…
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The Anyang Art Park: Fun, Forests and It’s Free!
The Anyang Art Park (안양예술공원) just outside of Seoul, Korea is one of those places that makes its rounds in the blogosphere almost every year. It’s always fun and always provides cool photos for whoever wants to head south from Seoul just in to Gyeonggi-do. Because of that, I was sort of laughing at myself for taking so long to enjoy the place that is so enjoyable. Make sure to check out the awesome art installations and there ARE a couple maps I’ve been able to find in this post as well. Good luck adventuring to Anyang! Skip around and get all of the info you need to plan your…
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Gamaksan Suspension Bridge & DMZ Tour In Korea: Review
A couple weekends ago, I was able to go on a tour to Gamaksan Suspension Bridge and the DMZ. I’ll be honest, that I hadn’t really had any interest in visiting the DMZ before, at least not the Paju area DMZ. Mostly, because so many people go there, I was unsure how much of it was a tourist zone/trap and how much of it was educational. A few years back I visited the DMZ in the Cheorwan area and found it extremely interesting but also it was insightful and real. There weren’t large busloads of people and the village that used to be there is just buildings that are clearly war…
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The Ara SkyWalk, Waterfall & Flower Cafe Not Far From Seoul
The Gyeong-in Ara Waterway runs from Gimpo to Incheon and has bike paths, walking paths and more for the active among us. For the less so, or the toddler toting, there is an awesome suspended circular glass bottom bridge just next to Korea’s largest man-made waterfall. Want to take a little trip and see something different? Check out the Ara Maru (아라마루전망대). (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. These funds go to maintain the site. Thank you for your support.) How To Get There Address: 79-4 Duksil-dong, Gyeyang-gu, Incheon (지번인천 계양구 둑실동…
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9 Places To Get A Great View of Seoul From Above
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 in Seoul will give you some great cityscape and tall perspectives of the streets of Seoul. Get ready to get an observatory view of Seoul, Korea. If you’re looking to check out the Seoul Sky Observatory, get…
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What To Do In Seochon Near Gyeongbokgung Palace
There are some fantastic things to see in downtown Seoul near Gyeongbokgung Palace and most tourists to Seoul miss some great ones entirely. Generally tourists visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace, head east from the biggest palace in Seoul and visit Bukchon Hanok Village. This is totally understandable, but Seochon (서촌), the neighborhood to the west of main palace in Seoul is cool too and a bit more popular with the locals. Let’s check out some of the best things to see west of Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seochon, or Tongin-dong. What to do and eat in the Seochon Village: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a…
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What To Do If You’re Staying In Seoul For Seollal 2025
This year, 2025, Seollal, or the Lunar New Year, falls on January 29, 2025. Seollal is a big family holiday here in Korea so it’s important to know what to expect, what is open and what is closed. Most Koreans head back to their hometowns to see family and if they celebrate in the traditional fashion will wake very early in the morning and hold a ceremony to pay respects to their ancestors in which they will dress in traditional Korean clothing, or Hanbok, and bow to an altar table set with all kinds of food including meat, fish, vegetables and fruit. My Korean family will partake in this very…
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The Best Places To Eat Brunch In Hongdae
Brunch places galore. It seems like that’s what the Hongdae vicinity is these days. It’s pretty stunning to me because I’ve been living in the area for the past 9 years and gosh darn it if brunch restaurants were next to none for most of that time. Sure there were a few that popped up and then disappeared but now, they are in full force and deliciously so. If you’re in the area and want some good eats in the morning, and I highly recommend coming over to the area in the morning when the hoodlums have skedaddled and the coffee drinkers have taken over, check out these brunch places…
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Every Single Day: Korean Dramas & Olympic Dreams
Sometimes I forget that I have a front row seat to everything Every Single Day. I assume everyone else knows what they’re up to so seldom write about the band or what my husband is doing with the band. If you follow me on Instagram, then you’ll know that I shared in an Insta-story a bit back that my husband was in the hospital with pneumonia which he basically got because he had bronchitis but was so busy recording and preparing for concerts that he neglected himself. To say he’s been busy is an understatement. That’s not a bad thing when done right though. My husband is a guitarist in…
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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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Sewoon Plaza, Reborn as Makercity Sewoon
When walking down the streets of Seoul, Korea it’s common to notice only what is on the street level nearest you, but there is always so much more to see. Buildings with rooftops, decorated seating, and cool vibes abound and few find them. Want a view out over the Jongno area? You must find Sewoon Sangga (세운상가), also known as Sewoon Plaza and revamped into Makercity Sewoon. Sewoon means “attracts all the energy of the world” and it seems like it does, no matter which of the names above you end up using. The market went from boom to bust and it’s about to go to boom again. Learn more…
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New Parks Featuring Trains, Battleships & More In Seoul!
There is always something to see and do in Seoul and people are forever asking me how I know what’s going on. I just keep my ear to the ground I suppose. I also have good friends who are also in the know and it often happens that I hear about one thing, they hear about another in the same area and a great day trip comes out of it. Here are a few transportation based adventures I’ve had recently that you should know about. (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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Seongsu-dong: A Guide To The Brooklyn Of Seoul
The shoe district that has become the “it” spot to hang out in Seoul, Korea what with the warehouses being converted to art spaces and cafes and the boutique shops has something around every corner. Where to begin in Seongsu-dong?! Some have even called it the “Brooklyn of Seoul” so I knew I’d like it before I even got over there. Everywhere you look there is street art celebrating the district known for shoe factories and design and now with more artists moving in, there is bound to be ever more creative hot spots to appreciate. Young creatives started heading to the area back in 2011 due to the low…
